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ShareMODULE 1: An Overview of Disability Ministry
Lesson 1
Why Minister to People with Disabilities?
This lesson describes what individuals and families experience when disability first strikes. It also discusses hurtful stereotypes and labels attached to disabilities. One of the goals of this lesson is to encourage students to include people with disabilities as friends rather than simply observing them from a distance or viewing them only as the beneficiaries of charity.
Lesson 2
What Defines a Disability?
This lesson covers simple definitions of the various disabilities and describes the differences between disabilities, impairments and handicaps. One of the primary aims of this lesson is to emphasize the use of disability-friendly language. Another important objective is to explain how family members and life cycles are impacted by disabilities.
Lesson 3
A Historical Perspective on Disability
This lesson describes the historical perspectives of society toward people with disabilities and identifies the social roles that have worked against the disability community. It also gives credit to several advocates who have worked to bring about positive change for the disability community.
Lesson 4
The Global Reach of Disability
The purpose of this lesson is to help the student understand the cultural perceptions and attitudes that impact the disability community. This in turn will show why international declarations supporting people with disabilities are important. This lesson will also highlight some of the advances in medicine, education, care and services for persons with disabilities.
MODULE 2: The Theology of Suffering and Disability
Lesson 5
God’s Sovereignty and Human Freedom: A Scriptural Perspective
Using Scripture as its basis, this lesson explains the sovereignty of God over all things, including disability. It highlights some views on God’s sovereignty and human freedom throughout church history and also deals with the difficult issue of how God is sovereign and yet not responsible for sin.
Lesson 6
The Problem of Evil and Suffering in Our World
This thought-provoking lesson covers the problem of evil and suffering, providing both a biblical perspective and a secular viewpoint, and reflecting on this problem in light of God’s sovereignty. Students also consider the purpose of Christ’s sacrificial death, as well as the purposes of his suffering from a biblical perspective. Finally, students will come to appreciate some biblical and modern examples of suffering.
Lesson 7
Hope: A Proper View of Healing
This lesson covers the purpose of healing from a biblical perspective and discusses why some people are healed while others are not. Students will understand the role of prayer with respect to healing and reflect on the role of medicine in the Christian life.
Lesson 8
The Gospel of Luke: A Framework for a Theology of Suffering & Disability
This lesson focuses on the Gospel of Luke and its significance in presenting Jesus’ ministry to the poor, outcast and sinners. It explains that Luke’s central section (chapters 9-18) is unique and may even be structured to highlight what was most important to Jesus while he was living under the shadow of the cross. The student will come to understand the implications of Luke’s Gospel for understanding the rest of the New Testament’s teachings on suffering and disability.
MODULE 3: The Church and Disability Ministry
Lesson 9
Major Challenges of the Church on the Path to Maturity
Based on Scripture that discusses ecclesiology and the doctrine of the Church, this lesson highlights the importance of the Church’s theological framework. It describes the images used in Scripture to define the nature of the church and explains the six functions of the church. This lesson will help the student understand the Church as a broken body, a suffering body, and how brokenness and suffering is a pathway to maturity. Students will get a sense of the seven movements of disability ministry.
Lesson 10
How to Start a Disability Ministry in the Church
This lesson focuses on the nuts and bolts of starting a disability ministry in a church by first dispelling the myths about disability ministry. It shows how to enlist pastors and leaders in disability ministry and explains the steps to becoming a disability-friendly church. It also gives several effective ministry models.
Lesson 11
Ministering to Children and Teens with Special Needs
There are many challenges facing children and teens with special needs. This lesson helps students understand some of these challenges by discussing the spiritual needs of this population, by showing how to adapt programs and curriculum to meet their unique needs, and by giving practical advice for typical children to welcome children and teens with special needs into their churches.
Lesson 12
Ministering to Adults and the Elderly with Special Needs
This lesson focuses on adults with special needs by highlighting the life stages of spiritual formation for adults affected by disability. It describes effective teaching methods for this population and explains the benefits of building friendships with adults with special needs inside and outside of the church.
Lesson 13
Outreach and Evangelism to Families Affected by Disability
Rarely do we think of families affected by disability in light of the Great Commission. The reason for this is that we do not understand the relationship between the Great Mission Statement, The Great Commission, and The Great Mandate. This lesson sheds light on this relationship and also provides reasons why people with disabilities may reject the Gospel. It describes how to present the Gospel to people with disabilities and offers some practical models for outreach.
Lesson 14
Networking with Disability Ministries & Organizations
People in the disability community endure many obstacles as they make their way in this often inhospitable world. This lesson will help students appreciate some of these obstacles and will also explain how Christian and secular organizations can work together to relieve some of the burden. It provides practical ways to locate and network with government and private agencies, to work for social and ethical justice, and to understand Joni and Friends’ worldwide initiatives.
MODULE 4: An Introduction to Bioethics
Lesson 15
What is Bio-Medical Ethics?
This lesson provides a basic definition of bio-medical ethics and explains why Christians should care about this very important issue. Students will examine the relevant history of bio-medical ethics and its importance to the recent developments of ethical theories.
Lesson 16
Ethical Issues at the Edges of Life
Most ethical dilemmas take place at the beginning of life and at the end of life. This final lesson focuses on some of the dilemmas faced at these two “edges,” such as abortion, prenatal testing, genetics, withholding and/or withdrawing treatment, end of life issues, and physician-assisted suicide.