assignment book proclaiming jesus christ...a. reflections on c hapter 3: “jesus as human and...

Proclaiming Jesus Christ UME EXNT.1

A unit in the Living Our Faith series

Uniting Mission and Education August 2018

Assignment Book

Participant’s Name: …………………………………………………………...…….…...

Postal Address: …………………………………………………………...…….…...

…………………………………………………………...……..…..

Ministry Context: …………………………………………………………...……..…..

Date of Course: …………………………………………………………...…….…...

Venue: …………………………………………………………...…….…...

2 Living Our Faith: Proclaiming Jesus Christ – Assignment Book

Contents

Declaration ........................................................................................................................................ 3

Introduction and Welcome ................................................................................................................ 3

Assessment Summary ........................................................................................................................ 4

Lay Preacher Competency Criteria ..................................................................................................... 5

Assessment Descriptions.................................................................................................................... 6

Formative Tasks .............................................................................................................................. 6

Summative Tasks ............................................................................................................................ 7

Formative Assessment Tasks.............................................................................................................. 8

Task A: Reflection ........................................................................................................................... 9

Task B: Mid-course Reflections...................................................................................................... 11

Task C: Worship Leading ............................................................................................................... 13

Task D: Final Reflection ................................................................................................................. 14

Summative Assignments .................................................................................................................. 15

Assignment 1: The Gospel of Jesus Christ ...................................................................................... 16

Assignment 2: Exegesis of Bible Passage ....................................................................................... 17

Assignment 3: Planning a Worship Service .................................................................................... 19

Assignment 4: Quiz ....................................................................................................................... 23

Appendix: Lay Preacher Standards ................................................................................................... 26

Living Our Faith: Proclaiming Jesus Christ – Assignment Book 3

Declaration:

I declare that the work I am submitting is all my own work. I have acknowledged all sources where

acknowledgement is due.

Print Full Name: ………………………………………………………

Signature: ………………………………………………………

Introduction and Welcome

Welcome to the Assignment Book for Proclaiming Jesus Christ. Please write your name on the front

cover of this and your workbook as soon as you receive them.

This Assignment Book contains information on the assessment that is needed for participants in the

unit to demonstrate competency in proclaiming Jesus Christ. The unit acts as an introduction to the

life and work of Jesus Christ and how that has been understood in the Christian Church since New

Testament times. You may be taking this course for personal study, discipleship formation, an

introduction to more formal study, the preparation of worship services or Lay Preacher

accreditation.

Proclaiming Jesus Christ is one of five units offered by UME, which together provide the necessary

educational component for those seeking accreditation as Lay Preachers within the Uniting Church

in Australia. The course is also open to any interested lay person to attend, complete all the

assessment tasks, and gain a Certificate of Completion.

The assessment for this unit includes both formative and summative elements.

Formative tasks help to form your skills so you can participate in the course and practise the

skills needed for completion of the summative assignments.

Summative assignments assess your competency in terms of the knowledge and skills

required of a Lay Preacher in the UCA.

The unit is offered over a period of about sixteen sessions, which include sessions for preparation

and presentation of some of the tasks and assignments. However, you will need to do some

homework for both formative and summative assessments.

ennismacleod

Sticky Note

ennismacleod

Sticky Note

Printing your name above completes this declaration.


Assessment Summary

Formative Tasks

A. Initial Reflections ....................................................... Complete before first session

B. Mid-course Reflections ...................................................... Before second weekend

C. Leading Worship in pairs .................................................. During second weekend

D. Final Reflection ............................................................................ After last session

Even though formative tasks will not be formally marked, you still have to do them as a record of your learning.

Summative Assignments

The first three assignments are all related to the same aspect of the good news of Jesus. The exegesis you do for assignment 2 forms the basis of the worship service you plan for assignment 3.

1. Selection of Bible passage related to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

2. Exegesis of chosen text

3. Plan a Worship Service

4. Quiz

All work must be received by UME no later than 4 weeks after the final day of the course.

If you complete an electronic version of this Assignment Book, after you have completed the tasks

and typed your full name into the declaration on this page, at the top of page 3, return it by email

to:

[email protected]

If you complete a paper copy of the Assignment Book, sign the declaration on page 3 and return the

whole book to the marker:

Uniting Mission and Education

Living Our Faith Marking, Ennis Macleod

16 Masons Drive

North Parramatta NSW 2151

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Proclaiming%20Jesus%20Christ%20Assignment%20Submission


Lay Preacher Competency Criteria

This book, together with your attendance and participation in all the sessions of the unit, will

provide the basis for recognition of your competency with regard to the following aims:

Unit of Competency

Element of Competency Performance Criteria

Prepare and present sermons (and worship services)

1. Undertake exegesis of biblical texts: New Testament

c. understand and apply exegetical approaches and skills in studying biblical texts d. identify and access appropriate reference materials including recent and relevant commentaries and dictionaries

2. Develop a sermon (or worship service) appropriate to congregational or group context

b. address the pastoral, educational and missional characteristics of the congregation or faith community c. express key doctrines of the Christian faith within preaching

Prepare and lead worship

1. Prepare material for worship a. articulate a biblical and theological basis for Christian worship, with particular reference to the UCA and its traditions d. identify the spiritual, cultural and contextual characteristics of the worshipping community e. identify and access resources relevant to worship f. prepare an order or plan of worship connecting both theological and contextual sources

2. Facilitate shared planning of worship services

a. identify, affirm and encourage the use of others’ skills and gifts in leading worship b. facilitate group planning processes which foster collaboration, consensus and shared responsibility c. contribute to the choice of music, visual and other creative elements of worship

3. Set up and utilise worship spaces a. demonstrate awareness of the spatial characteristics of a worship space, including seating, symbols, visibility, lighting and sound b. demonstrate appropriate ways to use and adapt a worship space for particular worship services

4. Speak and lead in worship settings

a. read aloud and speak with sufficient clarity and articulation and appropriate timing and mood c. provide clear introductions, directions and explanations to facilitate participation in worship d. use appropriate gestures and movement to accompany speaking f. demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to the work of the Spirit during worship


Assessment Descriptions

Formative Tasks

Task A: Reflection & Pre-reading

I. Sharing Your Story - Autobiographical Note.

Answer questions reflecting on your knowledge and experience of Jesus Christ in your life so far.

II. Going Deeper – Reflections on the Person & Work of Christ

A. Reflect on the three aspects of Jesus as person: Jesus as the model of true humanity; Jesus as the image of

God and Jesus as God with us, from chapter 3 of the text-book: “Jesus as Human and God.”

B. Reflect on Salvation and Atonement from chapter 4 of the text-book.

Task B: Mid-course Reflections

A. Illustrate what you understand about the person and activity of the Holy Spirit from chapter 5 of the text-

book.

B. Reflect on The Body of Christ from chapter 6 of the text-book.

Task C: Worship Leading

In pairs, you are to plan and lead worship in response to one of Jesus’ “I am” statements.

Task D: Final Reflection

Re-read your initial reflection at the end of the course, and reflect on how this course has changed or not

changed your attitude towards proclaiming Jesus Christ. Write up to 300 words about what changes you

have noticed, and how your future practice will be affected.



These are the tasks that will be formally marked.

The major assignment is to plan a Sunday worship service that focuses on one of the understandings of the

Good News of Jesus Christ

Assignment 1: Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Part 1: Pick one entry point to an understanding of Jesus that is explained in Session 6.

You will then need to identify a passage in the New Testament where this element is displayed. Your choice

will be a Bible reading in the Worship Service that you plan.

Part 2: Answer the questions on p.18.

The possibilities are:

Entry Points to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

a. Forgiveness f. Courage

b. Release or Liberation g. Change or Transformation

c. Cleansing or Healing h. Calling or Service

d. Solidarity in Suffering i. Reconciliation

e. Servant Leadership j. Belonging or Welcome

k. Other eg Creation, Insight or the

Future

Assignment 2: Exegesis

Write about 500 words on your Biblical text, using the worksheet questions provided on pages 19 to 20.

Assignment 3: Plan a Worship Service

You will be required to plan a Worship Service that is appropriate to your ministry context, around the entry

point that you have chosen. You will not need to write a sermon, but you will be expected to indicate what

the main point of your sermon would be.

The Worship outline is taken from the Introduction to Worship course that is part of the Living Our Faith

series.

Assignment 4: Quiz

Complete the Quiz on pages 23 to 25. You may refer to your workbook and other sources to answer the

questions, but please use your own words where appropriate.


Assessments for

Proclaiming Jesus Christ:

Formative Tasks


Formative Task A: Reflections

You should complete this page AND the next one before the course starts. You can either copy and paste

your reflections into these task boxes, or physically attach them. If you were unable to do them before the

course started, you are encouraged to do them before the second weekend, together with Task B.

I. Sharing Your Story - Autobiographical Reflections.

1. What are my earliest images and/or memories of Jesus?

2. How have these changed and developed over time?

3. How would I describe my relationship with Jesus Christ at this time of my life?

4. What Biblical stories or hymns/songs about Jesus do I find helpful or unhelpful?


II. Going Deeper – Reflections on the Person & Work of Christ

Read Chris Walker’s chapters 3 and 4.

A. Reflections on Chapter 3: “Jesus as Human and God.”

1. Is there anything that Walker says in this chapter that is new to you, or needs to be emphasised?

2. Did you disagree with anything that he says?

B. Reflections on Chapter 4: “Salvation and the Cross of Christ.”

1. Salvation. (pages 75 to 86). Is there anything that Walker says about salvation as the work of

Jesus that is new to you, or needs to be emphasised?

2. Atonement theories (pages 86 to92). Is there anything that Walker says about atonement that is

new to you, or needs to be emphasised?

3. Which atonement theory is the most (or least) helpful in helping you in your ministry context?

Why or how?


Formative Task B: Mid-course Reflections

A. Read Chris Walker’s chapter 5: “Spirit of God, Spirit of Christ”

Illustrate what you understand about the person and activity of the Holy Spirit from this chapter. You can use

visual techniques (like drawing, photos, collage), or words, but it should be an original arrangement. If you

use other people’s material (pictures, photos, words) say how it illustrates YOUR understanding of the Holy

Spirit.

Illustration of the person and activity of the Holy Spirit


B. Read Chris Walker’s chapter 6 “The Community of Faith, the Church.” The task is to reflect on the section

on ‘The Body of Christ,’ (pages 122 to 125). You can choose to reflect on the content visually, using drawing,

collage or photography; or you can reflect on the section in words.

Reflection on the section ‘The Body of Christ’


Formative Task C: Worship Leading

In pairs, you are to plan and lead worship in response to one of Jesus’ “I am” statements. It should be 5 to 10 minutes long, and is intended to lead the group you are a part of during the course in worship on the final day. You should include

a Bible reading that may include the ‘I am’ statement, or from another part of the Bible that relates to the characteristic of Jesus that is intended by the statement.

a prayer of worship that relates to the statement. This can be original, but if you use a prayer that is already written by someone else, please reference it below.

a creative element to help establish the worship context. This can be a song or music, a visual or physical symbol or an arrangement of the space.

Evaluation

Group members Both people participated: Yes / No

Comment

The statement we chose was:

Bible Reference:

Creative element

-

-

Bible reading appropriate to characteristic of Jesus Yes / No

Comment

Prayer of worship source:

Original or Referenced

Yes / No

Prayer of worship appropriate

Yes/No

Comment

Creative element appropriate Yes / No

Comment

The group demonstrated an appreciation of the characteristics of Jesus, demonstrating an understanding

of the Christological significance of the statement. Yes / No

Comment. (Affirmation + Growing edge)

Signed:

Date:


Formative Task D: Final Reflection

Re-read your initial reflection. At the end of the course, you will be given time to reflect on how this course

has changed or not changed your attitude towards proclaiming Jesus Christ. Write up to 300 words about

what changes you have noticed, and how your future practice will be affected.


Assessments for

Proclaiming Jesus Christ:




The major assignment is to plan a Sunday worship service that focuses on one of the understandings of the

Good News of Jesus Christ

Assignment 1: The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Part 1: Chose one entry point to an understanding of Jesus that is explained in Session 6.

You will then need to identify a passage in the New Testament where this element is displayed. You may

choose to focus on the example given, but you may choose another one.

Your choice will be the Bible reading in the Worship Service that you plan.

Highlight the entry point that you have chosen:

Entry Points to the Gospel of Jesus Christ Bible Reading

a. Forgiveness

b. Release or Liberation

c. Cleansing or Healing

d. Solidarity in Suffering

e. Servant Leadership

f. Courage

g. Change or Transformation

h. Calling or Service

i. Reconciliation

j. Belonging or Welcome

k. Other eg Creation, Insight or the Future

Part 2: Answer these questions about the passage you have chosen and its relationship to the entry point

to the Gospel

1. What is the Bible passage that you have chosen?

2. How does it illustrate the entry point that you have chosen?

3. What is the nature of the community that would demonstrate this entry point?


Assignment 2: Exegesis of Bible Passage

Once you have completed the work for the selection of your passage, you should consult other reference works to determine answers to the following questions. This is also called exegesis – unpacking what the text means. You can add more pages if there is not enough room for your answers on these pages.

1. What words, phrases or images particularly strike you in the passage? Why?

2. What are the themes of your passage? (There may be a main one or several).

3. Who is the writer?

Either at what stage of Jesus’ ministry does the passage occur

OR at what stage of the early church’s life does the passage occur?

4. Are there connections to other parts of the Bible in the passage? What are they?


5. What theological or Christological issues does the passage raise?

6. What does the passage say to you in your own faith journey?

7. Who is the intended congregation of your worship service? Briefly describe them, mentioning, for example, where the service would take place, the age and cultural backgrounds of the congregation, and the theological context.

8. When you preach on this passage, what would you want to highlight for the congregation in your context? What questions might you leave with people in relation to this passage?


Assignment 3: Planning a Worship Service

You will be required to plan a Worship Service that is appropriate to your ministry context, around the entry point that you have chosen. You will not need to write a sermon, but you will be expected to indicate what the main point of your sermon would be. Holy Communion is NOT part of the service.

The Worship outline is based on the Uniting in Worship 2 guidelines. You may recognise it from the Introduction to Worship course that is part of the Living Our Faith series.

Please acknowledge your sources. For example, if you use a prayer from UiW2, or one written by someone else, please say where it came from. If you have changed it in any way, say what parts you have changed.

1. The Gathering of the People of God

Acknowledgement of, or Welcome to, Country & Greeting

Call to Worship/ Prayers of Invocation

Hymn/Song

Prayers of Adoration & Confession


Declaration of Forgiveness

Doxology

2. The Service of the Word or Hearing God’s Word

Introduction to Theme – All Age Time

Bible Readings & Prayer of Illumination

Hymn/Song

(The Theme for) the Preaching of the Word (Don’t write a sermon. Just write what the theme is).


3. Responding to God’s Word

Affirmation of Faith

Offering Prayer

Notices and Concerns of the Church (Just indicate what would be covered)

Prayers of the People


4. Sending Forth the People of God

Hymn/Song

Words of Mission, Blessing and Dismissal


Assignment 4: Quiz

Answer these questions based on the course content. You may refer to your workbook and other sources.

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. In Mark 8:28, what answer did the disciples NOT give to Jesus’ question “Who do people say

that I am?”

A. John the Baptist C. The messiah

B. Elijah D. One of the prophets

2. How does the Gospel of Matthew depict Jesus?

A. In terms of the foundation of the church C. As journeying from Galilee to Jerusalem

B. As the messianic teacher fulfilling the OT D. As the Son of God the Father

3. What aspect of Christology does Paul focus on?

A. The cross and resurrection C. Ecclesiology

B. Jesus as the Messiah fulfilling the OT D. Jesus the Son of God the Father

4. Which of these cultural contexts contribute to our understanding of Jesus Christ?

A. Geography and history C. Theological understandings

B. Social concepts and practices D All of the above

5. The church up to the Reformation focused on what aspect of Christology?

A. Incarnation C. Resurrection and Ascension

B. Suffering and Death D. Empowerment

6. The Reformers focused on what aspect of Christology?

A. Incarnation C. Resurrection and Ascension

B. Suffering and Death D. Empowerment

7. Which of these was not used in the Gospels as a title of Jesus?

A. The Son of Man C. The Son of God

B. The Son of Mary D. Lord

8. The heresy that taught that Jesus only appeared to be human was

A. Docetism C. Arianism

B. Gnosticism D. Pelagianism


9. The word homousios is translated

A. of the same essence or substance C. of the same species

B. of the same humanity D. of similar structure

10. What was the position determined by the Council of Chalcedon?

A. Jesus Christ is fully human C. Jesus Christ is fully divine

B. Jesus Christ had two natures D. All of these

11. Which heresy was based on secret knowledge that Jesus passed on?

A. Docetism C. Arianism

B. Gnosticism D. Pelagianism

12. The only way to show conversion is to pray the sinner’s prayer. True or False?

True False

13. The context of the listener is irrelevant to their understanding of the Gospel. True or False?

True False

14. In Matthew 25:31-46, who is the King?

A. God the Father C. Herod

B. The Son of Man. D. David

15. In John 3:5, what is needed for a person to enter the Kingdom of God?

A. Salvation C. Being born of water and the Spirit

B. Atonement D. Being born of the Spirit

16. Which of the following is a Lay Preacher to do?

A. Ignore the Basis of Union C. Tell people how bad they are

B. Make mischief D. Accurately represent the meaning of Biblical

passages

17. What are the words missing from this sentence in the Code of Ethics for Lay Preachers

in the UCA, paragraph 3.4 (a)?

Lay Preachers have a responsibility to maintain high standards of knowledge and skills in all the areas of ministry relevant to their preaching and worship. This responsibility requires that Lay Preachers undertake continuing education appropriate to this ministry

A. care and consideration C. knowledge and skills

B. accountability and unity D. power and authority


18-20. What is the missing word in each of the following passages from the NRSV:

Passage Missing word

Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.” Luke 23:46-47

For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore, all have died. 2 Corinthians 5:14

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

21-24. What does the word in the left column mean? Choose from these options:the church, the Holy Spirit, the Mission of the Church, salvation.

Word Meaning

21. Pneumatology Study of

22. Soteriology Study of

23. Ecclesiology Study of

24. Missiology Study of

25-27. In Luke 24:49, identify who is speaking, who are the listeners and what is being promised:“And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you havebeen clothed with power from on high.”

Question Answer

25. Who is speaking?

26. Who are the listeners?

27. What is being promised?

28-30. Circle the three most important images of the church, according to Chris Walker

A. The Body of Christ D. The Bride of Christ

B. The community of the Spirit E The community of believers

C. The People of the Book F. The People of God

Mark /30


Appendix: Lay Preacher Standards

EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY WORKING GROUP

STANDARDS FOR FORMATION AND EDUCATION FOR THE SPECIFIED MINISTRY OF LAY PREACHER

The following requirements for the specified ministry of Lay Preacher are as

determined by the Assembly Standing Committee. These include requirements for

Phase 2 of Lay Preacher formation and education. Within the context of worship, Lay

Preachers provide encouragement and equipping for the witness and service of the

people of God in God’s world.

The relevant UCA Regulations are as follows:

2.2.3 Definition and Scope of the Ministry of Lay Preacher

The ministry of Lay Preacher is one in which lay persons may participate in the

proclamation of the gospel and in witness to Christian faith and experience, and for which

they have received gifts and are called by the Holy Spirit.

2.3.4 Process for Candidature and Selection of Lay Preachers

2.4.4 Training for a Lay Preacher

2.4.7 Recognition of Lay Preachers

3.1.3 (j) Responsibilities of the Presbytery

1. The Education for Ministry Working Group shall provide national oversight of Lay

Preacher formation and education on behalf of the Assembly Standing Committee.

2. Formation and education for Lay Preachers shall be based on a national

competency and assessment framework as specified by Education for Ministry

Working Group. These competencies shall be equivalent to the general

competencies for the specified ministry of Pastor in relation to worship and

preaching and the core competencies.

3. Formation and education for Lay Preachers shall a. reflect the beliefs and ethos of the Uniting Church as expressed in the Basis of Union;

b. take account of the existing competencies and gifts of applicants;

c. take account of the inter-related ministries of the whole people of God,

including the particular responsibilities of specified ministries and church

councils;

d. provide varied learning approaches for people from culturally and

linguistically diverse communities;

e. include a range of approaches to teaching, learning and assessment appropriate

to adult education.


4. Competencies for Lay Preachers shall include a. preparing material for worship appropriate to local contexts

b. facilitating shared planning of worship services

c. setting up and utilising worship spaces

d. speaking and leading in worship settings

e. undertaking exegesis of biblical texts

f. developing sermons appropriate to local contexts

g. presenting sermons appropriate to local contexts

h. ability to articulate a biblical and theological basis for Christian worship

i. ability to explain the shape and elements of Christian worship

j. ability to undertake evaluation and act on feedback

k. ability to articulate the scope and implications of the “Code of Ethics and Ministry

Practice for Lay Preachers”

5. Assessment of Lay Preacher competencies shall be undertaken according to the

principles of validity, sufficiency, fairness and currency.

6. Assessment of learners shall include recognition of prior learning in determining

current competency.

7. Courses of education and assessment methods conducted within synods shall be

approved by the Synod Ministerial Education Board (MEB) or another body appointed

by it. Assessments shall be conducted by people approved by the MEB or another body

appointed by it. The Working Group shall review education and assessment

undertaken within synods at least every five years (normally within the Review of the

MEB and its associated agencies.)

8. Formation of Lay Preacher applicants in the responsibility of the Presbytery in which

they hold membership. Formation shall include

a. regular participation in the worship or a congregation or faith community

b. supervision in the preparation and leading of worship and feedback by an

ordained Minister, accredited Lay Preacher, or other person/s designated by

the presbytery

c. participation in the spiritual disciplines of prayer and study of the Scriptures

d. reflection on the Basis of Union and ethos of the Uniting Church

e. reflection on the UCA Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice for Lay Preachers

9. When a Presbytery determines that the applicant is to be recognized as a Lay

Preacher, the Assembly Lay Preacher Certificate shall be issued by the Presbytery.

Approved by the Standing Committee, March 2016

Contact Information

This material has been developed by Uniting Mission and Education (UME).

If you have any questions regarding its use, or know someone else who is interested in attending

this introductory unit of the Living Our Faith Series, or a Train the Trainer day, please contact the

Lay Ministry, Discipleship & Education team at:

Uniting Mission and Education

Postal Address: 16 Masons Drive

NORTH PARRAMATTA NSW 2151

Telephone: 02 8838 8912

Website: www.ume.nswact.uca.org.au/living our faith

Assessment Tasks

Upon completion, assessment tasks related to the study of this course can be either mailed to the

Living Our Faith marker, Ennis Macleod, at the address above, or submitted as a scanned e-mail

attachment at the following e-mail address:

[email protected]

Other Resources

UME is always willing to partner with Presbyteries in running events tailored for each context. If

you are interested in the other resources UME offers, contact us, or visit out our website:

www.ume.nswact.uca.org.au

Further Study

If you are interested in further study, check out the Education Prospectus

that has details about further education opportunities and scholarships

offered by the Synod of NSW and ACT.

http://ume.nswact.uca.org.au/living-our-faith

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Proclaiming%20Jesus%20Christ%20-%20Assignment%20Submission

http://ume.nswact.uca.org.au/

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