Academic Catalog: Christian Formation and Soul Care
Denver Seminary’s Christian formation courses reflect the Seminary’s understanding of the value of the ancient Christian ministry of spiritual friendship, mentoring, and direction. Students are welcome who have an interest and/or call to the ministry of soul care, which centers on deepening the Christian’s life of prayer and relationship with Jesus Christ.
SF 501 Biblical and Historical Foundations of Formation and Soul Care
This course explores the foundations of formation and soul care in authoritative scripture, theology, and church practice through the centuries. It further examines the interpersonal relationships between caregiver, directee, and the Holy Spirit, as well as how this ministry has been exercised in major branches of the church. Offered alternate fall semesters. Two hours.
SF 502 Principles and Practices of Christian Formation
Healthy spiritual habits constitute important means by which God affects spiritual formation. This course identifies obstacles that impede spiritual progress as well as biblically based disciplines that advance growth in wholeness and holiness within the context of family, vocation, and society-at-large. Offered alternate spring semesters. Two hours.
SF 511 Dynamics of the Spiritual Journey
The foundation for this course is the Christian spiritual journey with exploration of several biblical and extra-biblical models of spiritual development. Soul care involves the ability to discern where directees, in their God-given uniqueness, are on their journey; how hostile spiritual forces oppose progress; and how growth is achieved through the Holy Spirit and the ministry of soul care givers. Offered alternate fall semesters. Two hours.
SF 513 The Practice of Soul Care
This course explores the practice of spiritual friendship, counsel, and direction (individual and corporate) as informed by the ministries of biblical caregivers, particularly Jesus of Nazareth. Also examined are guidelines for dealing with minor psychological problems that arise in soul care relationships, as well as pertinent ethical and legal considerations. Offered alternate spring semesters. Two hours.
SF 515 Creating Transformational Cultures and Communities
Explores how formational and guidance ministries can be effectively cultivated in church communities, parachurch organizations, and educational institutions. The course also includes the globalization experience that is required of all MA students. Two hours.
SF 520 Redemptive Suffering
This course explores the universal phenomenon of human suffering with special attention to God’s purposes for suffering in the lives of Christians. God honoring responses that should be made and the transformational outcomes of suffering are carefully explored. Two hours.
SF 595 Soul Care Practicum I
The focus of this course is an experience of group supervision of the student’s practice of soul care in a chosen internship setting. The primary tools are case study, role play, verbatim, and reflective processes. Prerequisites: SF 501 Biblical and Historical Foundations of Formation and Soul Care and SF 502 Principles and Practices of Christian Formation OR SF 511 Dynamics of the Spiritual Journey and SF 513 The Practice of Soul Care. Offered fall semesters. One hour.
SF 596 Soul Care Practicum II
The focus of this course is an advanced experience of group supervision of the student’s practice of soul care in a chosen internship setting. The primary tools are case study, role play, verbatim, and reflective processes. Prerequisite: SF 595 Soul
SF 601 Formational and Healing Prayer
Explores the role and function of prayer in the healing, transforming, and empowerment of the whole person. Two hours.
SF 603 Skill Development in Soul Care
This course builds on SF 513 The Practice of Soul Care to further enhance competency in both individual and group spiritual direction. Emphasis is given to the development of specific soul care skills and practical ministry application. Prerequisites: SF 513 The Practice of Soul Care; SF 595 Soul Care Practicum I. Two hours.
SF 604 Readings from the Spiritual Masters I: Patristic and Medieval
Engages the wisdom for formation and soul care as presented by leading patristic and medieval spiritual authorities in the Christian tradition. Two hours.
SF 605 Readings from the Spiritual Masters II: Reformation to the Present
This course engages the wisdom for formation and soul care as presented by leading Christian spiritual authorities in the Christian tradition from the Reformation to the present, with an emphasis on reading the original sources informed by their respective historical and biographical backgrounds. Two hours.
SF 606 Use of Scripture in Soul Care
Highlights how Scripture reading and meditation, the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, and the spiritual exercises of Ignatius of Loyola may be constructively employed in spiritual guidance ministries. Two hours.
SF 607 Incarnational Spirituality: Knowing God through Jesus
Provides students with an opportunity to explore their functional image of God and the sources from which that image comes, primarily from His revelation in Jesus Christ. Students are challenged to encounter the living Jesus through Gospel stories and to guide others into this experience. Two hours.
SF 608 Redemptive Suffering
Explores the universal phenomenon of human suffering with special attention to God's purposes for suffering in the lives of committed Christian disciples. God honoring responses and the transformational outcomes of suffering are explored. Two hours.
SF 611 Christian Formation and Soul Care Intensive
This course provides live engagement with, and participation in, fruitful formation ministries with appropriate academic readings, reflection, and applications for life and ministry. Two hours.
SF 631 Integrative Seminar in Christian Formation and Soul Care
Integrates course materials, readings, retreat experiences, group experience, and ministry practice, together with exploration of vocational opportunities in the field. Prerequisites: At least ten hours of SF-prefixed courses and departmental approval. Two hours.
SF 590, 690, 790 Studies in Christian Formation and Soul Care
These course numbers are reserved for courses of special or one-time interest that do not otherwise appear in the catalog or courses designed to free the student for independent investigation in Christian formation and soul care under the guidance of a professor. One to three hours.
SF 791 Christian Formation and Soul Care Project Proposal
Students submit a project proposal by the due date of the term of registration and receive a grade of satisfactory/unsatisfactory. Once students register for the project proposal, they must remain enrolled in SF 793 until the term of registration for SF 794. Prerequisite: GS 589 Academic Resources and Research. One hour.
SF 793 Christian Formation and Soul Care Project Continuation
Students who are not ready to enroll in SF 794 should register for SF 793 each semester until they are ready to enroll in SF 794. Course is graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory. $150 fee per semester. Prerequisite: SF 791 Christian Formation and Soul Care Project Proposal. No credit.
SF 794 Project in Christian Formation and Soul Care
Students should register for SF 794 when they are ready to complete the project in a particular semester. Note that there are no course extensions for projects or theses. Prerequisite: SF 791 Christian Formation and Soul Care Project Proposal. Three hours.
SF 796 Christian Formation and Soul Care Thesis Proposal
Students submit a thesis proposal by the due date of the term of registration and receive a grade of satisfactory/unsatisfactory. Once students register for thesis proposal, they must remain enrolled in SF 798 until the term of registration for SF 799. Prerequisite: GS 589 Academic Resources and Research. One hour.
SF 798 Christian Formation and Soul Care Thesis Continuation
Students who are not ready to enroll in SF 799 should register for SF 798 each semester until they are ready to enroll in SF 799. Course is graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory. $150 fee per semester. Prerequisite: SF 796 Christian Formation and Soul Care Thesis Proposal. No credit.
SF 799 Thesis in Christian Formation and Soul Care
Students should register for SF 799 when they are ready to complete the thesis in a particular semester. Note that there are no course extensions for projects or theses. Prerequisite: SF 796 Christian Formation and Soul Care Thesis Proposal. Three hours.
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