Master of Divinity

Emphasis: Spiritual Formation

Provides preparation for ministries of spiritual formation and soul care for the sake of personal and corporate growth of the church within such roles as preaching pastor, associate pastor, youth pastor, women's ministries and college seminary teaching etc. Emphasis is upon student growth in the life of the Spirit grounded in a deep understanding of the Word and theological reflection in prayer for the purpose of greater humility, dependence upon and love of God. No thesis option.

In addition to coursework, students are required to fulfill a number of co-curricular requirements that are detailed after the course listings below.

The essential training elements in this program are:

  1. Deep understanding of the Word of God and theological reflection in prayer.
  2. Honest soul exploration and obedience in growing intimacy with God in the Spirit.
  3. Profound training in soul care of others and practical wisdom fro ministry sake.
  4. Thoughtful and prayerful integration of spiritual formation into the whole scope of the church's ministries of formation, teaching, education, mission, love, justice and prayer.

First Year

Fall Semester
TTBE 517 Hermeneutics & Bible Study Methods 3
or
TTSF 517 Hermeneutics & the Word in Spiritual Formation 3
TTHT 505 Patristic & Medieval Theology 3
TTTH 511 Theology I - Introduction: Revelation & Nature of God 3
TTSF 521 Introduction to Christian Spirituality & Prayer 2
TTSF 543 Personal Foundations of Spirituality & Retreat 2
TTSF 585 Personal Spiritual Direction 0
TTSF 524 History & Theory of Christian Soul Care & Direction 2
Total 15
Spring Semester
TTHT 506 Reformation & Modern Theology 3
TTSS 510 Theological Research Methods 1
TTBE 519 Survey of Genesis - Malachi 3
TTTH 512 Theology II - Works of God, Angels, Man & Sin 3
TTSF 670 Intensive Journey Inward & Retreat 1
TTSF 532 Developmental Spirituality & Contemplative Prayer 2
TTSF 585 Personal Spiritual Direction 0
TTBE 726 Expository Methodology in Daniel & Revelation 3
Total 16

Second Year

Fall Semester
TTNT 503 Introduction to Exegesis* 3
TTOT 603 Elements of Hebrew I 3
TTBE 520 Survey of Matthew - Revelation 3
TTTH 613 Theology III - Christ, Salvation & the Spirit 3
TTPT 602 Pastoral Ministry 3
TTSF 645 Christian Virtue & Spiritual Disciplines 2
TTSF 585 Personal Spiritual Direction 0
Total 17
Interterm (Required mid-second year)
TTSF 577 Soul Care Pre-practicum I 2
Spring Semester
TTNT 604 Exegesis in the Gospels 3
TTOT 604 Elements of Hebrew II 3
TTTH 614 Theology IV - The Church & Last Things 3
TTSF 585 Personal Spiritual Direction 0
TTSF 578 Soul Care Prepracticum II & Professional Referral 3
TTSF 544 Personality Development & Psychopathology 3
Elective 3
Total 18

Third Year

Fall Semester
TTNT 605 Exegesis in the Epistles & Acts 3
TTOT 705 Exegesis in Genesis & Selected Passages 3
TTCE 600 Educational Ministry in the Church 3
TTPT 609 Expository Preaching 3
TTSF 602 Prayer & Formation in Expository Preaching 1
TTSF 677 Soul Care Practicum I 2
or
TTPT 791 Field Internship 2
TTSF 585 Personal Spiritual Direction 0
Total 15
Spring Semester
TTCL 555 Introduction to World Missions 3
TTPH 602 Apologetics  
or
TTPT 570 Evangelism & Follow-up 3
TTPT 703 The Church & Society 3
TTSF 531 History & Traditions of Christian Spirituality  
or
Elective 3
TTSF 678 Soul Care Practicum II 2
or
TTPT 792 Field Internship 2
TTSF 585 Personal Spiritual Direction 0
TTSF 670 Intensive Journey Inward & Retreat 1
Total 15

* TTNT 501 and TTNT 502 are required for students without prior Greek study.


Co-Curricular Requirements

  1. Personal Spiritual Direction
  2. Didactic Therapy
  3. Faculty-Student Retreats
  4. Personal Retreats
  5. Student Progress Assessment
  6. Intensive Journey Inward Retreat
Institute for Spiritual Formation

Institute for Spiritual Formation

For more information about the M.A. in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care program, please visit the ISF website.

Emphases

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