Doctrine and Practice of the Church

This course presents the biblical concept of the church as central to God’s work on the earth. The student will gain understanding of Christian unity, church membership, fellowship, financial support of ministry, tithe, baptism, communion, church discipline, and signs of church maturity. The course explains principles and applications for the life and work of the church.

Course Description

This course presents the biblical concept of the church as central to God’s work on the earth. The student will gain understanding of Christian unity, church membership, fellowship, financial support of ministry, tithe, baptism, communion, church discipline, and signs of church maturity. The course explains principles and applications for the life and work of the church.

Course Objectives

1. To understand the identity and biblical description of the church.
2. To see God’s plan for the church, and the work of God in the church.
3. To learn the responsibilities of a member and leader in the church.
4. To apply principles for the support, administration, and development of the local church.
5. To be equipped with content and structure for teaching about the church.

Directions for Class Leaders

Notes to class leaders are included throughout the course with directions for specific parts of the lessons. They are italicized.

Discussion questions and in-class activities are indicated by ►. For discussion questions, the class leader should ask the question and give the students time to discuss the answer. If the same student usually answers first, or if some students do not speak up, the leader can direct the question to someone: “Paul, how would you answer this question?”

Much scripture is used in the course. Passages that should be read aloud in class are indicated by arrow bullet points. At other times scripture references are given in parentheses in the text. For example: (1 Corinthians 12:15). Those references are support for the statements in the text. It is not necessary to always read the passages in the parentheses.

Each lesson has at least two block quotes from some theologian in history. When the class comes to a block quote, the class leader could ask a student to read and explain the quote.

All but one lesson ends with Seven Summary Statements. The purpose of the lesson is for the student to understand these points. Students should study and memorize these statements. Students must write one paragraph about each of the statements and turn those paragraphs in to the class leader at the beginning of the next class (seven paragraphs). In each paragraph the student should explain the statement as they would to someone who is not in the class, including why it is an important concept. At the beginning of the next class, the class leader should have several students share their paragraphs with the whole group.

Also at the beginning of the next class, the students will write the Seven Summary Statements from memory as a written test of their knowledge. The class leader should make sure that students do not look at written notes or help each other on the test. If a student is not able to write the list, he can be scheduled to try again later.

One of the purposes of the course is to prepare students to become teachers. The class leader should give students opportunities to develop their teaching skills. For example, the class leader should occasionally let a student teach a short section of the lesson to the class.

Teaching practice assignment: During the course, the student should teach a lesson, or part of a lesson, to an individual or group that is not part of the class. The student can choose the material to teach. This should be done three times, with different material. This assignment is not scheduled. The student should create the opportunities and make sure he gets the assignment done. The student should report to the class leader each time he completes a teaching session.

Other assignments will be included throughout the course: interviews, scripture studies, writing, or tests. Any written assignments should be turned in at the beginning of the following class. The class leader should always lead a discussion of the assignment and have several students share what they learned or what they wrote.

If the student wants to earn a certificate from Shepherds Global Classroom, he should attend the class sessions and complete the assignments. A form is provided at the end of the course for recording the assignments completed.