1 Timothy
Including portions of 2 Timothy and Titus.
Major Themes: Godliness and pastoral care; a leader’s commission; church regulations; and pastoral directions.
Interpretive Emphasis: This study will focus on its unity, for it was a letter written from the heart of one pastor to another. Interpretation of and emphasis on key words such as, godliness, doctrine, conscience, gospel, preach, teach, and charge will be explored.
Leadership Emphasis: This study will aid the leader in understanding his overall role as a protector, provider, coach and companion. The leader will also be instructed in proper doctrine and how to properly deal with difficult issues.
Old & New Testament Survey
Major Themes: The prominent events, covenants and people of the Scriptures.
Post-cross or New Testament/Covenant teaching and living.
Interpretive Emphasis: This study will focus on the wholeness and unity of the Old and New Testaments; with an emphasis on understanding the flow the Scriptures revealed in a literal historical approach.
The importance of interpreting the NT in light of the OT, not vise versa.
Leadership Emphasis: Important OT and NT characters and their leadership qualities will be reflected upon, such as Abraham, Moses, King David, and Elijah of the OT, along with Peter, Paul and others from the NT. The Leader will be better equipped to answer the difficult questions of the Scriptures.
The Book of Nehemiah
Major Themes: Being a passionate leader and team builder during difficult times.
Interpretive Emphasis: This study will be from an historical perspective with practical many practical implications for today.
Leadership Emphasis: The Leader’s calling, concern, care and goals for God’s people. This study will emphasize the practicality of leadership that was initially discussed from a doctrinal perspective as found in 1 Timothy.
The Gospel of Matthew
Also called the First Gospel, the gospel par excellence.
Major Themes: The Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Man. Questions foremost in the mind of the early church.
The transition from Judaism to the Christianity. Uniquely features the “fulfillment” themes of OT Scriptures.
Interpretive Emphasis: This study will focus on a Jewish historical interpretation and will help the student understand how the Scriptures were set within a 1st century Jewish setting.
Leadership Emphasis: This study will emphasize leadership responsibilities and the character qualities of a leader as witnessed in the Messiah, and passed on to the disciples, contrasted against the Jewish leaders of that day. This study will also equip the leader to be able to answer many of the difficult questions pertaining to the OT vs. NT relationship.
The Book of Romans
Considered the foremost epistle.
Major Themes: The completeness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The believers calling into the grace of Jesus Christ. The future of the nation of Israel and
practical grace gospel living.
Interpretive Emphasis: The focus of this study will focus on a thematic, literal and grammatical interpretation, with an emphasis on the harmony and progression of Paul’s thoughts throughout the letter.
Leadership Emphasis: The equipping of the leader to know and understand the liberating truths of the fullness and finality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
An emphasis will be placed upon teamwork as marked in Paul’s life and referenced in this letter.
The Life of Paul
The tent making missionary leader.
Major Themes: The many aspects of the call, life and gifts of the New Testament’s foremost apostle
Interpretive Emphasis: The focus of this study will be from a topical perspective of the NT Scripture.
Leadership Emphasis: The leader will be encouraged to follow the example of this great apostle, who faithfully carried out God’s calling for his life.
The purposes of the self-supporting leader will also be focused upon.
Ephesians/Colossians
Major Themes: The deity, completeness and superiority of Jesus Christ. The believer’s New Covenant heavenly blessings. The believer’s New Covenant earthly life.
Interpretive Emphasis: This study will not only focus on New Covenant themes, but also textual interpretation and the intentional use of certain words by the apostle, in light of Gnostic teachings.
Leadership Emphasis: The leader will be equipped to combat errors of legalism and false teaching that rob Christ of His deity and New Covenant guarantees. The leader will be challenged to contend for the truth that frees the believer from bondage.
The Gospel of John
The unique gospel.
Major Themes: The deity of Jesus Christ. The biblical dialogues and intellectual arguments of Jesus Christ. The importance of believing God and His Son.
The upper room discourse and preparation for New Covenant Living.
Interpretive Emphasis: The focus of this study will be John’s unique writing style and the importance of the historical background of his day, (John wrote mainly to Gnostic influenced Gentiles yet with many illusions pertaining to the Jewish life of the Messiah).
Leadership Emphasis: The leader will better understand John’s use of arguments, especially pertaining to the Deity and ` work of Christ.
The upper room discourse will challenge the leader to be a servant and will also encourage the leader to abandon his own strength for Christ’s.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ
Major Themes: The Lion of the tribe of Judah. The personalities of the seven churches of Asia Minor. The systematic unveiling of future events culminating in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The fulfillment of the remaining prophetic promises of Scripture.
Interpretive Emphasis: This study will focus on apocalyptic interpretation, and the use of many OT illusions and prophetic themes.
Leadership Emphasis: Quality leadership will be emphasized especially pertaining to church leadership challenged in the seven epistles to the churches. The leader will also be better equipped to rightly handle and interpret this letter which can be intimidating, and yet is promised to be a blessing to the readers.
2 Peter and Jude
Major Themes: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The characteristics of false teachers and teaching. Godly character and living in light of the Second Coming.
Interpretive Emphasis: This study will focus on proper understanding and interpretation of God’s person and promises, and the writers’ use of metaphoric teaching.
Leadership Emphasis: The leader will be instructed in how to earnestly contend for the faith by living and teaching the truth of God’s word as compared to false teachers.
Leader Development/Discipleship
Being developed.
Including portions of 2 Timothy and Titus.
Major Themes: Godliness and pastoral care; a leader’s commission; church regulations; and pastoral directions.
Interpretive Emphasis: This study will focus on its unity, for it was a letter written from the heart of one pastor to another. Interpretation of and emphasis on key words such as, godliness, doctrine, conscience, gospel, preach, teach, and charge will be explored.
Leadership Emphasis: This study will aid the leader in understanding his overall role as a protector, provider, coach and companion. The leader will also be instructed in proper doctrine and how to properly deal with difficult issues.
Old & New Testament Survey
Major Themes: The prominent events, covenants and people of the Scriptures.
Post-cross or New Testament/Covenant teaching and living.
Interpretive Emphasis: This study will focus on the wholeness and unity of the Old and New Testaments; with an emphasis on understanding the flow the Scriptures revealed in a literal historical approach.
The importance of interpreting the NT in light of the OT, not vise versa.
Leadership Emphasis: Important OT and NT characters and their leadership qualities will be reflected upon, such as Abraham, Moses, King David, and Elijah of the OT, along with Peter, Paul and others from the NT. The Leader will be better equipped to answer the difficult questions of the Scriptures.
The Book of Nehemiah
Major Themes: Being a passionate leader and team builder during difficult times.
Interpretive Emphasis: This study will be from an historical perspective with practical many practical implications for today.
Leadership Emphasis: The Leader’s calling, concern, care and goals for God’s people. This study will emphasize the practicality of leadership that was initially discussed from a doctrinal perspective as found in 1 Timothy.
The Gospel of Matthew
Also called the First Gospel, the gospel par excellence.
Major Themes: The Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Man. Questions foremost in the mind of the early church.
The transition from Judaism to the Christianity. Uniquely features the “fulfillment” themes of OT Scriptures.
Interpretive Emphasis: This study will focus on a Jewish historical interpretation and will help the student understand how the Scriptures were set within a 1st century Jewish setting.
Leadership Emphasis: This study will emphasize leadership responsibilities and the character qualities of a leader as witnessed in the Messiah, and passed on to the disciples, contrasted against the Jewish leaders of that day. This study will also equip the leader to be able to answer many of the difficult questions pertaining to the OT vs. NT relationship.
The Book of Romans
Considered the foremost epistle.
Major Themes: The completeness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The believers calling into the grace of Jesus Christ. The future of the nation of Israel and
practical grace gospel living.
Interpretive Emphasis: The focus of this study will focus on a thematic, literal and grammatical interpretation, with an emphasis on the harmony and progression of Paul’s thoughts throughout the letter.
Leadership Emphasis: The equipping of the leader to know and understand the liberating truths of the fullness and finality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
An emphasis will be placed upon teamwork as marked in Paul’s life and referenced in this letter.
The Life of Paul
The tent making missionary leader.
Major Themes: The many aspects of the call, life and gifts of the New Testament’s foremost apostle
Interpretive Emphasis: The focus of this study will be from a topical perspective of the NT Scripture.
Leadership Emphasis: The leader will be encouraged to follow the example of this great apostle, who faithfully carried out God’s calling for his life.
The purposes of the self-supporting leader will also be focused upon.
Ephesians/Colossians
Major Themes: The deity, completeness and superiority of Jesus Christ. The believer’s New Covenant heavenly blessings. The believer’s New Covenant earthly life.
Interpretive Emphasis: This study will not only focus on New Covenant themes, but also textual interpretation and the intentional use of certain words by the apostle, in light of Gnostic teachings.
Leadership Emphasis: The leader will be equipped to combat errors of legalism and false teaching that rob Christ of His deity and New Covenant guarantees. The leader will be challenged to contend for the truth that frees the believer from bondage.
The Gospel of John
The unique gospel.
Major Themes: The deity of Jesus Christ. The biblical dialogues and intellectual arguments of Jesus Christ. The importance of believing God and His Son.
The upper room discourse and preparation for New Covenant Living.
Interpretive Emphasis: The focus of this study will be John’s unique writing style and the importance of the historical background of his day, (John wrote mainly to Gnostic influenced Gentiles yet with many illusions pertaining to the Jewish life of the Messiah).
Leadership Emphasis: The leader will better understand John’s use of arguments, especially pertaining to the Deity and ` work of Christ.
The upper room discourse will challenge the leader to be a servant and will also encourage the leader to abandon his own strength for Christ’s.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ
Major Themes: The Lion of the tribe of Judah. The personalities of the seven churches of Asia Minor. The systematic unveiling of future events culminating in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The fulfillment of the remaining prophetic promises of Scripture.
Interpretive Emphasis: This study will focus on apocalyptic interpretation, and the use of many OT illusions and prophetic themes.
Leadership Emphasis: Quality leadership will be emphasized especially pertaining to church leadership challenged in the seven epistles to the churches. The leader will also be better equipped to rightly handle and interpret this letter which can be intimidating, and yet is promised to be a blessing to the readers.
2 Peter and Jude
Major Themes: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The characteristics of false teachers and teaching. Godly character and living in light of the Second Coming.
Interpretive Emphasis: This study will focus on proper understanding and interpretation of God’s person and promises, and the writers’ use of metaphoric teaching.
Leadership Emphasis: The leader will be instructed in how to earnestly contend for the faith by living and teaching the truth of God’s word as compared to false teachers.
Leader Development/Discipleship
Being developed.