The College of Bible and Ministry introduced a new class in fall 2024 called “The Big Questions of Human Flourishing.” The class allowed students to learn how to live a rich, abundant spiritual life outside of a college setting. Students and faculty alike grew to appreciate the class for its innovative approach to fellowship. The topic of the class stemmed from a need professors saw in creating a common narrative that united students when talking about their educational experience at Harding. Associate professor of English and directior of Interdisciplinary Studies and co-teacher of the class, Dr. Heath Carpenter implemented the “Big Questions” initiative. The initiative focused on five major questions: “Who is God?”; “Who are we?”;What matters?;” “What are our responsibilities?”; and “How do we know what we know?” “These are all classical Western philosophical and theological questions that really do encapsulate what the entire experience is trying to get after,” Carpenter said. “Students who desire to grow into the complexities and mysteries of questions like these are on the way to trying to figure out what it means to live a good life, a flourishing life, and one that honors the teachings and life of Christ.” Carpenter partnered with associate professor of Bible Dr. Kraig Martin to facilitate a Bible class together after pitching a model of the class as a breakout chapel to the administration. “The class meets daily,” Martin said. “On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, we meet and have a 50-minute class. Tuesdays and Thursdays are 30-minute classes where students are in breakout sessions from the smaller groups made in the class.” The registration process sought out intentional students. Those interested had to write a short piece explaining why they wanted to be in the class. From the applicants, professors also chose student leaders who would invest extra time and help manage the smaller breakout sessions. Beyond simply expanding the chapel offerings, the class was created with the specific goal of fostering deeper engagement among students in a vulnerable but academic environment. “Our goal is for people to live good lives, for people to leave this class and have a better understanding of how to live the abundant life that Jesus Christ wants for us, and for us to become more the kind of person who can live that life Jesus offers to people,” Martin said. Students enrolled in the class found it to be a transformative experience. “This class has really pushed me to think deeply about what it means to live a life that truly honors Christ,” senior Eli Roberts said. “The discussions we have, especially in the smaller breakout sessions, have been some of the most meaningful I’ve had during my time at Harding. It’s not just about learning. It’s about applying these big questions to our everyday lives.” As “The Big Questions of Human Flourishing” drew attention across campus, its significance became increasingly clear. The class not only addressed the intellectual and spiritual needs of students but also fostered a sense of community and shared purpose by encouraging students to deal with profound questions and apply them to their lives. Both faculty and students were hopeful that this initiative would serve as a model for future curriculum development at Harding, enriching the educational experience and helping students to lead lives that truly reflect the values of Christ. Written by Aja Griffin 183 Human Flourishing Class
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==