CE 3531yS THE GRAMMAR OF DISCIPLESHIP

SPRING-B 2003

Pastor Patricia Lull

Office: 651-641-3229 NW 120A

Mondays 1:10 – 4:00 p.m. NW 231

This course is designed as an overview of Christian Discipleship in the context of North America in the twenty-first century. It is intended to give students confidence in designing and leading small group experiences with an emphasis on the use of specific discipleship practices. Special attention will be given to the theology represented in Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Discipleship.

COURSE GOALS:

1. Introduce foundational concepts, Biblical sources, and theology related to Christian Discipleship.

2. Establish basic skills for designing and leading small group experiences incorporating discipleship practices.

3. Collaborate on a model for discipleship that integrates the experiences of the class members and the theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: (and % of grade)

1. Basic: do the assigned reading, attend class, participate in discussions and practicum experiences; (30%)

2. There are three short writing assignments. Writing assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date indicated on the syllabus. Each short paper will be 2-3 pages in length. (10% each)

3. There is one in-class presentation to be offered collaboratively on the day assigned. (10%)

4. A final writing project is due on May 20, 2003 at noon. (Final projects for graduating seniors are due at May 13^th at 9:00 a.m.). It may take one of the following forms:

a. Two take-home essays, 4-5 pages each, double-spaced with endnotes.

b. A project design for implementing a discipleship group with young adults in a specific context for ministry.

c. Submission of a journal, reflecting on material covered in class and personal participation in a discipleship practice throughout the half-semester. Journal entries will be archived with the instructor on a weekly basis. (30%)

COURSE RESOURCES:

Required Texts:

Dorothy Bass, ed., Practicing Our Faith (Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1997), paper

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship (Fortress Press, 2001)

Bible (any English translation)

Atul Gawandi, “The Learning Curve”, The New Yorker, Jan. 28, 2002
(pp. 52-61) (to be distributed in class)

Suggested Reading:

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

Eberhard Bethge, Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Suggested Viewing:

PBS video, “Bonhoeffer: Agent of Grace”, sponsored by AAL; published by Fortress Press

“Bonhoeffer” pre-release screening, Thursday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m., Chapel of the Cross, Luther Seminary

Detailed Outline:

March 31 The Grammar of Discipleship: introduction to the course; sharing of expectations; in-class exercise in documenting personal spiritual geography; presentation on the “grammar” of discipleship; introduction to faith practices.

April 7 Biblical Models of Discipleship: summary discussion of “quick reads” of Gospel accounts of discipleship; in-class exercise on using biblical texts as the core of a discipleship group; introduction to the life and work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer; creation of faith practice teams.

Read: The Gospel of Matthew, Luke, or John Practicing Our Faith, pp. 1-12, 195-204

Begin search for a young adult to interview.

First Paper Due: a 2-3 page summary from a “quick read” of Matthew, Luke, or John answering the questions:

1. Who appears as a disciple?	4. How are disciples distinguished from others?
2. How are disciples recruited?	5. How does one cease to be a disciple?
3. What does discipleship entail?

April 14 Bonhoeffer: A Model for Contemporary Discipleship:
presentation on Bonhoeffer’s theology of discipleship; collaboration on interview questions for work with young adults; practice interviews.

Read: Discipleship, pp. 37-99 (Preface – chapter 5)

Second Paper Due: a 2-3 autobiographical narrative of your life as a young adult with attention to these questions:

1. What are/were the key issues in your life?

2. What are/were the most formative relationships?

3. What are/were your ritual practices?

4. What are/were the significant religious experiences?

April 28 The Practice of Discipleship: summary discussion of interviews with young adults; presentation on Bonhoeffer’s move from text to practice (Sermon on the Mount);

Read: Discipleship, pp. 100-198 (chapters 6-7)

Third Paper Due: a 2-3 page summary of an interview with a young adult, incorporating the questions agreed upon in class.

If possible, attend the showing of “Bonhoeffer”
Thursday evening, May 1 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Cross

May 5 Discipleship as Life Together: in-class presentations on discipleship practices; presentation on Bonhoeffer’s theology of community; discussion of learning to do new things; guest presentation on group building with young adults.

Read: Discipleship; pp. 199-252 (chapters 8-11)

Atul Gawandi, “The Learning Curve”, The New Yorker, Jan 28, 2002,

pp.52-61 (distributed in class)

Guest Presenters: leaders of small groups with young adults in the Twin Cities

In-class presentations on discipleship practices, selected from those outlined in Practicing Our Faith.

May 12 Discipleship and Hope: collaboration on principles for designing and using discipleship groups; presentation on Bonhoeffer’s hopefulness and the life of faith; review of material covered and lessons learned.

Read: Discipleship, pp. 253-288 (chapters 12-13)

Final writing projects due: May 20, 2003 by noon.

Graduating senior’s final projects due: May 13, 2003 at 9:00 a.m.