Christian Life Formation
Christian Life Formation courses explore topics in Bible, theology, ancient and contemporary Christianity, relationships, spiritual disciplines and contemporary culture. Flexible formats (such as small reading groups, large weekend retreats, discussions, and field trips) and a range of instructors allow for creative courses, emphasizing mentoring relationships within the groups, and transferable experiences to affect students both now and for the next 60 years of their lives.
CLF Courses Spring 2010
BIB 102 Foundations of the Christian Church with Dr. Scott Jones
This class begins a scriptural and historical look at the purpose of the church in the plan of God for the world and the body of Christ. What is the relevance of the church today? What should be the role of the local church, in theory and in practice? And what is my place within the church? Dr. Jones, professor of Christian Ministry, will lead the class this year.
BIB 202 Church as a Global Community with Ben Norquist
Take a broad look at the historical and contemporary spread of Christianity around the world with Ben Norquist, assistant director of Spiritual Formation. Explore expressions of Christian community that thrive in a range of theological and cultural contexts.
BIB 290A Redemptive Cultural Analysis with Matt Benson and guest Marsh Moyle
Weekend Retreat, January 29-31
What is the Christian role in culture? Do cultures as well as people image God? Do some cultures image God more than others? What are things that help us perceive God through culture and what inhibits us from doing so? How might we live redemptively within culture? Why does this stuff even matter? These and a host of other questions will be what we will spend our time discussing with cultural expert, Marsh Moyle, missionary-in-residence at L'Abri in England.
BIB 290R Singleness and the Soul with Matt Benson and guests Roc & Bev BottomlyWeekend Retreat, March 26-28, 2010
Singleness sometimes ends up being a time of waiting rather than a time of action, a time of longing rather than a time of deepening. Can singleness really be part of God’s design?How is your singleness designed to bring great pleasure to both you and God? What should relationships look like in your single years? Roc and Bev Bottomly, from Our Lord's Community Church in Oklahoma City, will be joining us again this year to explore what a purpose-filled single life looks like.
BIB 302A Readings in Contemporary Christian Spirituality with Ben NorquistWhat authors and literary works have proven themselves to significantly shape the spiritual theology of the church? The practice of the church and the Christian? This collection of small group reading circles will work through a selection of contemporary works and authors. Led by Ben Norquist, assistant director of Spiritual Formation.
BIB 390R Arts and Missional Living with Ben Norquist & Jessi Trigger
Weekend Retreat, February 18-20, 2010
Designed to develop students who are interested in leveraging their artistic gifts and creativity for Kingdom purposes, the class will take the form of an on-site retreat at Operation Mobilization in Atlanta, hosted by the staff at OM Arts. We will consider how God is using artists worldwide to draw people into God’s story for the world and to consider how our own gifts fit into God's "recreative" enterprise. Part of the retreat will involve artists breaking into three groups: visual artists, musicians, and dancers for hands-on workshop experiences and museum visits.
BIB 402A Worldview & Life with Dr. Paul Boling
Join Dr. Boling, professor of Christian Thought, in integrating worldview principles and the practical issues of life. What do you believe, why do you believe it, and what difference does that make to your field of study, future life, and vocation? This course is open to seniors only, and acts as the final CLF of the Bryan College curriculum.
BIB 402R Worldview & Life with Dr. Paul Boling
Weekend Retreat, February 5-7, 2010
Join Dr. Boling, professor of Christian Thought, for a weekend of integrating worldview principles and the practical issues of life. What do you believe, why do you believe it, and what difference does that make to your field of study, future life, and vocation? This course is open to seniors only, and acts as the final CLF of the Bryan College curriculum.