15800 Calvary Road Kansas City, MO 64147-1341 Syllabus Course: TH111-T & -TN (Blended) Evangelism/Spiritual Life Credit: 3 Semester Hours Semester: Spring 2017 Time: 8:00 8:50 am (Section 1); 9:00 9:50 am (Section 2), MWF Instructor: Dr. Michel Dodds. (816) 322-5152 ext. 1348, mike.dodds@calvary.edu, (913) 638-3291 (cell) I. DESCRIPTION An introduction to the biblical principles of evangelism and spiritual life from a New Testament framework. Emphasis is on the practical methods of witnessing, discipleship, spiritual growth which includes our position in Christ by the Holy Spirit, and grace. * This is a blended class, meaning that both campus and online students take this class together. Campus students attend the classes in person, online students attend the classes via the online classroom. All interaction and assignments for campus and online students are done in the online classroom. II. OBJECTIVES A. General competencies to be achieved. The student will be able to... 1. Describe what it means to be a Christian and the nature of the Christian s spiritual life. 2. Define spiritual maturity, spiritual warfare, and spiritual growth. 3. Identify the God-ordained relationships for a Christian and how to develop and maintain maturity in all of those relationships. 4. Articulate the Gospel message and confidently share it with others through actions and words. B. Specific competencies to be achieved. The student will be able to... 1. Articulate a biblical understanding of the Christian spiritual life and how it is developed and maintained. 2. Define and practice selected spiritual disciplines. 3. Write a personal testimony and Gospel presentations and share them with others. 4. Describe spiritual warfare and God s means for victory in it. III. REQUIREMENTS A. Entire Course Assignments (Module 1). 1. Read the course textbooks & answer assigned study questions in preparation for class discussion. (Note: These questions are posted to the Our Mission: To Live According to a Biblical Worldview and Serve
Course website in the Module 1 section.) a. Read Free & Clear according to the class schedule in preparation for the course section covering evangelism. b. Read Respectable Sins to the class schedule in preparation for the course section covering the spiritual life. 2. Select only one (1) of the following spiritual disciplines to practice over 12 weeks of the course. (Note: Specific instructions for the following assignments are posted to the Course website in the Module 1 section.) 1) Memorize 12 Bible verses and demonstrate the completion of this assignment through reciting the verses for the course instructor or his designated representative. 2) Keep a prayer journal for 12 weeks of the course, making entries for five (5) days of each week for spending at least ten (10) minutes of each day in prayer & Bible reading. 3. Take Exam #1 covering course introductory material presented in class lectures. (Note: Specific instructions for the material to know for this exam will be presented in a study guide posted to the Course website in the Module 1 section.) B. Evangelism Assignments (Module 2). 1. Personal testimony and Gospel presentations select only one (1) of the following evangelism assignments. (Note: Specific instructions for the following assignments are posted to the Course website in the Module 2 section.) a. Write out a 2-page personal testimony using the format provided in class, share it with an unbeliever, and then write a 2-page paper of lessons learned in this experience. b. Write out a 2-page personal testimony using the format provided in class, and then write out 2 Gospel presentations (1 page each). 2. Study evangelism practices or apologetics and make an in-class presentation. select only one (1) of the following evangelism assignments. (Note: Specific instructions for the following assignments are posted to the Course website in the Module 2 section.) a. Do research and write a paper with personal answers to five (5) questions skeptics ask (i.e., 1 per page), and then present one (1) in class. b. Study the evangelism practices of a person in the Bible and write a five (5) page paper of your findings; then present your findings in class. 3. Take Exam #2 covering the evangelism section of the course. (Note: Specific instructions for the material to know for this exam will be presented in a study guide posted to the Course website in the Module 2 section.) Page 2
C. Spiritual Life Assignments (Module 3). 1. Write a five (5) page research essay on an aspect of the Christian s spiritual life and present the findings in class. (Note: Specific instructions for the following assignments are posted to the Course website in the Module 3 section.) a. Research topics select only one (1) topic from a listing of the spiritual disciplines, the one-anothers, and aspects of spiritual warfare and spiritual growth. b. Paper content included must be a discussion of what the aspect is, where it is seen in Scripture, and how to practice/experience it. c. Presentation procedures in no more than 15 minutes and using a 1-page summary handout, present findings and lead a discussion of the topic. 2. Take Exam #3 covering the spiritual life section of the course presented in the lectures. (Note: Specific instructions for the material to know for this exam will be presented in a study guide posted to the Course website in the Module 3 section.) D. Final Project assignments (Module #4). 1. Write a ten (10) page personal spiritual life paper describing the following subjects. (Note: Specific instructions for the following assignments are posted to the Course website in the Module 4 section.) a. Personal SHAPE. b. Personal evangelistic style. c. Personal spiritual strengths, limitations, and weaknesses as related to the subjects of spiritual warfare and spiritual growth. c. Personal spiritual growth plan -- to cover at least 3 specific issues raised in the reading of Respectable Sins. 2. Take Exam #4 covering the entire course content as presented in the lectures. (Note: Specific instructions for the material to know for this exam will be presented in a study guide posted to the Course website in the Module 4 section.) IV. METHODS *About Disabilities: Students with disabilities have the responsibility of informing the DSS Coordinator (dss@calvary.edu) of any disabling condition that may require support. *About Assistance for All Course Assignments: The Clark Academic Center (learning@calvary.edu), located in the library building, is dedicated to providing free academic assistance for all CU students. Student tutors aid with all facets of the writing process, tutor in various subject areas, prepare students for exams, and facilitate tests. Please take advantage of this service. Page 3
A. Presentation: 1. In-class methods: lecture, class discussions, and taking exams. *About Class Attendance: See the attendance policy in the college catalog. *About Classroom Decorum: See the Student Handbook under Various Class Policies, Classroom and Chapel Decorum. *About Note Taking: Students are expected to take hand-written notes during each class discussion (Note: computers, ipads, or iphones will not be permitted for taking notes). 2. Out-of-class methods: reading, writing, research, memorizing, and studying for exams. B. Grading: *About Late Assignments: Assignments are due by 4:00pm of the date listed in the Class Schedule; after that time, late assignment grades will be lowered 5% for each class period it is late. *About Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as copying any part of a book or paper without identifying that source. This also includes taking another person s ideas and presenting them as your own without identifying the source. Any assignment that includes plagiarism will receive a zero (0) grade. *About course grade: See the grading scale in the college catalog for specific grading scale that will be used for final course grade. 1. General grading criteria: A = completed assignment well beyond assignment criteria B = completed assignment as specified and very well done C = completed assignment with average work D = completed assignment but poorly F = did not complete assignment and/or unacceptable work 2. Grading criteria for all written assignments: -All class papers must follow the Turabian style according to A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 8th edition and the Calvary Style Guide, 2015 update. -An assignment-specific rubric will be provided for each assignment. 3. Possible points for each specific assignment: a. Reading & Study Questions (35 @ 5)... = 175 points b. Memory Vss / Journal (12 @ 5)..... = 60 c. Testimony & Gospel Presentations (3 @ 25). = 75 d. 5 Quest / Evan Study paper (1 @ 150).. = 150 e. Sp Life Research Essay (1 @ 150).... = 150 Page 4
V. MATERIALS TH111-T & -TN (Blended) Evangelism/Spiritual Life f. Final Project (1 @ 200)...... = 200 g. Exams (4 @ 50)......... = 200 TOTAL = 1010 points A. Required: 1. Bridges, Jerry. 2007. Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress. ISBN-13: 978-0891-0994-13. Retail: $19.99. 192 pages. ebook. 2014. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House. ISBN-13: 9781615215058. Retail: $19.99. 2. Moyer, R. Larry. 2009. Free and Clear: Understanding & Communicating God's Offer of Eternal Life. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications. ISBN-13: 978-0825-4357-20. Retail: $15.99. 288 pages. B. Selected On-Line Resources: 1. Probe.org 2. Bible.org 3. GotQuestions.org 4. Blueletterbible.org/ VI. TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE [Note: Schedule will be posted to the course portal.] Page 5