Christian Life Formation courses are one-credit explorations in Bible, theology, ancient and contemporary Christianity, relationships, spiritual disciplines and contemporary culture. With instructors from diverse disciplines and flexible formats such as reading groups, weekend retreats and field trips, each course is creative space where mentoring relationships form and where students have powerful experiences that affect their lives for decades to come.
CLF Courses Fall 2013
CT 101 Foundations of the Christian Life | Mr. Jonathan Doran
Small group format meeting on various days of the week; Course fee: $75
Fear God....Follow Jesus....The Holy Spirit....Prayer....Church....Fellowship.....these words and phrases are just some of the introductory topics that will be studied within a small group experience led by upperclassmen and faculty/staff for new students. The course will be going through the BASIC series developed by Francis Chan with other contemporary writings used for the beginning of discipleship in the Bryan College journey.
CT 201 Spiritual Disciplines | Mr. Jonathan Doran
Tuesday, 11-11:50 a.m.
What do prayer, study, fasting, solitude, worship, mediation, and other disciplines have to do with the Christian faith? This course will give practical instruction and application of the spiritual disciplines as a mark and tool of spiritual growth. Emphasis will be given to the role of the Holy Spirit in discipleship and God’s gift of spiritual practices as means of grace for the Church.
CT 203 Applied Christian Leadership | Mr. Tim Shetter
Retreat dates: Oct. 2-4, 2013; Course fee: $195
Instructor approval required
This course is designed for those in active leadership and is meant to explore the idea and implications of Christian leadership from a biblical and experiential perspective. Special attention will be given to nurturing leadership that seeks soul and kingdom flourishing. This course is by application and includes a national conference.
CT 204 Spirituality in Film | Mr. Jason Glen
Thursday, 6-9 p.m.
Is it possible for a movie to change a life? What are the films that speak most clearly about the human condition? Does the medium of film have the capacity to give glimpses of what is good, true and beautiful? This CLF will enter the world of film in search of God, reality, and redemption, and will do so through film screenings and discussions. This class will consist of snacks, comedies, dramas, and discussions.
CT 205 The Gospel in Cultural Life | Mr. Samuel Spatola
Offered as part of the Italy semester
Students will explore the relevance of the Gospel to culture through a consideration of cultural realities in Italy. Students will investigate the spiritual, cultural and social opportunities, challenges and needs present in modern day Italy. They will reflect on the dual nature of Italy arising from the tension between what some have called “the dark heart of Italy” as well as “la dolce vita” (the sweet life). Methods of instruction will include readings, discussion groups, lectures, field trips and interviews.
CT 291 Narrative Arts and the Story of God | Mr. Jeff Eenigenburg
Retreat dates: Sept. 18-22, 2013; Course fee: $195
Instructor approval required.
What is the significance of story and storytelling in the life of the believer and of the church? How has story played a part in creating and maintaining identity in the body of Christ? What potential does a robust storytelling tradition hold in the missional efforts of the church in the world? This course is a highly experiential exploration of these questions in an effort to deepen capacities for weaving narrative into work and life. This course includes a field experience at the STORY Conference in Chicago, IL.
CT 292 Why Jesus? Questions and Concerns | Dr. Ken Turner
Retreat dates: Oct. 4-6, 2013; Course fee: $135
This course provides a basic and honest discussion of the Christian faith. It is designed for students who are less familiar with or who struggle with the claims of Christianity, or who are seeking how to converse about and defend these claims with skeptics and strugglers. Besides wrestling with the basics of understanding God, sin, and the gospel, discussions will focus on hot topics that are often points of doubt and skepticism: Is there just one true religion? How could a good God allow suffering? Why do Christians seem so narrow-minded? Isn’t the church responsible for so much injustice in the world? How can a loving God send people to hell? Isn’t the Bible outdated? Several guest speakers—from faculty, coaches, and staff—will help guide these discussions.
CT 301 Readings: Classic Christian Spirituality | Dr. Matt Benson
Tuesday/Thursday 11-11:50, until Fall Break
An examination of various authors and literary works that have proven historically significant in shaping the spiritual theology and practice of the church and the Christian. The format for this course will be small group reading circles.
CT 307 Advanced Applied Christian Leadership | Dr. Scott Jones
Retreat dates: Oct. 2-4, 2013; Course fee: $195
Prerequisite: CT 203; Instructor approval required
The purpose of this advanced level course is to prepare students to appraise ideas and related implications of Christian leadership from a biblical and experiential perspective and to further relate these ideas and implications to their current area of ministry leadership. This course is by application and includes a national conference.
CT 401 Contemporary Issues | Mr. Ben Norquist
Thursday 11-11:50 a.m.
Juniors and Seniors only
An exploration of various contemporary socio-cultural issues in which there exists a divergence in the Christian community. Special emphasis will be given to analyzing differing theological approaches to contemporary issues as an introduction to hermeneutical communities. This course is designed to help students engage deeply with the pressing issues and conversations of their community. As such, the life of the Bryan College community will serve as the context and “lab” for this class. Will include attendance at corporate events, participating in public dialogue (letter to the editor, engagement in online forums, etc.), readings, one-on-one conversations, Bible study, and classroom conversation.
CLF Courses Spring 2013
CT 102 Foundations of the Church | Dr. Scott Jones
Tuesdays/Thursdays 11-11:50 am; ends March 5
What is the Church? Is it relevant for today? Do I have to be part of a local Church to be a Christian? My friends pray together, eat together and live together – does this count as Church? This course is a biblical and historical examination of the purpose of the Church as the Body of Christ in God’s plan for the world. Students will explore the mission of the local Church, the place of the Christian within the Church, and its relevance for today.
CT 291 The Power and the Beauty of the Gospel | Mr. John Slater
April 7-10; $195
While many view the Good News of Jesus as foolishness, the Gospel scriptures themselves and the lives of Christians throughout history tell the story of its great power and attractive beauty. This course will explore the centrality of the Gospel message to life, in confrontation to both an apathetic culture and the doubts and weaknesses present in our own lives. This retreat format course will meet on April 7-10 for the Gospel Coalition National Conference.
CT 304 Life in Intentional Christian Community | Dr. Matt Benson
Spring Break by invitation $1700
This course is designed to explore the unique expressions and ideologies of international Christian communities such as L’Abri, Taize, Brothers and Sisters of Charity, Bruderhof, etc. Special attention will be given to lived values that equip believers to live more faithfully and holistically. This course is by application and involves a field experience at an intentional Christian community.
CT 306 Social Justice and the Gospel | Mr. Ben Norquist
Some Tuesdays 6:30-8:00 pm and conference on April 4-7; $195
Students will explore the intersection between social justice and faithful belief and action by considering the unique Christian calling to "care for the least of these." They will deepen their understanding of poverty and injustice, while beginning to construct a personal approach to addressing these wrongs. This is a weekend format class (we will also meet occasionally on Tuesday evenings during the semester), held at the Justice Conference from April 4-7.
CT 390 ST: The Story of God in the Christian Calendar | Mr. Jonathan Doran
Thursdays 11-11:50 am
What is the Christian year? What do special days and seasons like Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Ash Wednesday, Lent, and Pentecost have to do with my personal faith? How can observing the Christian Year draw me into a deeper intimacy with God? We will talk about how different Church traditions have inhabited the greater Story of God by remembering the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
CT 391 Ethnicity, Diversity and the Cross | Mr. Bruce Morgan
Tuesdays 11-11:50 am until spring break and required field trips; $75
What does it mean to be a member of the dominant ethnic group in a multi-ethnic society? Is life lived differently if you are a member of a sub-dominant ethnic group? How are followers of Christ to obey His command to love neighbors with very different backgrounds? And what does the life and death of Christ have to do with diversity? This class will explore the glories and obstacles within multi-ethnic communities, push us to understand how cultural roots affect all of us, and introduce us to local people who are living and thriving in diverse communities. Includes field trips to Chattanooga and the Civil Rights Museum in Birmingham (http://www.bcri.org/index.html).
CT 401 Contemporary Issues: Christian Life in the Public Square | Jason Glen and Guest Jonathan Merritt
Retreat dates February 15-17; $135
A church father once asked, "What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?" This retreat-format class will explore how Christian life relates to American culture. How should Christians think about homosexual marriage? Do you share in the guilt of the unethical actions of your political party? How should the believers seek to influence legislation and governance? Do Christians have to seek the "common good?" These questions and more will be addressed through readings and an interactive retreat in an urban setting.
CT 402A Worldview and Life | Dr. Paul Boling
Tuesday/Thursday 11 – 11:50 am; ends March 1
What do you believe, why do you believe it, and what difference does that make to fields of study, future life and vocations? This course seeks to integrate worldview principles and life issues.
CT 402R Worldview and Life | Dr. Paul Boling and Guest Mr. John Stonestreet
February 8-10; $145
What do you believe, why do you believe it, and what difference does that make to fields of study, future life and vocations? This course seeks to integrate worldview principles and life issues. The retreat course has Paul Boling and John Stonestreet joining us for a weekend retreat. Open only to seniors (or juniors with special permission).
