Inspire, Fall 2004

W h a t ’ s t h e W o r d ? Dr. Chris Miller, chairman of the department of biblical education, announced at the fall department retreat that Jonathan Dinkins is the first student to declare a major in the new Bible teacher education program. The new major is geared toward students who anticipate teaching Bible in a Christian school, but the vocational and educational opportunities that the program affords are numerous. The major provides a unique combination of biblical content and specific ministry preparation courses from the Bible department and courses focusing on pedagogy and classroom management from the education department. The Bible content portion of the program is modeled after the preseminary major with the exception of Greek. In addition to the courses required in the Bible minor, the student will be required to take the following ministry and content courses: • Interpreting and Teaching the Bible • Campus Ministries • Leadership of Christian Education Ministries • Jesus and the Gospels • Romans and Galatians • Pentateuch • Wisdom Literature • Introduction to Philosophy • Personal Evangelism or Discipleship • Hermeneutics • Seminar in Bible • Theology Elective Bible Teacher Education The courses required are chosen primarily because they prepare the student to effectively teach the Bible as well as develop ministry programs, and these are typically the courses one would teach in a Christian school, especially at the secondary level. The education courses required are the same as those for any other major in secondary education. The major thus provides a wealth of opportunity for assimilating the content of God’s Word and sharpening the skills for communicating in a more formal school setting. The platform is also legitimate and effective to prepare those who may eventually choose other areas of Christian ministry (e.g., men going on to seminary to prepare for the pastorate; men and women pursuing graduate work in education to teach on the secondary level or graduate work in theology to teach on the college level; men and women preparing to teach in missions ministries, inner-city ministries, camps, youth ministries, and special education opportunities). Though no state offers certification for Bible teachers, the program has the approval and endorsement of the Association of Christian School International (ACSI), which grants certification in integrated Bible for this major. We in the department of biblical education are very excited about the excellent preparation this major will provide and the flexibility that graduates will have for future ministry and study. If you know of anyone interested in this major, please have them contact the department at 937-766-7674. Vocational Options Educational Options Christian School Church Ministry • Associate Pastor • Youth Pastor • Mission Field • Educational Ministries Bachelor of Arts Degree in Bible Teacher Education Master’s Degree in Education Master’s Degree in Theology 12 Fall 2004 Some of the Options Afforded by the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Bible Teacher Education