Moving Toward Spiritual Maturity Program

One-Year Associate Degree

Specially designed for High School graduating seniors

The Brown Trail School of Preaching offers a one-year program designed particularly for graduating high school seniors who express interest in taking a year to prepare themselves spiritually before entering college or the workplace. This MTSM program provides an opportunity for anyone interested in accelerating his or her spiritual growth without the commitment to the two-year program. In order to attend, the graduating senior must be accepted by the BTSoP Executive Director and must have written approval from his or her parent(s) or legal guardian(s). They must also have their own health coverage while in school. Upon completion, successful students will graduate with an Associate Degree in Biblical Studies.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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