Course Dates:
October 10 – November 18, 2022
Pre-requisites for this class are IFDC220
Need the password? Contact us
The focus of this class is on ways that we might promote a formational engagement of the Scriptures for personal and parish enrichment through the ways that we teach our Biblical faith.
In this course, you’ll learn how to engage the Christian meta-narrative (the body of beliefs to which our Scriptures point) and its key themes and motifs. We’ll study the variety of factors that impact our interpretation and teaching of the Scriptures, and explore some essential shifts in approaching the Bible which facilitate spiritual formation in our churches.
Learners are required to have the following books for this class:
- Teaching the Bible in the Church, by John M. Bracke and Karen B. Tye
- Shaped by the Word: The Power of Scripture in Spiritual Formation, by M. Robert Mulholland
- The Bible’s Big Story: Our Story, by Harry Wendt
This is the second course in the Institute for Discipleship certification in Spiritual Formation, You must have completed IFDC220 – Spiritual Disciplines for Personal & Parish Renewal before taking this class. This course is eligible for 3.0 CEU.
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Quick Info:
Number of weeks: 6
Price: $125
CEUs: 3.0
Required books?: Yes
Live video session?: No
Part of a certification or series of courses?: Yes (IFD Certification in Spiritual Formation)
Pre-requisites for this class are IFDC220
Need the password? Contact us
About the Instructor
After 35 years of active parish ministry in the East Texas area (including several congregations in Houston), the Rev. Dr. James H. “Jim” Reiter took early retirement so that he and his wife, Kathy, could pursue their interest and passions in spiritual formation on a full-time basis.
A 1983 graduate of Texas A&M University, Jim went on to attend Perkins School of Theology where he received his M.Div. in 1987 and his D.Min. in 1992. Prior to his retirement in 2018, Jim coursework at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary pursuant to a Professional Certification in Spiritual Formation through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church. Most recently, Jim has completed studies with the “FIND School for Spiritual Direction and Formation” (Episcopal Diocese of Texas)—being certified and commissioned as a spiritual director and now serving on their faculty.
Throughout the course of his active years as a United Methodist pastor, spiritual formation has been a keen passion and interest for Jim. It’s an interest/focus emerging from a host of streams, including service as chairperson of the Spiritual Formation Team of the Texas Annual Conference, explorations in the contemplative life, immersion experiences in monastic settings, leadership in a variety of retreat settings, research in stages of faith development, experience with and gleanings from traditional and not-so-traditional spiritual disciplines, and a keen interest in the intersection of Christ and culture – focused especially in the spiritual themes embedded in the movies.
Jim and Kathy (his wife of 35 years and a spiritual formation leader in her own right), founded Zoe-Life Explorations (www.zoe-life.net) in the Spring of 2018. The mission of Zoe-Life is focused through published resources and a series of program offerings designed to facilitate experiences in and conversations about spiritual formation in the lives of individuals and faith communities.
