For a limited time, Duke Divinity School is offering a free 4-week course on Cultivating a Scriptural Imagination, which is the second part of their Rediscovering the Heart of Methodism series.
DUKE DIVINITY SCHOOL
“When Methodism has been at its best—most faithful to God and most responsive to the needs of the world around us—it has been because Methodists have had their imagination broadened by the hopeful vision of Scripture.” –Rev. Dr. Warren Smith, in Week 1 of Cultivating a Scriptural Imagination
What does it mean to have a scriptural imagination, and how do we develop this kind of imagination in Christian community? This course will help you become a more active participant in God’s unfolding work of redemption by expanding your capacity to see how the hopeful vision of Scripture might be realized in your church and community.
Cultivating a Scriptural Imagination is a free 4-week course for small groups, classes, and leadership development in churches. Those without access to a group are also welcome to register individually. This course is part of the Rediscovering the Heart of Methodism series, one of Duke Divinity School’s Wesleyan Formation Initiatives.
About the Course
In this 4-week course, students should plan to spend 20-30 minutes each week completing an interactive video lesson online. Reflection questions will appear alongside the video and responses can be recorded in the student workbook.
Cultivating a Scriptural Imagination will be most impactful completed with a group. For this reason, the workbook also includes discussion guides for weekly one-hour meetings where students will share insights with one another and make connections to Scripture. Some of the group settings where this course might be used include:
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- Adult classes or Bible studies
- Small groups
- Leadership development programs
- New member or confirmation classes
- Administrative councils
The school does not coordinate or recommend groups, but encourages students to contact leaders in their local congregation to explore opportunities to create a group. Students are also welcome to complete the course on their own.
What’s Included
Four interactive video lessons from Duke Divinity School faculty and Methodist leaders. To learn more about the presenters, read brief biographical entries on this page.
A course workbook PDF including exercises to accompany each video lesson and discussion guides for group meetings. Students will need to print their own workbook.
Cost and Registration
The Office of Wesleyan Engagement is grateful to the Kern Family Foundation for enabling the course to be offered at no cost for a limited time (through June 2023) to support the mission of Duke Divinity School in service to the church.
Register for the course here.
About the Rediscovering the Heart of Methodism Series
This course is part of the Rediscovering the Heart of Methodism series, one of Duke Divinity School’s Wesleyan Formation Initiatives. Shaped by leaders from nine United Methodist annual conferences, the series is designed to help engaged laypeople and clergy develop core capacities for innovative leadership within the Wesleyan tradition. Look for more Rediscovering the Heart of Methodism courses from Duke Divinity School over the coming months.
Last Updated on October 31, 2023