Starting next Sunday (9.4), I have the privelege of teaching a sort of “Gospel 101″ class at my church, which will last 13 weeks. I’ll only have about 45 min. per class (which isn’t nearly enough, I don’t think, for adequate presentation, q&a, and quality discussion time), but we’ll make do.
Here’s the tentative course outline:
Week 1: Introduction
Week 2: Scripture I (Origin, Inerrancy and Authority)
Week 3: Scripture II (Clarity, Necessity and Sufficiency)
Week 4: God I (Existence, Knowability)
Week 5: God II (Nature)
Week 6: God III (Providence and Prayer)
Week 7: Creation and Sin
Week 8: Salvation I (Redemption Accomlished)
Week 9: Salvation II (Redemption Applied)
Week 10: The Church I (Nature and Purpose)
Week 11: The Church II (Worship, Fellowship, Stewardship)
Week 12: The Future
Week 13: The Christian Life (Lordship of Christ, Christ as Treasure)
[UPDATE: I'm doing two sessions on the Christian life and skipping the future. The first week got canceled, leaving me with only 12 weeks, and Pastor Greg is already teaching the four views of the future on Sunday evenings.]
“The purpose of this course is to communicate both light and heat—that is, a foundational knowledge of our glorious and almighty God which begets a corresponding and contagious passion for Him.”
The Bible will be the primary text, but I’ll be using Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology
Above all of these subjects, I hope to communicate a few major themes or ‘big ideas’:
- God is God, and God is good
- God’s glory and our joy are not separate goals
- Communion with God is the immediate means, the ultimate end, and the very definition, of Christianity (Packer)
- [Therefore,] Colossians 3:1-4 [show] If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2]Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. [3]For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4]When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (ESV)
I heartily welcome your suggestions–for any individual class or for the course as a whole.
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It was my understanding that you were teaching a class on the book of Acts. Apparently I was misinformed?
Keep Westminster. Great 1, 2, 3, 4 points.
I was, but this one has a curriculum that could be passed to someone else on the off chance that I move before the “quarter” gets out. If I’m around next “quarter,” I’d love to go through the book of Acts.
I guess we’ll see…
Thanks for the input!
AG
Wish I could attend. About 5-6 years ago I went through a 6 month study on Acts by a man named Paul (appropriately).. and I totally enjoyed it. I remember our discussions about Chapter 2 distinctively. Although Acts is worth studying, the beautiful thing about the Gospel is that we are its intended audience. Enjoy your preparation for these studies- may you learn so much in the proces!
I read this earlier today and have been mulling over something to say in addition to the fact that I am thrilled for you that you’re doing this. I would thoroughly enjoy listening to you teach. (Are you going to record? Please do.)
A thought in reference to a suggestion would be on Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. I recently finished listening to Piper on the Lord’s Supper, from his sermons, and it has given me a greater understadning of it. I wonder how many don’t understand the eternal signifigance of why Jesus did what He did?
I will be praying for you!
Hey Donnie: Great suggestion! I’ll be covering the Lord’s Supper and baptism, among other “means of grace,” in the second session on the Church. As of now, there is no plan to record the classes, but thanks so much for the kind words, brother.