COURSE DESCRIPTION
(Click each course to see the description. And click again to close.)
Integrative Introduction to Bible, Culture, and Theology This course aids students in the development of a biblically rooted, theologically formed, and culturally competent approach to learning and life. In addition to offering a basic introduction to biblical interpretation, theological method, and contextualization, the course illuminates the way in which these disciplines work together, equipping students to develop and employ all three of these disciplines in an integrative manner. (1.5-lecture units-course; 1.5 hours per week) |
| Theology 1: God the Creator This course introduces students to Christian teaching about God’s being (theology proper) and works (revelation, creation, humanity). Students gain a deeper understanding of historic Christian commitments in these areas and grow in their ability to assess and defend those commitments with biblical and theological reasoning, and with humility and charity. This course gives special attention to the spiritual and practical implications of God’s triunity, humanity’s creation in the image of God, and the Christian understanding of the spirit world. (1.5-lecture units-course; 1.5 hours per week) |
| Servant-Steward Leadership This course equips students with the biblical, theoretical, and spiritual foundations for understanding servant-steward leadership. In this Christ-centered approach, a leader’s character, heart, and core values inform every aspect of their life, relationships, and work. Students explore their uniqueness and calling, personal life, and personal spiritual formation in the context of their own leadership story. Servant-steward leadership insights are applied to overcoming the sacred-secular divide, leading out of spiritual authority, evaluating leadership impact, and leading in light of culture and context. (3-lecture units-course; 3 hours per week) |
| Old Testament Storyline and Skills This course equips students to understand the overarching story of the Old Testament. Students will learn to fit each book of the Old Testament into the structure of the overall story. They will also develop skill in interpreting genres in the Old Testament such as narratives, poetry, and prophets within a larger exegetical framework. (3-lecture units-course; 3 hours per week) |
| Building Disciples This course equips students with the biblical foundation, core principles, and practical skills for contextualized disciple-making. Students develop as insightful practitioners, discerning how to use appropriate transferable tools for evangelism, follow-up, training, and multiplying disciples. Spiritual movement dynamics are explored and adapted for specific ministry contexts. (1.5-lecture units-course; 1.5 hours per week) |
| Critical Thinking and Writing This course is designed to prepare students for effective basic research and writing as Christian leaders graduating with MA and MDiv degrees, or equivalent certificates. This course is the foundation for effective research and writing. It introduces students to the use of library and internet resources, and the mechanics of good writing, reading comprehension, note-taking, and paper formatting to help them produce quality assignments and ministry-related presentations. (1.5-lecture units-course; 1.5 hours per week) |
| Transformation-Focused Teaching and Learning This course presents an overview of education that is anchored in biblical principles and the example of Jesus Christ, the Master Teacher. Students apply principles of how God designed people to change using an educational process that focuses on and fosters life change. Students practice designing a plan and facilitating small group discussions of biblical passages. (1.5-lecture units-course; 1.5 hours per week) |
| New Testament Storyline and Skills This course analyzes the story of the New Testament in the Gospels, Acts, and Revelation, continuing the story of the Old Testament. Students will learn additional skills for interpreting narratives as well as skills for interpreting epistles and parables. Attention is given to the literary, historical, and cultural context of the New Testament. The course will place a special focus on Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament and the ongoing mission of God through his church. (3-lecture units-course; 3 hours per week) |
| Theology 2: God the Redeemer This course introduces students to Christian teaching about the person and work of Christ (Christology and soteriology). As students gain familiarity with Scriptural teaching and historic Christian commitments in these areas, they will be equipped to recognize and respond to contemporary challenges, and to bear witness to Christ’s Lordship over all creation. The course gives special attention to the implications of the person and work of Christ, including students’ personal identity in Christ, the implications of salvation in their own context, and the Spirit’s ongoing work of conforming disciples to the image of Christ. (3-lecture units-course; 3 hours per week) |
| Team-Based Leadership This course equips students with biblical principles, contemporary scholarship, and practical skills related to achieving a common mission and vision through a team. Principles of healthy team dynamics spanning personal differences, gender, and culture are examined. Students explore their own strengths and giftings, interpersonal styles, and personal blind spots. They learn skills for understanding others, adapting to the team, resolving conflicts, and communicating effectively. Principles of team leadership, team planning, and team decision making are applied to work, ministry, and family contexts. (3-lecture units-course; 3 hours per week) |
| Contextualization: From Biblical Text to Cultural Context The purpose of this course is to equip students to apply Scripture faithfully to all aspects of their cultural context on the one hand and, on the other hand, to evaluate cultural values, beliefs and practices from a scriptural perspective so that appropriate changes can be made. Students will be able to apply an interdisciplinary approach to contextualization that integrates theology, biblical studies and cultural anthropology, resulting in practical solutions to long-standing as well as contemporary questions about living and witnessing in diverse cultures. (3-lecture units-course; 3 hours per week) |
| Theology 3: God the Restorer This course introduces students to Christian teaching about God the Spirit (pneumatology), the church (ecclesiology), Christian living (ethics), and the future (eschatology). As students gain familiarity with biblical teaching and historic Christian commitments in these areas, they will improve in their ability to recognize and respond to contemporary challenges. The course gives special attention to the development of contextually sensitive moral frameworks, the place of the church in God’s mission to the world, and the Christian hope in God’s renewal of all things. (1.5-lecture units-course; 1.5 hours per week) |
| World Missions ICS 101 World Missions Just before returning to heaven, Jesus gave his disciples what is known as The Great Commission, which says, "Go and make disciples. . ." (Matt. 28:19-20). This course engages the students to see how they can be personally engaged with the world through evangelism and discipleship, which is crucial to the completion of the Great Commission. This short course will explore three areas related to missions: the Biblical basis for missions, the history of missions, and the future of missions. This course will also provide students with an opportunity to practice evangelism through the creation of a gospel presentation |
Internship This program assists students in confirming their calling through an individual or team (two or more students) project to be completed over four weeks in the summer of the first academic year. Students develop skills in self and team leadership, ministry, and interpersonal relationships. It is a platform to help students start or expand a ministry through high impact trainings (HIT), apply their learning in a selected sector-driven ministry, or a combination of both. The internship is student-led, though faculty and/or external ministry practitioners supervise and mentor students, evaluating their progress and addressing character and relationship issues as they arise. (1.5-lecture units-course; 1.5 hours per week) |
