Spiritual Formation in the Christian Tradition (DS1222P)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

You will discover and engage with a range of prayer practices from key figures and Christian communities, beginning with the earliest church and moving through the centuries. Indigenous wisdom, both from ancient practices, and from contemporary First Nations writers, will be explored. The relationship between prayer, the biblical text, ministry, social justice, and personal transformation will be investigated. Particular attention will be paid to contemplative practices, meditation, rituals, and embodied forms of prayer. The purposes of prayer, and the reality that at times prayer is difficult, will be explored. Throughout classes space will be provided for personal reflection and discussion.

Unit code: DS1222P

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 1

Unit discipline: Spirituality

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Pilgrim Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Articulate the place of personal prayer within the Christian tradition, beginning with the earliest church.
2.

Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of Christian styles of prayer and spirituality, including both apophatic and kataphatic approaches.
3.

Articulate an understanding of the significance of personal prayer for a life of Christian discipleship, public ministry, and the work of social justice.
4.

Engage with diverse prayer practices and identify effective strategies for sustaining a practice of personal prayer.
5.

Identify the links between resources for fostering Christian prayer and spirituality and the Uniting Church’s Basis of Union.
6.

Demonstrate capacity to apply learning in leading adults or young adults to explore prayer practices in engaging and culturally appropriate ways.

Pedagogy

This unit combines both Seminars and an Action Reflection Model. Students are introduced to key spiritual figures and communities from across the Christian tradition, and practices are located within their historical context, and explored in relation to the biblical text, theology, the church, and the world. The Action Reflection Model provides students with direct experience of diverse prayer practices week by week, and opportunities to evaluate, discuss, and integrate these practices within their own lives and communities.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Calhoun, Adele Ahlberg. Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us. Rev ed. IVP, 2015.
  • Champion, Denise. Yarta Wandatha. Champion, 2014.
  • Douglas, Sally. Rewilding Prayer: God Beyond Gender, Faith Beyond Formulas. Cascade, 2025.
  • Guenther, Margaret. The Practice of Prayer. The New Church's Teaching Series. Cowley Publications, 1998.
  • McRae-McMahon, Dorothy. Liturgies for the Journey of Life. SPCK, 2000.
  • Holder, Arthur, ed., The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality. Blackwell, 2005.
  • Mursell, Gordon, ed., The Story of Christian Spirituality. Lion, 2014.
  • Rupp, Joyce. Prayer. Orbis Books, 2007.
  • Uniting in Worship 2. Uniting Church Press, 2010.
  • Wakefield, Gordon. Groundwork in Christian Spirituality. Epworth, 2000.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Journal - Journal

Weekly journal submitted for feedback in Week 3, then final submission of the whole journal in Week 11.

 2000 40.0
Oral Examination - Spiritual resource

Students will complete a short answer oral examination, assessing their knowledge of:

  • the diverse prayer practices within Christian tradition, beginning with the earliest church
  • the prayer practices of key figures such as a mystic, a reformer, and a social justice advocate
  • the potential gifts and challenges of prayer for faith communities and congregations within the Uniting Church
 1000 30.0
Learning Resource - Spiritual resource presentation

Students will create and present an engaging and contextual Learning Resource for a small group of adults or young adults within a congregational context.

 1000 30.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 9 Feb, 2026

Unit record last updated: 2026-02-09 09:36:26 +1100