CHRISTIAN TEACHER CERTIFICATION (CTC)

Students in this program are required to complete 60-credit hours of COGBF coursework. Credits from outside institutions are unacceptable. Completion of this programs prepares candidates to become ordained/consecrated ministers in the COGBF. Each program requires the same 15 core courses and is distinguished by the five highly specialized courses in each program area. In addition to the courses listed below, all certificate-seeking students must take the appropriate Examining Board class the summer before your graduation. The required courses for this program are:

ABS501 Advanced Biblical Studies – This class is a comprehensive study of The Good Book, which offers a user-friendly guide to the Bible’s biggest ideas. A chapter from the Bible accompanies each chapter of the book, which helps students understand the context and content of the Scripture passages in a way that can open the whole Bible. This class is for pastors, ministers and leaders who already love and read the Bible regularly as well as to those who are just beginning their Christian journey.

CSL101 Introduction to Counseling This first counseling course introduces students to the field of Christian Counseling with clarity and sensitivity. It builds on biblical foundations and the best resources of professional psychology. It reflects the insights the author has gained from many years of Christian counseling.

CTC101 The Teaching Ministry Students are expected to complete this course with a good understanding of the teaching ministry and what it takes to be an effective teacher of the Gospel. Upon completion of this course, students will have a teaching outline to assist with organized delivery of sermons and/Bible study lessons.

CTC102 The Theological Foundations for the Teaching This course provides a theological foundation of the Teaching Ministry. It provides insight on Christian Education, the Disciplers’ Model and instructions for working together with other gifts and ministries within the church organization.

CTC202 Biblical Foundations of the Teaching Ministry This course provides the Biblical foundation of the Teaching Ministry. Its primary focus is on the role of the Holy Trinity as Teacher, using the Bible to develop curriculum, what it means to be a disciple as well as the church’s role in teaching.

CTC203 Preparation for Teaching This course provides instructions on how to study the Bible, plan to teach, and how to teach different groups of learners.

CTC204 Structuring the Teaching Ministry of the Church This course will focus on how to evaluate the Teaching Ministry within the church to ensure it is effective. Students will receive instructions on how to equip themselves as teachers and how to assist volunteers with teaching requirements.

CTC205 Teaching Practicum Students will prepare and present lessons for Bible Study and Small Group Study. Upon completion of this course, students will have five teaching outlines to assist with organized delivery of sermons and/ bible study lessons.

DOC201 Church of God by Faith Doctrine and Practices This course provides students with an in-depth study of the Ritual of the Church of God by Faith. Students will learned about the COGBF Articles of Faith, Constitution, leadership structure, leadership authority, leadership prohibitions and reporting structure of the COGBF. Students will also learn to perform a variety of different ministerial ceremonies.

EVG101 The Theology of Evangelism Part I This course presents theological principles that govern evangelism including how it is performed in the church, as well as the family and personal interaction. It includes preaching, one-on-one witnessing, missions, parenting evangelism, and commissioning and supporting missionaries. Students will learn practical techniques from Master Theologian John MacArthur. This is the first of five courses that helps students qualify for ordination in the Christian Evangelists Training (CET) certification program.

GIS101 COGBF Governing Instrument Studies Part I This course was specifically developed to train students on the official governing policies of the Church of God by Faith. Students will learn ministry policies and procedures in this first part of a two part series.

HIS101 History of the Church of God by Faith, Inc. Students are expected to learn about the key leaders in the COGBF including the founders, bishops and many other important members of the church. Students will learn the history of COGBF conventions, key ministries and auxiliaries while understanding the formulation of specific districts and churches.

HOM101 Introduction to Homiletics Introduction to Homiletics will provide a simple and clear explanation for the construction of sermons. This course will cover the basics for understanding homiletical tasks, developing homiletical techniques and the use of homiletical treasury through Old and New Testament passages.

LDR101 Introduction to Leadership provides an introduction to the various leadership styles and their effectiveness and/ ineffectiveness in leading God’s people. Recognizing one’s leadership style will provide insight to the results obtained in ministry, at home and in the community of which the leader serves. The course material will focus primarily on God’s plan for Kingdom Leaders.

MEN411 – How to Disciple Men Christianity is the only world religion with a chronic shortage of men. This course identifies the barriers to male participation, and explains why it’s so hard to motivate the men who do go to church. You’ve heard the excuses —now learn the real reasons men and boys are fleeing churches of every kind, all over the world. Christianity is the only world religion with a chronic shortage of men.

SOT101 Survey of the Old Testament will assist students in seeing the pattern, progression and unity of the Old Testament Scriptures. This course will provide students with a strong foundation for Biblical truth and how the foundation relates to the events of the New Testament. Survey of the Old Testament is taught in two segments; I and II. This study categorizes the Old Testament into seven areas; the Foundational Books, Complementation Books, Books of Poetry/Wisdom, the Prophets during the Divided Kingdom, Prophets during the Single Kingdom, Prophets during the Exile, and Prophets after the Exile, however only the Foundational and Complementation Books will be taught in SOT 101.

SOT102 Survey of the Old Testament II will assist students in “seeing the pattern, progression and unity of the Old Testament Scriptures.”1 This course will provide students with a strong foundation for Biblical truth and how the foundation relates to the events of the New Testament. Survey of the Old Testament is taught in two segments; I and II. This study categorizes the Old Testament into seven areas; the Foundational Books, Complementation Books, Books of Poetry/Wisdom, the Prophets during the Divided Kingdom, Prophets during the Single Kingdom, Prophets during the Exile, and Prophets after the Exile; however only the Books of Poetry/Wisdom, the Prophets during the Divided Kingdom, Prophets during the Single Kingdom, Prophets during the Exile will be taught in SOT 102.

SNT101 Survey of the New Testament I This course will provide students with a strong foundation for Biblical truth and how the foundation relates to the events of the New Testament. Survey of the New Testament is taught in two segments; I and II. This study categorizes the New Testament into five parts; Part I: Introduction, Overview, Background of the New Testament, Part II: The Gospels, Part III: The Acts, Part IV: The Epistles and Part V: The Revelation; however only Parts I and II will be taught in SNT 101.

SNT 102 Survey of the New Testament II will assist students in seeing the pattern, progression and unity of the New Testament Scriptures. This course will provide students with a strong foundation for Biblical truth and how the foundation relates to the events of the New Testament. Survey of the New Testament is taught in two segments; I and II. This study categorizes the New Testament into five parts; Part I: Introduction, Overview, and Background of the New Testament, Part II: The Gospels, Part III: The Acts, Part IV: The Epistles and Part V: The Revelation; however only Parts III thru V will be taught in SNT 102.

TAM301 The Art of Godly Marriage If you are married, single, or divorce, this course is for you. The authors of the book wrote: “Most of us have no greater desire and prayer than a lifetime of love and commitment to one person with whom we can share life. Marriage is one of God’s greatest gifts to humanity. It is the mystery of living as one flesh with another human being (Ephesians 5:31-32). Marriage is first and foremost about love. It is bound together by the care, need companionship, and values of two people, which can overcome hurt, immaturity, and selfishness to form something better than what each person alone can produce. Love is at the heart of marriage, as it is at the heart of God himself (1 John 4:16).