Discipleship: A New Testament Examination of the Inner and Outer Life of Faith

A Spiritual Formation Elective

Instructor

Tucker Ferda, Lecturer in New Testament, PTS

Date

March 11, 2018, 7:00 p.m. – March 14, 2018, 12:15 p.m

Overview

In American Christianity, we too often hear descriptions of discipleship that are really Christianized forms of the American Dream. The sentiment is this: “follow your heart and dreams, but make Jesus a part of that.” In the Gospels, however, it is clear that Jesus’ call to discipleship was precisely a call to sacrifice heart and dreams, “to hate one’s life,” and to join him on a journey to Golgotha. How can we do that today? We will explore together how we might conceive discipleship as a holistic, formative process that leaves no part of us untouched. We will plumb the deep wisdom of Christian Scripture and tradition as we seek to give God our minds, hearts, and hands, trusting that God can make us participants in the cross-shaped Kingdom.

This class is open to all regardless of their participation in the Spiritual Formation Certificate Program.

Registration / Lodging / Schedule

Fee: $375 and includes refreshment breaks, Monday lunch and dinner, and Tuesday lunch. All other meals and lodging are the student’s responsibility.

Lodging: Limited lodging is available on campus. Reservations can be made by contacting our Reception Office at [email protected] or 412-924-1397. Get directions to PTS.

Schedule: Download the general schedule for this class.

Readings

Please do your best to read the required books before your arrival. If you wish to be in the Spiritual Formation Certificate program, you should prepare a one-page reflection paper for each required book; these will be collected the first evening of class. If you do not plan to seek the certificate but are taking the class for personal enrichment, the reflection papers are not required but we strongly encourage you to read the texts to get as much as possible from the class time. Recommendations for additional reading are provided for those who wish to go deeper. Books can be purchased via the Seminary’s Virtual Bookstore under the Continuing Education tab. Reading list is forthcoming.

Questions

Call 412-924-1345 or e-mail [email protected].