The following survey serves as round 2 in Neal Ledbetter's doctoral research regarding the best practices of online undergraduate spiritual formation. This research project is aimed at establishing consensus regarding specific best practices used by faculty members in their online courses that positively affect spiritual formation at the
undergraduate level. Round 1 survey questions were based on the 16 indices of spiritual formation developed by the CCCU during a symposium in 2010. The answers provided in round one were analyzed for themes which yielded 78 thematic statements grouped according to the 16 indices. Those thematic statements were used to create this round 2 survey. Participants are asked to rate each item on its level of importance as it relates to successfully meeting and/or achieving the indice with which it is associated. The survey should take no more than 20 minutes.
Please provide your name (your information will be kept confidential and anonymous).
Q1) How important are the following items when it comes to ensuring your online students understand spiritual formation as God-initiated, Christ-centered, and Holy Spirit-led?
Thematic Statements Not at All Important
Somewhat Important
Very Important
Extremely Important 1) Well framed discussion prompts and
introspective questions regarding the reality of God and his leading in individual lives.
2) Lecture and teaching content on the role of each member of the Trinity with an emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit 3) Assigned readings that emphasize and/
or model a sensitivity to God's leading.
4) Clearly defining spiritual formation at the outset of the course through quotes, comments, or discussion boards.
5) Personally engaging students with personal examples, illustrations, & stories of the Spirit's leading through chats, emails, and/ or discussion forums.
6) Praying with and for students and their spiritual growth and sensitivity to God.
7) Requiring online small group
interaction and discussion sharing personal experience of God's work
8) Developing coursework consistent with Scripture thus encouraging spiritual
formation which glorifies the Father, exalts
Q2) How important are the following items when it comes to rooting your online students in the Bible?
Thematic Statements Not at All Important
Somewhat Important
Very Important
Extremely Important 1) Establishing the trustworthiness
and authority of the Bible through readings, syllabi statements, and/or personal disclosure about one's trust in the Bible.
2) Requiring students to read a passage of Scripture and express their reflection in a discussion forum, journal, or summary paper 3) Using the Bible as a primary course text.
4) Giving scriptural illustrations and references in course content or professor responses in discussion forums.
5) Encouraging reflective Bible study methods such as Lectio Divina or reflective journaling.
6) Offering pre-class devotions, reflections, or readings on specific Bible passages posted to online classroom.
7) Requiring students to use Scripture in their responses to discussion prompts or course assignments.
8) Intentional selection of course texts rooted in and referencing the Bible
9) Teaching students how to study the Bible and/ or how to use Bible study tools through video forums or recorded lectures.
10) Requiring students to memorize Scripture
Q3) How important are the following items when it comes to connecting your online students with the historic Christian tradition of spiritual formation?
Thematic Statements Not at All
Important Somewhat
Important Very
Important Extremely Important 1) Reading and research assignments
on historic Christian figures and their practice of spiritual disciplines and accounts of spiritual growth.
2) Choosing course texts rooted in and emphasizing the historic Christian tradition of spiritual formation.
3) Reading of Christian classics with reflection in a discussion forum, paper, or journal entry
4) Requiring students to choose, research, and practice a historic spiritual discipline and then sharing their findings and experience in a discussion forum, journal entry, or paper.
5) Video lectures and readings
explaining the grand meta-narrative of the Bible and a student's place in the story of God.
Q4) How important are the following items with regard to fostering an awareness of the human condition in your online students?
Thematic Statements Not at All
Important Somewhat
Important Very
Important Extremely Important 1) Required reading and meditation on
specific Bible passages that reveal the condition of the human heart, man's fallenness and separation from God, and God's offer of a savior.
2) Study, evaluation, and reflection on current events, contemporary stories, and case studies to illustrate human brokenness, man's bent toward self, and need for a savior.
3) Intentional and reflective
discussion prompts forcing students to explore the depths of their own hearts and their need for a savior.
4) Readings, video lectures, and discussion prompts exploring the longings of the human heart 5) Being personally vulnerable and
Q5) How important are the following items when it comes to an emphasizing transformation of life beginning with repentance in your online students?
Thematic Statements Not at All
Important Somewhat
Important Very
Important Extremely Important 1) Clearly outlining repentance
and salvation as precedents to spiritual growth in discussion forums or online lectures.
2) Exploration and discussion of personal faith stories through a discussion forum, one-on-one video conference, or spiritual autobiography project
3) Clearly presenting the gospel in discussion forums or video
lectures and offering an
opportunity to repent and submit to Christ.
4) Requiring readings and discussions on the practice of confession of sin.
5) Sharing the professor's personal story of repentance and
submission to Christ.
Q6) How important are the following items when it comes to fostering a love for God and others in your online students?
Thematic Statements Not at All Important
Somewhat Important
Very Important
Extremely Important 1) Professors modeling love of
others in words, actions, attitude, coursework feedback, and personal online interaction.
2) An assignment requiring an act of service or hospitality followed by a reflection paper, journal entry, or discussion forum post.
3) Study and reflection on specific biblical passages related to the life of Christ, the Great
Commandment, and the gospel.
4) Issuing a clear request for respect and grace toward differing views in online discussion
forums.
Q7) How important are the following items with regard to promoting self-less service in your online students?
Thematic Statements Not at All Important
Somewhat Important
Very Important
Extremely Important 1) Course assignments that
encourage acts of kindness and hospitality with reflection in a discussion forum or through paper summaries.
2) Discussion boards and video lectures that examine biblical passages related to spiritual gifts and their application in ministry.
3) Creating assignments that emphasize application of faith in all areas of life and avoid dualism (i.e., Sacred vs. Secular).
4) Study and reflection on specific biblical passages related to Jesus' service, sacrifice, and leadership.
Q8) How important are the following items with regard to addressing whole person development (mind, body, and soul) in your online students?
THEMATIC STATEMENTS Not at All Important
Somewhat Important
Very Important
Extremely Important 1) Structuring reading, writing, and
learning activities in such a way as to address the whole person (i.e., mind, body, and soul).
2) Study and reflection on specific biblical passages related to
spiritual growth in mind, body, and soul.
Q9) How important are the following items when it comes to encouraging the communal and relational nature of spiritual formation in your online students?
Thematic Statements Not at All
Important Somewhat
Important Very
Important Extremely Important 1) Discussion forums and
collaborative documents requiring interaction, vulnerability and collaboration.
2) Assignments requiring students to establish a mentoring relationship outside the online classroom.
3) Study and reflection of specific biblical texts related to the doctrine of the church.
4) Personal engagement, interaction, empathy, and facilitation in
discussion forums by the professor 5) Requiring an introductory discussion forum or video posts where students and professor
introduce themselves, share personal details, and get to know one another.
Q10) How important are the following items when it comes to promoting the practice of various spiritual disciplines in your online students?
Thematic Statements Not at All Important
Somewhat Important
Very Important
Extremely Important 1) Requiring students to choose and
practice a specific spiritual discipline (i.e., prayer, fasting, silence, solitude, etc.) followed by a reflection paper, discussion forum, or journal entry 2) Online discussion forums on various spiritual disciplines and study of specific biblical passages related to those disciplines.
3) Requiring a research paper on a specific spiritual discipline
4) The use of case studies exploring the application of various spiritual disciplines
5) Sharing personal experience in the practice of various spiritual
disciplines
Q11) How important are the following items when it comes to encouraging stewardship of resources (i.e., time, money, gifts, vocation, etc.) in your online students?
Thematic Statements Not at All
Important Somewhat
Important Very
Important Extremely Important 1) A discussion prompt asking
students to consider various ways their time, money, gifts, and calling can be used to honor God.
2) A discussion forum on the topics of spiritual gifting and vocational calling.
3) A specific assignment requiring students to budget their time and reflect in a journal entry or discussion forum.
4) An assignment requiring students to complete a spiritual gift, strengths, and/or personality inventory
reflecting on results in a discussion forum.
5) Readings and reflections on the topic of simplicity and stewardship.
6) Requiring the practice of solitude, silence, and/or rest as means of introducing concept of stewardship.
Q12) How important are the following items when it comes to cultivating the character of Christ and the fruit of the Spirit in your online students?
Thematic Statements Not at All Important
Somewhat Important
Very Important
Extremely Important 1) Assigned readings and reflection
on specific biblical passages
regarding the character and nature of Christ and the Christian life
2) Modeling the character of Christ, fruit of the Spirit, and ongoing submission and conformity to Christ in online interactions and transparent communication.
3) Discussion forum on the biblical understanding of being made in the image of God and being conformed into the image of Christ.
Q13) How important are the following items when it comes to kindling a love for the local and global church in your online students?
Thematic Statements Not at All
Important Somewhat
Important Very
Important Extremely Important 1) Study of and reflection on
specific biblical passages related to the value and importance of the local and global church
2) Sharing personal stories and case studies of involvement that display the value and importance of the local and global church
3) Asking students specifically about their church involvement and past experience in discussion forums or spiritual autobiography papers
4) Discussion forum prompts leading students to consider their spiritual gifts and how they can be used within context of local and global church.
Q14) How important are the following items when it comes to encouraging the practice of gospel witness, biblical justice and reconciliation in your online students?
Thematic Statements Not at All Important
Somewhat Important
Very Important
Extremely Important 1) Requiring the practice of
evangelism or engagement with social justice issue followed by a journal reflection or paper summary.
2) Study and reflection on specific biblical passages related to justice, mercy, and reconciliation first to God and then to fellow man.
3) Requiring students to memorize a gospel outline or presentation
4) An assignment requiring student to engage someone from a different culture and reflect in a discussion forum, journal entry, or paper summary.
4) Having students evaluate a current event and discuss how they would approach it as a servant of Christ
Q15) How important are the following items when it comes to encouraging the renewal and transformation of the mind in your online students?
Thematic Statements Not at All Important
Somewhat Important
Very Important
Extremely Important 1) Encouraging reading, reflecting,
studying, and Christian scholarship in course commentary and
assignments.
2) Readings and assignments focused on the discipline of study, the use of the mind, and the Christian intellectual life.
3) Avoiding busy work and focusing on thought provoking and reflective discussion prompts or readings.
4) The use of current events or case studies requiring students to apply faith and learning to real world scenarios.
5) Providing ample opportunity through a discussion prompt or reflection paper for students to think and reflect on course learning and biggest take-aways.
Q16) How important are the following items when it comes to encouraging the outward expression of spiritual growth in your online students?
Thematic Statements Not at All Important
Somewhat Important
Very Important
Extremely Important 1) Embedding an emphasis on
application in comments, questions, and evaluations in all assignments.
2) A service learning project applying course content to real experiences and then sharing those experience in discussion forum, journal entry, or paper.
APPENDIX 5