"for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ"
Ephesians 4:12
INTRO
Each of these courses will run approximately 5-6 weeks. All classes can be completed within a year. There will be homework and reading to do every week. This is set up so any person with a family, with a full-time job, or with free time can grow and be equipped to serve in the Body of Christ.
VISION
The vision of the school is to take one more opportunity to draw closer in an abiding relationship with Jesus, resulting in much lasting fruit in our lives. One of our greatest desires here at Horizon is to disciple believers in Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20, Ephesians 4:12). Many people say they would like to serve as leaders, but lack the equipment to do it. Our goal is to equip you as best we can for ministry in your home, church, city, country, and into the entire world. God is not looking for great people; He’s looking for available people. Are you available?
COST
The cost of each class is simply your time that God has graciously given you, and to purchase the book required for some classes either online or from HCF (we will have them in stock for your convenience).
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Course Requirements
- Practical service is one of the courses. School of ministry is 50% in class and 50% practice. This means you will be required to serve weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays at HCF or something comparable in your local church with documentation on your syllabus for each class.
- Class is held once a week (Tuesday nights from 6-8pm) over a 5-6-week course. Individual students cannot miss more than 1 class per course. The in-class portion of this will run from Sept. 9th – May 26th with breaks for holidays and a 1 week break between each class.
- Morality: The purpose of these classes is not to simply grow in head knowledge but to grow in character. We expect that the student’s moral character will be in keeping with biblical morality.
ONLINE OPPORTUNITY
This is an opportunity for those who live far away or, due to family scheduling/situations, cannot meet in person but would like to participate in the School of Ministry (this option must be approved as a reasonable reason to be online). For those who are able, it is greatly encouraged and most beneficial to be in person when able, but for the weeks that it is not possible, you will be sent a Zoom link to participate in the class remotely. You will receive and send your work in to the email address schoolofministryhcflax@gmail.com . You will still be required to do the out of class work as well if you choose this route. The purpose behind this is to equip those in the greater tri-state area to do the work of the ministry in our communities, churches, and families.
COMPLETION
- Everyone who completes all courses in any order will receive a certificate of completion, but more importantly will be equipped for God’s call on their life, and ultimately will have drawn closer to Jesus.
1. Romans
COURSE 1 - (Bible, The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee)
(September 9th – October 7th)
This course will focus on what it is that Christ has done for us through the gospel of grace. In the book of Romans, Paul lays out the most systematic argument for the gospel in the Scriptures. Through this course, we should come to a solid foundation of what the gospel is, and how through it, we can live the Normal Christian Life according to God’s grace with complete reliance upon the person of Jesus. As William Newel said concerning the book of Romans, “To preach devotion first and blessing second, is to reverse God’s order, and preach law and no grace.”
(September 9th – October 7th)
This course will focus on what it is that Christ has done for us through the gospel of grace. In the book of Romans, Paul lays out the most systematic argument for the gospel in the Scriptures. Through this course, we should come to a solid foundation of what the gospel is, and how through it, we can live the Normal Christian Life according to God’s grace with complete reliance upon the person of Jesus. As William Newel said concerning the book of Romans, “To preach devotion first and blessing second, is to reverse God’s order, and preach law and no grace.”
2. Acts of the Holy Spirit
COURSE 2 - (Bible, Living Water by Chuck Smith)
(October 21st – November 18th)
This course will focus on the work of the Holy Spirit from a scriptural standpoint, and on the work of the Holy Spirit through the Body. The purpose of this course is that through much practical use and prayer, the Lord will help us to see our gifts and calling appointed by God and not man within the body of Christ so that we can effectively use those gifts and callings God ordained within the Body of Christ. If you have always wondered where you fit in the Body, then this is a time to seek the Lord and His Word. Find out what He is calling you to be within the Body of Christ.
(October 21st – November 18th)
This course will focus on the work of the Holy Spirit from a scriptural standpoint, and on the work of the Holy Spirit through the Body. The purpose of this course is that through much practical use and prayer, the Lord will help us to see our gifts and calling appointed by God and not man within the body of Christ so that we can effectively use those gifts and callings God ordained within the Body of Christ. If you have always wondered where you fit in the Body, then this is a time to seek the Lord and His Word. Find out what He is calling you to be within the Body of Christ.
3. Inductive Bible Study
COURSE 3 - (Bible, HCF study booklet)
(December 2nd – 16th – holiday break – resuming January 6th – 13th)
This course will focus on the study of the Word. Many people have often wondered how to effectively study the Bible. This is one of the most exciting classes as we learn to study the Word, allowing the Holy Spirit to be our teacher, and allowing the Word to be the best commentary on itself. We will learn how to accurately and with edification, study the Word in our own personal study time, to teach group studies, and prepare sermons without the use of many commentaries. Many people would love to teach others the Word, but need some direction on how to prepare a study. When we are done with this course, within a short time, by the work of the Holy Spirit, you will be able to prepare a Bible study in the middle of Asia or prepare a short message for our children’s Sunday school class. We are called to this in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
(December 2nd – 16th – holiday break – resuming January 6th – 13th)
This course will focus on the study of the Word. Many people have often wondered how to effectively study the Bible. This is one of the most exciting classes as we learn to study the Word, allowing the Holy Spirit to be our teacher, and allowing the Word to be the best commentary on itself. We will learn how to accurately and with edification, study the Word in our own personal study time, to teach group studies, and prepare sermons without the use of many commentaries. Many people would love to teach others the Word, but need some direction on how to prepare a study. When we are done with this course, within a short time, by the work of the Holy Spirit, you will be able to prepare a Bible study in the middle of Asia or prepare a short message for our children’s Sunday school class. We are called to this in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
4. Evangelism
COURSE 4 - (Bible, Fishing for Souls by Matt Schroeder)
(January 27th – February 24th)
Now that we know what to do with people who are saved, let’s get some tools and encouragement to win people to the Lord! Many of us would like to be effective, consistent witnesses to the people around us, and this course will equip you with some tools to share an effective, accurate gospel message. We are commanded to, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15). As leaders in the Body of Christ, we are no doubt called to, “. . . do the work of an evangelist . . .” (2 Timothy 4:5).
(January 27th – February 24th)
Now that we know what to do with people who are saved, let’s get some tools and encouragement to win people to the Lord! Many of us would like to be effective, consistent witnesses to the people around us, and this course will equip you with some tools to share an effective, accurate gospel message. We are commanded to, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15). As leaders in the Body of Christ, we are no doubt called to, “. . . do the work of an evangelist . . .” (2 Timothy 4:5).
5. Biblical Counseling
COURSE 5 - (Bible, How to Counsel God’s Way by Bob Hoekstra)
(March 10th – April 7th)
There is a lot of counsel in the world today, and there is no wonder there is so little success. Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor. In this class we will talk about the difference about worldly counsel versus biblical counsel. We will look at the sufficiency of God’s Word to counsel, and we will look at how to practically apply it to our own lives and the lives of others.
(March 10th – April 7th)
There is a lot of counsel in the world today, and there is no wonder there is so little success. Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor. In this class we will talk about the difference about worldly counsel versus biblical counsel. We will look at the sufficiency of God’s Word to counsel, and we will look at how to practically apply it to our own lives and the lives of others.
6. Revelation
COURSE 6 – (Bible, HCF study guide)
(April 21st – May 26th)
In this class, we will come to a better understanding of the days we live in, and where we are headed. There is only one book in the Bible with a promised blessing. In this class we will seek to overview the Book of Revelation while putting the other prophecies in the Bible in their proper place. (Revelation 1:3) “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” We will look at the Time of the Gentiles, Church Age, 1st half of the Tribulation, 2nd half of the Tribulation, Kingdom Age, and Heaven.
(April 21st – May 26th)
In this class, we will come to a better understanding of the days we live in, and where we are headed. There is only one book in the Bible with a promised blessing. In this class we will seek to overview the Book of Revelation while putting the other prophecies in the Bible in their proper place. (Revelation 1:3) “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” We will look at the Time of the Gentiles, Church Age, 1st half of the Tribulation, 2nd half of the Tribulation, Kingdom Age, and Heaven.
7. Bible Survey Course
(Bible Survey with Chuck Smith)
SURVEY COURSE (Old and New Testament Bible Survey with Chuck Smith)BOOK: (Bible, Mp3player) -
(Time requirement: approximately one year)
Probably the most significant class. Since the Word is our foundation for practice and faith, nothing can be more valuable than taking a survey through the entire Bible. There are approximately 300-plus survey teachings, so if you listen to about one a day, you will complete them during the duration of the rest of the courses. This is to give you a good foundation in the big picture of Scripture, and to let God wash you in the water of His Word, all the while renewing the mind with the truth of His Word. Since it is true, you reap what you sow, this will be life-transforming to he who has an ear to hear. Along with this, you will answer questions from each teaching, and take a small page of notes. When you are complete, you will have your very own Bible commentary!
(Time requirement: approximately one year)
Probably the most significant class. Since the Word is our foundation for practice and faith, nothing can be more valuable than taking a survey through the entire Bible. There are approximately 300-plus survey teachings, so if you listen to about one a day, you will complete them during the duration of the rest of the courses. This is to give you a good foundation in the big picture of Scripture, and to let God wash you in the water of His Word, all the while renewing the mind with the truth of His Word. Since it is true, you reap what you sow, this will be life-transforming to he who has an ear to hear. Along with this, you will answer questions from each teaching, and take a small page of notes. When you are complete, you will have your very own Bible commentary!