Spiritual Formation 

Syllabus

Course code: PT223 

Course instructor: Dennis Kizziar 

Course Description 

Increasing number of believers are not expeiencing the joy and life-change offered by Jesus Christ. Instead, they are frustrated and disillusioned. They are living with troubled heart. The course on Spiritual Formation  shows step by step how to rediscover God’s joy and peace and teaches how to live with a heart that has been changed, freed, healed and renewed. 

Course Objectives

• to explain the spiritual heart from a biblical perspective;

• to identify the three common obstacles to a life of freedom;

• to show step by step how to deal with self-destuctive behaviors;

• to provide practical and biblical help on how to live out Jesus’ words in John 14:1.

Course Outline

Lecture 1. Understanding the Heart Biblically
1.1. The Definition and the Dimensions of the Heart.

1.2. The Diagnosis of the Heart.

1.3. The Descriptions and the Devastation of the Heart.

Lecture 2. Experiencing the Changed Heart
2.1. What is Conversion?

2.2. How does Conversion Take Place in the Heart?

2.3. Consecration. 

Lecture 3. Freeing the Changed Heart
3.1. Introduction. Guilt and Guilt Feelings.

3.2. Powerful Reminders of God's Grace.

3.3. Purposeful Responses to God's Grace.

3.4. How to Free Our Hearts of Bitterness.

3.5. Forgiveness is a Process.

3.6. Four Promises to Myself.

3.7. Experiencing Freedom from Anxiety. 

Lecture 4. Strengthening the Changed Heart
4.1. Guard Your Heart Diligently.

4.2. Nurture Your Heart Constantly.

4.3. Why Meditate? What Meditate on? 

Lecture 5. Empowering the Changed Heart
5.1. The Importance of the Holy Spirit.

5.2. The Believer’s Responsibility.

5.2.1. Positive Commands.

5.2.2. Negative Commands.

5.2.3. Fruit of the Spirit. Conclusion. 

Course Requirements

Students should:

• • watch all lectures and take quizzes;

  • read Hope for the Troubled Heart/The Journey to an Untroubled Heart by Dennis Kizziar with James Lund and write a personal response on the book;

  • submit two written assignments;

  • be prepared to discuss application questions with  other students ;

  • write a final paper “How to Maintain a Free and Untroubled Heart in Christian Life?”

  • pass the exam based on the lectures and required reading. 

Course Assessment

Required reading and report      15 %

Final paper                                 25%

Written assignments                  10%

Forum discussion                      15%

The final exam                           15%

Quizzes                                      15%

Course Evaluation                       5%