Cincinnati Christian University
PIC 555 01
Biblical Foundations of Missions &
Evangelism
Description
A seminar designed to help students construct a biblical theology of missions and
evangelism and learn practical techniques of theological formation in new
Christian communities. A particular focus of the course is on the theory, practice,
and products of contextual theology.
Objectives
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Develop a vision for holistic ministry rooted in a biblically sound
theology of mission.
Devise ministry strategies appropriate to the cultural context and
conducive to indigenous church leadership.
Demonstrate foundational skills to equip and empower indigenous
Christian communities to interpret and apply the Bible in their cultural
contexts.
Required Reading
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Escobar, Samuel. The New Global Mission: The Gospel from Everywhere to
Everyone. Downer’s Grove, IL: IVP, 2003.
Ott, Craig and Stephen J. Strauss. Encountering Theology of Mission:
Biblical Foundations, Historical Developments, and Contemporary Issues.
Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2010.
Tennent, Timothy C. Theology in the Context of World Christianity. Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007.
Spring 2013
Tues. 6:30-9:10 pm (3 credit hours)
Instructor: Mr. John Chesnut
E-Mail: john.chesnut@ccuniversity.edu
Phone: 513-593-4091
Due Dates
Assignmentsare to be uploaded to Moodle
by midnight the evening of the due date.
Late work is penalized 25 points per day.
Jan. 29-Apr. 30, weekly: Reading
Assignments
Mar. 26-Apr. 23: Hermeneutical
Community Project (specific dates to be
assigned)
TBA: Global Theology Presentations
Apr. 30: Theological Reflection Paper
Disclaimer
This syllabus should not be taken as a
comprehensive statement of all
policies related to this course. The
professor reserves the right to amend
or alter the course plan during the
semester, with adequate warning to
the students of any changes.
Class Policies
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Students may miss class twice before being dropped from the roll.
Late work is penalized 25 points per day.
Assignments are to be uploaded to the Moodle site for the course by
midnight the evening of the due date. In case of technical issues with the
Moodle site, assignments may be emailed to the professor.
Biblical Foundations of Missions & Evangelism
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Assignments
Reading Assignments: 3% each, 36% total (due weekly, Jan. 29-Apr. 30, 6:30 pm)
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As this is a discussion-based seminar course, it is essential that students come to class each week having completed the
reading assignment and prepared to discuss it intelligently.
Twelve writing assignments will be given during the semester, requiring students to summarize and reflect briefly upon the
weekly reading. These assignments will serve as notes in class to help the student be prepared to contribute and will be
taken up at the end of class.
Assignments should be typed, double-spaced, printed and brought to class. In case of printer problems, email the work.
Students who are absent may email their work to me by 6:30 pm on the due date. Work emailed after this time will be
subject to late penalties.
Hermeneutical Community (20%) (dates to be assigned)
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A ‘hermeneutical community’ is a group of people who work together to understand and apply the Bible in their context.
A knowledgeable facilitator shepherds the group and supplies additional information as necessary without controlling the
discussion. This method of theological formation places in the hands of local Christians the tools to become a “selftheologizing” church, an important element in overcoming dependency, addressing the local ministry context effectively,
and remaining both flexible and biblically grounded as culture changes.
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We will simulate this method by giving each student the opportunity to facilitate a class discussion on a topic relevant to
the course based on their individual backgrounds, interests, and questions.
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Topics should be approved by the professor. Examples:
o
o
o
o
o
o
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Should Christians participate in some specific aspect of culture?
Can the church incorporate a particular aspect of culture into its practice?
What is the best way to evangelize a friend of a particular culture or life situation?
Who do I relate to a Christian friend who holds a different doctrinal position?
How can the Bible help me resolve a personal issue relevant to ministry (relationship issue, use of resources,
personal shortcoming, etc.)
Your ideas?
For the chosen topic, students will submit 5 pages of typed, double-spaced notes, including:
o
o
o
o
o
A description of the question being addressed and its wider relevance to missions and evangelism.
An illustration, story, personal experience, etc. to raise interest and provoke thought about the topic.
A list of 5 open-ended discussion questions the student will pose while facilitating discussion.
A brief biblical/theological reflection on the topic, including at least 5 relevant Scripture passages (type out the
entire verse along with its citation; you can cut and paste easily from www.biblegateway.com )
The student’s thoughts about how the Scripture on this topic should be applied in his or her culture.
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Based on these notes, each student will facilitate a 30 minute class discussion on the topic by introducing and illustrating
the topic, then guiding the class through some of the discussion questions and relevant Scriptures. Finally, the student will
suggest his or her own biblical answer to the question and allow the class time to discuss and evaluate that answer.
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Grades will be based upon the quality of the prepared materials and the student’s effort to facilitate discussion. See rubric
at the end of the syllabus for specific grading standards.
Biblical Foundations of Missions & Evangelism
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Theological Reflection Paper (20%)
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Students will prepare a ten page theological reflection paper to reflect their mastery of course objectives. The paper will
consist of four approximately equal parts:
o
Summarize your personal theology of mission
 Think about what you consider to be the most important themes in Scripture relevant to mission.
Examples: the Kingdom of God, the love of God, holiness, justice, the Trinity, the incarnation, missio
Dei, creation, the image of God, etc.
 Choose one or two such themes and explain how it shapes and guides your understanding of mission.
 Include well-chosen biblical references, citations of course readings, and other sources as appropriate.
 Students are not required to do additional research beyond the course readings but are welcome to do so.
o
Explain how different types of ministries fit into your mission theology.
 Based on your theology of mission, what is the role of preaching, benevolence, social justice ministries,
etc.?
 Is your theology broad enough to include various kinds of social ministries under the concept of
“mission” or do these belong in some other category?
o
Describe a ministry strategy that is consistent with your theology and appropriate to your current or planned
ministry context.
 Tell me briefly about your current or planned ministry.
 Sketch out a ministry plan and explain how it flows from your theology and fits the ministry context.
 Your ministry strategy might include issues such as: ministry personnel, target audience, methodologies,
use of resources, etc.
o
Explain how your strategy will be conducive to indigenous church leadership rather than fostering dependency.
 Make sure your strategy “begins with the end in mind.” Explain how you will involve local people in
leadership early in the process.
 Consider what impact your chosen strategies will have upon the local church. Will your strategy make
the church dependent upon you?
 If some dependence on the missionary or ministry leader is unavoidable at the early stages of your
ministry, explain why this is the case, and what plans you have for strengthening local leadership and
transitioning the ministry to their authority as soon as possible.
Papers should be typed, double-spaced, and strictly follow Turabian formatting standards. See rubric at the end of this
syllabus for specific grading standards.
Global Theology Presentation (24%) (due date TBA)
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Graduate students will read Tennent, Theology in the Context of World Christianity, Preface and chapters 1 and 10. Chapters
2-9 will be divided among students for class presentations.
Students will prepare 5-7 pages of typed, double-spaced lecture notes and discussion questions based on their assigned
chapters, doing additional research as necessary to master the topic. Notes should be typed out, not a sketchy outline.
Students will teach a lesson on their assignment in class. Lessons should be 45-60 minutes long, depending on audience
interest and involvement.
Lessons should not consist entirely of lecture. They must include some interactive learning method such as discussion,
audio-visual resources, learning activities, etc.
This is an excellent opportunity for graduate students to acquire college teaching experience.
Biblical Foundations of Missions & Evangelism
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Course Outline
1/22
- Introduction: Importance of Mission Theology
1/29
- The Changing World of Missions
- Reading Assignment 1 due: Ott: Introduction; Escobar: Preface, ch. 1-4, ch. 10.
2/5
- Contextualization, Globalizing Theology
- Reading Assignment 2 due: Escobar: ch. 8; Ott: ch. 11.
2/12
- God and the Nations in the Old Testament
- Reading Assignment 3 due: Ott, ch. 1.
2/19
- God and the Nations in the New Testament
- Reading Assignment 4 due: Ott, ch. 2.
2/26
- Biblical Basis for Wholistic Church-Planting
3/5
- SPRING BREAK
3/12
- “Missio Dei” as the Justification of Mission
- Reading Assignment 5 due: Ott: ch. 3; Escobar: ch. 5-7.
3/19
- The Purpose and Nature of Mission
- Reading Assignment 6 due: Ott: ch. 4.
3/26
- The Task of Missions
- Reading Assignment 7 due: Ott: ch. 5-6; Escobar: ch. 9.
- STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
4/2
- Missionaries: Selection and Roles
- Reading Assignment 8 due: Ott: ch. 7, 9
- STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
4/9
- The Church and Mission
- Reading Assignment 9 due: Ott: ch. 8
- STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
4/16
- Spiritual Dynamics and Mission
- Reading Assignment 10 due: Ott: ch. 10
- STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
4/23
- Christianity and Other Religions
- Reading Assignment 11 due: Ott: ch. 12
4/30
- The Necessity of Mission
- Reading Assignment 12 due: Ott, ch. 13.
- THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION PAPER DUE
5/7
- Conclusion / Discussion
Biblical Foundations of Missions & Evangelism
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PIC 555 01
Biblical Foundations of Missions &
Evangelism
Student’s name:__________________________
Mailbox number:_________________________
Rubric for Hermeneutical Community Project
These are the standards used to grade your assignment. A copy of this rubric will be returned with your assignment, marked to
indicate the reasons for your grade.
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
Paper received by deadline, no penalty. Grade: _________
Paper received 1 day late. Grade: __________ - 25 points = __________
Paper received 2 days late. Grade: __________ - 50 points = __________
Paper received 3 days late. Grade: __________ -75 points = __________
Paper received 4 or more days late: Grade: __0__
Excellent
(25 pts)
Notes include all topics
required by the syllabus
and meet the page
requirement.
Average
(20 pts)
Notes include all topics
required by the syllabus
but fall somewhat below
the page requirement.
Below Average
(15 pts)
Notes are missing one or
more topics required by
the syllabus or fall
significantly below the
page requirement.
Unsatisfactory
(0 pts)
No notes were
submitted.
Preparation
Notes indicate a
relevant and interesting
choice of topic,
intriguing questions,
selection of appropriate
Scriptures and careful
reflection on the biblical
implications of the
topic.
Notes indicate a choice
of topic that has some
relevance to missions
and evangelism.
Questions, Scriptures,
and reflection are
adequate but not
particularly deep or
original.
Notes indicate a choice of
topic that has relatively
little relevance to
missions and evangelism.
Questions, Scriptures,
and reflection seem
somewhat careless or
superficial.
No notes were
submitted.
Group facilitation
Facilitator keeps group
members interested and
involved and keeps the
discussion moving
toward resolution
without dominating the
group.
Facilitator is mostly able
to keep students engaged
and the topic generally
moving in a purposeful
direction.
Facilitator allows the
discussion to stagnate or
turn into a lecture rather
than a genuine group
discussion.
Student does not
complete the group
facilitation portion of
the project.
Biblical focus
Facilitator keeps the
discussion biblically
focused, helping
students reflect
theologically and reach
some consensus.
Facilitator keeps the
discussion generally
biblically focused.
Theological reflection is
present but may not go
very deep.
Facilitator allows the
discussion to remain at
the level of culture and
opinion without drawing
it adequately back to
Scripture.
Student does not
complete the group
facilitation portion of
the project.
Notes
Biblical Foundations of Missions & Evangelism
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PIC 555 01
Biblical Foundations of Missions &
Evangelism
Student’s name:__________________________
Mailbox number:_________________________
Rubric for Theological Reflection Paper
These are the standards used to grade your assignment. A copy of this rubric will be returned with your assignment, marked to
indicate the reasons for your grade.





Paper received by deadline, no penalty. Grade: _________
Paper received 1 day late. Grade: __________ - 25 points = __________
Paper received 2 days late. Grade: __________ - 50 points = __________
Paper received 3 days late. Grade: __________ -75 points = __________
Paper received 4 or more days late: Grade: __0__
Excellent
(20pts)
Paper meets page
requirement, is properly
formatted, has minimal
spelling and grammar
issues.
Average
(15pts)
Paper falls slightly below
page requirement
and/or has some minor
issues with formatting,
spelling, or grammar.
Below Average
(10pts)
Paper falls significantly
below page requirement
and/or has significant
issues with formatting
spelling or grammar.
Unsatisfactory
(0 pts)
Paper is too far below
page limit or has too
many formatting,
spelling or grammar
issues to merit credit.
Personal theology
The theology analyzes
one or two biblical
themes relevant to
mission with depth and
sophistication.
The theology is
adequately explained
with some biblical
support, but not in great
depth.
The theology is not
explained clearly or well
supported biblically.
The paper does not
include a personal
theology of mission.
Holistic ministry
The paper thoughtfully
reflects on the roles of
various types of
ministries with relation
to student’s theology.
The paper reflects
somewhat on the roles
of various types of
ministries with relation
to student’s theology.
The paper includes only
brief and cursory mention
of how various types of
ministries relate to
student’s theology.
The paper does not
reflect on how various
types of ministries
relate to student’s
theology.
Ministry strategy
The ministry strategy
flows clearly from the
theology and seems
appropriate to the
ministry context.
The ministry strategy is
somewhat connected
with the theology and is
somewhat appropriate
for the context.
The ministry strategy is
unconnected with the
student’s stated theology
or incongruent with the
ministry context.
The paper does not
include a ministry
strategy.
Indigenous
leadership
A plan for raising up
indigenous leadership is
clearly described and
seems workable.
A plan for raising up
indigenous leadership is
described but may need
additional work.
A plan for raising up
indigenous leadership is
poorly described and
need substantial
additional work.
No plan for raising up
indigenous leadership
is described.
Technical issues
Biblical Foundations of Missions & Evangelism
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PIC 555 01
Biblical Foundations of Missions &
Evangelism
Student’s name:__________________________
Mailbox number:_________________________
Rubric for Global Theology Presentation
These are the standards used to grade your assignment. A copy of this rubric will be returned with your assignment, marked to
indicate the reasons for your grade.





Paper received by deadline, no penalty. Grade: _________
Paper received 1 day late. Grade: __________ - 25 points = __________
Paper received 2 days late. Grade: __________ - 50 points = __________
Paper received 3 days late. Grade: __________ -75 points = __________
Paper received 4 or more days late: Grade: __0__
Excellent
(25 pts)
Notes meet the page
requirement, are well
organized and show
careful preparation.
Average
(20 pts)
Notes fall a little below
the page requirement or
need a little more
organization or
preparation.
Below Average
(15 pts)
Notes fall significantly
below the page
requirement or need
significantly more
preparation.
Unsatisfactory
(0 pts)
No notes were
submitted for the
assignment.
Presentation length
Presentation
productively fills the
allotted time
Presentation is a little
long or short.
Presentation is
significantly too long or
too short.
No presentation was
completed.
Presentation
contents
Presentation covers the
important points of the
chapter in a clear and
interesting way.
Presentation covers
most of the important
points of the chapter in a
way that many students
can understand.
Presentation misses some
key aspects of the chapter
and/or leaves students
confused.
No presentation was
completed
Interactive
methods
Presentation skillfully
incorporates one or two
interactive learning
methods in a way that
enhances students’
understanding of the
topic.
Presentation
incorporates at least one
interactive learning
method that is
somewhat helpful in
helping students
understand the material.
Presentation incorporates
at least one interactive
learning method but it
was not particularly
useful in enhancing
student learning.
Presentation does not
include an interactive
learning method.
Notes
Biblical Foundations of Missions & Evangelism
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