Bachelor of Biblical Studies Core Curriculum/Courses

OLD TESTAMENT

  • Textual study of the books of Genesis – Deuteronomy

  • Textual study of the books of Joshua – 2 Kings

  • Textual study of the books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes

  • Textual study of the book of Isaiah

  • A study of the life and ministry of the prophet Jeremiah, with additional study from Jeremiah’s Lamentations and the post-exilic historical books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther

  • Textual study of the books of Daniel and Ezekiel

  • Textual study of the books dealing with the minor prophets

NEW TESTAMENT

  • A study of the book of Luke viewing the life and teachings of Jesus

  • A study of the book of Matthew with emphasis on the Sermon on the Mount

  • Textual study of the gospel of John

  • Textual study of the book of Acts

  • Textual study of the book of Romans

  • Textual study of the book of 1 Corinthians

  • Textual study of the book of 2 Corinthians

  • Textual study of the book of Galatians

  • Textual study of the books of Ephesians and Colossians

  • Textual study of the books of Philippians and Thessalonians

  • Textual study of the books of 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus

  • An exegetical study of the Letter to the Hebrews

  • An exegetical, theological, and homiletical study of the epistles of James and Peter

  • Textual study of the books of 1, 2, and 3 John

  • Textual study of the book of Revelation

EVANGELISM

  • Using the Bible text, these courses teach techniques for being an effective evangelist and for training and inspiring congregations to be evangelistic.

GROWTH

  • This course is designed to help the student improve his/her study and research skills and to communicate more effectively, especially in written form. Students are introduced to the proper writing form for research papers at Sunset and are given a brief review of English grammar. An additional area of study includes an overview of the Koine Greek language.

  • The study and the application of various biblical disciplines that will assure the spiritual growth of the individual

  • The study of being a mature Christian single and of learning how to minister to our spouse’s love needs, and some practical pointers about parenting

  • A foundational course designed to help the student develop balanced, sensible, and logical methods to understand and properly interpret scripture

  • Basic, non-clinical counseling skills and insights relevant to the people-helping tasks of ministry

HISTORY/EVIDENCES

  • A study of historical and scientific proof of biblical people, places, and events

  • A survey of church history from the pre-Christian background through the Reformation and Restoration Movements and up to the present

MISSIONS

  • The study of missions as seen throughout the scriptures

PREACHING

  • An introduction to the principles and practices of preaching, including a survey of the minister and his personal life. Emphasis is given to the study of homiletics, the role of the preacher, and the preparation and delivery of Biblical sermons.

  • Designed to build confidence in public speaking. Students give short speeches on various subjects. Effective public reading of scripture is also addressed.

  • Assignments given in this class relate to elements of sermon preparation and delivery covered in Introduction to Homiletics (taken in the same term).

  • Emphasis is placed on preaching from a short text and preaching a series of sermons from one of the Epistles.

  • Students are assigned various biblical topics and are expected to prepare and deliver well-organized sermons.

  • Focuses on the dynamics of teaching a Sunday morning adult Bible class and how it differs from preaching a sermon

  • Focuses on teaching in a variety of settings outside the Sunday Bible class

  • Narrative preaching is emphasized; preaching from the wisdom literature and the prophets is covered, as is making connections between Old Testament passages and New Testament fulfillments.

  • Development and presentation of sermons for weddings and funerals; also instruction in ministering effectively at such times.

DOCTRINAL

  • A study of Old Testament worship based on the Law of Moses and the concepts of sacrifice and atonement found in the book of Leviticus

  • A theological, doctrinal, and historical study of the Messianic seed prophecies from Genesis to the ascension

  • An in-depth study of the New Testament church as designed and planned by God in eternity

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

  • Daily time devoted to study and information from various speakers and missionaries. Practicum for leading songs and prayers and for giving talks.

ELECTIVES (optional)

  • Introduction to communication with the Deaf

SHORT COURSES

  • The most compelling objective of our lives is to become like Christ in faith and character. This course looks at how ministers can prioritize their attention and energy toward disciple-centered/far-term ministry in the congregation of the Lord’s church.

  • Focuses on church evangelism

  • Explores the practical aspects of ministering in a church setting

  • Addresses how to effectively plan and implement Bible class curriculum for adults and how to focus, organize, and execute effective small groups