Youth and Family Ministry Course Descriptions

An introduction to the Pentateuch and the Historical Books of the Old Testament with special reference to background, historical setting, literary composition, theology and message. After successfully completing this course, the student should be able to demonstrate a knowledge of background issues which introduce one to the study of various concepts of the Old Testament, the historical milieu of each Old Testament book studied, the purpose and general content of each Old Testament book studied, the use of the Old Testament in modern ministry, and the foundation the Old Testament provides for the New Testament. Three hours.

An introduction to the Poetic and Prophetic books of the Old Testament with special reference to background, historical setting, literary composition, theology and message. After successfully completing this course, the student should be able to demonstrate a knowledge of background issues which introduce one to the study of various concepts of the Old Testament, the historical milieu of each Old Testament book studied, the purpose and general content of each Old Testament book studied, the use of the Old Testament in modern ministry, and the foundation the Old Testament provides for the New Testament. Three hours.

This course introduces the New Testament with special reference to background, historical setting, literary composition, theology, and message. After successfully completing this course, the student should be able to demonstrate a knowledge of background issues which introduce one to the study of various concepts of the New Testament, the historical milieu of each New Testament book studied, the purpose and general content of each New Testament book studied, the relationship between the New and Old Testaments, and the use of the New Testament in modern ministry. Three hours.

Students will seek to discover what transpired in Christianity from the 1st century to modern times in order to understand what Christianity is in the present. They will identify the major events, personalities, and theological issues, both Western and non-Western, that shaped the development of Christianity. They will appreciate the challenges that the church faced as it matured in history, and they will gain perspective on the challenges still facing the church today. Prerequisite: BIB1050. This is an upper level course available to juniors and seniors. It is also offered at a graduate level. Three hours.

Students will explore the various dynamics that converge to produce maturity in the life of a Christian. They will seek to construct a theory of spiritual formation based on a practical knowledge of God, a realistic awareness of self, a full-orbed understanding of pertinent scriptural insights, and a historical perspective of various approaches to spirituality. They will examine the necessity of the integration of the individual pursuit of spiritual maturity with the corporate dimension. The approach of the course will include practical application along with classroom discussion and outside research. Prerequisite: BIB 2010. Three hours.

Students will identify the central affirmations of Christianity that distinguish orthodoxy from heresy, heterodoxy, liberalism, and neo-orthodoxy. Students will be able to support each defining doctrine from Scripture. The role of creeds, church councils, and doctrinal statements in defining and preserving orthodoxy will be explored. Students will appreciate the diversity within Christian orthodoxy, while the central affirmations are preserved. Prerequisite: BIB1050. Three hours.

This course is designed to facilitate senior level students in the application of theory to ministry practice. The learner will be challenged to integrate biblical/theological knowledge gained in a variety of courses together with specialized research that pertains to specific ministry issues. Three hours.

Theoretical principles of interpersonal communication and conflict management skills will be applied to ministry settings in order to equip the learner to work more effectively with a variety of people in diverse settings. Through course material, individual reflection, and small group experiences, learners will explore the biblical foundations of relationships, personal relating style, small group dynamics and roles, and conflict management skills. The focus of this course contains principles for evaluating relational maturity, elements that help and hinder spiritual community and skills for dealing with conflict in healthy ways utilizing effective communication skills necessary for personal and ministerial development. Three units

This is a foundational undergraduate course that explores the biblical and theological framework for interpreting and interacting with modern societal cultures. The course provides a theological basis for engaging global and local worldviews, preparing students to critically evaluate societal influences and effectively communicate their faith in a diverse world. Three hours.

Students will explore the theological methods and presuppositions practiced by the diversity of theological systems. Students will seek answers to questions such as, how is presuppositional apologetics different from evidential apologetics. How is systematic theology different from biblical theology? How is dispensational theology different from covenant theology? How is reformed theology different from Armenian theology? How is progressive dispensationalism different from classic dispensationalism? Students will study the methods and presuppositions of leading theologians, from the Apostle Paul to the present. Prerequisite: BIB1050. This is an upper level course available to juniors and seniors. It is also offered at a graduate level. Three hours.

Students will examine the principles and processes of communicating effectively with people from a second cultural context, whether in multi-cultural U.S.A. or in other countries. The course will investigate functional perception and how cultural worldview, beliefs, and values affect it through the personal perception of each individual. Students will explore how the shaping of the message, the style of communication, and the use of communication networks help to penetrate different cultures with the gospel. Dangers of ethnocentrism and its effect on the cross-cultural communication process will be discussed. The principles examined are valuable for intercultural relations in any field of work. Prerequisite: MIS2010. Three hours.

Students will seek to understand how people thought, communicated, and lived in the ancient world during the OT, NT and Intertestamental Periods. Special emphasis will be placed on key people groups and political, cultural, theological, and literary developments that form the background to the Bible. Students will learn to use insights from geography, cultural anthropology, archaeology, sociology, philosophy, politics, literature, and history for the interpretation of Scripture in light of the history and culture of the people to whom it was addressed. Three hours.

In this course the belief systems of major religions are studied with a view to understanding why the tenets make sense and drive behavior for the adherents. How each religion affects the host culture and how the culture affects the religion will be explored. The inadequacies of each belief system will be discussed in light of the adequacy of Christianity, thus, an introductory understanding of biblical theology is assumed. Three hours.

Foundational principles of effective Bible study will be applied for personal study and small group Bible study leadership. Observational skills of the English text of the New Testament will be developed through hands-on activities and assignments. Hermeneutical principles will be applied to various biblical genres with the goal to equip the learner to interpret the text based on its historical/cultural and literary context. Application of the meaning of the text for spiritual formation will be emphasized as well. Prerequisites: BIB1050, BIB2010, and BBL2020. Three hours.

Foundational principles of effective Bible study will be applied for personal study and Bible study leadership. Observational skills of the English text of the Old Testament will be developed through hands-on activities and assignments. Hermeneutical principles will be applied to various biblical genres with the goal to equip the learner to interpret the text based on its historical/cultural and literary context. Application of the meaning of the text for spiritual formation will be emphasized as well. Prerequisites: BIB1050 and BIB2010. Three hours.

Students will examine the teaching of the Scriptures on the subject of prayer with a view to discovering the absolute necessity of a vital prayer experience in the life of the man or woman of God and in the life of the Church. Urgency, consistency, and effectiveness of prayer will all be discussed as well as practical guidance for fostering these. Significant time will be spent in the practice of prayer. Three hours.

This course is designed to provide instruction and experience in the process of communicating God’s truth to people through the avenues commonly referred to as “teaching” and “preaching.” It introduces a functional methodology of organizing and developing the components of sermons, and examines issues related to the bridging of exegesis and exposition. It also explores some of the elements of how to “connect” with contemporary audiences and maintain their attention. Learning will be accomplished through (a) classroom instruction, dialogue, and group activities and (b) a preaching/teaching lab experience. This lab experience is intended to provide an environment where the student may gain benevolent feedback while perfecting skills in the oral presentation of biblical truth. Prerequisites: COM1100, BIB1050 and BIB2010. Three hours.

Students will explore the modern history of youth ministry and will evaluate the four primary approaches in current use in light of biblical principles. Students will seek to understand contemporary adolescent issues and the essential ingredients needed to make an effective youth ministry. Students will develop strategies for integrating youth ministries into the local church. Areas of discussion will include parenting ministries and methods of building a volunteer staff and youth team.. Three hours.

Students will explore foundational issues for developing an approach to evangelism. Questions that will be considered include: What constitutes true conversion? Is becoming a Christian a process or an event? What about lordship salvation? What is the relationship between evangelism and the sovereignty of God? How do trends and needs in society shape a strategy for evangelism? Second, students will examine various methods of evangelism, for example, lifestyle evangelism. Third, students will study the concept and methods of discipleship as an integral part of evangelism.. Three hours.

Strategies will be developed for establishing strong ministry teams and for ministering to junior and senior high students, as well as to recent graduates. Students will examine the role in youth ministries of the Christian school, home schooling, and the public school. They will explore and analyze various curriculums and develop strategies for meeting the needs of youth in complex family and societal structures. Prerequisite: YMI2140. Three hours.

Students will seek to identify various methods of communicating biblical and spiritual truth to a changing youth culture. They will be equipped with techniques for establishing effective communication with young people. Various styles of communication, including small group discussions, informal teaching times, and the use of technology and music, will be examined. In addition, students will investigate counseling tools and techniques for working with families and youth in crisis counseling situations. Students will consider how to relate to the changing roles of adolescents as they mature in a diverse society. Legal issues of counseling will be examined, and students will evaluate how to determine the advisability of deferring troubled youth to professional counselors. Prerequisite YMI2140. Three hours.

This course equips students with the tools and theological foundation to develop engaging and effective Bible teaching methods. Emphasis will be placed on creative approaches that resonate with contemporary audiences while maintaining fidelity to Scripture and the conservative evangelical tradition. Students will explore various teaching styles, media, and learning environments to cultivate their ability to communicate God’s Word in a compelling and relevant manner.

Students will interact with controversial issues facing young Christians, weighing carefully biblical and ethical criteria for those issues. Careful distinction will be made between explicit biblical teaching, traditional Christian practices, and personal convictions. Typical issues to be analyzed in the course include: decision making and the will of God, spiritual gifts, gender issues, media and culture, sexuality and alternative lifestyles. Three hours.

In this 12-week internship, students gain hands-on experience working with youth in a supervised field experience at an approved site under a seasoned mentor. Students will learn how to program and develop leadership aspects of youth ministry in real life. Prerequisites: YMI2140, and YMI2240. Three hours.