Quick Info:
Number of weeks:
Price: $40
CEUs:
Required books?: Yes
Live video session?: No
Part of a certification or series of courses?: No
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Aiming at Maturity: The Goal of the Christian Life is a small-group book study with author Steve Rankin. His book, by the same title, seeks to “bring back into focus key qualities of spiritual maturity and summarizes important biblical passages to show the scriptural foundations that call for spiritual maturity” (book cover). The course discussions will explore how we actually receive these concepts into our lives in order to become more effective and consistent witnesses of the Gospel.
In this course, participants will read through the book chapter-by-chapter, discussing its concepts and ideas with one another and the author on a bi-weekly basis. Group members must purchase a copy of the book, Aiming at Maturity: The Goal of the Christian Life. The most inexpensive way to buy the book is from the author himself, through his email address, rankins@smu.edu.
Price: $40
About the Instructor
Stephen W. Rankin — Steve is Chaplain and Minister to the University at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Previously he served at Southwestern College in Kansas as professor and campus minister.
Steve is a lifelong United Methodist and grew up in the parsonage as a “preacher’s kid.” In the middle of seminary, Steve and his wife, Joni served an expatriate congregation near Rome, Italy. Returning to Kansas to finish seminary, he began serving United Methodist congregations in rural Kansas before going to work in higher education. He enjoys following (mostly) college sports and physical exercise and loves to read widely, especially works of theology, philosophy and cultural analysis. He has an abiding passion to help young people – especially students – pursue their relationship with God and their calling to serve in God’s kingdom in whatever capacity.
Steve earned his undergraduate degree from Kansas State University, the M.Div. from Saint Paul School of Theology, the M.Th. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and the Ph.D. from Northwestern University. Steve has a lifelong passion for bridging the gap between the academy and the church and to help Christians benefit from the deep resources of the Church. He is a contributor to academic and popular periodicals. “Aiming at Maturity” is his first book. He and his wife, Joni, live in Dallas. They have 4 grown children (Luke, Leah, Abram, and Aaron) and two grandchildren.