The assignment due Feb. 4 is to select 2 or 3 of these goals that you feel are worthwhile for you, and write about what you hope to learn. (2 to 3 sentences per goal).  Also add any additional goal of your own.  The instructor will use these responses to shape the class.  Use copy and paste to put your selected goals on a word document, then add your comments.

    A.  Goals (These are in accordance with the purpose of the university as expressed on page 3 of the catalog):

          1.  Spiritual.  The student will grow in love for the peoples of the world, will come to rely more thoroughly on Christ for guidance and strength in witnessing situations, and will be better able to differentiate man's role from God's role.

          2.  Global.  The student will gain a broader perspective of each world religion in its totality dispersed around the world, and particularly as represented locally.  The student will gain a general idea of the mission strategies now in use around the world, and the decisions facing new Christians in non-Christian countries.  The student will become aware of some of the common features of the various religions.

          3.  Taking Responsibility for personal growth.  The student will adopt a goal of life-long learning in the areas of cultural sensitivity and personal witness.

          4.  Self-discovery and Future Options.  The student will become more aware of his/her gifts and attitudes, become more willing to rely on others for their gifts and support in witnessing, and see how his/her characteristics fit in to the types of initiatives and strategies being used in the world today.

      B.  Objectives:

        1.  Cognitive (knowledge):

a.          Develop witnessing strategies suitable for use with adherents of non-Christian religions.

b.          Know what aspects of the Christian message are likely to be misunderstood by those in the various world religions, and learn how to communicate those aspects in ways more likely to be understood.

c.          Know how to use common human need to introduce the subject of Christ to those in world religions.

d.          Know what concepts in the world religions can be used to introduce the subject of Christ.  

e.  Know what parts of a convert's support system and life cycle ritual will need to be supplied by Christianity as he loses them from his former religion.

f.          Prepare to help a new convert distinguish between any customs of the former religion, which must be discarded, and those, which can be maintained after conversion.

g.          Understand the proper use of apologetics (contrasted to proclamation) as applied to the major religions.

h.          Survey the major responses now being made by Christians to the majority religion in their countries, including adaptations, dialogue, and non-western theologies.

i.          Sample current strategies being used in world mission.

        2.  Affective  (attitudes and values):

a.          Value the adherent of another religion as a person like yourself, not as an opponent.

b.          Become sensitive to the practices of other religions as expressions of our common human needs, and be convinced that Jesus can meet these same needs for the person.

c.          Appreciate the difficulties faced by a new convert in being cut off from the security of the former support system and thought-world, to gain patience in encouraging the person to consider Christianity.

3.  Abilities and skills:

a.          Be able to use handles and bridges skillfully to transform conversations about values and religion into conversations about the person and work of Christ.

b.          Be able to communicate Christ in terms of the hearer's thought-frame, as distinct from your own.

c.          Be able to help someone through the steps of becoming aware of conversion and into the first steps of distinguishing what former religious customs can and cannot continue in the new life.

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