Spiritual Direction in the Christian Tradition

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Abstract

This subject introduces the nature and practice of spiritual direction. It examines the tradition of spiritual direction as a way of listening, discernment, and responding to God and others. It provides historical background, and an overview of different approaches to spirituality in the Christian tradition. It considers techniques of prayer … For more content click the Read More button below.

This subject introduces the nature and practice of spiritual direction. It examines the tradition of spiritual direction as a way of listening, discernment, and responding to God and others. It provides historical background, and an overview of different approaches to spirituality in the Christian tradition. It considers techniques of prayer and meditation and the process of spiritual direction. Personal qualities of a good director are discussed and practised, and the spiritual dimension in pastoral ministry is explored.

Syllabus

the ministry of spiritual direction in the Christian tradition, its practice, principles, theology, discernment, retreat leading and qualities required for a good directortheological criteria for the evaluation of various models of spiritual direction.history of spiritual guidance, including major spiritual writers and schools of spirituality in the Christian traditioncontemporary models of … For more content click the Read More button below.

the ministry of spiritual direction in the Christian tradition, its practice, principles, theology, discernment, retreat leading and qualities required for a good director
theological criteria for the evaluation of various models of spiritual direction.
history of spiritual guidance, including major spiritual writers and schools of spirituality in the Christian tradition
contemporary models of spiritual direction
techniques of prayer which may include: scriptural models, journalling, labyrinth, liturgy, images, dreams, art, and meditation
practical issues of supervision, ethics, record keeping and physical surroundings

Assessment items

1. Essay

2. Prayer practices journal

3. Major Essay

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to outline and discuss critically the ministry of spiritual direction and the place it holds within contemporary Christian churches

be able to reflect critically on their own experience of the spiritual life

be able to examine and discuss critically a variety of historical models of spiritual direction from the Christian tradition

be able to outline and evaluate the spiritual dimension in pastoral ministry

be able to outline and evaluate their own understanding of the ministry of spiritual direction in various contexts, eg. suffering

be able to discuss various techniques of prayer and meditation in the Christian tradition

be able to demonstrate research, writing and communication skills.

Learning activities

Mandatory Intensive

The purpose of the intensive is:- to provide opportunity for discussion about the meaning of the spiritual life both personal and contemporary as well as historical examples. This will consolidate knowledge gained from the readings.Activities include:- students present a short paper on a person of prayer- various ways of praying- the development of practical listening skills in triads

Duration3 days