Introduction to Christian Education and Formation: A Lifelong Plan for Christ-Centered Restoration

259 Pages·2008·3.06 MB·English

by  Ronald T. Habermas

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“This is truly an integration of the old term ‘Christ ian Education’ with the current term ‘Spiri-
tual Formation.’ Habermas challenges the reader to recapture what has been lost by many in
the field of Christ ian education for several decades. . . . This is a fresh and well thought through
approach to the important foundational issues for those serving in areas of educational minis-
try and spiritual formation. Focusing on the life and ministry of Jesus as the framework, this
volume adds significantly to the importance of spiritual formation for all ages and cultures.”
— Dennis E. Williams
Distinguished Senior Professor of Leadership and Church Ministry
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Executive Administrator, North American Professors of Chris tian Education
“Readers will walk with Jesus, discovering his perspective on education, formation, and restora-
tion. They are also challenged to engage the multicultural richness of our world, be formed by
it, and participate in God’s kingdom work.”
— Cathy Stonehouse
Dean, School of Practical Theology
Orlean Bullard Beeson Professor of Chris tian Discipleship
Asbury Theological Seminary
“. . . Includes both the best of our twentieth-century heritage and awareness of the emphases
emerging in the present century: it is Trinitarian, Christocentric, holistic, and practical. This
will be a text of choice for introductory courses in educational ministry as well as an important
book for those in ministry to read for vision and orientation in this field.”
— Paul Bramer
Professor of Chris tian Formation and Leadership
Tyndale Seminary, Toronto, Canada
“I used up two yellow highlighters as I read and marked my way through this book. Not your
average Chris tian education resource!”
— Marlene LeFever
Vice President of Educational Development
David C. Cook
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INTRODUCTION
CHRIST IAN
TO
EDUCATION
AND
FORMATION
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INTRODUCTION
CHRIS TIAN
TO
EDUCATION
AND
FORMATION
A Lifelong Plan for Christ-Centered Restoration
R T. H
ONALD ABERMAS
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Introduction to Chris tian Education and Formation
Copyright © 2008 Ronald T. Habermas
AER Edition January 2009 ISBN: 978-0-310-57449-1(cid:13)(cid:10)
Requests for information should be addressed to:
Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Habermas, Ronald T.
Introduction to Chris tian Education and formation : a lifelong plan for Christ-centered restoration / Ronald T. Habermas.
p. cm.
Includes indexes.
ISBN 978-0 – 310 – 27426 – 1
1. Chris tian education. 2. Spiritual formation. I. Title.
BV1471.3.H33
2008268--dc22
2008021317
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright
© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Italics indicate emphasis
by the author.
TNIV refers to Today’s New International Version. KJV refers to the King James Version.
Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers printed in this book are offered as a resource to you. These are
not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of Zondervan, nor do we vouch for the content of these sites
and numbers for the life of this book.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by
any means — electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other — except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without
the prior permission of the publisher.
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I dedicate this volume to my faithful mentors,
to whom I am indebted:
Robert and Roberta Habermas
John Vrazo
Adolph Braun
Henry Holloman
James Plueddemann
Ted Ward
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CONTENTS
Charts and Figures 8
Additional Resources 9
Acknowledgments 11
Introduction: Laying the Foundation 13
Part I: Foundations to Restoration
Teleological Foundations
1. Maps, Signs, and Choices 23
2. The Trinity Relay: The Way of Restoration 33
Theological and Social Science Foundations
3. The Total Person: Integrating Theology and Anthropology 45
4. The Maturing Person: Analyzing How Jesus Grew Holistically 59
5. The Developing Person: Contemplating Theories of Major
Sculptors (John M. Dettoni) 73
Part II: Incarnation for Restoration
How to Emulate Christ’s Example
6. The Role of Master Teacher: Following Jesus’ Answer to Where? 87
7. The Role of Faithful Learner: Following Jesus’ Answer to What? 101
8. The Role of Son of Man: Following Jesus’ Answer to Who? 109
9. The Role of Great Physician: Following Jesus’ Answer to Why? 123
10. The Role of Submissive Servant: Following Jesus’ Answer to How? 133
Part III: Applications of Restoration
Applications of Ministry for Every Age
11. Restoring Children: Serving Boys and Girls for Christ —
Both Near and Far (Kevin E. Lawson) 151
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