BTP 102: Spiritual Disciplines and Spiritual Growth
Course Description
Welcome to BTP 102! This course moves from foundational knowledge to the heart of Christian practice. While other courses focus on what we believe, this course explores <u>how we live</u> and cultivate a vibrant, growing relationship with God. We will examine the classical spiritual disciplines—the time-tested practices that the people of God have used for centuries to draw near to Him. You will learn the biblical basis for key disciplines like prayer, study, worship, and service, and discover how to incorporate these rhythms into your daily life. This is not a course about legalistic rules, but about creating space for the Holy Spirit to work, transforming our character to become more like Christ.
Course Structure
This course is composed of five chapters, each building upon the last to provide a comprehensive framework for spiritual growth. Each chapter includes a detailed summary, five in-depth lessons, a chapter test, and an optional “Deep Dive” for further study. The course culminates in a final course test.
- Course: Syllabus + Interactive Syllabus + 5 Chapters + Course Test
- Chapter: Summary + 5 Lessons + Chapter Test + Deep Dive
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Articulate the Goal: Explain the biblical purpose of spiritual disciplines as means of grace for spiritual transformation, not works of righteousness.
- Identify Key Practices: Recognize and describe the major inward, outward, and corporate spiritual disciplines.
- Understand the Biblical Basis: Locate and explain the scriptural foundations for the essential spiritual disciplines.
- Develop a Personal Plan: Create a practical, personal plan for incorporating spiritual disciplines into their daily life.
- Engage with God: Move beyond merely knowing about the disciplines to actively practicing them to deepen their communion with God.
- Cultivate Character: Understand the relationship between spiritual practices and the development of Christlike character, particularly the Fruit of the Spirit.
Course Outline
Chapter 1: The Heart of the Matter – Foundations for Spiritual Growth
- Lesson 1: Why Bother? The Case for the Disciplines
- Lesson 2: The Goal of the Disciplines: Conforming to Christ’s Image
- Lesson 3: The Role of the Holy Spirit in Spiritual Growth
- Lesson 4: The Danger of Legalism vs. The Joy of Discipline
- Lesson 5: The Path of Discipline: A Lifelong Journey
Chapter 2: The Inward Disciplines – Cultivating the Inner Life
- Lesson 1: The Discipline of Meditation: Filling the Mind with God
- Lesson 2: The Discipline of Prayer: Intimate Conversation with the Father
- Lesson 3: The Discipline of Fasting: Feasting on God
- Lesson 4: The Discipline of Study: Loving God with Our Minds
- Lesson 5: The Discipline of Journaling: Charting the Soul’s Journey
Chapter 3: The Outward Disciplines – Living Out Our Faith
- Lesson 1: The Discipline of Simplicity: Freedom from Mammon
- Lesson 2: The Discipline of Solitude: Finding God in the Quiet
- Lesson 3: The Discipline of Submission: The Freedom of Self-Denial
- Lesson 4: The Discipline of Service: The Towel and the Basin
- Lesson 5: The Discipline of Secrecy: Doing Good for an Audience of One
Chapter 4: The Corporate Disciplines – Growing Together
- Lesson 1: The Discipline of Confession: The Power of Shared Truth
- Lesson 2: The Discipline of Worship: Ascribing Worth to God
- Lesson 3: The Discipline of Guidance: Seeking Wisdom in Community
- Lesson 4: The Discipline of Celebration: The Joy of the Kingdom
- Lesson 5: The Discipline of Fellowship: The Body of Christ in Action
Chapter 5: A Life of Growth – Integration and Perseverance
- Lesson 1: Creating a Personal “Rule of Life”
- Lesson 2: Overcoming Dryness and Distraction
- Lesson 3: The Disciplines and the Fruit of the Spirit
- Lesson 4: The Rhythm of Grace: Finding a Sustainable Pace
- Lesson 5: Finishing Well: Perseverance in the Disciplined Life
Assessments & Grading
- Chapter Quizzes: Short quizzes will follow each lesson to assess comprehension.
- Chapter Tests: A test at the end of each of the five chapters will review the material covered.
- Final Course Test: A comprehensive final exam will cover the key ideas from all five chapters.
- Passing Requirement: To successfully complete this course, you must achieve a score of 80% or higher on each of the five Chapter Tests and the Final Course Test.
