Certificate of Biblical Studies
On Campus
Advisor:
Layton Friesen, PhD
Biblical foundations and ministry formation for campus students.
The Biblical Studies program is intended for students desiring to engage more deeply in the Scriptures and to establish a path of following Jesus in all of life. The program equips servant leaders with biblical foundations, an understanding of our world, and ministry focus areas. This program highlights spiritual formation and intercultural ministry experiences in urban, northern, and international communities.
Student Experiences
“One of the most important things for me is that I got a passion for the Bible. I love reading it, I have a passion for it, I love exploring it; it’s been an amazing journey.” Jasmin Thiessen
“I think coming to Bible College is really good place to hear from God what His desire for you is, for your life and to discern that....
“Just learning learning what it means to be a Christian, it’s a really powerful thing; God can can change lives and transform people very very readily with what’s available at Bible College....
"There’s a real depth you make in your relationships when you’re living in community with people that is really hard to find in any other setting.” Britton James-Thiessen
“God has been speaking truth into my life..... I’ve learned just how incredibly valuable Scripture is, and how it is constantly alive and working if you let it.” Karlene Giesbrecht
“I’ve been able to take a bit of leadership role. Over the summer I got to do an internship at my church where I was leading the VBS program. The stuff I’ve learned SBC has definitely helped with becoming a servant leader.” Tristan Klassen
“Probably one of the most encouraging things for me since coming to SBC is the relationships that I’ve formed with the students here and with the staff as well." Katelyn Troyer
Career & Ministry Opportunities
Graduates serve in their churches in areas of teaching, children’s ministry, counselling, missions, pastoral, worship, and youth ministries. Graduates serve their communities in areas such as education, nursing, business, social work, TESOL, agriculture, and domestic life.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate foundational knowledge of the Bible and evangelical Anabaptist theology.
- Display competent biblical interpretation and practical application.
- Practice the spiritual disciplines necessary for a lifelong faith commitment.
- Develop critical thinking, researching, writing, and communication skills.
- Implement problem solving skills in interpersonal and intercultural contexts.
- Demonstrate servant leadership skills for ministry and work.
Program Requirements
Year One: Engage
Biblical & Theological Studies (12 credits)
BI105
Biblical Interpretation
After a brief historical overview of the interpretation of the Bible in the Church, the key principles of interpretation are studied through their application to a variety of biblical texts. The course is designed to prepare students for exegesis courses as well as giving them the tools for doing inductive Bible interpretation. (3 credits)
This course is scheduled to be available online for the following semesters:
- 2020-2021 Semester 1 (Sep 14, 2020)
- 2021-2022 Summer (May 3, 2021)
- 2021-2022 Summer (May 3, 2021)
- 2021-2022 Summer (May 3, 2021)
- 2022-2023 Summer (May 2, 2022)
- 2023-2024 Summer Online (May 8, 2023)
- 2024-2025 Summer (May 6, 2024)
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BI111
Introduction to the Bible: Old Testament
An introductory study of the historical and geographical background of the Old Testament and an overview of major themes developed within the various sections of the Old Testament. (3 credits)
This course is scheduled to be available online for the following semesters:
- 2020-2021 Semester 1 (Sep 14, 2020)
- 2021-2022 Semester 1 (Sep 13, 2021)
- 2022-2023 Semester 1 (Sep 12, 2022)
- 2023-2024 Semester 1 (Sep 11, 2023)
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BI121
Introduction to the Bible: New Testament
An introductory study of the historical and cultural background of the New Testament and an overview of major emphases of each book within the New Testament. (3 credits)
This course is scheduled to be available online for the following semesters:
- 2019-2020 Summer (May 4, 2020)
- 2020-2021 Semester 2 (Jan 11, 2021)
- 2021-2022 Semester 2 (Jan 10, 2022)
- 2022-2023 Semester 2 (Jan 16, 2023)
- 2023-2024 Semester 2 (Jan 15, 2024)
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TH231
Christian Theology
An introduction to Christian theology through its disciplines, conversations, and applications to ministry. Reflection on major Christian doctrines including God, creation, sin, Scripture, Jesus Christ, salvation, the Holy Spirit, the Church, and last things. (3 credits)
This course is scheduled to be available online for the following semesters:
- 2019-2020 Semester 2 (Jan 6, 2020)
- 2019-2020 Summer (May 4, 2020)
- 2022-2023 Semester 2 (Jan 16, 2023)
- 2023-2024 Semester 1 (Sep 11, 2023)
- 2024-2025 Summer (May 6, 2024)
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Arts & Sciences (6 credits)
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Communications Elective
Choose from the following courses:
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EN111
English Literature and Composition I
An introduction to the critical analysis of English Literature in the genres of novel, short story and poetry. This course will focus on two objectives: to develop skills in becoming a thoughtful, analytical reader and a clear, articulate writer. (3 credits)
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EN212
English Literature: Faith and Fiction
This course is an introduction to the critical analysis of English Literature selected from the genres of novel, short story, and poetry. This course focuses on two objectives: to develop skills in becoming a thoughtful, analytical reader, and a clear, articulate writer in response to literature written from a Christian faith perspective. (3 credits)
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FA271
Christianity and Imagination
A survey of the arts in the western world and a study of the relationship between Christians and culture. The course will provide students with a perceptual framework for evaluating various artistic traditions such as painting, sculpture, architecture, film, theatre, literature, music and dance. Class work will involve interaction with representative works. (3 credits)
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HU202
Art of Persuasion
This course will provide a space of learning where students will unbox some of the styles and techniques of rhetoric used to convince and persuade people in order that they may understand and interpret the world around them, and in the process, become better at communicating their own ideas and convictions. (3 credits)
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WA222
Drama Production
Students, under the direction of the drama faculty, rehearse and present a major drama. This class is responsible for all aspects of the drama, such as acting, props and set. (3 credits)
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Interpersonal Elective
Choose one of the following courses:
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SS223
Interpersonal Processes
This course helps develop the skills to communicate effectively in interpersonal, group, and intercultural contexts, and to learn to approach conflict in transformative ways. (3 credits)
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SS225
Marriage and Family
A study of the family in contemporary society. The course includes topics like the nature of the family, sexuality, love, relationship building, weddings, parenting, birth order, and divorce/remarriage. While the course has a significant theoretical component, it also provides practical elements to help students reflect on their own families of origin and their own relational contexts. (3 credits)
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Professional Studies (14 credits)
CM101
Ministry 1: Introduction to Ministry
(3 credits)
This course is scheduled to be available online for the following semesters:
- 2020-2021 Semester 2 (Jan 11, 2021)
- 2022-2023 Semester 2 (Jan 16, 2023)
- 2023-2024 Semester 1 (Sep 11, 2023)
- 2024-2025 Summer (May 6, 2024)
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CM114
Spiritual Formation
This course seeks to help us better understand how spiritual formation takes place, while examining some of the key spiritual disciplines and faith traditions that provide some strong moorings for Christian spirituality today. (3 credits)
This course is scheduled to be available online for the following semesters:
- 2021-2022 Semester 1 (Sep 13, 2021)
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Focus/Minor or Open Elective
Choose any 3 credits. (3 credits)
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Open Electives
Choose any 5 credits. (5 credits)
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Service Learning (2 units)
Complete 2 units of Service Learning - non-academic credit.
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SM100
Service Learning
Service Learning involves a practical field experience, which supplements and applies regular classroom study. In order to gain one non-academic unit, a student must successfully complete the equivalent of ten Service Learning assignments (or 20 hours of ministry) per semester in a ministry mutually agreed upon by the student and their Faculty Advisor. (0 credits)
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Total Requirements (32 credits)
Course is available to be taken online.
