CHURCH PLANTING FUNDAMENTALS

About Course

This course explores the biblical foundations, principles, and practices of church planting, linking Christian teachings to the complexities of modern church planting. Students will examine the importance of mission, evangelism, community, leadership, and multiplication, gaining a deeper understanding of the church planting process. Through this course, students will develop practical skills for planting and leading healthy, missional churches, and apply Christian beliefs to church planting contexts. By integrating biblical principles with contemporary church planting strategies, students will be equipped to navigate the challenges of church planting with wisdom, integrity, and effectiveness.

Course Objectives:

Understand the biblical foundations of church planting

Analyze the principles and practices of church planting

Develop practical skills for planting and leading healthy, missional churches

Apply Christian beliefs to church planting contexts

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Church Planting

Topic: The Biblical Foundation of Church Planting
Objective: Understand the biblical basis for church planting.
Learning Outcomes: Explain the biblical foundation of church planting, identify the key principles, and analyze their relevance to modern church planting.
Biblical Text: Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:42-47. The importance of discipleship, community, and mission in church planting.
Book Reading: Stetzer, E. (2016). Planting missional churches: Your guide to starting churches that multiply. B&H Publishing. (Chapters 1-2).
Assignment: Write a personal reflection paper on church planting motivations. Develop a personal mission statement for church planting.

Module 2: Issues Involved in Church Planting

Module 3: Biblical Viewpoint on Church Planting

Module 4: Spiritual Gifts in Church Planting

Module 5: Missional Vision for a Missional Community

Module 6: Forming Communities with Practical Christian Outlooks and Habits

Module 7: Church Planting Models

Module 8: Church Planting in Modern Communities

Module 9: Church Planting and Evangelism

Module 10: Church Planting and Discipleship

Module 11: Church Planting and Leadership

Module 12: Church Planting and Multiplication

Module 13: Church Planting and Community Engagement

Module 14: Church Planting and Sustainability

Module 15: Church Planting and Revitalization

Module 16: Church Planting and the Future

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About Course

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Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Church Planting

Topic: The Biblical Foundation of Church Planting

Objective: Understand the biblical basis for church planting.

Learning Outcomes: Explain the biblical foundation of church planting, identify the key principles, and analyze their relevance to modern church planting.

Biblical Text: Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:42-47. The importance of discipleship, community, and mission in church planting.

Book Reading: Stetzer, E. (2016). Planting missional churches: Your guide to starting churches that multiply. B&H Publishing. (Chapters 1-2).

Assignment: Write a personal reflection paper on church planting motivations. Develop a personal mission statement for church planting.

Module 2: Issues Involved in Church Planting

Topic: Understanding the Challenges and Opportunities of Church Planting

Objective: Analyze the challenges and opportunities of church planting

Learning Outcomes: Identify the key challenges and opportunities of church planting, analyze their impact, and develop strategies for addressing them.

Biblical Text: Acts 13:1-3, 1 Corinthians 3:5-7. The importance of prayer, teamwork, and adaptability in church planting.

Book Reading: Hunter, G. G. (2010). The Celtic way of evangelism: How Christianity can reach the West…again. Abingdon Press. (Chapters 3-4).

Assignment: Write a paper on the issues involved in church planting. Conduct a SWOT analysis of a church planting project.

Module 3: Biblical Viewpoint on Church Planting

Topic: Understanding the Character Required of a Church Planter

Objective: Understand the biblical character requirements for church planters.

Learning Outcomes: Explain the biblical character requirements for church planters, identify the key qualities, and analyze their relevance to modern church planting.

Biblical Text: 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9. The importance of integrity, humility, and leadership skills in church planting.

Book Reading: Piper, J. (2010). Brothers, we are not professionals: A plea to pastors for radical ministry. B&H Publishing. (Chapters 5-6).

Assignment: Write a personal reflection paper on character and qualifications for church planting. Develop a personal growth plan for church planting.

Module 4: Spiritual Gifts in Church Planting

Topic: Understanding the Role of Spiritual Gifts in Church Planting

Objective: Understand the role of spiritual gifts in church planting.

Learning Outcomes: Explain the role of spiritual gifts in church planting, identify the key gifts, and analyze their relevance to modern church planting.

Biblical Text: Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. The importance of diversity, unity, and spiritual gifts in church planting.

Book Reading: Grudem, W. A. (2000). The gift of prophecy in the New Testament and today. Crossway. (Chapters 7-8).

Assignment: Write a paper on the role of spiritual gifts in church planting. Conduct a spiritual gifts assessment for a church planting team.

Module 5: Missional Vision for a Missional Community

Topic: Developing a Missional Vision for a Missional Community

Objective: Develop a missional vision for a missional community.

Learning Outcomes: Explain the concept of missional vision, identify the key elements, and analyze their relevance to modern church planting.

Biblical Text: Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8. The importance of mission, evangelism, and community in church planting.

Book Reading: Guder, D. L. (2015). Called to witness: Doing missional theology. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. (Chapters 9-10).

Assignment: Write a paper on a missional vision for a missional community. Develop a missional vision statement for a church planting project.

Module 6: Forming Communities with Practical Christian Outlooks and Habits

Topic: Developing Strategies for Forming Communities with Practical Christian Outlooks and Habits

Objective: Develop strategies for forming communities with practical Christian outlooks and habits.

Learning Outcomes: Explain the importance of community formation, identify the key strategies, and analyze their relevance to modern church planting.

Biblical Text: Acts 2:42-47, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31. The importance of community, unity, and diversity in church planting.

Book Reading: Hunsberger, G. R. (2011). Bearing the fruit of the vine: Reformed missional theology. Wipf and Stock Publishers. (Chapters 11-12).

Assignment: Write a paper on strategies for forming communities with practical Christian outlooks and habits. Develop a community formation plan for a church planting project.

Module 7: Church Planting Models

Topic: Surveying Various Church Planting Models

Objective: Understand various church planting models.

Learning Outcomes: Explain the different church planting models, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and analyze their relevance to modern church planting.

Biblical Text: Acts 13:1-3, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. The importance of flexibility, adaptability, and contextualization in church planting.

Book Reading: Ott, C. (2011). Encountering theology of mission: Biblical foundations, historical developments, and contemporary issues. Baker Academic. (Chapters 13-14).

Assignment: Write a paper comparing and contrasting various church planting models. Evaluate a church planting model for a specific context.

Module 8: Church Planting in Modern Communities

Topic: Understanding the Challenges and Opportunities of Church Planting in Modern Communities

Objective: Understand the challenges and opportunities of church planting in modern communities.

Learning Outcomes: Explain the challenges and opportunities of church planting in modern communities, identify the key strategies, and analyze their relevance to modern church planting.

Biblical Text: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, 2 Corinthians 4:1-6. The importance of contextualization, flexibility, and servant-leadership in church planting.

Book Reading: Roxburgh, A. J. (2010). Missional map-making: Skills for leading in times of transition. Jossey-Bass. (Chapters 15-16).

Assignment: Write a paper on strategies for church planting in modern communities. Develop a church planting plan for a modern community.

Module 9: Church Planting and Evangelism

Topic: Understanding the Role of Evangelism in Church Planting

Objective: Understand the role of evangelism in church planting.

Learning Outcomes: Explain the importance of evangelism in church planting, identify the key strategies, and analyze their relevance to modern church planting.

Biblical Text: Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. The importance of evangelism, witness, and servant-leadership in church planting.

Book Reading: Mack, W. A. (2015). Evangelism: A biblical approach. Christian Focus Publications. (Chapters 17-18).

Assignment: Write a paper on strategies for evangelism in church planting. Develop an evangelism plan for a church planting project.

Module 10: Church Planting and Discipleship

Topic: Understanding the Role of Discipleship in Church Planting

Objective: Understand the role of discipleship in church planting.

Learning Outcomes: Explain the importance of discipleship in church planting, identify the key strategies, and analyze their relevance to modern church planting.

Biblical Text: Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:42-47. The importance of discipleship, community, and mission in church planting.

Book Reading: Putman, J. (2015). Real-life discipleship: Building churches that make disciples. NavPress. (Chapters 19-20).

Assignment: Write a paper on strategies for discipleship in church planting. Develop a discipleship plan for a church planting project.

Module 11: Church Planting and Leadership

Topic: Understanding the Role of Leadership in Church Planting

Objective: Understand the role of leadership in church planting.

Learning Outcomes: Explain the importance of leadership in church planting, identify the key qualities, and analyze their relevance to modern church planting.

Biblical Text: 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9. The importance of leadership, integrity, and humility in church planting.

Book Reading: Drucker, P. F. (2011). The five most important questions you will ever ask about your organization. Jossey-Bass. (Chapters 21-22).

Assignment: Write a paper on strategies for leadership in church planting, including the importance of character, vision, and teamwork. Develop a leadership development plan for a church planting team.