Track Vision Statement and Objectives

We agreed on a vision statement for the "Living out Faith Track":

Practicing & Applying Christlikeness Always

Our vision for students is that they will be better able to practice and apply Christlikeness in their lives after attending any one of our classes.

We are fully aware that there is an indispensable element of grace in all of our quests for Christlikeness and that attendance of any class does not control God's free choice to give grace. However teachers and students acknowledge the responsibility to do their part in becoming what we are called to be and together find out and start practicing what that means.


Track Intention (Covenant)

As teachers, we commit to do everything needed to fulfill the stated vision.

We will constantly work to improve our teaching towards this end and will drop things that are ineffective. We will make an effort to be able to explain (to ourselves and to others) how any topic we are going to teach supports our vision statements. In developing the syllabus for this class, two questions will be on our minds:

1. How is the topic relevant towards the vision?
2. How does my teaching impact students to move closer towards this vision even by the end of each lesson?

As students, the only way to benefit towards the vision of the class is to also commit to do everything needed. Invitations for doing will be shared in the classroom. True to an invitation, each student can pass at any time. Legalism of any kind will be detrimental to our goals. Rather, we are looking forward to spending time with each other joyfully, expectantly, willing to try out new things.

Method (Syllabus)

We feel called to an experimental approach in which we are all together. We realize that many have gone before us, the saints of the ages, and the Master himself. As we trying to get closer to the vision of Christlikeness we will be drawing heavily on the best practices of the past.

As a participant we hope that you will become better equipped in the following areas:

• Disciple 101: Understand and be able to explain the key points of being a disciple of Jesus by discussing Jesus' inaugural speech (availability of the Kingdom, entering it, Salt & Light, …)
• Get to know and practice spiritual exercises to foster personal growth and usefulness in God’s Kingdom. Examples: to communicate with Christ on a deeper level, to deepen our understanding of cultural entanglements, …
• Be able and comfortable to tell my story with my God (may serve as an invitation to the Kingdom for others)
• Get to know some "role models" for inspiration and personal challenge (role models: people in the church family who are advanced examples of the life of a disciple by following a particular calling)

Track Content (Curriculum)

The topics covered in class to achieve the goals and objectives outlined above will vary. For one, we are developing "core teaching" materials around the Disciple 101 and Spiritual Exercises topics. These will be provided as they becomes available. Secondly, we are offering teachings that are intended to address some of the more particular class needs and desires that we will solicit towards the beginning of each new semester. Please refer to the schedule for more details on track content for the current semester.