Course Descriptions
Lifeteams courses happen in and out of the classroom. Whether you’re the “academic type” or not, really doesn’t matter as much as whether you are someone who wants God to shape every part of you. God seems to think that what we think has a pretty important role in what we do, and we agree.Lifeteams offers the equivalent of 27 credit hours of Bible College transferable credit (about 1 year’s worth) through 9 courses that provide students with ideas and tools to take on the invitations God offers through the rest of the program. Here’s a snapshot of each course.
MINSTRY AND SPIRITUALITY
Individuals involved in ministry are often faced with the challenge of holding onto a false spirituality based on doing rather than being. An understanding of our spirituality as something intiating from God, rather than something we can make happen by “enough” busy actions, can help us to focus on clearing space for God to work, rather than simply working for God.
Through this course we will take a look at the way spirituality is lived out, by being introduced to the spiritual journeys of a variety of guest presenters who are involved in ministry at different levels. Through discussion and practice, you will have the chance to apply classroom concepts to your personal spiritual walk and ministry.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION LAB
Within our busy lives, it’s sometimes hard to carve out time to pursue God or notice how He is pursuing us. This lab allows for students to be intentional about quality and quantity time with God, through days of silence, journaling, spiritual mentoring, and a 24-hour solo time. Through these experiences we create a space for God to move, and leave the results up to Him.
EVANGELISM AND SOUL CARE
Evangelism is defined by the dictionary as an earnest effort for the spread of the Gospel. At times it seems that the effectiveness of evangelism has been judged by the amount of effort, rather than the amount of love that motivates the effort. But souls are not meant to be “won”, souls are meant to be loved. The idea of “soul care” focuses us on engaging youth in spiritual movement, no matter what their place on the faith journey. This course seeks to introduce students to the heart of God for those who don’t know Him yet, and looks at practical ways of introducing that heart to this generation.
FOUNDATIONS FOR YOUTH OUTREACH
The motivation for youth outreach is established in God’s passion for reaching out to the world through the incarnation of Jesus. In doing so, God showed us the value of “being present” and coming alongside others in the middle of their difficulties. In this course we will follow that model as we explore who young people and what matters to them, allowing us to step into the issues of their lives with compassion and understanding. We will also explore who we are as youth workers, understanding that often impact comes not through what we know but who we are in the lives of young people.
PROGRAM DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
The course is highly experiential and takes the student on a guided practical journey through the conception, implementation and evaluation of creative and effective programs and events for youth. Working as a team and as individuals, students are given the opportunity to walk through each part of the program design process in a variety of settings, with ongoing feedback, instruction and support. From running mission trips to events to classes and out trips – you will walk away from this course with increased competence and confidence, as well as a greater understanding of the framework and skills necessary for developing and running programs that make a difference for youth.
PEOPLE HELPING SKILLS
In this course we will work toward learning and using skills for helping others through life’s difficulties and frustrations. Developing listening and supporting skills will not only allow us to be truly helpful to teens, but also to friends and family around us. The ability to create an environment around people that invites and encourages growth in them, can open up the way for God to move in both their lives and ours.
COMMUNICATING TRUTH TO YOUTH
The ability to communicate well is essential for youth work. This course will introduce you to communication that is relevant and genuine, and invites youth to realize that God’s story is intersecting with their story. We’ll practice recognizing and creating teachable moments in the everyday “stuff” of life, as well as the skills of intentionally introducing lifechanging truth by walking through the doors youth are offering to us.
COMMUNITY YOUTH WORK
In a society where tolerance seems to be valued above truth, the Christian youth worker with his unwavering convictions is becoming more and more suspect. Yet Christians cannot withdraw from the world because they are not understood; rather they must seek to respectfully step into the world , knowing that God is already there at work in the hearts of men. Within this context, this course seeks to equip students with the confidence and competence to work side by side with those who are involved in youth issues through the community.
STREET YOUTH OUTREACH
Through this course we will seek to understand the God’s understanding of the poor and the philosophy of social justice and sustainable change, both in theory and practice. We will have the opportunity to see street life first hand through conversations with the homeless and be introduced to some of the organizations that hope to impact the poverty situation.
Through regular outreach projects and working together to develop a week-long “Urban Plunge” for church teens, students will gain awareness of the needs and have a part in meeting them.
YOUTH WORK LAB
Experiential learning encourages the head and the hands to work together in processing information. The Youth Work Lab teaches you about the practice of youth work through doing it – stepping into the lives of the same young people week after week. The classroom for this course is a ministry placement site in which you will have the opportunity to observe and engage in relational youth work. A personal ministry mentor will provide on-site feedback and guidance as you apply classroom information to real world situations with the freedom to be creative and room to grow.
LEARN AUTHENTICALLY. LIVE JUSTLY. PREPARE TO CHANGE YOUR WORLD.
