Lesson 2: Introduction to Shepherds Global Classroom

SGC exists to equip the body of Christ by providing curriculum for developing Christian leaders around the world.

We provide leaders with the tools they need to make ministry training available in local churches everywhere. Our 20-course curriculum is available for the local teachers whom God has called and gifted in every country of the world. Because of the flexibility of the program, homes, church buildings, cafés, and even shade trees become training centers where Christian leaders are trained for service.

The taxi company called Uber transports 5.5 million passengers every day. This requires a large labor force of drivers with cars. Uber did not buy thousands of cars; instead, they hired local drivers to use their own cars to carry Uber’s passengers. They solved the labor problem for their business. Likewise, SGC makes training available everywhere by equipping potential teachers who are already there. God has gifted local believers with the ability and desire to teach. Our mission is to equip them!

SGC is not affiliated with a particular denomination. We hold the historic Trinitarian doctrines as expressed in the Nicene, Chalcedonian, and Athanasian creeds. We follow the absolute authority of the Bible. We hold the evangelical doctrines of grace, faith, and salvation. We believe that the work of God’s grace in the believer leads him to a holy heart and victorious life.

Potential local teachers need a special curriculum that quickly equips them for a training ministry. The SGC curriculum is specially designed:

• It thoroughly covers evangelical doctrine in 20 courses.

• It is developed by qualified, experienced, cross-cultural trainers.

• It is useful in any culture.

• It is written in clear and simple language.

• It emphasizes evangelical truth without denominational distinctives.

• It is practical and relevant to life and ministry.

• It is adaptable to various contexts and types of groups.

• It is available in numerous languages.

• It uses the gifts God gives to local churches.

• It equips leaders to be trainers who establish local programs.

• It rapidly prepares students to teach others.

• It is designed for group learning but is also useful for individual study.

• It is free in digital form.

• It requires no other textbooks.

The course writers have advanced academic training, teaching experience, and cross-cultural ministry experience.

The SGC courses contain the essentials of a ministry institute program. They are useful for teaching different groups, such as a class of pastors or a home Bible study group.

The courses are designed to rapidly equip local teachers to operate a local training program. A person who has spiritual maturity, Bible knowledge, and a gift for teaching can teach the courses without extensive training.

The courses are designed to be easy to teach, with discussion questions and assignments. There are sections that students can teach for practice. The average length of each course is 160 pages, divided into 7-19 lessons.

The SGC curriculum is a valuable box of tools for accomplishing the mission of the church.

Note: It is best if students already have some Bible knowledge and spiritual maturity. The courses are not designed for discipleship of new converts. We recommend using Cultivate Discipleship Lessons (also available from SGC) for discipleship.

Shepherds Global Classroom partners with mission organizations/​national ministries to make local training available. Each mission organization/national ministry serves local churches by helping them start local institutes.

The following lists describe the roles and responsibilities of

1. Shepherds Global Classroom
2. The mission organization/national ministry, and
3. The local institute

As they cooperate for the training of Christian ministers.

The Role of Shepherds Global Classroom

• Provide a set of 20 ministry training courses.

• Make courses available for download from the SGC website.

• Provide an SGC mobile app with courses, videos, and training materials.

• Supervise translation of courses into various languages.

• Provide a course for teacher training and send trainers for regional events.

• Offer course completion certificates for students enrolled in approved training programs.

The Role of the Mission Organization/​National Ministry

• Offer churches the opportunity to operate local institutes.

• Promote SGC materials and train teachers for local institutes.

• Partner with SGC to offer regional training events.

• Arrange the printing and distribution of courses.

• Recommend the SGC website and app for training materials.

• Regularly contact teachers to offer consultation and new materials.

• Approve local training centers to give certificates.

The Role of the Local Institute

• Provide a place for classes to meet.

• Select local teachers and support them if necessary.

• Recruit and register students.

• Pay for the cost of printed courses.

• Schedule and conduct classes.

• Maintain records of student attendance and assignments.

Chapter 8 gives more details about the relationship between a mission organization/​national ministry and a local institute.

► How would you describe a possible use of the SGC courses in your ministry context?