Course Catalog

The Acts class is meant to give you a broader picture of God’s story and how our lives fit into it. Through studying the book of Acts, we get to see how the Holy Spirit works through prayer, strategy, wisdom, gifting, opportunities, church planting, the nations, and all that God gives us!

The goals of this class are:

1) Learn how the practice of biblical theology has developed throughout history, from the early church to modern day, and to understand it in relation to other theological disciplines (e.g. systematic theology).

2) Gain experience in using Scripture to interpret itself, moving past the limitations of grammatico-historical interpretive theory (issues surrounding genre type, original historical context, authorial intent, etc.).

3) Practice reading the Bible from a gospel-centered perspective and equip the student for a lifetime of rewarding Bible study.

This course will familiarize students with major developments in Christianity from the first century to the present. In particular, we will examine: the patristic period; the ecumenical councils; the development of a cultural and theological synthesis of the middle ages; the precursors, content, and personalities of the Protestant Reformation; the contributions of classical Protestant orthodoxy and subsequent rise of denominations; the rise of secularism and the Enlightenment; awakenings, revivals and missionary expansion; and modern theological trends. We will also examine an historical survey from a different church perspective.

In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul teaches us that as followers of Christ, we are called to be his “ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal though us.” In this course, designed for those who will spend significant time in their ministry communicating God’s word, we aim to make each person more effective communicators of God’s word, no matter what your vocational calling will be. We aim to do this by helping each person understand teaching and preaching methodology to utilize it in their ministry of being His ambassador. This class consists of learning about how to communicate God’s word effectively for half of the course, and then the other half is lab based where we will be learning by preparing, delivering and receiving feedback on live teaching sessions.

Since the first century, all Christians have agreed that the Messiah will return, but they have not all agreed on how and what this will look like. In this four-week class, we will discuss the “Meaning of the Millennium.” Pastor Brian will discuss at length the four major views of the millennium; Postmillennialism, Amillennialism, Historic Premillennialism, and Dispensational Premillennialism – giving equal time and discussion to each position and leave it to you to decide which one you think lines up best with The Story of the Bible.

We will take time to not only discuss what these doctrines mean but also examine the personal and societal implications (good and bad) of holding any of these positions.

While every Christian believes in Heaven, not everyone knows what to look forward to let alone expect. If we gave 30 Christians a 3×5 card to write down what heaven will be like, most likely, no two of them would be the same. “I think I heard something about a mansion?”, “For sure the streets are made of gold right?” “I heard we get wings like angels.” And on and on those comments would continue. So this class will look at what the Bible has to say about eternity, versus popular culture. 

Likewise, one of the most difficult concepts of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus is this idea of Hell, or final retribution. It’s difficult to talk about simply because we all have friends and family who were not Christians die in our lifetimes. So, is this a literal place of fire and smoke? Do souls get annihilated after death? This class will examine four of the most popular views in contemporary Christianity filtered through what the Bible teaches about the doctrine of hell and ultimately how Jesus will make everything wrong become untrue, including suffering and death.

This class covers interpretation theory with a heavy emphasis on accurately and practically exegeting the biblical text to discover meaning and application. Learning objectives include:

1) Helping participants understand how the practice of biblical theology has developed throughout history from the early church to modern day, and to understand it in relation to other theological disciplines like systematics and apologetics.

2) Allow students to build upon the foundation of basic grammatico-historical hermeneutics (i.e., issues surrounding genre, original historical context, authorial intent, etc.), and gain experience in using Scripture to interpret Scripture.

3) Help students develop the skill of reading and interpreting the Bible from a gospel-centered perspective along with understanding how biblical theology fits within church leadership.

The crystal clear difference between a wage and a gift rests at the very heart of the story of the Bible and therefore reality itself.

It’s obligation and freedom, judgment and mercy, works and grace, law and gospel. The two are oil and water — not meant to be blended, nor one in the same, but two separate entities.

In this class, we’ll look into the ways the law and the gospel furnish our daily lives and how distinguishing the two leads to more self-forgetfulness, humor, compassion, real rest and satisfaction in our relationship with God and other people (especially those “difficult” people).

It’s been said that the distinction between law and gospel is the highest art in Christendom — let’s enjoy this art together.

This class aims to take what was learned in Ministerial Realities and personally apply the Gospel and Jesus’ lordship to all arenas of the individual’s life as they consider church roles of leadership. As God is faithful to identify certain areas in need of attention, this class invites the minister to set the Spirit against the flesh so that elder and deacon quality character is evidenced in every sphere of life. This class will also include a discussion of roles and responsibilities of church leadership in preparation for Ministerial Leadership.

This course will familiarize students with the skills, principles, and tools that are required of those in vocational ministry as they shepherd God’s flock. Attention will be given to ministry skill development, practical leadership and management skills, and casting vision as they relate to carrying out ministry that glorifies God, loves his church, and blesses those in ministry themselves. While this class will involve a fair amount of ministry practice, right thinking and healthy affection (i.e. head and heart) should not be overlooked in the process of gaining skillful competence.

The aim of this class is for you to develop a better understanding of godly, balanced life and vocational ministry and to develop a realistic outlook for successful personal faith, future ministry, and family life. In other words, how can you begin now to prepare for and work towards a manner of life and ministry that will enable you to endure for a lifetime

Learn skills and concepts that can begin to develop the character necessary for a life of faithful Christian leadership. Through the materials, instruction and open dialogue with one another, our hope is that you will gain a better understanding of Christ like character, who you are and your character qualities and how to serve and minister to others well. Developing skills and healthy Biblical perspective to help you embrace the Gospel and seek after Christ in all things for your whole life. Opened to being challenged in personal character qualities and attributes, while seeking to grow more like Christ. Learn how to engage in healthy, God-honoring relationship (especially in the areas of communication, conflict, and boundaries with others).

In this class, participants will grow in identifying pictures of Jesus, his gospel, and the movement of the Spirit in the New Testament and the ways those pictures impact day-to-day actions and worship of God. They will continue to grow in their hermeneutical approach of seeing entire Scriptures as a unified whole where the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus serve as the principal interpretive motif as well as demonstrate knowledge of the major section(s) and theme(s) within each New Testament book and how each book and its contents relate to the rest of the Biblical story, including the Old Testament.

In this survey of the Old Testament, participants will get the joy of reading the greatest story ever told — the account of God’s work in the world as recorded in the pages of the Bible. Students will develop an appropriate hermeneutic for relating the Old Testament to the Gospel, identify major attributes of God as revealed in the Old Testament, and how each book and its contents relate to the rest of the Biblical story, including the New Testament.

There are a wide variety of backgrounds & experiences that people come from when they enter into SHAPE class, yet discipleship is a lifelong process of learning and discovery regardless of someone’s past. We hope that SHAPE helps each person better understand themselves so that they can find productive and satisfying places to serve within the body of Christ. SHAPE class will help you: gain awareness of your Values to live them out for the common good, learn your Spiritual Gifts to build-up the body of Christ, know what your Heart beats for (passions) to exercise it for God’s kingdom, discover your Abilities (strengths) to channel them in love toward others, understand your Personality to relate well with & appreciate all image-bearers, reflect on your Experiences to see how they’ve shaped you & may benefit others.

Who is God and how do we know Him? Systematic Theology offers students a chance to find those answers as we look at a myriad of topics about God, Jesus, and the Church. This class takes place over two semesters and equips students with foundational theological knowledge that will help them know and relate to God for the rest of their lives. In the class we look at these beautiful doctrines and consider ways that these Biblical teachings impact our head, our heart, and our hands.

The Humanity & God’s Plan of Redemption session of the Systematic Theology Class is for students who want to know how the Bible sees the biggest problems in our world today, and what God intends to do about them. This class looks at the bad news of why humanity keeps taking one step forward and two steps back. And yet, the story doesn’t end with futility and failure. This class will help us see how God is our good Creator who has a beautiful plan of redemption that does away with our greatest enemies, sin and death.

Why do some people you meet seem to be so unbelievably humble? They didn’t make themselves that way, but instead have come to see Jesus as the hero of their story. The Jesus & Salvation session of Systematic Theology class is for students who want to learn more about the person of Jesus, what his work has accomplished on their behalf, and what it means for them in their daily lives to know the Savior who truly changes everything.

The Holy Spirit, The Church, & the Future session of the Systematic Theology class is for anyone who wants to know the exact date when Jesus is coming back. Wait, no! Instead, this class will teach students how the Holy Spirit and the Church help us remain connected to Christ until the day he makes all things new. This class will help students gain an understanding of the mysterious Holy Spirit, the very real people in front of them in their church family, and the glory of the New Creation that God has in store for us.

The Trinity: Engaging the Mystery is a class that exists to make this sweet Christian doctrine of our Triune God more apparent, tangible, and personal in our lives and ministry. In this four week class, we will engage the mystery of who our God is in the Three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and why that is so mind blowingly beautiful and significant.

To live in this world is to experience conflict. Whether it’s with our family, coworkers, roommates, or that person on social media, we all have people who are difficult to understand and be around. Join us for an afternoon where you will participate in activities and workshop ideas for incorporating the Gospel in the way we deal with conflict. Lunch is included wth registration!

Caring for Others teaches the basics of caring for hurting people, including knowing what you bring to the table, listening, asking good questions, boundaries and practical ways to get involved in the lives of people God has put in your life. During the session, there will be delivery of content, reflection time and scenario work with other participants.

How can I be a faithful and accurate steward of the Holy Scriptures in light of what the Scriptures teach about studying Scripture? The Hermeneutics seminar focuses on the Big Idea of Scripture. In this class we look at key terms, important biblical interpretation principles, the storyline of Scripture, and seeing Jesus in all of the Bible.

What if our Bible application was about Jesus and not us? This seminar will provide a refreshing approach to applying the Bible to our lives that taps into spiritual power by taking the focus off of ourselves and putting it on to Christ.This seminar is for people who are feeling stuck and stale in their Bible reading, are becoming increasingly frustrated by their ongoing struggles, and need hope and refreshment. In this seminar, we will consider a Christ-centered theory of change, learn more about reading the bible in context, and understand how worshiping Jesus in his beauty is the key to seeing God work in our lives.

In this four-part Seminar Series, we will take time to learn about some of the worldviews that come with different religions. Our aim is to better understand people with different views of creation, suffering, human imperfection, enlightenment, and ultimately learn how to understand someone’s view of Jesus. We will do this through readings, discussion, and field trips to meet people participating in these religions. Each day will be divided into time to learn, meet others, and reflect on our experience.

Participants should have an understanding of the gospel, be able to listen well, and come ready to discuss each day.