Christian Virtues for Spiritual Growth from Coursera

This Duke Divinity+ course is for all those who seek to cultivate their interior lives and to develop a way of thinking about ethics inspired by Christian tradition.

In this course, renowned theologian Stanley Hauerwas reflects on the significance of specific virtues for understanding what it means to be a Christian. He examines the meaning and significance of four key virtues—kindness, hope, humility, and generosity—and their importance to living a good life.

Further, you will consider the practical aspects of living a virtuous life. We will discuss the challenges to living the virtues, and examine how they can be cultivated by incorporating contemplative practices in your everyday life.

Week 1 draws on baptism as our initiation into a new story and way of being in the world. In Week 1, you will explore the virtue of kindness through the character of God, reflected in how we treat ourselves and others. Week 2 focuses on hope. In Week 3, you will explore the virtue of humility, and reflecting on the paradox that trying to be humble often ends in pride. Finally, Week 4 closes with an exploration of generosity, demonstrating how different virtues reveal the God who is unrelentingly generous.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Introduction and Kindness

Welcome to the first session of this course, in which we explore the importance of kindness to a life of Christian virtue. We will dive into the importance of baptism in Christianity, and how it is a catalyst for a life of virtue. Next, we will explore the concept of virtue as a habit. We will discuss the meaning of virtue, its difference from mere moral behavior, and why it is constituted by habits. We will also examine how the cultivation of habits shape our character.

Hope

This week you will learn how the virtue of hope—learning to rest in God’s providence when the future is not clear—allows one to live in the present moment without succumbing to suffering and despair. We will study Romans 5, in which St. Paul details how and why Christian hope draws its inspiration from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We will discuss how Christian hope helps us build our character with eyes toward eternity, and we will examine the virtues in action through the lives and writings of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray and Bishop Desmond Tutu. Finally, we will discover how hope is a virtue that is lived out in our personal and political contexts.

Humility

This week, you will learn how the virtue of humility leads to the self-knowledge necessary to understand ourselves as relational beings. Hauerwas traces the history of humility, and explains why it is seemingly a paradox. He emphasizes that humility is the key to a scriptural understanding of the world. You will read excerpts of homilies from Archbishop Óscar Romero that illuminate the connection between humility and the church’s faithful witness to the Gospel. Finally, you will apply what you have learned in a formation exercise that dares you to see humor as a practice of humility.

Generosity

This week, you will learn the virtue of generosity. Hauerwas explains that generosity is a selfless posture that is practiced in relationships. Although people think of generosity as the virtue of giving, Hauerwas explained that the Christian concept of generosity is best understood through receptivity. In pursuing a relationship with God, human beings come to know that their very existence is a gift that in turn encourages us to receive gifts with humility and joy. In this lesson, you will see how generosity overlaps with other virtues you have learned about in this course. And at the end of this week, you will apply these lessons on generosity by giving a blessing to someone.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores ethical dilemmas from the perspective of a theological framework, which can be useful for those seeking spiritual guidance in their understanding of morality

Provides a foundation in four core Christian virtues: kindness, hope, humility, and generosity, which can be beneficial for those seeking to deepen their understanding of Christian principles

Led by renowned theologian Stanley Hauerwas, who is known for his work in theological ethics and the intersection of faith and morality

Offers contemplative practices to aid in the cultivation of virtues, which can be valuable for those seeking personal spiritual growth and self-reflection

Emphasizes the importance of humility, which is often neglected or misunderstood in discussions of morality

Examines the virtue of hope in the context of Christian theology, which can be particularly relevant for those seeking to maintain faith amidst adversity

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Christian Virtues for Spiritual Growth with these activities:

Review the concept of virtue in theological context

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Ensure a strong foundation by reviewing theological concepts of virtue.

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Review notes or readings on theological perspectives of virtue.
Discuss the topic with a fellow student or mentor.

Review and organize course materials

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Enhance understanding by organizing and reflecting on course materials.

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Gather all lecture notes, readings, and other materials.
Organize the materials by topic or week.

Create a personal plan for cultivating a specific virtue

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Develop a tangible plan to improve virtue formation and track progress.

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Choose a specific virtue to focus on.
Research ways to cultivate this virtue.
Create a plan that includes specific actions and goals.

Five other activities

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Read 'The Practice of Virtue' by Stanley Hauerwas

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Reinforce the concepts of virtue and Christian ethics by reading a book that explores the topic in detail.

View Melania on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'The Practice of Virtue' by Stanley Hauerwas.
Read the book and take notes on the key concepts.

Participate in a discussion group on Christian virtues

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Engage in discussions with peers to exchange perspectives and deepen understanding of Christian virtues.

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Find a discussion group focused on Christian virtues.
Actively participate in the discussions, sharing your insights and listening to others.

Practice identifying virtues in real-life situations

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Develop practical skills in recognizing and applying virtues in various situations.

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Read articles or watch videos that provide real-life examples of virtues.
Observe people in your own life and identify examples of virtues.

Write a reflective essay on the importance of virtue

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Solidify understanding of virtues and their significance in living a Christian life.

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Choose a specific virtue to focus on.
Brainstorm examples of how this virtue is practiced in everyday life.
Write an essay that explores the importance of this virtue and how it can be cultivated.

Design a resource (e.g., infographic, presentation) to educate others about a virtue

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Reinforce understanding of a virtue by creating materials to explain it to others.

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Choose a virtue to focus on.
Gather information about the virtue and its importance.
Create a resource that is clear, engaging, and informative.

Career center

Learners who complete Christian Virtues for Spiritual Growth will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Religious Education Teacher

Religious Education Teachers help students grow in their understanding and appreciation of their faith. They create lesson plans and activities that help students learn about the history, beliefs, and practices of their religion. By taking this course, you can build a foundation in Christian virtues, which can help you more effectively teach your students about the importance of living a virtuous life.

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Christian Minister

Christian Ministers nurture the spiritual growth and well-being of their communities. They create opportunities for people to grow in their faith, hope, and love of God. By teaching this course, you can build a foundation in Christian virtues, which can help you more effectively nurture the spiritual growth of others. It can also help you more effectively reach out to others, which can grow your congregation.

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Chaplain

Chaplains provide spiritual care and support to people in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, prisons, schools, and the military. They help people cope with difficult times, such as illness, loss, and grief. By taking this course, you can build a foundation in Christian virtues, which can help you more effectively provide spiritual care to others. It can also help you develop the skills you need to help others deal with difficult times.

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Counselor

Counselors help people overcome personal and emotional challenges. They provide support and guidance to help people improve their mental health and well-being. By taking this course, you can build a foundation in Christian virtues, which can help you more effectively counsel your clients. It can also help you develop the skills you need to build strong relationships with your clients and help them achieve their goals.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people overcome challenges and improve their lives. They work with people from all walks of life, including those who are struggling with mental illness, addiction, poverty, and homelessness. By taking this course, you can build a foundation in Christian virtues, which can help you more effectively serve your clients. It can also help you develop the skills you need to build strong relationships with your clients and help them achieve their goals.

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Philanthropy Officer

Philanthropy Officers raise money for nonprofit organizations. They work with donors to identify their philanthropic goals and develop strategies to meet those goals. By taking this course, you can build a foundation in Christian virtues, which can help you more effectively raise money for your nonprofit organization. It can also help you develop the skills you need to build strong relationships with your donors.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. They are responsible for fundraising, budgeting, and managing staff. By taking this course, you can build a foundation in Christian virtues, which can help you more effectively lead your nonprofit organization. It can also help you develop the skills you need to build strong relationships with your staff, donors, and clients.

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Fundraising Consultant

Fundraising Consultants help nonprofit organizations raise money. They work with organizations to develop fundraising strategies and campaigns. By taking this course, you can build a foundation in Christian virtues, which can help you more effectively consult with your nonprofit clients. It can also help you develop the skills you need to build strong relationships with your clients and help them achieve their fundraising goals.

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Grant Writer

Grant Writers write grant proposals to secure funding for nonprofit organizations. They work with program staff to develop project proposals and budgets. By taking this course, you can build a foundation in Christian virtues, which can help you more effectively write grant proposals. It can also help you develop the skills you need to build strong relationships with your funders.

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Hospital Chaplain

Hospital Chaplains provide spiritual care to patients and their families in hospitals. They help patients cope with illness, loss, and grief. By taking this course, you can build a foundation in Christian virtues, which can help you more effectively provide spiritual care to your patients.

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Prison Chaplain

Prison Chaplains provide spiritual care to inmates in prisons. They help inmates cope with their sentences and prepare for their release. By taking this course, you can build a foundation in Christian virtues, which can help you more effectively provide spiritual care to your inmates.

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School Counselor

School Counselors help students overcome personal and academic challenges. They provide support and guidance to help students succeed in school and in life. By taking this course, you can build a foundation in Christian virtues, which can help you more effectively counsel your students. It can also help you develop the skills you need to build strong relationships with your students and help them achieve their goals.

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Writer

Writers create written content for a variety of purposes, such as journalism, marketing, and fiction. By taking this course, you can build a foundation in Christian virtues, which can help you more effectively write about your faith. It can also help you develop the skills you need to build strong relationships with your readers and help them achieve their goals.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects. They work with students to develop their knowledge and skills. By taking this course, you can build a foundation in Christian virtues, which can help you more effectively teach your students. It can also help you develop the skills you need to build strong relationships with your students and help them achieve their goals.

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Community Organizer

Community Organizers work with communities to identify and address their needs. They help communities develop and implement plans to improve their lives. By taking this course, you can build a foundation in Christian virtues, which can help you more effectively organize your community. It can also help you develop the skills you need to build strong relationships with your community members and help them achieve their goals.

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Activist

Activists work to promote social and political change. They work to raise awareness about important issues and to advocate for change. By taking this course, you can build a foundation in Christian virtues, which can help you more effectively advocate for your cause. It can also help you develop the skills you need to build strong relationships with your supporters and help them achieve their goals.

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