Learn more about spirituality and discipleship with our short theology course
As the festive season approaches and life becomes more reflective, you might find yourself thinking about your own faith or purpose.
If you want to learn something new, the Spirituality and Discipleship Taster Term at St Augustine’s College of Theology is a fantastic way to explore those questions.
Starting in March 2026, the course offers a warm, down-to-earth introduction to spirituality. Instead of treating spirituality as mysterious, you look at your faith through everyday experiences.
This blog post explores the course in a little more detail.
Understanding the whole person
Many people feel that spirituality is mostly about thoughts and ideas, and some imagine it as something you do only in silence or stillness – but this course offers a different view. You start to see how much of your life with God flows through your physical self.
You explore what it means to be spiritual in a body that has evolved, grown, changed and carried your experiences. You look at how sexuality, memory and emotion all play a part in how you connect with God and with others.
As a St Augustine’s taster term student, you’ll also spend time talking about people whose minds or bodies work differently, including those living with dementia or neurodivergent people. It’s eye-opening in the best way, making spirituality feel more welcoming and spacious.
A course about community, relationships, and connection
Another big theme is community – not in a vague sense, but in a grounded way. Lectures look at our relationship with the natural world and what it means to be spiritual when environmental concerns are often at the forefront.
You think about creation, ecological responsibility and how faith can guide you through moments of climate worry or hope.
There is also a lot to discover about human relationships: how we influence others and how habits and ideas spread. It’s a surprisingly practical course, particularly if you’re training for ministry or hoping to support others more confidently.
Mixing science and theology study
St Augustine’s students often say that the module brings together science and spirituality. You’ll explore biology, psychology and sociology in a way that helps you understand why you think, feel, and behave as you do. These scientific ideas all help open up questions about embodiment and community.
You also hear from academics from diverse cultural backgrounds who offer different perspectives on spirituality and science – helping you question old assumptions and see faith through a wider lens.
Practical and encouraging teaching
What makes the taster term so distinctive is its tone – it’s gentle, practical and exploratory. You’re encouraged to try spiritual practices and notice which ones help you grow. Some practices will strike a tone and others not, and that is completely normal.
If the run-up to Christmas has you thinking about new beginnings or wondering how to deepen your faith, the Spirituality and Discipleship Taster Term is an excellent place to start.
Book a free taster day to experience St Augustine’s
Book a free taster event at St Augustine’s to learn more about the course for yourself. You can sample classes, meet our friendly tutors, walk around our campuses and chat with current students.
You’ll get a real feel for our learning community and our teaching style, and see how the Spirituality and Discipleship Taster Term could help you grow in faith and confidence.
