Minimum 150 hours of classroom time

The following ten classes are required.

Five electives are also required (to be approved by the BSC Education Director)

1) Old Testament Overview

In this class, students will journey through the narrative arc of the Hebrew Scriptures from Genesis to Malachi. This course emphasizes understanding the Old Testament’s literary design, major themes, historical context, and how each book points forward to God’s redemptive plan. Students will gain confidence in the reliability, unity, and authority of the Old Testament as foundational to Christian faith.

2) New Testament Overview

This class explores the life of Christ, the birth of the Church, and the theological foundations laid by the apostles. Students will examine the Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation, understanding how the New Testament fulfills Old Testament promises and establishes the framework for Christian doctrine, practice, and mission. Emphasis is placed on the unity and historical reliability of the New Testament canon.

3) Who is Jesus? The Life of the Messiah

Students will examine the person and work of Jesus Christ through biblical, historical, and theological lenses. This course addresses the deity of Christ, His fulfillment of messianic prophecy, the historical evidence for His life and resurrection, and the uniqueness of His claims. Learners will be equipped to articulate why Jesus is not just a moral teacher or prophet, but the incarnate Son of God and our Savior.

4) Biblical Worldview

This class examines the ten essential elements of a coherent Christian worldview (theology, psychology, biology, philosophy, ethics, sociology, law, politics, economics, and history). Students will learn to think from a biblical framework, recognizing how Scripture speaks to every area of life. The goal is to equip believers to live out and articulate a fully integrated Christian worldview in a fragmented culture.

5) The Greatest Commandment: A Deep Dive into 1 Corinthians 13

This course explores how God—who is love—reveals Himself perfectly in Jesus Christ, with each characteristic of love in 1 Corinthians 13 embodied in Christ’s life. Because the Holy Spirit dwells within believers, God’s agape love becomes the transforming power enabling us to fulfill the greatest commandments. Students will learn that God’s love transforms how we interact with everyone.

6) How to Interpret the Bible

Students will develop foundational skills for properly understanding Scripture through the study of hermeneutics—the science and art of biblical interpretation. This course covers essential principles including understanding context (historical, cultural, and literary), interpreting different genres (narrative, poetry, prophecy, epistles), bridging the gap from ancient text to modern application, and avoiding common interpretive errors. Learners will gain confidence to read the Bible accurately and apply it faithfully, equipped with tools used by scholars but accessible to every believer.

7) The Storyline of Scripture

This course reveals how the entire Bible tells one unified story of God’s redemptive plan from Genesis to Revelation. Students will trace major themes—covenant, kingdom, temple, and sacrifice—through Scripture’s timeline, understanding how the Old Testament anticipates and the New Testament fulfills God’s promises in Christ. Taught through a comprehensive look at biblical history and theology, learners will gain a “big picture” perspective that brings clarity to individual passages and confidence in Scripture’s coherence and divine inspiration.

8) Understanding Paul’s Letters

The Apostle Paul wrote thirteen books of the New Testament—nearly half of its content—making his theology essential for understanding Christian doctrine. This course provides study of Paul’s major epistles, exploring key themes—including justification by faith, law versus grace, the nature of the church, spiritual gifts, and practical Christian living. Students will learn about Paul’s Jewish background, his missionary context, and how his letters shaped early Christianity and continue to guide the church to this day.

9) Between the Testaments: The World Jesus Entered

This course fills the crucial 400-year gap between Malachi and Matthew, exploring the historical, political, religious, and cultural developments that shaped the world of the New Testament. Students will study the rise of the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots; the development of synagogue worship; messianic expectations; Greek and Roman influence; and the literature of Second Temple Judaism. Understanding this period brings the New Testament to life, explaining why Jesus’ message was so revolutionary and why the religious leaders responded as they did.

10) The Nature and Character of God

This class provides an in-depth study of theology proper—the doctrine of God Himself. Students will explore God’s existence, His incommunicable attributes (infinity, immutability, omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence), His communicable attributes (love, holiness, justice, mercy, wisdom), and the doctrine of the Trinity. Learners will examine how God reveals Himself through Scripture, how to speak accurately about God’s nature, and how understanding God’s character transforms our worship, prayer, and daily walk with Him. This theological foundation is essential for all serious Bible study.

Beyond these ten required classes, students must complete five other classes of their choosing (electives). Multiple BSC classes apply, as do many classes from the Bible Project and other education institutions. Electives chosen by the student must be approved by the Education Director at the BSC to count toward the Certificate in Biblical Studies.