SYLLABUS FOR "PAUL'S PRISON EPISTLES"
Course description
This course offers an analysis of the epistles that Paul wrote from prison (Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon, and Philippians). As Christians we face many challenges to our faith. False teachings and worldviews assault our loyalty to Christ. Suffering tempts us to think that God is not in control, or that he does have our best interests at heart. And our relationships with other believers are often strained to the point that we doubt the value of the church. But Paul responded to these types of difficulties in his letters from prison. This course is a study of these epistles, based on the DVD lessons of Dr. Reggie M. Kidd produced by Third Millennium Ministries.
Dr. Reggie M. Kidd
Dr. Reggie M. Kidd is a seminary professor and ordained minister. He earned his M.A.R: and M.Div. at Westminster Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. at Duke University. He currently teaches at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. He has published the following books: Wealth and Beneficence in the Pastoral Epistles and How Can I Keep from Singing?
Goals and Objectives
GOALS
In this course, we would like to accomplish the following:
1. We hope that you grow in your love for Christ and in your commitment to serve Him and His people, as you see what He has to teach us in Paul's prison epistles.
2. We hope that you will learn the key information regarding Paul, his background, and the epistles of Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon, and Philippians .
3. We hope that you will apply the teachings of these New Testament epistles to make changes in your own life. We hope you will become more faithful in your Christian walk, as you understand more about Paul's teachings in them.
OBJECTIVES
When you have done the following, it will show that the goals are met:
1. Use all the written elements of the course to express your attitude regarding topics of the epistles studied in the course.
2. Obtain satisfactory grades on the tests, demonstrating that you can identify key information about the background, content, and modern application of Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon, and Philippians.
3. Answer the application questions in the study guides, in which you demonstrate how this course has affected your life.
Resources
The course is based on materials taught by Dr. Reggie Kidd, produced and distributed by Third Millennium Ministries.
Credit
Birmingham Theological Seminary offers 2 hours of credit for this course, as part of the program leading to a Certificate in Christian Ministry.
Thematic Outline of the Course
1. Paul's Imprisonment
2. Paul and the Colossians
3. Paul and the Ephesians
4. Paul and Philemon
5. Paul and the Philippians
Required Additional Reading:Paul's letter to the Colossians in the Bible, and Calvin's Commentary on the same letter
Paul's letter to the Ephesians in the Bible, and Calvin's Commentary on the same letter
Paul's letter to Philemon in the Bible, and Calvin's Commentary on the same letter
Paul's letter to the Philippians in the Bible, and Calvin's Commentary on the same letter
Assignments
You should begin with the following for each lesson:
1. Read the "Preparation" document and complete any activity mentioned there in preparation for the lesson.
2. Read the instructions for the lesson.
3. Watch all the videos (or listen to the audio, or read the text version).
4. Complete the study guide for each section of the videos.While they are not required, and while they will not be graded, we recommend that you do the following for each lesson to prepare for the acummulative test and to get the maximum benefit from the lesson:
1. Take the quiz on each section of the videos.
2. If there are any, watch the videos of class discussion forums.
3. Browse through the glossary of the lesson.The accumulative test
Take the accumulative test on each lesson. This is required and will give you the grade for the lesson.
Required Additional Reading
After completing the lessons based on the video lectures, there is a final lesson based on required additional reading. The student should do the reading, complete the study guides, and take the corresponding test based on the reading.
Estimated Time for Study
While each student is different, we estimate that each lesson may take around 10 hours to do the required assignments, if the student is already familiar with how to use these courses.
Grades
You may see your grades at any time by clicking on the link. (It is in the left margin in the computer version, and at the bottom in other versions.)
1) Each accumulative test is worth 100 points and the test on the required reading is worth 100 points.
2) The quizzes on each section of the lessons are graded (10 points for each) so that you can evaluate your learning, but they will not be included in the official course grade. They are only for the purpose of practicing and learning.
3) The final grade for the course will be calculated by taking the appropriate percentages from each accumulative test and from the test on required reading, to make a total of 100%.
The evaluation scale has the following meaning:
90-100%: Excellent (A)
80-89%: Good (B)
75-79%: Average (C)
0-75%: Insufficient (F)
Include Other People
We highly recommend that you involve other people in your studies, in order to avoid isolating yourself. You may choose to form a study group with other students that are in the same program, or in a similar program of studies. You could share what you are learning, encourage one another, and pray for each other. It would also be a great idea to form a mentoring relationship with your pastor or with another person you respect, to make yourself accountable to him. You could meet once a week to share what you are learning and pray together.