Ephesians 2015 Spring Syllabus - 12Stone · This course covers the content of the Book of...

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MAKE TODAY COUNT | PRIORITIES 2015 SPRING SEMESTER COURSE DESCRIPTION This course covers the content of the Book of Ephesians, chapter by chapter. The book of Ephesians is often thought of as a theological summary of Pauline thought. You would not be alone if you thought Ephesians’ majestic phrases feel like Paul’s theology set to music. In this course we will blend together methods for studying scripture in general, theology as it is given voice in Ephesians, and direct inspiration for your spiritual growth. Come expecting to hear God speak to you again through his living Word in ways none of us could predict or plan. DATES Onsite portion is January 30 - 31 (10 hours at 12Stone) Online portion is February 2 - March 29 (8 weeks) GOALS To become familiar and fluent with the content of Ephesians. To use historical background and exegetical methods (a.k.a. interpretation) for the sake of theological formation. To be competent to teach from the book of Ephesians for a lifetime in the local church. TEXTBOOKS The Bible (all versions welcome) Snodgrass, Klyne The NIV Application Commentary: Ephesians. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996). NOTE: Call in book orders to Wesleyan Publishing House 800-493-7539, who mention ‘Taking this Course through 12Stone Church’ will qualify for 30% off WPH published books, 20% off other books. Not valid with on-line orders, but inventory is viewable at wphonline.com. REQUIREMENTS 1. PRE-COURSE WORK (100/1000) Become familiar with the Book of Ephesians using the following step-by-step guide. You will write a one paragraph, thoughtful response to each reading before moving on to the next reading (250-350 words). Bring these paragraph responses to our onsite time. 1. Read the book of Ephesians all the way through in one sitting noting structure (how is the thought clumped together in sections?), themes (repeated concepts, words, and concerns), and conviction/inspiration points for you personally. (Bring a paragraph summarizing your thoughts) 2. Read the book of Colossians in another single sitting noting parallel themes with Ephesians, identical content, and any questions that emerge for you as a result. (Bring a paragraph summarizing your thoughts) 2015 SPRING SEMESTER — SYLLABUS AND SCHEDULE 1 BIBLICAL STUDIES PROGRAM 12Stone® Church EPHESIANS DR. DAVE WARD

Transcript of Ephesians 2015 Spring Syllabus - 12Stone · This course covers the content of the Book of...

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MAKE TODAY COUNT | PRIORITIES

2015 SPRING SEMESTER

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course covers the content of the Book of Ephesians, chapter by chapter. The book of Ephesians is often thought of as a theological summary of Pauline thought. You would not be alone if you thought Ephesians’ majestic phrases feel like Paul’s theology set to music. In this course we will blend together methods for studying scripture in general, theology as it is given voice in Ephesians, and direct inspiration for your spiritual growth. Come expecting to hear God speak to you again through his living Word in ways none of us could predict or plan.

DATES

• Onsite portion is January 30 - 31(10 hours at 12Stone)

• Online portion is February 2 - March 29(8 weeks)

GOALS

• To become familiar and fluent with the content of Ephesians.

• To use historical background and exegetical methods (a.k.a. interpretation) for the sake of theological formation.

• To be competent to teach from the book of Ephesians for a lifetime in the local church.

TEXTBOOKS

• The Bible (all versions welcome)

• Snodgrass, Klyne The NIV Application Commentary: Ephesians. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996).

NOTE: Call in book orders to Wesleyan Publishing House 800-493-7539, who mention ‘Taking this Course through 12Stone Church’ will qualify for 30% off WPH published books, 20% off other books. Not valid with on-line orders, but inventory is viewable at wphonline.com.

REQUIREMENTS

1. PRE-COURSE WORK (100/1000)Become familiar with the Book of Ephesians using the following step-by-step guide. You will write a one paragraph, thoughtful response to each reading before moving on to the next reading (250-350 words). Bring these paragraph responses to our onsite time.

1. Read the book of Ephesians all the way through in one sitting noting structure (how is the thought clumped together in sections?), themes (repeated concepts, words, and concerns), and conviction/inspiration points for you personally. (Bring a paragraph summarizing your thoughts)

2. Read the book of Colossians in another single sitting noting parallel themes with Ephesians, identical content, and any questions that emerge for you as a result. (Bring a paragraph summarizing your thoughts)

2015 SPRING SEMESTER — SYLLABUS AND SCHEDULE

1BIBLICAL STUDIES PROGRAM12Stone® Church

E P H E S I A N SD R . D A V E W A R D

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2015 SPRING SEMESTER

3. Reread the book of Ephesians at least twice. This can happen in a more piece-by-piece way, or two more sittings—your choice. Simply make sure you have read the text three times in total. These last two times use a pencil to mark your Bible up as you go. Write applications, questions, and insights in the margin. (Bring one paragraph summarizing your thoughts, applications, insights, etc. Do not merely summarize the book’s content.)

4. Read the introduction in Snodgrass’ work, and the two sections on chapter two of Ephesians. After reading Snodgrass, carefully write 10 key questions you hope to answer regarding Ephesians. Include questions about each of the above four readings in the 10 questions.

Your 3 paragraphs and 10 questions should make it clear that you have read all of the above. The professor will try to incorporate many of the questions into our time together Friday night and Saturday.

2. READING THE COMMENTARY (300/1000)At the end of the class, you will submit a Reading Log indicating that you have read a minimum of 200 pages in the NIV Application Commentary on Ephesians for this class. As you finish a section, write down the section and the date you finished it including total pages read. Part of this will be done before you arrive to the onsite portion.

3. CLASS DISCUSSIONS (300/1000)For the 8 online weeks of the class, we will have discussions over readings and videos. Full participation consists of: 1) one initial comment on one of the week’s questions and; 2) at least 4 responses to the comments of other students. The flow of discussion online will be: 1) an initial answer to a question by midnight, EST, on Wednesday of the week and 2) continued discussion through

Sunday at 11:59 PM, EST (unofficial discussions after are encouraged).

4. A THEOLOGY OF GRACE-FILLED LIVING (300/1000)The final product of this course is your own summary of Pauline theology steeped in the book of Ephesians and drawing from the scriptures and commentary like the NIV Application Commentary. Your assignment is to write a Small Group Leader’s guide for the book of Ephesians. There should be 6 sessions, one for each chapter of the book. In each section, write: 1) a devotionally moving introduction to the chapter; 2) a theologically insightful discussion of what the chapter teaches us about God and ourselves; and 3) a set of ice breakers and questions that can be used to guide a class or group.

ONSITE SCHEDULE

1. Friday, January 30

• 6:30 - 7:00pm Check-In & Hospitality

• 7:00 - 7:30 Welcome and Overview

• 7:30 - 9:00 Why in the world are you studying Ephesians?

2. Saturday, January 31

• 7:30 - 8:00am Check-In & Hospitality

• 8:00 - 9:45 Ephesi-Who?

• 9:45 - 10:00 Break

• 10:00-11:45 Tricks of the Bible Trade

• 11:45 - 1:15 Lunch

• 1:15 - 3:00 Cherry Picking Ephesians’ Cherry Orchard

• 3:00 - 3:15 Break

• 3:15 - 4:30 Standards for a Pilgrimage through Ephesians

• 4:30 - 5:00 What have we Learned

EPHESIANS

2BIBLICAL STUDIES PROGRAM12Stone® Church

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ONLINE SCHEDULE

1. Week 1 (February 2 - February 8)

• Watch the “Welcome to Part 2” video.

• Reread Ephesians 1 closely.

• Read Snodgrass’ sections on chapter 1.

• Answer one of the questions and respond to at least 4 other students.

2. Week 2 (February 9 - February 15)

• Watch your professor’s video posted for the week

• You have already read the Ephesians 2 sections in Snodgrass. You’re ahead!

• Read for comparison and contrast: Galatians 3, Romans 2, James 2, and Ephesians 2.

• Answer one of the questions and respond to at least 4 other students.

3. Week 3 (February 16 - February 22)

• Watch your professor’s video posted for the week

• Reread Ephesians 3 closely, as well as the sections on Eph. 3 in Snodgrass.

• Answer one of the questions and respond to at least 4 other students.

4. Week 4 (February 23 - March 1)

• Watch your professor’s video posted for the week

• Reread Ephesians 4 closely as well as some of the sections on Eph. 4 in Snodgrass.

• Answer one of the questions and respond to at least 4 other students.

5. Week 5 (March 2 - March 8)

• Watch your professor’s video posted for the week

• Reread Ephesians 4 closely and read James 1 comparing and contrasting the themes

• Lighter week this week: Work on your Small Group Study Guide!

• Answer one of the questions and respond to at least 4 other students.

6. Week 6 (March 9 - March 15)

• Watch your professor’s video posted for the week

• Reread Ephesians 5 closely as well as some of the sections on Eph. 5 in Snodgrass.

• Answer one of the questions and respond to at least 4 other students.

7. Week 7 (March 16 - March 22)

• Watch your professor’s video posted for the week

• Reread Ephesians 6 closely as well as some of the sections on Eph. 6 in Snodgrass.

• Answer one of the questions and respond to at least 4 other students.

8. Week 8 (March 23 - March 29)

• Watch “Living Ephesians” and discuss the course as a whole.

• Finish up your Group Study Guide and Reading Log.

EPHESIANS

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2015 SPRING SEMESTER

COURSE GRADE

100 points Pre-Course Work300 points Ephesians/Colossians Reading300 points Class Discussion300 points Ephesians Study Guide

SCALE

950-1000 A 730-769 C900-949 A- 700-729 C-870-899 B+ 670-699 D+830-869 B 600-669 D800-829 B- 599 or below F770-799 C+

EXTRA CREDIT

Up to 20 points of extra credit can be given to students whose small group study guide is posted online as a completed, professional quality, small group study guide for on-demand printing. Instructions included in the document for week 8.

CLASS ATTENDANCE

On-Site: Because the onsite time is a compressed experience, it is important to be there for the entire 10 hours at 12Stone. A person loses 50 points from the final grade for any hour absent from the onsite time.

On-Line: For the online portion, a person loses 100 points from the final grade for any online week absence (meaning no participation in discussion during the week).

• 12Stone Church and other lay leader enrollees who are absent from online participation 4 weeks or more will be automatically withdrawn from the course.

• District Extension Course enrollees who are absent from online participation 2 weeks or more will be automatically withdrawn from the course.

LATE POLICY

For pre-course work, the student will lose 50 points if the assignment is not done by the beginning of class. Answers to the initial questions each online week are due on Wednesday nights at midnight EST (10 points off if late) and then the minimum 4 additional comments should be done by Sunday night at midnight EST (10 points off for each late comment).

WITHDRAWAL FROM COURSE

Automatic Withdrawal:

• 12Stone Church or other lay leader enrollees who are absent from online participation 4 total weeks or more will be automatically withdrawn from the course.

• District Extension Course enrollees who are absent from online participation 2 weeks or more will be automatically withdrawn.

Voluntary Withdrawal: Students may also voluntarily ask to be withdrawn from the class at any time, as long as they do so before the final online week.

EPHESIANS

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