Assignments for this course take the form of written summaries, research, and analysis. They are designed to help us work through the course
objectives, while keeping a focus on our spiritual growth through conceptual learning.For each assignment, please develop a document and submit it to me in either Microsoft Word or HTML format (your word processing
software should permit you to do a "save as" and choose either of those formats).
Each assignment can be completed by consulting Web-based materials listed on the course
Resource page.
Foundations-Philosophy of Instruction
As an introduction to instruction, I
believe we must first lay a strong foundation regarding
creativity, knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. When
I think of these characteristics, the first thing I do
is reflect on and seek the Lord who created humanity and
everything else - the Master Artist (Jesus Christ). In
fact, the Lord tells us that, “The earth is His [the
Lord’s], and everything in it, the world and all who
live in it” (Psalm 24:1, NIV).
As creative beings made in the image of
God, we must always search for ways to express His
creativity through us to make His presence known to the
world and to help humanity see the reality of a God who
loves them, who was willing to pay the ultimate price
for their redemption so that they could have a
relationship with Him. God is capable of meeting us
right where we are at in our lives and the creative arts
can help express this reality. How wonderful it is for
us to be used of God to bring forth His message in the
creative arts because the creative arts have a way of
directly speaking to and touching the heart in ways that
other forms of communication do not. The creative arts,
when expressed from a humble heart surrendered to God,
are a wonderful way to see how “we do not have a high
priest [Jesus] who is unable to sympathize with our
weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in
everyway, just as we are---yet was without sin” (Hebrews
4:15, NIV). This is why we can approach Him with
confidence “so that we may receive mercy and find grace
to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16, NIV).
Therefore, what better Person to be connected with than
the very Creator (Master Artist) Himself. Only in Him,
not in the creation, is all knowledge and understanding
for He is the very Author of life.
The Lord is the Master Artist (in which
He is the Master Composer-Musician). The Word of God
provides much information regarding creativity,
knowledge, wisdom, understanding, and relationship.
Therefore, our foundation for this course will be
centered on the foundation for life – God’s Word (the
Bible).
Assignment #1
Resources: The Heart of the
Artist
Introduction: Those
“Artsy Types”
Dynamics of
Worship Leading-
Course Reader
Application:
Compose
a 3-4 page response based on the questions below:
If
worship is truly an attitude of the heart (which is then
expressed outwardly as a lifestyle) then why do we need
to be equally concerned with our character as we
are about our craft or our art? Why is it so important
for us to be concerned about our lives as artists and
not just about the arts themselves in the church?
Assignment #2
Resources: The Heart of the
Artist
Chapter 1: Proven
Character
Chapter 2:
Servanthood Versus Stardom
Dynamics of
Worship Leading-
Course Reader
Part I:
Introduction
Part II: Desires
and Goals of Leading Worship
Applications:
Meditate on Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me,
O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious
thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and
lead me in the way everlasting.”
Spend a little time taking the inventory
questionnaire in Chapter 1: Proven Character of The
Heart of the Artist text. This is a good resource
to help you see the areas that God may want to help you
with to become a more mature individual and artist for
His glory.
At the end of Chapter 1: Proven
Character, provide insights that you have received from
the Lord by responding to the “Follow-Up Questions for
Group Discussion” (Questions 1-10). In addition, what
does it mean to you to “think of yourself with sober
judgment” as Paul states in Romans 12:3?
Assignment #3
Resources: The Heart of the
Artist
Chapter 3: The
Artist in Community
Chapter 4:
Excellence Versus Perfectionism
Dynamics of
Worship Leading-
Course Reader
Part III: Worship
and the Priesthood
Part IV:
Maintaining Your Spiritual Growth
Applications:
At the end of Chapter 3: The Artist in
Community, there are 5 Personal Action Steps. Write at
least a one-paragraph response to each of the 5
steps discussing the outcomes and personal
transformation you received from taking action on these
5 steps.
In a 3-page response, what is the
difference between pursuing perfectionism and pursuing
excellence? At this stage of your spiritual
development, which of these is more dominant in your
life? In what ways do you want God to change you
regarding your understanding of the difference between
perfectionism and excellence.
Assignment #4
Resources: The Heart of the
Artist
Chapter 5:
Handling Criticism
Chapter 6:
Jealousy and Envy
Dynamics of
Worship Leading-
Course Reader
Part V:
Continuity in Worship
Part VI: Origins
of Music
Application:
Author, Willa Cather states, “Artistic
growth is, more than it is anything else, a refining of
the sense of truthfulness. The stupid believe that to be
truthful is easy; on the artist, the great artist, knows
how difficult it is.”
Write a 4-5 page commentary response to
Willa Cather’s statement. What does this statement mean
to you, especially in the light of handling criticism,
jealousy and envy?
Assignment #5
Resources: The Heart of the
Artist
Chapter 7:
Managing Your Emotions
Chapter 8:
Leading Artists
Dynamics of
Worship Leading-
Course Reader
Part VII: Hebraic
Worship
Part VIII: Some
Forms of Congregational Worship as Found in the
Tenach
Part IX: Some
Forms of Congregational Worship as Found in the New
Testament
Applications:
Consider how you feel about emotions in
general. As you were growing up, were you allowed to
express your emotions freely, or were you taught to
suppress them? Why is it important to try to dwell on
the truth? What kinds of things force us to dwell on
God’s truth?
Ecclesiastes 8:1 says God’s Word
brightens a person’s countenance. The Psalms are a
wonderful place to live for understanding God’s design
for our emotions any many of them were written by
someone (David) with an artistic temperament. Come
before the Lord with an open heart and surrender your
emotions to Him. Spend some time in the Psalms for the
Lord to minister to your heart.
WRITE
YOUR OWN PSALM
1.
Include one simile. For example, "God is like a strong
tower because I ran to Him and He protected me." Similes
use the word "like" or "as'. Relate our awesome God to
something.
2.
Recall a time when you asked God for help and He
answered you. How did you feel?
3. Tell
about how you were sad or hurting (possibly physically)
and God lifted you up. What did God do? How? How long
did you suffer?
4.
Praise God for His character. Use colorful adjectives
like awesome, deep, gracious, mighty, perfect,
fantastic, etc. Consider using a thesaurus for
interesting words!
5. Tell
what you've learned and how you've grown.
6. Don't
forget to personalize your psalm with words like "Me"
and My". When you're finished with your psalm, write a
title for it. Make something creative and grabbing!
Use the
format below to write your psalm:
Your
Name: TITLE OF
PSALM___________________________________
After
you have completed your psalm, send a copy (an
attachment) to me so I can give you credit for
Assignment #5.
Assignment #6
Resources: The Heart of the
Artist
Chapter 9: The
Artist and Sin
Chapter 10: The
Spiritual Disciplines of the Artist
Dynamics of
Worship Leading-Course Reader
Part X:
Importance of Preparation
Part XI:
Conclusion
Applications:
Consider the following questions:
a). Do you agree that people with
artistic temperaments are more susceptible to sin? Why
or why not?
b.) Have you ever had accountable
relationships in your life? Do you presently have
accountability in your life?
c.) What kinds of activities are vital
for your relationship with the Lord to grow?
d.) Do you think journaling is a good
idea? Why or why not?
Complete any 5 personal action steps in
either Chapter 10: The Artist and Sin or Chapter 11: The
Spiritual Disciplines of the Artist. Then, choose 2 to
submit as credit for Assignment #6.
Final
Exam
At the
end of your course reader is the Final Exam for this
course.
It is a series of various questions based on what you
have learned and how you can apply them in your ministry
vision. View the Final Exam not just as another
“academic activity” but as a review of how you can take
your understanding of Worship Leading to a deeper level
for you and those you minister to. Once you have
completed the Final Exam, e-mail the exam to me so I can
evaluate it and then you will receive your final grade
for the course.
Format:
Your paper should be 10-15 pages in length and your
strategy documentation should be developed in good
report form, using either MLA or APA style for all
external resources.
|
