Discovering Discipleship: Dynamics of Christian Education

by Dean G Blevins, Mark A Maddux

Overview

Practicing faithful discipleship means focusing on the daily aspects of Christian education in the local church, within its structures, and through faithful ministry.

Through Bible-based truths and helpful insights, Discovering Discipleship identifies principles that provide the Christian educator with an overview of the significant aspects of faithful discipleship. Effectively organized into four areas-definitions, dynamics, design, and practice-authors Dean Blevins and Mark Maddix offer readers an approach to discipleship that will help them dig deeper and develop a long-lasting and effective practice of community formation and faithful discipleship.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780834124967
Publisher:	Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City
Publication date:	03/01/2010
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

DEAN G. BLEVINS is professor of Christian education and director of the Masters of Arts in Christian Education program at Nazarene Theological Seminary. He is a contributing author in several books and has published over fifty articles, including some in Christian Education Journal and Wesleyan Theological Journal. He is also the senior editor of Didache: Faithful Teaching, an online academic journal dedicated to the exploration of faith, culture, and higher education. Rev. Mark A. Maddix, PhD, is a professor of practical theology & Christian discipleship and dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministries at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California. He has published many articles and co-authored or co-edited six books, including Missional Discipleship: Partners in God's Redemptive Mission (2013) and Essential Beliefs: A Wesleyan Primer (2016). Maddix is a frequent speaker on topics of Christian discipleship, spiritual formation, and online education. He is married with two adult children.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 7

Introduction 11

Part 1 Defining Faithful Discipleship 17

1 Why Discipleship from a Wesleyan Perspective? 19

2 The Story of God 27

3 Discipleship Through the Centuries 40

4 Wesleyan Theological Foundations 53

5 Wesley the Educator 68

6 The Means of Grace 83

Part 2 The Dynamics of Faithful Discipleship 97

7 Paying Attention to People and Culture 99

8 Developmental Theory 113

9 Faith Development 133

10 Learning Theories 148

11 Teaching That Makes a Difference: Curriculum Design and Delivery 164

Part 3 Designing Faithful Discipleship in the Congregation 179

12 Congregational Formation 181

13 Personal and Congregational Discernment 195

14 Congregational Transformation 208

Part 4 Practicing Faithful Discipleship 217

Environments of Faithful Discipleship 219

15 Learning Environments 220

16 Congregational Context and Small Groups 235

Developmental Faithful Discipleship 250

17 Children's Ministry 251

18 Youth Ministry 268

19 Christian Discipleship with Adults 285

20 Family Ministry 301

Shepherding Faithful Discipleship 317

21 Administering Faithful Discipleship 318

22 Legal Considerations for Christian Discipleship 334

23 Educational Leadership in Community 362

Conclusion: Faithful Discipleship: Practice and Becoming a Means of Grace 381