Boyce Digital Repository (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)
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Equipping Volunteers at Tending the Vine in Litchfield, Illinois, to Effectively Teach Underserved Children
Get PDFCurrent educational philosophies and practices fail to equip teachers to holistically address underserved children’s learning needs. This project aims to equip volunteers at Tending the Vine in Litchfield, Illinois, to effectively teach underserved children. Chapter 1 describes the context of ministry in the community of Litchfield and presents the purpose, goals, context, rationale, definitions, limitations, delimitations, and research methodology of the project. Chapter 2 lays the theological foundation for reaching and instructing underserved children through the discipleship ministry of education. Chapter 3 explores how a hybrid educational philosophy that combines perennial principles with differentiated learning strategies, a G.R.A.C.E temperament-based classroom management plan, and a parent involvement framework holistically support underserved children to flourish in a learning environment. Chapter 4 gives a detailed description of the implementation of the project and the data analysis. The final chapter presents an evaluation of the project
Lectio Divina as a Corporate Worship Exercise at Trinity Church in Mentor Ohio
Get PDFThis project was designed to develop a system for incorporating Bible meditation based on the practice of lectio divina in the corporate worship services at Trinity Church in Mentor, Ohio. Additionally, this project provided tools for the people of Trinity Church to practice the discipline of meditation on their own. Chapter 1 explains the unique situation of the ministry context at Trinity Church and the reason for the project. Chapter 2 provides an exegesis on four Scripture passages (Pss 1; 150; Col 3:16; and Heb 4:12–13) focusing on how those passage emphasize Scripture meditation and its benefits for individuals as well as the corporate gathering of believers. Chapter 3 briefly details how the church throughout history has taught and practiced Bible meditation. Chapter 4 describes the research methodology used for the project and how Trinity Church taught and practiced Scripture meditation. Chapter 5 is an evaluation of the effectiveness of the project considering the goals set forth in chapter 1. This project sought to increase spiritual formation at Trinity Church through the practice of Bible meditation as the church continues to develop disciples committed to deepening their relationship with Jesus Christ
Increasing Biblical Understanding of Church Identity and Membership in the Young Adult Class at Horse Creek Baptist Church in Manchester, Kentucky
Get PDFThis project seeks to increase biblical understanding of church identity and membership within the Young Adult Class at Horse Creek Baptist Church. Chapter 1 identifies the ministry context of Horse Creek and presents the goals for this project. Chapter 2 seeks to present the biblical basis for church identity and membership. It provides an exegesis of five passages of Scripture (Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 5:22-32, 1 Corinthians 3:9-16, and 1 Peter 2:9-10) to present images of the church as a way of understanding church identity and membership. Chapter 3 presents the historical understanding of the church from a Baptist’s perspective as well as practical implications of church identity and membership to demonstrate the importance of their understanding. Chapter 4 describes the project, focusing on the content and teaching of the curriculum. Chapter 5 evaluates the completion of the goals set forth in the project
The Kingdom Agents or, the Twin Operations of Kingdom and Empire in the Trials of Jesus and Paul
Get PDFBoth Luke and Acts end with a strikingly similar series of events: the protagonists of those books (Jesus and Paul, respectively) are called before Roman judicial tribunals who repeatedly find them innocent of any charges worthy of death, but nonetheless are forced for political reasons to condemn them. This parallel construction of events executes a core Lukan literary theme: demonstrating how the Jesus community can live and thrive in the shadow of repressive human empires unreceptive to the upside-down kingdom of God. It does so by painting Christ as an enigmatic and ontologically external agent of the kingdom whose life and work are undecipherable to the Roman authorities, and by casting Paul as an internal agent, capable by birth and background of navigating the empire’s power structures in the name of the kingdom.
Chapter 1 provides a brief overview and introduction of the argument. Chapter 2 explains the twin and overarching thematic thrusts of Luke: (1) the vision of a kingdom of God that will exist at the end of time, in which justice and peace reign; and (2) the way in which the Jesus community, as citizens of that future kingdom, must enact the kingdom’s values—and, specifically, its inversion of worldly power structures—in the here-and-now. Chapter 3 explains the Roman legal system to which the protagonists of Luke-Acts are subjected, and traces out in brief the Lukan accounts of their trials. Chapter 4 examines the strategies of Christ and Paul, and finds that Christ employs strategies (misdirection and silence) that signal his externality, while Paul weaves his way through the system as one born to it. These strategies, this thesis argues in the same chapter, were a necessary part of demonstrating for the early Jesus community how to interact in a transformative way with the Roman world. Chapter 5 offers up the practical application suggested by these strategies. Finally, Chapter 6 concludes the analysis, arguing that the response of each protagonist was aimed at fulfilling his purpose: Christ, to supernaturally defeat evil at Golgotha and providing an example of silent suffering; and Paul, to bear the name of the kingdom into the heart of the empire
Developing an Apologetics Teaching Series at Hinsdale Filipino-American Seventh-Day Adventist Church, to Educate Church Members and Attendees in Post-Christian Evangelism
Get PDFThe purpose of this project was to develop an apologetics teaching series to educate church members and attendees in post-Christian evangelism at Hinsdale Filipino-American Seventh-day Adventist Church. The project entails the assessment of defeater beliefs about Christianity, the creation and implementation of an apologetics teaching series to address the defeater beliefs, and the development of a ministry plan to engage nonchurched people in a learning community.
Chapter 1 introduces the context, rationale, purpose, and goals of the project. Chapter 2 provides a biblical and theological basis for the use of apologetics in post-Christian evangelism. The chapter explores Paul’s adaptive methods to contextualize the gospel to a non-Christian audience in Acts 17. Chapter 3 explores the philosophical foundations for traditional and cultural apologetics. The first part addresses the problem of evil and the second part addresses the problem of identity. Chapter 4 reviews the development and implementation of the apologetics teaching series project. Chapter 5 evaluates the effectiveness of the project and suggests areas for improvement
No Other Gospel: Distinguishing Faith and Works in Paul’s Letter to the Galatians for the Student Ministry of Bethel Church
Get PDFThis work walks through Paul’s proclamation of the finished work of Jesus as Paul teaches that there is no other gospel. In other words, salvation has always been by grace through faith across all redemptive history. Chapter 2 argues that very reality. By looking at Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the garden and God’s covenant with Abraham, salvation is seen as an act of faith in response to God’s grace. Abraham believed in God, which he counted as righteousness (Gen 15:6).
Chapter 3 begins an exposition of Galatians, showing how Paul argues my exact point. Paul begins and ends his letter with similar themes: the false teachers lead the Galatians to work for themselves and traditions rather than Jesus Christ. Paul curses anyone, including himself, if they add to the message of the gospel that was initially given. There has always been one gospel, and no one is above it.
Chapter 4 shows that justification by faith alone encourages ethnic unity within the new covenant inaugurated by Christ. For societies and different cultures to come together, there must be a center from which all persons can agree upon. That center is Christ and the faith people have in him that unites all people together.
Chapter 5 continues the theme of faith being the unifier of all people. Not only is faith in Christ the source by which all people are united, but all people, regardless of their background, receive the blessings given to Abraham, regardless of the familial ties. In Christ, people become a new creation. Once someone is in Christ, they inherit the same promises by grace through faith, like everyone else from everywhere else.
Chapter 6 shows that even though the Abrahamic inheritance comes only by faith, and faith is the source by which people become children of God, the law still has a purpose within redemptive history and is good. It is good because it fits within the Abrahamic covenant. The Abrahamic covenant is superior to the mosaic covenant in its historical setting and theological outlook.
Chapter 7 shows that when people trust Christ as savior and place their faith in him, they transition from slaves to sons of God. This is significant because people’s position before God changes. Slaves do not receive blessings or inheritance. The rightful heir to the father’s possessions belongs to his son. Because all those who place their faith in Jesus become sons of God, their title changes, and they identify as God's child—the rightful heir to the Abrahamic promises.
Chapter 8 concludes the project by examining Paul’s theological reasoning behind his letter. By looking at Ishmael and Isaac’s births, Paul defends that there has always been one way to be free. If the Galatians (and Christians today) trust in any source for freedom outside of faith in Jesus Christ, they will be slaves. All other forms of teaching and outlooks on life lead to slavery. Only faith in God’s promises will lead to genuine freedom
Training the Members of Central Georgia Vietnamese Baptist Church, Warner Robins, Georgia, in Personal Evangelism
Get PDFThe purpose of this project is to train the members of Central Georgia Vietnamese Baptist Church in Warner Robins, Georgia, in personal evangelism. Chapter 1 describes the proposal for training church members to understand, affirm, and become personally involved in the implementation of personal evangelism. Chapter 2 focuses on the theological and biblical basis of personal evangelism, examining individual evangelistic actions in both New and Old Testaments while addressing the authority, priority, necessity, and responsibility of evangelism. Chapter 3 presents theoretical and practical issues encompassing personal evangelism while addressing the matters in religion relating to personal evangelism. Chapter 4 details the implementation of the personal evangelism training, including the models of gospel presentation utilized. Chapter 5 reviews the effectiveness of the project, including theological and personal reflections regarding the overall project
Creating A Healthy and Compelling Group Leader Culture at The Austin Stone Community Church in Austin, Texas
Get PDFThe purpose of this project is to create a healthy and compelling leadership culture at The Austin Stone Community Church in Austin, Texas. Chapter 1 explains the context and goals for this project regarding the need to provide effective biblical investment and support of group leaders. Chapter 2 presents the biblical foundation for the project through a theological survey of Paul’s ministry conduct. Chapter 3 presents the necessary cultural and theological factors in order for church leaders to endure in leadership. Chapter 4 describes the nature of the project by explaining its preparation, implementation, and content overview. Chapter 5 evaluates the project’s effectiveness based on the completion of the project’s goals. Ultimately, this project seeks to serve the leaders who faithfully serve The Austin Stone for the good of the church and the glory of God
Building a Culture of Soul Care Through the Personal Ministry of God's Word at Calvary Baptist Church in Brewerton, New York
Get PDFThis project was designed to equip and mobilize the members of Calvary Baptist Church, so that they would participate with the pastors in the personal ministry of God’s Word to help every man, woman, and child in the church to grow in their relationship with God. Chapter 2 is the biblical rationale that demonstrates God’s call to be involved in the discipleship process and explains God’s dynamics for change. Matthew 28:16-20, Psalm 19:7-14, and Ephesians 4:20-24 are examined. Chapter 3 identifies five key principles in the biblical counseling movement: a culture of care (1) involves every member in the church community, (2) responds to the contextual status of the person, (3) uses God’s authoritative and sufficient Word, (4) battles idols in the heart, and (5) teaches one how to live according to the truth. Chapter 4 explains the developed curriculum for the course, describes the implementation process in caring for one another, and then summarizes the results of the participants’ care for one another. Chapter 5 is an evaluation of the impact on those participating in the training. Strengths and weaknesses regarding purpose, goals, training, and practicing “one-another” care are discussed