A number of factors influence the current curriculum, the most important of which is the student need. Other factors which must be considered are availability of instructors; experience of instructors; course load for instructors; goals, purpose, and guidelines given by the Director, e.g. coverage of every Bible book.

In regard to the student’s need to be fully trained in the Word and ministry skills, the Academic Excellence Committee attempts to arrange the courses which facilitate growth.

The Level One courses are mostly topical. They lay a foundation for the student upon which the superstructure of Level Two can be built.

The curriculum contains core “threads” which are woven from beginning to end of the students two year experience.

1. Spiritual Discipline – Personal Spiritual growth through prayer, journaling, and reading are an integral part of the two year program.

2. Introduction of Biblical concepts through courses which address various issues faced in ministry.

3. Natural Church Growth – each student is given the tools and knowledge of spiritual gifts, ministry skills and practical experience to equip them for “church planting.”

Level One / First Term

Life and Teachings of Jesus – I
Christian Evidences
Spiritual Wholeness
Old Testament History I
Spiritual Disciplines
Confident Preaching

These courses set the most basic foundational elements in place. Christian Evidences builds faith in the reliability of the Bible. Old Testament History I sets the facts and stories in place upon which all other Biblical exegesis will be done. Life and Teachings of Jesus I (Luke) is taught with a focus on Christ, our model for life. Spiritual Disciplines and Spiritual Wholeness reveal the Biblical description of a gospel preacher and address the spiritual disciplines – prayer, reading, etc., - focusing on purity of heart, relationship with God, and the practical aspects of a personal walk with God.

Level One / Term 2

Introduction to Homiletics
Greek I
Christian Home
Old Testament History II
Evangelistic Message
Interpretive Reading

The term continues to build the foundation. Christian Home focuses on the traits of a healthy marriage and effective parenting strategies. Without a strong home life, a preacher’s stability and effectiveness is weakened considerably. Old Testament History II continues growth in basic Biblical knowledge. Introduction to Homiletics equips the student with some general outlining and speaking skills. Greek I and Interpretive Reading begin a two-term emphasis on exegetical and hermeneutical skills. Evangelistic Message illuminates the elements of the gospel message that, when shared and believed, saves the sinner. As the 1st term focused on personal wholeness, this term continues the emphasis and adds courses that begin to equip the student with basic ministry skills.

Level One / Term 3

Acts of the Apostles
Greek II
Effective Bible Study
Life and Teachings of Jesus – II
Evangelistic Methods
Topical Preaching

Continuing the fundamental topical course, Greek II and Effective Bible Study build exegetical skills. Acts of the Apostles studies the early church and its world mission outreach. Life and Teachings of Jesus II includes Matthew, Mark, with a special emphasis on the Sermon on the Mount. Concepts of true religion and genuine discipleship emanate from Jesus’ famous words. Evangelistic Methods is the third part of a series. The course equips the student with effective methods of teaching the gospel to the lost.

Level One / Term 4

I Corinthians
New Discoveries
I & II Thessalonians / Philippians
Biblical Theology of Missions
Evangelistic Preaching

The 4th term courses of the 1st year transition the student to Level Two. I Corinthians, Macedonian Correspondence and Letters of John begins the heavy study of Bible books. I Corinthians is placed in this term so that the marriage-divorce-remarriage study can be concluded. (Other parts of this study are addressed in Christian Home, and Life and Teachings of Jesus II.) Biblical Theology of Missions prepares the student for his track classes in Level Two by focusing on God’s mission heart. Letters to John bring assurance of salvation, a much needed theological study for many students. Macedonian Correspondence, though not difficult exegesis, prepares the student for a heavy load of textual studies in Level Two.

Level Two

We will consider the four terms of the second year curriculum together because the purpose of each term is not as distinctive as in the first year.
The second year’s courses are mostly textual studies. Each term contains courses on New Testament and Old Testament books. Some courses are placed in a particular term because they need to precede or follow a certain other course. Sacrificial System (1st term) precedes Hebrews (2nd term) because the Old Testament background in “Sac Sys” enhances the student’s understanding in Hebrews. Galatians (1st term) preceded Romans (2nd term) because they both speak of justification by faith, but Galatians is the shorter version of this subject and somewhat less complicated than Romans. Minor Prophets (1st term), Isaiah (2nd term), and Daniel and Ezekiel (3rd term) are prerequisites for a proper understanding of Revelation (4th term) because of the Old Testament imagery in Revelation.

We want the last term of the second year to include courses that bring together concepts about ministry: I & II Timothy/ Titus and II Corinthians do that well. Wisdom Literature emphasizes personal spiritual life, which is what we emphasized in their very first term in school. Revelation is a study of Christian triumph in all situations.

Academic Excellence Committee
May 2001