Bringing SBS to the Vanuatu Islands
If we want to be effective in ministry we need to know our book, the Bible. The SBS gives you an in-depth overview of the entire Bible and tools and methods to study it for the rest of your life. For those of you who want to know more about the school we have put a detailed course description below.
Foundations for Life and Ministry
The School of Biblical Studies (SBS) is a nine-month course in which students study all 66 books of the Bible. An inductive approach is taught, in which students observe what the text says and then let it shape their beliefs.
Goals of the SBS School
Our goals are to train Christians in the Word of God and to be a multiplier for missions following Paul’s mandate in 2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
• To know God’s Word for oneself
• To give God’s Word to others
The SBS outreach is focused on giving out the Word to developing nations. It will give the student experience in missions and in how to give God’s Word to others.
Personalized Teaching
During the school, students survey each book and discover the big picture, while also digging into the details paragraph by paragraph. Emphasis is placed on understanding the cultural and historic background of each author and original reader of a book. The student interprets Scripture with the mindset of the original reader then takes the timeless truths and applies them personally.
Students are given hands-on instruction in the principles of observation, interpretation, and application. SBS staff will meet weekly with the students to aid in their personal growth, understanding of Scripture, and application of the inductive method.
Course Content
The SBS is offered in a series of three-month phases. Some schools start with the New Testament and then go back to study the Old Testament others choose a chronological approach. We have not decided yet which approach we will follow.
School of Biblical Studies I
This phase begins with a three-week seminar teaching the principles of inductive Bible study. Books studied are the Synoptic Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the Pauline Epistles and the book of Hebrews.
School of Biblical Studies II
In the second phase, students complete the New Testament books, and after an introductory seminar to the Old Testament, study from Genesis through Samuel.
School of Biblical Studies III
The third phase of Bible Study completes the study of the Old Testament’s historical books, the Prophets and Wisdom Literature. A seminar precedes both the Prophets and Wisdom Literature, giving the students the skills necessary to study these parts of the Bible.
School of Biblical Studies Field Assignment
The final phase of SBS offers the students an opportunity to pass on Bible Study tools to others. A eight to ten week outreach (usually in Asia) follows one to two weeks of training after the lecture phase.
Prerequisites
Completion of the Discipleship Training School and Field Assignment (IDS 701/702) or Crossroads Discipleship Training school (IDS 703/704).
Credits
Thirty-six (36) semester-equivalent credits will be earned upon successful completion of the School of Biblical Studies I, II, III (CCM 311/312/313). These credits may be applied to a U of N degree program or transferred to other colleges and universities.