GRACE SCHOOL OF
THE BIBLE
OFFERING
Bible Edification by Extension (BEE)
"And the things that thou hast heard of me
among many witnesses,
the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others
also"
II Timothy 2:2
Welcome to a wonderful opportunity to obtain the Biblical education and
training you have always wanted-and you don't have to give up your job or
position with your church and move to a distant city.
The original classes were taught mainly by Richard Jordan in the context of
a local church ministry in a major metropolitan area (Chicago, Illinois).
They are now offered through a "guided individual study program" via
video. The courses are designed especially for those with "the work of the
ministry" in mind. Anyone, however, seeking the godly edification available
through the intensive study of sound doctrine is welcome as a student.
It is "perfected saints" who are called upon to do "the work of the
ministry," and it is only through the "godly edifying" (I Tim. 1:3,4) set
forth in the rightly divided Word that this is possible. Hence our focus is
on the edification and equipping of our students so they can be "good
ministers of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good
doctrine" (I Tim. 4:6).
It is not our place to tell you how or where you should serve the Lord. That
is a decision you must make, based on the maturity and wisdom God's grace
imparts through faith in a proper understanding of His Word (II Cor. 1:24, I
Thess. 2:13).
Our goal is to perfect/mature you so as to equip you to be able to
comprehend, recognize and perform that task under the genuine motivation and
empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Our Program
With this end in view, our school is unique in several important ways:
First is our curriculum: Rather than following the standard systems
and traditions of Systematic Theology (which largely developed out of the
attempt of Scholasticism during the Middle Ages to explain "theology" via
human viewpoint methodologies), we have chosen instead to base our
curriculum on the Divinely Designed Pattern for Edification laid out
in the epistles of the Apostle Paul.
This curriculum design is completely and totally unique from all other Bible
Institutes, Bible Colleges and seminaries. While many of these schools
recognize the importance of safeguarding their teaching, they have
consistently made the fatal mistake of allowing their curriculum to be
structure by the human viewpoint of Systematic Theology.
By following the "godly edifying" of the Pauline Design for Edification,
we can bring our students to spiritual maturity in both the shortest time
frame and the most thorough manner. Thus they are equipped for a lifetime of
continued growth and service.
A second uniqueness of GSB is its delivery method: We are committed
to local-church-based education. Not only is this the clearly
expressed methodology of the Apostle Paul, it is the only procedure that
really works. It is counter productive for a local ministry to "raise up"
men who want to preach and teach God's Word, only to then send them off to
some school in a far away location to be "trained." Such a training
procedure almost certainly assures that the student, once "trained," will
not return to the local church that originally produced him! His loyalty
will now be to his alma mater, not to the local church from whence he came.
Thus is born the machinery of religious tyranny!
Our desire is to make quality edification available to our students without
requiring them to be uprooted from the ministry and location of which they
are a natural part. Thus all class work is done through a program of
Bible Edification by Extension (BEE). This makes "guided individual
study" available to any student regardless of location or circumstances
through the use of DVDs. There is a weekly schedule to follow that covers a
three-year period and which can be adapted to fit into a students own
personal situation and scheduling demands.
This also assures that our students obtain their edification while remaining
in the environment and atmosphere of the ministry that originally produced
their spiritual life and interest. Thus they are able to get hands-on
mentoring while also developing maturity in the grace life. Group classes
are encouraged, although individuals can successfully matriculate equally
well.
If a student does not presently have a local church, we seek to attach him
to an overseer who will fill this function. But we do not require a student
to relocate in order to attend GSB.
These unique qualities combine with three basic areas of emphasis:
1. An intensive study of the English Bible designed to provide a
thorough knowledge of the Word of God according to the dispensational method
set forth in II Timothy 2:15, thus giving an understanding of what God is
doing in this age and preparing the student for useful and effective service
for the Lord.
2. On preaching, rather than on the executive and promotional
branches/issues of the work. On-the-job training in getting message out to
others is combined to balance the student's growth.
3. On the Reformation text of the King James Bible rather than on the
critical theories that have been used to destroy the authority of that text.
The King James Bible is clearly presented as the Word of God for the English
speaking people and our absolute and final authority.
Class Procedures
1. Individual Class Procedures:
a. Class DVDs are furnished from Grace
School of the Bible, P.O. Box 97, Bloomingdale, IL 60108 (along with any
additional class material).
b. Lessons are to be viewed weekly in their assigned sequence. Notes should
be taken for later study.
c. Any questions about class materials should be directed in written form or
by telephone to our office or your assigned overseer. Please do not send
tapes or DVDs to be answered.
d. Tests will be taken on the honor system and will be supplied at proper
intervals. They should be immediately returned to your assigned grader for
grading and recording.
e. Upon successfully completing the course work and the comprehensive Final
Exam, the student is eligible to graduate. Recognition is given and Diplomas
are presented at the annual school meeting the last full weekend of April.
If the student is unable to attend or for other reasons desires, the Diploma
will be awarded and presented by mail at anytime the student has
successfully matriculated the curriculum.
2. Group Class Procedures:
a. Our commitment to
church-based-education is at the heart of GSB. By this we do simply mean
church-housed-education. Thus when a local ministry sets up its on site
training institute, we take the position of a resource center to aid the
local ministry in its efforts. This means that we provide the curriculum and
administrative material (e.g., grading keys); the local ministry decides the
functional on site operations. Our guidance and involvement is available up
to and including all levels the local church desires.
b. It is recommended that when the class is made up of more than one
student, a class president should be elected. The class president shall be
responsible for overseeing the proper execution of class responsibilities,
to receive & play DVDs, open class with prayer and maintain relations with
the school office.
Enrollment and Student Body
1. Applications must be submitted to the
office along with an enrollment fee of $15.
2. It is preferred that those enrolling have a high school diploma or its
equivalent.
3. It is expected that applicants have not only trusted Christ as their
Savior but also have yielded their lives to God, desiring to know and stand
for truths revealed in His Word.
3. Passing grades must be achieved for the student to proceed to the next
level of classes.
Tuition and Fees:
GSB is a 3 year curriculum. There is no tuition charge for individual
students in GSB. The class DVDs are purchased for $240 per year and
belong to the student or group class. No further fees are involved.
Typically the DVDs will be shipped one trimester at a time.
Obviously with no tuition charge the cost of carrying on this ministry is
borne by Christian friends who give sacrificially to underwrite this
ministry. Thus each student and local ministry is encouraged to also
remember GSB in their giving to the Lord's work and/or in their
missionary giving.
Schedule of Classes
FIRST YEAR
Manuscript Evidence (101, 102, 103): An in-depth study of the
doctrines of inspiration and preservation of Scripture (101), followed by a
survey of the history of the transmission of the Bible text (102) and its
translation into English (103). This course gives the student confidence in
the Authorized Version as the English fruit of the process of preservation.
Basic Grace Orientation (101, 102, 103): Basic edification in
"present truth" is provided in a foundational study of grace truth found in
the Book of Romans. Following Paul's Design for Edification, this course
covers the first foundation principle for edification and establishment of
believers in the dispensation of grace.
Basic Prophecy-program Orientation (101, 102, 103): An
overview of the prophetic program of the nation Israel is provided, along
with a detailed study of the Book of Daniel.
Fundamentals of Bible Study (101, 102): A practical study of
the fundamentals of hermeneutics with special emphasis on mid-Acts
dispensationalism.
Foundations of Culture and Life (102, 103): A detailed study
of the four divine institutions for the establishment and orderly
maintenance of the human race (Gen. 1-11), along with an introduction to the
place of the nation Israel in God's plan for man (Gen. 12-ff).
SECOND YEAR
Preparation and Delivery of Sermons (201, 202, 203): A
practical study of the art of research and development of sermons with
emphasis on expositional messages. Special attention is paid to "delivering
the goods" in a clear and plain manner.
Basic Grace Orientation (201, 202, 203): Completion of the
final three foundation principles of grace edification. These classes
complete coverage of Romans. The Corinthian epistles and Galatians are
studied in conjunction with this course.
Advanced Prophecy-program Orientation (201, 202, 203): A
continuation of the prophetic program studies carrying the student through
the earthly ministry and message of Christ.
O. T. Survey (201, 202): A survey of the message and flow of
each O.T. book designed especially to focus on the history and spiritual
development of the nation Israel.
THRID YEAR
Ambassadorship (301, 302, 303): A survey of the issues of the
work of the ministry. The books of I & II Timothy, Titus and Philemon are
also surveyed in this course.
Advanced Grace Orientation (301, 302, 303): Continuing to
follow Paul's design for the believer's edification, advanced grace truth is
covered in this detailed study of Ephesians. Philippians and Colossians are
studied in conjunction with this course.
Church History (301, 302): A detailed study of the history of
the true church with special focus on the identifying characteristics of an
application of a truly grace-based witness to the contemporaneous scene.
Advanced Prophecy-program Orientation (301, 302, 303): A
continuation of the prophetic program studies carrying the student through
the Book of Acts, with special attention to its transitional nature.
GRADUATE STUDIES
There is an ever expanding variety of
continuing education courses available to our graduates designed to offer
further indepth Bible studies as well as keep them abreast of current
ministry issues.
For enrollment
applications
or further information, contact:
Grace School of the Bible
P.O.Box 97
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
(630)529-0520
www.GraceImpact.org
