Institute for Spiritual Formation
Drawing Near to God When God Seems Far Away
Learn how to draw near to God as you mature in Christian life.
A person going on a journey into the wilderness
Enroll NowSample Course
$14.958 LessonsWorkshop
Overview

Welcome to Drawing Near to God When God Seems Far Away! 

In this course you will learn how to experience God's presence as you mature in the Christian life. You will not only become familiar with how God grows us, but will also engage your personal experiences as you learn from Dr. John Coe, the Director of the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Biola University. Additionally, you will receive training in prayer so that you can experience what Dr. Coe teaches regarding the mature Christian life.

This course consists of eight lessons. Each lesson consists of the following elements:

Introduction – Orients you to the lesson’s topic by providing a guiding question for you to ponder. Gives an overview of how the lesson will unfold.
Video Teaching – One or more videos of Dr. Coe presenting material concerning the lesson’s topic. A viewing guide will be provided to help you follow along.
Experiential Projects – One or more projects to help you experience what Dr. Coe taught. These projects will help you engage with the Spirit and your heart on a deeper level. Instructions for each project will be provided as they are assigned.

We hope you are blessed by your participation in this course and that you experience God in a deeper way as a result.

What You Earn
What People Are Saying

This course was a tremendous blessing during a season of my life where I was experiencing a very deep spiritual dryness. It has given me more understanding and resources to move forward in my relationship with the Lord. I could see that it wasn’t about head knowledge but about God’s heart and wisdom for the professor. I just want to say THANK YOU!!!! from the bottom of my heart. (Angela B.)

After taking this course, I feel so relieved that I am not alone and that I now understand what has been happening inside of me. I am so thankful to the Lord that He worked in Dr. Coe so that I could learn from his teaching on this dynamic experience. Now I sit with the Holy Spirit and He has shown me my deep soul. Thank you, thank you! (Melanie E.)

Instructor
John Coe
Institute for Spiritual Formation

Dr. John H. Coe is a specialist in the philosophical and theological foundation of the integration of faith and learning. His research focuses on understanding the nature of spiritual and psychological health, the history of spirituality, the work of the Holy Spirit in personal change and the interface between psychology, spirituality, and philosophy. A particular interest is in exploring approaches to spiritual direction as a compliment to Christian psychotherapy. Dr. Coe is also the Director of the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Biola University.

The Institute for Spiritual Formation is a Christian, evangelical, academic community within Biola University and Talbot School of Theology. We offer master's programs in Spiritual Formation & Soul Care and are dedicated to deepening the life of prayer and openness of the heart to God.

Learn more about the Institute for Spiritual Formation

Syllabus

What is spiritual dryness? You haven’t done...
Overview
Sharing in the Suffering of Christ
Video
Experiencing Time of Spiritual Dryness
Video
Prayer Project 1
Reflection
Coursepack
Resource
Does the Bible say anything about spiritual...
Overview
Categorizing the Psalms
Video
Prayer Project 2
Reflection
Do you wonder if God is even thinking of you?...
Overview
Seasons of Anguish in the Psalms
Video
Prayer Project 3
Reflection
How honest can you really be with God? God can...
Overview
Exposition of Psalm 88
Video
Prayer Project 4
Reflection
How are you experiencing God in your current...
Overview
Church Reflections About Spiritual Dryness, Part 1
Video
Church Reflections About Spiritual Dryness, Part 2
Video
Reflections of Ancient Spiritual Writers
Video
The Gift of Desolation
Video
Prayer Project 5
Reflection
Do you wonder if God is near you? You might...
Overview
God's Power Perfected in Weakness
Video
Finding the Transforming Love of God
Video
Signs of a Dark Night
Video
Temptations in Dark Nights
Video
Prayer Project 6
Reflection
How can you experience the times of spiritual...
Overview
How to Experience Times of Desolation, Part 1
Video
How to Experience Times of Desolation, Part 2
Video
How to Experience Times of Desolation, Part 3
Video
Prayer Project 7
Reflection
Where do you think God is taking you? Even...
Overview
How to Experience Times of Desolation, Part 4
Video
How to Experience Times of Desolation, Part 5
Video
Journey Into the Depths of the Soul
Video
Prayer Project 8
Reflection
Recommended Resources
Resource
Course Evaluation
Resource

Course FAQ

Each lesson is designed to take approximately 1-2 hours, depending on how deeply you engage the reflection and application questions. Since this is a self-paced course, the time it will take you to complete it will depend on the speed with which you want to progress through the course.

No. The course contains everything you need to successfully complete the course. There are resources recommended at the end of the course that you are free to purchase if you wish to pursue further study on the course topic.

Since this course is designed as a completely self-paced experience, you will not have any interaction with the professor during the course.