Bible

Introduction to Christianity

9th-12th Grade, Full Year, 1 credit The course will consist of two distinct components. The first semester will be a traditional overview of the Bible, emphasizing the Old and New Testaments' teaching of foundational concepts, as well general Bible knowledge such as how to use a Bible. The second semester will be more discussion-driven lessons exploring the ideas of man as a spiritual being, the concepts of worldview, truth, and faith, and apply what is covered in the first semester.

Curriculum: Wheaton Press, Foundations of Faith: Student Workbook One; Wheaton Press, Foundations of Faith: Student Workbook Two; Wheaton Press, Reflect: Christ-Centered Design; Josh McDowell, More than a Carpenter

Bible I: Old and New Testament Survey

Required, 9th Grade, Full Year, 1 credit This course helps students explore the world of the Bible in depth, with the main goal being to understand the central and unified message the Bible tells about who God is and what he has done in creating and redeeming the world through Jesus Christ. Students will learn what nearly each book of the Bible is about while also understanding each book’s contribution in moving forward the story of God’s redemptive plan. Students will also learn important interpretive tools and methods that will help them to better interpret the Bible for the rest of their lives. Finally, students will develop skills for applying the timeless message of the Bible to their daily lives

Curriculum: NIV Bible Teacher-generated Material

Bible II: Christian Theology and Spiritual Disciplines

Required, 10th Grade, Full Year, 1 credit Christian Theology and Spiritual Disciplines is a course that surveys what the whole counsel of God in Scripture teaches on the major Doctrines of the Christian Faith. This will include: Scripture, God, Creation, Humankind, Sin, Salvation, the Church, and Last Things. Special focus will be given to how each area of Christian thinking applies to the lives of believers for both faith and practice. Scripture memory will be required as well as an incorporation of other spiritual disciplines that help shape their knowledge of scripture and their ability to apply it to everyday life.

Curriculum: Zondervan, Christian Beliefs: 20 Basics Every Christian Should Know

NavPress, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Zondervan, Charts for Teaching Theology and Doctrine

Bible III: Religions of the World (MBU, CPHS 433, Dual Credit Class)

Prerequisite: Students taking dual credit must have a cumulative high school cumulative average of 80% or higher. Required, 11th Grade, Full Year, 1 high school credit, 3 college credits This course will explore the key figures, concepts and practices of the major world religions, emphasizing their historical development and contemporary manifestations. Moreover, we will concentrate on three thematic questions throughout the course: (1) What are the different approaches to the problem of evil and suffering? (2) How do the major world religions promote peace and/or violence? and (3) How do major world religions compare and contrast with the truth of Christianity, most familiar to students in the United States. We will also attend to other salient themes such as: religion and ecology, ethics, politics and women. This course will be weighted only when taken for dual credit.

Curriculum: Huston Smith, The World’s Religions Wayne House, Charts of World Religions NIV Bible

Bible IV: Apologetics

Required, 12th Grade, Full Year, 1 credit This course is designed to teach students a systematic defense of the Christian worldview using archaeological and historical evidence coupled with rational arguments for God’s existence. Students will learn philosophical language and concepts to understand and explain major worldview systems: atheism, agnosticism, deism, pantheism, polytheism, postmodernism, and theism. Students will gain a basic understanding of the historicity of Jesus’ life, Christianity, and the Bible. They will also learn principles of argumentation and the use of logic.

The senior mission trip is the capstone of our Bible curriculum. Students are expected to financially plan for it and attend. Should extreme circumstances prohibit participation, students and parents will be required to meet with the school principal and plan twenty hours of alternative service.

Curriculum: Dean Hardy, Stand Your Ground: An Introductory Text for Apologetics Students C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Worship II

Prerequisites: Worship I Bible, Fine Arts, or Elective Credit; 10th-12th Grade, Full Year, 1 credit The purpose of Worship II is to enable students to continue deepening their personal relationship with Christ in order to promote personal service to the body of Christ. Deep knowledge of Scriptural passages concerning worship will be increased through study of Scriptural commentary and writings of current and past worship leaders. Students will learn to build music sets, which are intentional and theme-based. They will write an analysis of readings and chosen music lyrics, synthesizing information they have gleaned from their studies. Greater service through community outreach and a willingness to demonstrate leadership skills within a team through both speech and actions will be expected, as students become true servant leaders. Students taking Worship II for fine arts credit will be expected to perform with the worship team and will demonstrate knowledge of transposing music and creating a worship team with balanced vocals and instrumentation. Mastery of a single instrument should be accomplished and a comfort level for performance with a secondary instrument will be expected. Fine arts students in Worship II will also be expected to compose/arrange a worship song. This course may be repeated for elective credit only.

Curriculum: How to Worship a King, Neese (author); How to Lead when you are not in Charge, Scroggins (author)