Social Work Practice & Faith
The Social Work Department is dedicated to fostering students’ spiritual growth. Each class incorporates a spiritual development assignment that allows students to engage with Richard Foster’s book, “Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth.” Students learn about eleven spiritual disciplines, such as prayer and study, and are asked to demonstrate their understanding and application of such disciplines. In doing so, students utilize their faith in maintaining healthy self care in the midst of overwhelming seasons of academics and field experiences.
The department incorporates a tenth competency in the curriculum of applying Christian faith development principles to inform and guide competent, ethical, and professional practice. Students graduate with the ability to recognize the interconnectedness of their faith and practice, giving them the perspective of humans as spiritual beings that interact with God in different ways.
Social Work Bible Study
Each semester, an on-campus Bible study is offered for all students within the Social Work Department. Students lead students spiritually through facilitating faith-based discussions on living Christ-centered lives in the context of ethical social work practice. The Bible study is an integral aspect of the department, allowing students to grow in their personal faith while establishing competency in integrating faith development principles in the social work field. Check out what our 2019 Prayer Chaplains have to say about the benefits of facilitating a bible study for the major:
How Scripture Supports the Six Core Values of Social Work
Dignity and Worth of the Person:
Romans 12:9-13 "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
Romans 15:7 "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
Importance of Human Relationships:
Matthew 22:37-39 "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.' "
Serving:
Matthew 25:40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Competence:
2 Corinthians 3:5 "Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, bur our competence comes from God."
Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Social Justice:
Jeremiah 22:3 "This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place."
Integrity:
1 Chronicles 29:17 "I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you."
1 Timothy 3:9 "They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience."