Christian Studies

The following courses are taught at BCM and are a mix of accredited and non-accredited courses available.  While first year Cadets complete the Diploma of Biblical Studies, these courses are also open to anyone who wishes to undertake study (part-time or full-time) or attend any of the short courses available.

Biblical studies

D111.510 - Interpreting the Bible for Ministry A - Introductory
This course is designed to equip students with a method for opening up the Bible so that it can be interpreted and applied accurately.

D120.505 – Discovering the Old Testament - A
D121.505 – Discovering the Old Testament - B
A survey of the Old Testament with an eye for the historical background, the order of events, and the key theological themes. We will also reflect on what contemporary Christians can learn from studying the ups and downs of God’s people Israel.

D140.505 – Discovering the New Testament - A
D141.505 – Discovering the New Testament - B
The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with the content and context of the New Testament – starting with the historical backdrop and journeying through the significant people, places and issues in the Life of Christ and the birth and spread of the early church.

D146.505 – Gospel of John
This course presents an introduction to John’s distinctive narrative of the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus with an emphasis on his Gospel's unique features.

D153.505 – Galatians
This course is designed to give students an understanding of the themes, key terms and presentation of Paul's gospel as seen in this letter. It will also seek to show how truths in Galatians speak to issues today. The course will continue to develop students' exegetical and hermeneutical skills.

See Through the Scriptures (short course)
A journey in pictures through the greatest story ever told.  The course brings a fresh perspective on the Biblical story in its original contexts and how it can translate to our contexts today.

Brengle Holiness Institute (short course)
What is holiness?  What does it mean to live a holy life? Is holiness a realistic expectation?  Can I really live a holy life at home, at school, at work?  Based around the teaching of Samuel Logan Brengle, a young man who went on to become a giant in The
Salvation Army, this course is for those who are seeking a new experience of life on God’s terms.

Leadership Jesus Way (short course)
Jesus has called us each to build the kingdom of God and he said that He will build the church.  This is church growth viewed from God’s perspective.  To build the kingdom of God we are called to be committed disciples and spirit-empowered leaders.  We are living not just for ourselves but for the world that God created and is calling back to himself. This course is about transformation within our churches – leadership as Jesus intended.

Theological studies

D201.510 – Learning to Think Biblically A
This course introduces the foundational concepts within Christian mainstream theology of revelation, the Bible, and the nature of God as Trinity. Students will have opportunity in class to discuss various points of theology, with the object of expanding their knowledge, and explaining their faith and making connection with the task of mission.

D202.510 – Learning to Think Biblically B
This course continues with foundational concepts within Christian mainstream theology covering a Biblical view of humanity, the person and work of Christ, the Church and Last Things. Students will have opportunity in class to discuss various points of theology, with the object of expanding their knowledge, and explaining their faith and making connection with the task of mission.

Christian ministry

D505.510 – Foundations for Pastoral Care
This course covers an understanding of what pastoral care is; Biblical foundations for pastoral care; an introduction to caring for people; basic listening and responding skills necessary to be an effective carer. Further, this course covers an introduction to loss and grief and life stages

D520.505 – Christian Worship
This course introduces students to the biblical, theological and historical roots of Christian worship; the components and principles of corporate worship and the practicalities and technical aspects of leading public worship.

D567.610 – Introduction to Preaching
This course covers the challenges of Christian communication; the development of expository preaching - the journey from Biblical passage to sermon outline; introductions, illustrations and conclusions; sermon delivery; and the preacher’s approach to their preaching.

D568.610 – Development in Preaching
This course builds on D567.610 – Introduction to Preaching. It looks at sermon elements, forms, shapes and styles; preaching different biblical genres; preaching for occasions; understanding our listeners; and how to plan a preaching programme.

Speaker 2.0 (short course)
Rob Harley brings more than 25 years of experience as a journalist, pastor and teacher in communications, to a unique three day experience for Christian leaders.  Rob and his team take course participants through the essentials of live communication, teach the art of effective story-telling, and provide concentrated video feedback to participants, who get a chance to see themselves as others see them.  Participants learn about more effective ways to construct messages and presentations, and imaginative approaches to talks and sermons.

12 Steps (short course)
Is your ministry affected by personal issues that you would like to address? Would you like to deal more effectively with personal issues that may arise in the future?  This workshop will provide you with a model for addressing personal issues that has been proved effective by many people in many contexts over many years.

Personal growth

D801.510 – Personal Spirituality
This course covers spirituality in Christian life and ministry. It looks at a variety of historical and contemporary models of spiritual formation. Both personal and corporate spiritual disciplines for the development of a healthy, growing, relationship with God are discussed and practised. Historical and contemporary examples of how God guided people and how they discerned or recognised that guidance are explored.

12 Steps (short course)
Is your ministry affected by personal issues that you would like to address? Would you like to deal more effectively with personal issues that may arise in the future?  This workshop will provide you with a model for addressing personal issues that has been proved effective by many people in many contexts over many years.

Brengle Holiness Institute (short course)
What is holiness?  What does it mean to live a holy life? Is holiness a realistic expectation?  Can I really live a holy life at home, at school, at work?  Based around the teaching of Samuel Logan Brengle, a young man who went on to become a giant in The Salvation Army, this course is for those who are seeking a new experience of life on God’s terms.

Leadership Jesus Way (short course)
Jesus has called us each to build the kingdom of God and he said that He will build the church.  This is church growth viewed from God’s perspective.  To build the kingdom of God we are called to be committed disciples and spirit-empowered leaders.  We are living not just for ourselves but for the world that God created and is calling back to himself. This course is about transformation within our churches – leadership as Jesus intended.

Leadership & management

Leadership Jesus Way
Jesus has called us each to build the kingdom of God and he said that He will build the church.  This is church growth viewed from God’s perspective.  To build the kingdom of God we are called to be committed disciples and spirit-empowered leaders.  We are living not just for ourselves but for the world that God created and is calling back to himself. This course is about transformation within our churches – leadership as Jesus intended.

Power of the Team (short course)
This short course will draw from Christian church practice, management and leadership theory and your own experiences to explore leadership in teams.  Topics to be covered include:

• Who does what—the roles and functions within a team
• Teams with style—individual differences in personality, work and leadership style
• How to be the leader your team needs
• Working with the team you’ve got
• Shared vision—not my vision but ours