Approximately 150 hours of classroom time

Ideal for:

✓ Christians who want to know the Bible better

✓ Current and future church leaders

✓ Elders, deacons, Bible teachers, and ministry volunteers

The following ten classes are required.

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

BIBL 101 - Old Testament Overview (Spring Session 1)

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.

BIBL 102 - New Testament Overview (Spring Session 2)

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.

BIBL 103 - Who is Jesus? The Life of the Messiah (Spring Session 3)

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.

APOL 101 - Biblical Worldview (Spring Session 1)

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.

BIBL 104 - The Greatest Commandment: Love Like Jesus (Fall Session 3)

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.

BIBL 201 - How to Interpret the Bible (Fall Session 1) — Also available as an online class

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.

BIBL 126 - Timeline of the Bible (Fall Session 2)

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.

BIBL 203 - Understanding Paul’s Letters (Fall Session 2)

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.

BIBL 204 - Intro to Systematic Theology (Spring Session 3)

What does the entire Bible teach about God, salvation, sin, heaven, angels, the Church, and the Christian life? Intro to Systematic Theology brings together the Bible's teaching on the major doctrines of the Christian faith, helping you connect the dots between individual passages and the big picture. Discover how Scripture answers life's biggest questions, giving you a clearer understanding of what you believe—and why it matters.

BIBL 210 - The Nature and Character of God (Spring Session 3)

This class provides an in-depth study of theology proper—the doctrine of God Himself. 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. 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.