Registration Registration for courses is required. Please visit or call Church Relations Coordinator, Dr. Littauer, at 1-704-940-5814, for more information. If you are a member of one of the three host churches, please contact Waverly Hasty at GCTS (800-600-1212) and she will give you the registrar information for your church. Participants will sign up either for audit (those who sit in the class for personal enrichment only) or for credit (those who turn in weekly assignments and may receive credit toward a seminary certificate). Credit students are required to participate in break-out groups for a ½ hour either before or after class each evening. These sessions are led by Gordon-Conwell graduates. Certification Credit students who meet all the requirements for the complete 6-course sequence in Old and New Testaments (including two interpretation papers) are eligible to receive a Certificate in Interpretation. This certificate will exempt those interested in any masters or other program at the seminary from up to three courses (OT Survey, NT Survey, and Biblical Note: The cost of the 6-course sequence is the cost of one graduate level course. Therefore, completing the Certificate in Biblical Interpretation will have taken three courses for the price of one. Course Objectives To provide participants with a comprehensive grasp of the main figures, events, and themes in the New Testament, their relationship to the Old Testament, and their ongoing significance for our lives. To enlighten participants with background information and resources that clarify God’s revelation in its original setting. To equip participants to interpret the Bible correctly by introducing appropriate tools and methods. Class Format Classroom sessions will include presentations on each book/letter of the Bible, featuring “in the text” summaries, “behind the text” background, and “in front of the text” interpretation and Outlines and notes will be available on the course website (). Ideally, the assigned readings for each week should be done before class. Required Textbooks The Bible (preferably a study Bible like the NIV Archaeology Study Bible or the ESV Study Bible)
February 10: Biblical Topics: The Epistle to the Galatians Readings for Credit: Galatians; Encountering the New Testament, 296-305. Assignment 5: See assignment instructions (BTT/IFT) Quiz #1 February 17: Biblical Topics: The Epistle to the Ephesians Readings for Credit: Ephesians 1-6; Encountering the New Testament, 307-12. Grasping God’s Word, 163-187 (132-152 – 2nd ed.) Assignment 6: See assignment instructions (ITT) February 24: Biblical Topics: The Epistle to the Philippians Readings for Credit: Philippians 1-4; Encountering the New Testament, 312-16. Grasping God’s Word, 137-146 (87-96 – 2nd ed.) Assignment 7: See assignment instructions (IFT) March 3: Biblical Topics: The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon Readings for Credit: Col 1-4; Philemon; Encountering the New Testament, 316-25. Grasping God’s Word, review 115-36 (98-116 – 2nd ed.) Assignment 8: In Grasping God’s Word, 136 (p. 117-2nd ed.), complete Assignment 6-1. (BTT) March 10: Biblical Topics: The Pastoral Epistles Readings for Credit: 1-2 Timothy; Titus; Encountering the New Testament, 334-44. Assignment 9: Choose a passage from the Pastoral Epistles and complete all 5 steps of the Interpretive Journey (Review Grasping God’s Word, 39-49 (19-27 - 2nd ed.) (ITT/BTT/IFT) Quiz #2
Name: Date: Assignment 4: Due Date: Jan. Feb. 10th Focus: “In Front of the Text” Objective: To practice a method of reading Scripture that encourages spiritual growth, personal communion with and worship of the Lord, and renewal of the soul. Take Romans 8:1-4 and walk through the lectio divina method of reading a biblical text. Lectio divina involves reading the text “repeatedly, slowly and out loud.” Forget about reading quickly. Slow down and use your imagination to picture yourself as part of the setting. Resist the temptation to analyze or judge the text or use the text to develop a message for someone else. Focus on listening as if God were speaking directly to you. (cf. Grasping God’s Word, 231). You would benefit from reading Romans 7 & 8 a few times before focusing on this paragraph. Once you have completed your reading (and listening!), write a one to two page of what this experience meant to you.