Anticipation of Soteriology

by Kristen Hofer

When I think of faith formation the first two concerns that come to mind for me are: what was the motive or motivation that brought them to salvation and what is the discipleship path after they have made the commitment to Christ. These are two things that I have seen over the years become topics of conversations in our circle of youth ministry in the past and now church planting. Are folks really interested in the Christ filled journey of life or is it just a decision of future planning for them? Is there room in their life for true biblical discipleship and community where their faith can become even more than was ever anticipated when they made the decision in the first place or is salvation the one thing that they continue to go back to and don’t move on?

My hope for this class is that these concerns are eliminated for me. That we find answers within the pages of our textbooks and conversations. My concern is that I am way off in my expectations and this class will be over my head at certain points. Theology classes are difficult for me, and I pray that this one is the one that catches my soul and mind on my own to where I don’t have to ask my husband to help me along the way.  Salvation is such a great topic, and I look forward to learning more about it.

This journey and this class right now are making me anxious only due to the subject at hand. I commit a prayerful journey through it and that I put my all in all into every word that is typed and every thought that is put on the page. I also want to commit my knowledge to my current ministry. I think that this topic is something that our groups will be interested in, and I want to share all of this knowledge I am receiving with them. Discipleship begins with knowledge from someone of experience and I pray that this experience gives me that capability. I also commit to the journey of this class and to my professor that I will, to the best of my ability, give my 100% as we discuss and read what has been given to us in our assignments. I look forward to this semester and what God has for us.