Experiencing God Part 1 (DS0101W)

Content

This unit is the first of a sequence of two that introduces students to practice of personal and corporate spirituality. Spirituality is approached both broadly as the human exploration of personal meaning and transcendence as well as more specifically in the Christian tradition of the human experience of God in Christ through the Holy Spirit and in the communal life of the Church.

This first unit examines the following areas of Spirituality • Spirituality and Self-awareness • Spirituality and Relationships
• Contemplative spirituality • Historical Spiritual Disciplines and Practices

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

This unit is first in a sequence of two units (DS0101W, DS0102W) that together serve as an introduction to Christian spirituality. It is expected that students work through these units in sequence.

Pedagogy

Lectures, seminars, tutorials.
The unit will also utilise the practice of spirituality as well as field trips and excursions to provide students with the opportunity to explore various expressions and contexts of spirituality.

Indicative Bibliography

• Boa, Kenneth. Conformed to His Image: Biblical and Practical Approaches to Spiritual Formation. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2001.
• Calhoun, A. A. Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2005.
• Cunningham, Lawrence., and Keith J. Egan. Christian Spirituality: Themes from the Tradition. New York: Paulist Press, 1996.
• Foster, R. J. Celebration of discipline: The path to spiritual growth. (Rev.). San Francisco, CA: Harper and Row, 1988.
• Foster, R.J. Streams of living water. San Francisco, CA: Harper and Row, 1999.
• Holt, B.P. Thirsty for God: A brief history of Christian spirituality. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 1993.
• Mulholland, M. R, and R. Barton. Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation. Revised and Expanded. ed. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2016.
• Thomas, G. Sacred pathways: Discover your soul’s path to God. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000.
• Tyson, John R. Invitation to Christian Spirituality: An Ecumenical Anthology. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.
• Willard, D. The spirit of the disciplines: Understanding how God changes lives. San Francisco, CA: Harper and Row, 1998.

Assessment