Certificate of Recognition Program

Occasionally, students who regularly attend classes may be unable to keep up with the academic load of the program. Rather than seeing these rare-case students possibly fail out of the program, BTSoP wishes to encourage their ongoing study and success by recognizing the effort put into attending classes over the two-year period. While a formal degree may not be rewarded, the school may - for those who qualify - award a Certificate of Recognition at the end of the two years to acknowledge their spiritual interest, growth, and academic effort as appropriate. Please Note: Those who choose this path are still expected to complete the required coursework, though they may have limited class participation and will not be formally acknowledged by the administration as fully prepared for preaching roles.

Curriculum

• Intro to the Old Testament • No. 4014 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course provides a foundation for studying the books of the Old Testament, addressing issues of historical criticism, background, and theology, followed by an introductory survey of each book.

• Introduction to the New Testament • No. 4024 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will study the historical, philosophical, and religious background pertaining to the world in which the New Testament was written, offering insight into the various elements that created the Roman, Jewish, and Hellenistic cultures in existence when the Holy Spirit inspired the New Testament.

• Bible Geography and Archeology • No. 4032 • Credit Hours: 2 • Clock Hours: 20 hrs. • This course describes the geographical background and historical setting of the Bible, drawing attention to how it impacts our understanding of the events that took place and the figures from which the rest of scripture draws as well as emphasizing how the principles and practice of modern archaeology confirm and supplement our knowledge of these locales.

• General Introduction to the Bible • No. 4044 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course addresses the inspiration and inerrancy of scripture, the transmission of the text throughout the centuries, the various approaches to textual criticism, and the challenges of translation methodology.

• New Testament Church • No. 4052 • Credit Hours: 2 • Clock Hours: 20 hrs. • This course will study the origin, nature, worship, and leadership of the church as outlined within the New Testament, giving attention to the application of these principles today, thereby restoring the church of the first century in the present century.

• Denominational Doctrines and World Religions • No. 4064 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will examine some of the popular denominational doctrines in light of the scriptures, including Roman Catholicism, Calvinism, Pentecostalism, Cultism, and the ecumenical movement, while addressing the growing impact of world religions in America such as Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism.

• Church History • No. 4074 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will survey the development of Christianity from its origins in the first century through its eventual apostasy, covering the rise of the Roman Catholic Church, the subsequent doctrinal deviations that led to the Greek Orthodox Church, and the denominationalism that developed following the Reformation.

• Restoration History • No. 4082 • Credit Hours: 2 • Clock Hours: 20 hrs. • This course will study the Restoration Movement and its impact, beginning with the influence of the Haldanes in Scotland and then demonstrating the independent calls for restoration that developed during the Second Great Awakening. It will proceed to demonstrate how a deep and abiding trust in the authority of scripture led people out of denominationalism to embrace the church as described in the New Testament.

• The Godhead • No. 4094 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will examine the essence of God, His nature, and His attributes as a foundation before then discussing the doctrine of the trinity, the deity of both Jesus and the Holy Spirit, the work of each, "personality" within the Godhead, and how all these manifest themselves in the divine and eternal purpose of God.

• Homiletics I (Introduction to Preaching) • No. 6014 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course establishes the fundamentals of best practices in public speaking, including creating a proper outline, improving direction, establishing eye contact, using proper gestures, and speaking clearly. The immediate goals focus on general public speaking, reading scripture, and preparing devotionals while emphasizing the essentiality of establishing character and credibility in the pulpit.

• Homiletics II (Textual Preaching) • No. 6024 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course introduces the fundamentals of preparing sermons from the text of scripture, introducing techniques for establishing the main idea of the text and appropriate development of sermon structure using the text as the foundation.

• Homiletics III (Topical Preaching) • No. 6034 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course instructs students in the proper development of topical sermons, examining the various styles appropriate to different subject matter and distinguishing between doctrinal, thematic, and practical sermons.

• Homiletics IV (Special Topics) • No. 6044 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course teaches the best practices for incorporating visual aids into preaching topical and textual sermons, instructing sermons in the proper design of PowerPoint presentations and the appropriate inclusion of object lessons, addressing the potential pitfalls of visual aids while continuing to hone the student's speaking ability. Students will then examine the individual skills necessary to preach for special occasions (such as weddings and funerals), learning to speak both without notes and extemporaneously.

• Homiletics V (Expository Preaching) • No. 6054 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course involves a detailed treatment of the steps involved in the preparation and delivery of an expository sermon, emphasizing exegetical exposition. Students will learn how to distinguish between textual and expository sermons and between exegesis and exposition, how to analyze with application in mind, and how to synthesize the material into a true sermon rather than an exegetical discourse.

• Homiletics VI (Polishing the Pulpit) • No. 6064 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will introduce preaching using various media while also aiming to sharpen the student's speaking skills, seek to eliminate any lingering problems, and challenge the student to notice the finer points of public speaking moving forward.

• Introduction to Teaching Bible Class • No. 6074 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will introduce the best practices of teaching Bible Class from both a theoretical and a practical point of view. Students will consider the components that encourage a good learning environment and the skills necessary to encourage active and engaged discovery. While all approaches will be discussed, teaching the text of scripture interactively will be emphasized.

• Teaching Practicum (1 and 2 Thessalonians) • No. 6084 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This hybrid course will contextually examine Paul's two epistles to the Thessalonians through the medium of student-led study and instruction as a mentoring exercise including both guidance and critique by the instructor.

• English I • No. 5014 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course focuses on learning proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary in order to speak and write both correctly and effectively. It will emphasize subject/verb agreement and pronoun/antecedent agreement, as well as addressing common homonym confusion and related issues.

• English II • No. 5024 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course continues the instruction from English I to address proper grammar while also teaching the foundation of better writing through learning correct sentence structure, writing better topic sentences and proper paragraphs, and choosing more descriptive and precise nouns and verbs.

• Greek I • No. 5034 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course begins a study biblical Greek grammar with an emphasis on identifying forms, building vocabulary, and understanding syntax.

• Greek II • No. 5044 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course is a continuation of Greek I

• Greek III • No. 5054 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course is a continuation of Greek II

• Greek IV • No. 5064 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course is a continuation of Greek III and completes the introduction to biblical Greek, culminating in the translation of portions of 1 John.

• Greek Exegesis: A Case Study of the Epistles of John • No. 5074 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This hybrid course will study the three epistles of the apostle John in their contextual background, addressing the problems created by an early form of Gnosticism but with an additional emphasis on the insights available from the grammar, syntax, and word choices found in the Greek text. In addition, students will consider the themes of assurance, fellowship, love, and truth as presented in these epistles.

• Introduction to Hebrew • No. 5084 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course introduces the Hebrew language, including learning the alphabet and vowel point system, basic vocabulary, and the significance of the verb forms to provide students a foundation for interacting with the Old Testament in its original language.

• Matthew • No. 2014 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will study the Gospel written with the Jews in mind, giving attention to the parables, teachings, and miracles of Jesus, with special stress laid upon the use of prophecy and its relationship to the scheme of redemption.

• Mark • No. 2024 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course provides the foundational chronology of events in the life of Christ with an emphasis on how Mark's approach was designed for a Roman audience while also including an introduction to the synoptic problem.

• Luke • No. 2034 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course provides an analysis and in-depth study of Luke's account of the life and ministry of Jesus, giving attention to the parables, the teaching, and miracles of Jesus, and the material unique to Luke and his Greek audience, with a special emphasis on the death and resurrection of Christ.

• John • No. 2044 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course emphasizes the proof for the deity of Jesus Christ - His miracles, teachings, Passion, and resurrection - giving special attention to the response of those who heard and saw the evidence that supported Jesus' claims.

• Acts of the Apostles • No. 2054 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course studies the historical, apologetic, and religious value of the book of Acts with special attention to the conversion accounts, the spread of the gospel, and the hope of the resurrection. It will also consider the value of Acts as the historical background for the epistles of Paul.

• Romans • No. 2064 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will study Paul's most extensive treatment of justification by faith through a verse-by-verse study emphasizing the contextual development of the themes of sin, faith, transformation, New Testament preeminence, God's scheme of redemption, and the practical components and challenges of a new life in Christ - all within the backdrop of the first century issues of integrating people of different cultures and of forming a new identity in Christ.

• 1 and 2 Corinthians • No. 2074 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course provides a textual study of Paul's early epistles to this problematic church with attention to how preachers must learn to deal with important issues facing the church in every generation with both patience and determination.

• Galatians • No. 2082 • Credit Hours: 2 • Clock Hours: 20 hrs. • This course will conduct a careful comparison of the Mosaic law and the gospel through the words of Paul to the Galatians, demonstrating the limitations of the Mosaic system and the contrasting beauty of justification by faith in Christ available in Christianity.

• Prison Epistles • No. 2094 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will give attention to the themes of Christ, His church, Christian unity, and Christian living through a contextual study of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

• Hebrews • No. 2104 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will study the inspired argument for Christ and Christianity as well as for the abolition of the Mosaical Law. It will emphasize the incarnation and the mediating roles required of Jesus, the argumentation stemming from the Old Covenant, the role of faith and faithfulness in a relationship with God, and the implications of these doctrines in Christian living.

• The Epistles of James and Peter • No. 2114 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course offers an in-depth and practical application of the messages of these epistles, highlighting the Hebraistic and practical qualities of James, 1 Peter's perspective toward Christian suffering and godly relationships, and both the rebuke of speculative religious scholarship and the proactive growth model provided by 2 Peter.

• Revelation • No. 2124 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will consider the various approaches used to interpret the book of Revelation, providing a foundation for accurate interpretation based upon historical background and proper application of its apocalyptic symbolism. It will then examine the text itself and its emphasis on spiritual victory.

• Critical Thinking • No. 3014 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will introduce logic as a discipline, challenging students to form and recognize rational arguments based upon biblical and philosophical evidence while also recognizing sophistry and identifying various logical fallacies found in both oral and written forms.

• Apologetics • No. 3024 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will address in detail the foundation for the existence of God, the creation of the young universe, the young age of the earth, and the reality of the worldwide flood, demonstrating from logic, philosophy, and scientific evidence how the Bible's claims coincide with reliable data.

• Christian Ethics • No. 3034 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course introduces students to the various ethical approaches used within society such as Situationism, Conflicting Absolutism, and Graded Absolutism in order to better prepare them for the arguments and doctrines that either stem from or form the foundation of moral decision making for the majority in society. These systems will then be contrasted with the ethical system presented in scripture and subsequently applied to the relevant, ethical, and moral issues of our day, including: homosexuality, transgenderism, marriage and divorce, abortion, euthanasia, war, and genetic engineering.

• General Hermeneutics • No. 3044 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course establishes the core elements of biblical interpretation necessary to study the Bible and reach conclusions consistent with the text in its context. Building on the foundation of proper attitudes and logic as essential elements to ensure consistency, the course will then consider all aspects of context in detail while also walking students through textual and topical studies based on the principles previously discussed.

• Narrative Exegesis: A Case Study of Ezra & Esther • No. 3054 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This hybrid course emphasizes the historical and literary nature of scripture and thus the value of historical research and rhetorical techniques as an integral part of studying their messages. After an introduction to various rhetorical approaches, the class will study the text of Ezra and Esther, giving special attention to the value of rhetoric in considering the historical context and the literary structure of each book and especially by examining the literary qualities of Esther as a piece of literature.

• Heuristic Exegesis: A Case Study of Jude • No. 3064 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This hybrid course develops a variety of practical exegetical techniques helpful in ascertaining themes, patterns, and backgrounds to facilitate the understanding of scripture and the analysis of individual sections of scripture. These skills are then applied to the interpretive challenges found in the one-chapter book of Jude to reveal its implied historical context, to view the non-inspired literature included in its inspired record, to identify its structure and patterns, and to note how all these combine in the accurate interpretation of its more puzzling passages.

• Doctrine and Practice • No. 3072 • Credit Hours: 2 • Clock Hours: 20 hrs. • This directed course requires students to answer questions and to explain their doctrinal positions on various issues - in detail - as well as having them illustrate how best to address those issues in a congregational work. In addition, students will learn various practical skills associated with ministry.

• Life and Work: 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus • No. 7014 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This hybrid course will use the epistles of Paul to Timothy and Titus to teach students what it means to be a preacher of the gospel. Emphasis will be placed on the preacher's character, motivation, relationships, and responsibilities in the work of the local church.

• Local Program of Work • No. 7024 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will cover the various practical aspects of a local work including conducting a quality VBS, having an effective visitation program, hosting gospel meetings, lectureships, and seminars, developing a vibrant youth work, building a stronger Bible class program, and handling a practical benevolence strategy.

• Personal Evangelism and Missions • No. 7032 • Credit Hours: 2 • Clock Hours: 20 hrs. • This course will give attention to the purpose, goals, and methods or personal evangelism, addressing common problems encountered as well as motivations for local evangelism as a core element of local work. In addition, this course will introduce the nature of foreign mission work, including a consideration of best practices for success in overseas efforts.

• Congregational Evangelism • No. 7042 • Credit Hours: 2 • Clock Hours: 20 hrs. • This course will help students learn how to integrate evangelism into the work of the local congregation. It will demonstrate how to develop Christians as personal evangelists, create teams, establish a program related to the work as a whole, reach the community, and build relationships within the congregation as a whole rather than relying on individual contact alone.

• Counseling • No. 7052 • Credit Hours: 2 • Clock Hours: 20 hrs. • This course will introduce counseling techniques appropriate for the gospel preacher - emphasizing pre-marital counseling, and grief counseling - including practical strategies while also addressing some of the challenges associated with addiction and personality disorders. It will also emphasize knowing when to make referrals and which types are best.

• Getting and Keeping a Job • No. 7062 • Credit Hours: 2 • Clock Hours: 20 hrs. • This course equips preachers to begin a local work through the preparation of a resume, walking students through the interview process, offering guidance in the principles of successful work in various situations, handling stress, and knowing both how to avoid typical problems and when to move on.

• Orientation • No. 8012 • Credit Hours: 2 • Clock Hours: 20 hrs. • This course will introduce students to the best practices of time management, planning, studying techniques, memorization methods, note-taking, and technology as they pertain to ministry and studying God's Word.

• Spiritual Growth and Development • No. 8022 • Credit Hours: 2 • Clock Hours: 20 hrs. • This practical course will walk students through the discipline and principles necessary to grow spiritually, ensuring that they learn to pursue biblical knowledge throughout their lifetime while also setting the stage for the skills and practices necessary to apply that knowledge to their spiritual development in perpetuity.

• Christian Home • No. 8032 • Credit Hours: 2 • Clock Hours: 20 hrs. • This course will consider the biblical model for the home as the foundation both for the preacher's family and for all Christians, covering not only the roles given to husbands, wives, parents, and children, but also the practical aspects of those relationships and how selflessness, love, respect, and spiritual maturity interact to produce harmony for the family.

• Singing and Song Leading • No. 8042 • Credit Hours: 2 • Clock Hours: 20 hrs. • This course introduces basic music theory and singing technique for the purpose of developing competency in song leading, including an understanding of how to pitch a song correctly, sing in turn, and conduct using the appropriate beat pattern.

• Nehemiah: A Case Study in Leadership • No. 8054 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This hybrid course will study the text of the book of Nehemiah with an emphasis on the leadership displayed throughout the book, especially by Nehemiah himself. It will then parallel these lessons with practical methods to build a consistent model of leadership for husbands, fathers, teachers, preachers, and elders in the Lord's church.

• Genesis • No. 1014 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This study serves as a foundation for the rest of the Bible, emphasizing the core principles of the scheme of redemption as revealed in creation, in the fall of man, and in the seed promise.

• Exodus • No. 1022 • Credit Hours: 2 • Clock Hours: 20 hrs. • This study introduces the founding of Israel, the leadership of Moses, the sovereignty of God, the principles of divine salvation, and the guiding principles of the Law of Moses, particularly as they point to the Law of Christ.

• Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy • No. 1034 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course traces the travels of the Israelites from their exit from Egypt through the preparation of the priesthood and culminates in Moses' preparation for their entry into Canaan with an emphasis on the related themes of holiness and faithfulness.

• Joshua, Judges, and Ruth • No. 1042 • Credit Hours: 2 • Clock Hours: 20 hrs. • This course covers the time from the death of Moses to the birth of Obed, the grandfather of King David, giving attention to the social conditions and leadership in Israel during this period and to the structure of the inspired narratives.

• History of Israel I • No. 1054 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will study 1 Chronicles and 1 & 2 Samuel as they relate to the nation of Israel historically, contrasting the rise and fall of Saul with the rise and redemption of David.

• History of Israel II • No. 1064 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will study the books of 2 Chronicles and 1 & 2 Kings, detailing the political division and moral decline that took Israel from unified hegemony to defeat and captivity.

• Job • No. 1072 • Credit Hours: 2 • Clock Hours: 20 hrs. • This course will analyze the text of Job with an emphasis on the assumptions it addresses, the questions it produces, and the answers it provides regarding the problems of evil, pain, and suffering.

• Psalms • No. 1084 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will study the book of Psalms with a doctrinal, devotional, and Messianic emphasis, considering the key elements necessary to interpret the various psalms through a consideration of Hebrew poetry as well as both historical and literary background when possible.

• Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon • No. 1094 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will study the wisdom and poetic literature of the Old Testament with a special emphasis on the practicality of their messages and themes and an application of those concepts to daily living.

• Isaiah • No. 1104 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will study the prophet's calling and ministry with an emphasis upon the certainty of God's Judgment and the power of His Messianic promise.

• Jeremiah and Lamentations • No. 1114 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will study the prophet's calling and ministry with an emphasis upon the challenges of serving in difficult circumstances, of delivering unpopular messages, and of remaining focused on God's messages regardless.

• Ezekiel and Daniel • No. 1124 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will offer a detailed study of the text of Ezekiel and Daniel with an emphasis on the historical background, the nature of Jewish apocalyptic literature, and the fulfillment of their prophecies.

• Minor Prophets • No. 1134 • Credit Hours: 4 • Clock Hours: 40 hrs. • This course will offer a detailed study of the text of Ezekiel and Daniel with an emphasis on the historical background, the nature of Jewish apocalyptic literature, and the fulfillment of their prophecies.

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