Bible/Theology Curriculum

WWA201 Old Testament Survey (3 units)

Description: This course is designed to give an overview of the historical framework of the events recorded in the Old Testament as well as the types of literature found in this diverse collection of writings. The course will include selected readings with analysis from many of the Old Testament books. It will study the Old Testament as both the sacred writings of the ancient nation of Israel and as the foundational writings for the New Testament and Christianity. The course will seek to understand the various genres of Old Testament literature, the development of the Old Testament canon, and the historical backgrounds and cultural contexts that led to the creation of these books. The focus of the course will be on the content of the books of the Old Testament, with high engagement on texts thought to be significant for the church today.

WWA202 New Testament Survey (3 units)

Description:  A study of the background, history, and emphases of New Testament documents as they relate to the development and theology of the early church as recorded in Acts. The course will examine the historical/cultural context of the New Testament Era (approx. 30 BC – AD 100) with special emphasis on the 27 books written during this period that make up our New Testament. Attention will be given to the author, audience, place of writing, genre, and content of each book. There will be high engagement on texts thought to be significant for the church today.

WWA203 Biblical Interpretation (3 units)

Description: A study of the principles of biblical interpretation and the tools available for successful study.  The course will develop the individual skills of each student in correctly interpreting the Bible for personal study, use in small groups, in preaching, and in teaching. The orientation of the course will be the study and use of the Bible as the authoritative Word of God, a resource of inestimable value for the church and the individual Christian. The basis for interpretation will be standard methods employed in Evangelical churches today. Also discussed will be the English Bible translations in current use and how to evaluate them.

WWA204 Christian Theology (3 units)

Description: An understanding of the basic doctrines of the Christian faith, as they are found in the Bible, essential for church leaders. The proper study of theology will help produce intellectual understanding, spiritual formation, and practical Christian living. The course will seek to apply the enduring principles of Christian theology to the challenges of today’s culture.

Lay Counseling Curriculum

WWA301 Lay Counseling Course 1: Establishing the Relationship (3 units)

Description: Deals with the basics of counseling: perceiving, attending, reflecting content, reflecting feeling, and empathetic reflection.

Will include practice in active listening skills.

WWA302 Lay Counseling Course 2: Deepening the Relationship (3 units)

Description: Deals with a second level in the counseling relationship: clarifying, intuitive empathy, and the use of metaphors in therapy.

Will include identifying strategies for helping the person being counseled.

WWA 303 Lay Counseling Course 3: Growing the Relationship (3 units)

Description: Deals with a third level in the counseling relationship: confronting discrepancies, authenticity and self-disclosure, change implementation, use of relational system, and attuning to the Holy Spirit.

Will include methods of confrontation that lead to changes with the person being counseled. Will include basic counseling of a person outside of the class.

WWA 304 Lay Counseling Course 4: Consolidating the Relationship (3 units)

Description: Deals with consolidation and bringing the relationship to a conclusion.

Will include supervised counseling of an individual outside of the class.