The module helps the learner understand the meaning of biblical Christianity and its relationship to faith and practice within contemporary cultural contexts. Special attention is given to the corporate dimensions of spirituality and spiritual formation as defined in the New Testament. Those historical and cultural factors that have led to the privatization of Christianity are analysed and discussed. A paradigm of spiritual growth and maturity that focuses on the assembly rather than the individual is developed. In this study spiritual direction is identified as a spiritual discipline utilised from the early Christian church to the present. Consideration is given to its relationship to culture, its expression in religious communities, and insights from psychology and for pastoral care.

This module begins in July, with our weekly readings, and continues through to our intensive week which runs from 5th to 8th September, in Cape Town. We complete the module with the assignment due dates at the end of November.

Please see the heading - Module: Paidea Spiritual Formation for the details of the Intensive Week

Some information about those who will be sharing with us: Revds Johan and Melanie Klaasen from Church of the Good Shepher in Kensington. Melaney is the Rector, and John is the Asst Priest as well as Dean of Studies for the CPSA (Church of the Province of Southern Africa AKA Anglican Church of SA). They have two kids (5, 7). Been serving pastorally in various communities over past 10 years including Lansdowne, England, Bergvliet, Wellington. They just moved from Wellington to Kensington a year ago.

h3. Learning Outcomes

The module helps the learner understand the meaning of biblical Christianity and its relationship to faith and practice within contemporary cultural contexts. Special attention is given to the corporate dimensions of spirituality and spiritual formation as defined in the New Testament. Those historical and cultural factors that have led to the privatization of Christianity are analysed and discussed. A paradigm of spiritual growth and maturity that focuses on the assembly rather than the individual is developed. In this study spiritual direction is identified as a spiritual discipline utilised from the early Christian church to the present. Consideration is given to its relationship to culture, its expression in religious communities, and insights from psychology and for pastoral care.