This foundational course provides students with an introductory yet thorough survey of the Gospel of Matthew. Designed for new and developing Bible students, the course explores the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as recorded by the apostle Matthew. Emphasis is placed on understanding the Gospel’s historical context, structure, and central themes, while also drawing out practical applications for ministry and discipleship today.
Throughout the course, learners will examine Matthew’s unique portrayal of Jesus as the long-awaited Jewish Messiah, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, and the authoritative Teacher who ushers in the Kingdom of Heaven. Students will engage with both the narrative and teaching portions of the Gospel—including the Sermon on the Mount, the parables, and the Passion narrative—building a solid foundation for future New Testament study and spiritual growth.
By the end of the course, students will be equipped to recognize Matthew’s theological message, apply Jesus’ teachings to daily life, and articulate the significance of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection for the church and the world.
Key Themes:
- Jesus as the Promised Messiah - Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, the Son of David, and the rightful King of Israel.
- The Kingdom of Heaven - A major theme throughout the Gospel, the Kingdom is portrayed as both present and future—calling for radical obedience, humility, and readiness.
- Fulfillment of Scripture - Matthew highlights how Jesus’ life and ministry fulfill the Law, the Prophets, and the hopes of Israel, underscoring God’s faithfulness to His promises.
- The Teachings of Jesus - Through major discourses like the Sermon on the Mount and parables, Jesus teaches Kingdom principles that challenge religious norms and redefine righteousness.
- Discipleship and Obedience - Matthew emphasizes the cost of following Jesus, calling believers to wholehearted allegiance and ongoing transformation.
- Conflict and Rejection - Despite His miracles and message, Jesus faces opposition from religious leaders and many who reject His identity and mission.
- Jesus’ Death and Resurrection - The climax of the Gospel centers on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus and His victorious resurrection, confirming Him as Savior and Lord.
- The Great Commission - Matthew concludes with Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations, establishing the church’s mission to proclaim the Gospel to the world.
The Gospel of Mark presents Jesus Christ as the obedient Servant of the Lord, filled with power and compassion, always in action. Mark’s Gospel is the shortest of the four but delivers a vivid, fast-paced narrative of Jesus’ ministry, emphasizing His miracles, confrontations, and ultimate sacrifice. Likely written to Roman believers, Mark focuses on what Jesus did, more than what He said, offering a compelling call to follow the suffering yet victorious Son of God. This course will guide students through the Gospel's structure and theological themes, helping them see Christ more clearly and understand the urgency and cost of true discipleship.
The Gospel of Luke offers a detailed, orderly, and Spirit-inspired account of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As the only Gentile author in the New Testament, Luke emphasizes Jesus’ compassion for all people—Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, women and men, outcasts and sinners. This Gospel reveals Christ as the perfect Son of Man and the Savior of the world, bringing salvation and kingdom hope to all who believe.
Students will explore the background, structure, and major themes of Luke’s Gospel, gaining fresh understanding of Christ’s teachings, miracles, parables, and redemptive mission. Special attention will be given to Luke’s focus on prayer, the Holy Spirit, and the fulfillment of God's promises throughout salvation history.
The Gospel of John stands apart from the Synoptic Gospels by offering a profound and intimate portrait of Jesus Christ as the eternal Son of God, the Word made flesh. Written so that readers may believe that Jesus is the Christ and have life in His name, John's Gospel emphasizes faith, relationship, and eternal life. Through rich theological themes, vivid personal encounters, and powerful signs, John invites us to see Jesus’ glory and receive the fullness of His grace.
In this survey, we will explore:
- The eternal nature and divine identity of Jesus
- The purpose behind His miraculous signs
- His teachings on spiritual rebirth, true worship, and abiding in Him
- His sacrificial death, triumphant resurrection, and personal restoration of His followers
John’s Gospel reveals not just what Jesus did but who Jesus is, calling us into a personal and transformative relationship with the Living Word
The Book of Acts, written by Luke as a continuation of his Gospel, records the birth and explosive growth of the early Church through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the bridge between the Gospels and the Epistles, detailing the transition from Jesus’ earthly ministry to the global expansion of His kingdom through His apostles. Acts is both theological and historical, showing how the gospel advanced from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth through Spirit-filled preaching, miraculous signs, courageous witness, and deep community.
This course will explore the major themes, events, and movements in Acts, tracing how God empowered ordinary people to fulfill an extraordinary mission. Students will gain insight into how the early Church functioned, how persecution refined it, and how the Holy Spirit led it forward in power and unity. It is a call to live boldly, guided by the Spirit, rooted in prayer, and devoted to the Great Commission.
Key Themes
- The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
- Apostolic Authority and Mission
- The Formation and Expansion of the Church
- Persecution and Endurance
- Unity across Ethnic and Social Divides
- The Bold Witness of the Gospel
- God's Sovereign Guidance of the Mission
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the major movements in the Book of Acts from Pentecost to Paul's journey to Rome
- Identify key individuals, events, and turning points in the growth of the Church
- Understand the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers and guiding the Church
- Apply lessons from the early Church to modern ministry and mission
- Cultivate a Spirit-led, prayer-driven life of gospel witness and service
The Epistle to the Ephesians presents one of the most comprehensive and elevated views of God’s redemptive plan found in the New Testament. Written by the apostle Paul, this letter lifts the believer’s eyes beyond individual salvation to behold God’s eternal purpose in Christ, the identity of the Church, and the calling of God’s people to live in unity, holiness, and spiritual maturity.
Unlike letters written to address a single crisis, Ephesians reads as a circular letter designed to ground believers in who they are in Christ and how that identity shapes every area of life. Paul moves from the eternal counsel of God before the foundation of the world to the practical outworking of faith in relationships, conduct, and spiritual warfare.
In this 100 level survey course, students will gain a broad understanding of
• The historical background and purpose of the letter
• God’s eternal plan of redemption in Christ
• The believer’s identity and position in Christ
• The formation and mission of the Church as one new people
• The call to walk worthy of the gospel in daily life
• The reality of spiritual conflict and the believer’s resources in Christ
This course is designed to help students see the whole argument of Ephesians, understand how each section fits together, and develop a theological framework that will prepare them for deeper expository study at the 200 level.
Course Structure
Unit 1. Introduction to the Epistle to the Ephesians
Module 1. Authorship, Audience, and Historical Setting
Module 2. Purpose, Major Themes, and Literary Structure
Unit 2. God’s Eternal Plan in Christ
Module 1. Spiritual Blessings and God’s Redemptive Purpose
Module 2. Chosen, Adopted, and Redeemed by Grace
Module 3. The Goal of God’s Plan and the Glory of Christ
Unit 3. From Death to Life by Grace
Module 1. Humanity’s Condition Apart from Christ
Module 2. Salvation by Grace Through Faith
Module 3. One New People in Christ and the Unity of the Church
Unit 4. The Mystery of Christ and the Mission of the Church
Module 1. The Mystery Revealed to the Apostles
Module 2. The Inclusion of the Gentiles
Module 3. Paul’s Prayer and the Church’s Calling
Unit 5. Walking Worthy of the Calling
Module 1. Unity, Maturity, and Growth in the Body
Module 2. The New Life in Christ and Transformed Living
Module 3. Love, Light, and Wisdom in Daily Conduct
Unit 6. Standing Firm in Christ
Module 1. Christian Relationships and Spirit Filled Living
Module 2. The Reality of Spiritual Conflict
Module 3. The Armor of God and the Believer’s Victory
Course Outcome
By the end of this 100 level survey course, students will
• Understand the overall message and structure of Ephesians
• Be able to trace Paul’s argument from God’s eternal purpose to practical Christian living
• Recognize the central themes of identity, unity, grace, and spiritual maturity
• Be prepared to engage in a deeper scripture by scripture expository study at the 200 level
Ephesians lifts our eyes to see the Church from heaven’s perspective. Paul writes from prison, not to correct false doctrine, but to reveal the glory of God’s eternal plan fulfilled in Christ and expressed through His people. This epistle emphasizes that salvation is not only personal but corporate, forming a new humanity where Christ is Head and believers are His Body.
Ephesians moves from doctrine to duty, from the believer’s position in Christ to the believer’s practice in the world. Paul teaches that we are not trying to earn victory; we live from the victory already secured by Christ who is seated at the right hand of the Father.
This course will explore themes of grace, unity, identity, spiritual authority, and holy living. Students will discover that the Christian life is rooted in what God has already done and is lived through the power He supplies.
Key Verse:
Ephesians 2:10... “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
Key Theme:
The believer’s identity and inheritance in Christ expressed through unity, holiness, and spiritual strength in the Church.
Author:
The Apostle Paul
Date:
AD 60–62 during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment
Audience:
Believers in Ephesus and the surrounding region, highlighting the universal nature of the Church.
Purpose:
To deepen understanding of God’s grace, the Church’s calling, and the spiritual power available to believers for holy living and victorious warfare.
Key Themes
- Identity and riches in Christ
- Grace as the foundation of salvation
- Unity between Jew and Gentile
- The mystery of the Church
- Walking in love, light, and wisdom
- Spiritual warfare and the armor of God
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to explain the structure of Ephesians, understand the believer’s position in Christ, apply principles of unity and holiness, and describe the nature of spiritual warfare and the resources God provides.
Course Structure
Module 1 – Introduction to Ephesians: God’s Eternal Plan
Overview of authorship, purpose, and setting. Exploration of major themes of grace and spiritual authority. Study of Ephesians 1:1–6 and the believer’s identity in Christ.
Module 2 – The Riches of God’s Grace in Christ (Ephesians 1:7–23)
Redemption through Christ’s blood, sealing of the Spirit, and Paul’s prayer for spiritual illumination.
Module 3 – From Death to Life: Grace and the New Humanity (Ephesians 2:1–22)
The believer’s transformation from death to life, salvation by grace through faith, and the unity of Jew and Gentile in one Body.
Module 4 – The Mystery Revealed: God’s Purpose for the Church (Ephesians 3:1–21)
Paul’s stewardship of the mystery, the inclusion of Gentiles, and the prayer for spiritual strength and love.
Module 5 – Walking Worthy of the Calling (Ephesians 4:1–32)
Unity of the Spirit, maturity in Christ, and the transformation from the old self to the new.
Module 6 – Walking in Love and Standing in Warfare (Ephesians 5:1–6:24)
God’s design for Christian relationships, Spirit-filled living, spiritual warfare, and the armor of God.
Ephesians reveals the Church as God’s masterpiece, formed by grace and empowered by His Spirit. It shows that believers live from their heavenly position in Christ while walking faithfully on earth. This course will guide students to understand who they are in Christ, how they are called to walk, and how they are equipped to stand firm in a spiritual world.
