BIBLE AND MINISTRY
Deerfield, IL
WHY STUDY BIBLE AND MINISTRY AT Trinity?
All courses in the Bible and Ministry major are taught by Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) faculty & adjuncts. Additionally, Trinity draws some of the most renowned thinkers and theologians from around the world to teach about biblical issues, culture and ministry. Past speakers have included: John Piper, Jill Briscoe, Os Guinness, George Verwer, and many others.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO EARN MY DEGREE?
Most students finish their degrees in 3-4 years. According to the chosen emphases, you will complete the required credit hours in the areas of biblical studies, Old Testament, New Testament, elementary Greek, ministry, nonprofit financial management and more!
DID YOU KNOW?
TEDS is a world renowned seminary located right across the street from the college. Many Trinity students choose to pursue graduate degrees, like the MDiv at TEDS, after completing their degree in Bible and Ministry.
WHAT WILL I STUDY?
You will study various theological options and points of view from the larger Christian community and be encouraged to arrive at your own conclusions based on careful study and scholarship. Faculty members will strive to model Christian character and lifestyle in their dealings with you as a student, both inside and outside the classroom.
Emphases:
Biblical Studies
In the Biblical Studies emphasis, you will learn to faithfully interpret Scripture in light of its historical and cultural context for the growth of your faith in Christ and the edification of the people of God. You will be prepared for a lifetime of careful study, ministry, and the proclamation of God’s Word in a fast-changing world.
COURSEWORK:
Requirements total 47 hours. This includes 35 hours from the Biblical Studies required courses and 12 hours of electives in Biblical Studies and cognate areas. Up to 15 hours required in the major may be used to meet general education requirements. You’ll take interesting courses like:
- Old Testament Historical Books
- Life of Christ
- Theology of the General Epistles
REQUIRED COURSES (35 hrs) |
Bible Core (6 hrs) |
Course |
Title |
Credits |
|
Old Testament Elective (Not BI 101) |
3 hrs |
|
New Testament Elective (Not BI 111) |
3 hrs |
BI 275 |
Teaching the Bible |
3 hrs |
BRS 331 |
Christian Doctrine |
3 hrs |
BRS 338 |
Theological and Sociological Foundations for Evangelism |
3 hrs |
Church History Core (choose one) |
Course |
Title |
Credits |
BRS 321X |
American Church History |
3 hrs |
BRS 340X |
History of Christianity |
3 hrs |
Ministry Core (choose one) (3 hrs) |
Course |
Title |
Credits |
CM 172 |
Introduction to Ministry |
3 hrs |
CM 201 |
Survey of Christian Education |
3 hrs |
CM 224 |
Integrated Field experience; Spiritual Formation |
3 hrs |
BI 452 |
Biblical Studies Seminar (Capstone) |
3 hrs |
GR 121 |
Elementary Greek I |
4 hrs |
GR 122 |
Elementary Greek II |
4 hrs |
ELECTIVES (12 hrs) |
Old Testament – Select at least one course (excluding courses taken to meet the requirements of the Bible Core), such as: |
Course |
Title |
Credits |
BI 302 |
Pentateuch |
3 hrs |
BI 304 |
Old Testament Prophetic Books |
3 hrs |
BI 306 |
Old Testament Poetic Books |
3 hrs |
BI 308 |
Old Testament Historical Books |
3 hrs |
New Testament – Select at least one course (excluding courses taken to meet the requirements of the Bible Core), such as: |
Course |
Title |
Credits |
BI 312 |
Life of Christ |
3 hrs |
BI 313 |
New Testament Church |
3 hrs |
BI 335 |
Theology of the General Epistles |
3 hrs |
BI 400 |
Romans |
3 hrs |
Theology—Select at least one course, such as: |
Course |
Title |
Credits |
BI 415 |
Theological Issues |
3 hrs |
BRS 322X |
Topics in Church History |
3 hrs |
BRS 437X |
Music in Worship |
3 hrs |
TOTAL HOURS |
|
47 hrs |
Careers & Internships:
Knowing context and history is essential to biblical interpretation, but true understanding comes when we live out the words of the text. During your time at Trinity, you will be able to interact with local pastors and scholars of the Word in preparation for ministry. You will also have the option to continue your education by pursuing graduate degrees at TEDS.
CAREER OUTCOMES:
|
Pastor |
Missionary |
Chaplain |
Professor |
Non-Profit Director |
Camp Director |
Theologian |
|
Ministry
People in the Ministry emphasis have a few things in common: a passion for the Lord, a love for people, and a desire to see his world transformed. We will prepare you both theoretically and theologically in the areas of personal maturity, relational competence, and ministry skill to engage contemporary culture through Christ and for his kingdom.
COURSEWORK:
Requirements for this degree total 48 hours. This includes 36 hours of required courses and 12 hours of electives in ministry. Up to 14 of the hours required in the major may be used to meet general education requirements. You’ll take interesting courses like:
- Teaching the Bible
- Theological and Sociological Foundations of Evangelism
- Strategies for Discipling Ministries
Required Courses |
Bible Core (6 hrs) |
Course |
Title |
Credits |
|
Old Testament Elective |
3 hrs |
|
New Testament Elective |
3 hrs |
BI 275 |
Teaching the Bible* |
3 hrs |
BRS 331 |
Christian Doctrine* |
3 hrs |
BRS 338 |
Theological and Sociological Foundations of Evangelism |
3 hrs |
Church History (choose one) (3 hrs) |
Course |
Title |
Credits |
BRS 321X |
American Church History |
3 hrs |
BRS 340X |
History of Christianity* |
3 hrs |
Ministry Core (choose one) (3 hrs) |
Course |
Title |
Credits |
CM 172
Or
CM 201 |
Introduction to Ministry
Or
Survey of Christian Education |
3 hrs |
3 hrs |
CM 224 |
Integrated Field Experience; Spiritual Formation |
3 hrs |
CM 260 |
Introduction to Intercultural Ministry |
3 hrs |
CM 320 |
Principles of Ministry Programming |
3 hrs |
CM 335 |
Strategies for Discipling Ministries |
3 hrs |
CM 475 |
Senior Seminar (Capstone) |
3 hrs |
Ministry Electives |
Course |
Title |
Credits |
CM 175 |
Foundations of Youth Ministry |
3 hrs |
CM 215 |
Foundations of Children’s Ministry |
3 hrs |
CM 315 |
Principles of Family Ministry |
3 hrs |
CM 340 |
Principles of Relational Youth Ministries |
3 hrs |
CM 350 |
Topics in Christian Education |
1-3 hrs |
CM 372X |
Nonprofit Management |
3 hrs |
CM 373X |
Nonprofit Financial Management |
3 hrs |
COM 112 |
Speech |
3 hrs |
LR 170X |
Leadership Dynamics |
3 hrs |
LR 173 |
Emerging Leadership I |
1 hr |
LR 174 |
Emerging Leadership II |
2 hrs |
PSY 220 |
Interpersonal Skills Training |
3 hrs |
PSY 230 |
Crisis Intervention |
3 hrs |
SOC/PSY 360X |
Introduction to Social Work
(prereq: PSY 140 or SOC 101) |
3 hrs |
PSY 255 |
Psychology of Addiction |
3 hrs |
PSY 337 |
Psychology of Adolescence
(prereq: PSY 140) |
3 hrs |
LR 350 |
Topics in Leadership |
1-3 hrs |
PSY 350X |
Social Psychology (prereq: PSY 140) |
3 hrs |
PSY 355 |
Group Dynamics (prereq: PSY 140) |
3 hrs |
BRS 437X |
Music in Worship |
3 hrs |
TOTAL HOURS |
|
48 hrs |
Careers & Internships:
You can learn about ministry all day long… but the real test comes when you have to get out there and do it. As a Christian Ministries major at Trinity, you are required to complete 400 hours of integrative field experience with your coursework. Many local churches and organizations request our students as interns. Field experience mentors work to focus these hours in a way that prepares you for your vocational calling.
CAREER OUTCOMES:
|
Youth Director |
Inner-city Ministry |
Children’s Ministry Director |
Counselor |
Missionary |
Camp Director |
Pastor |
Worship Leader |
Pre-Seminary
The Pre-Seminary emphasis maintains the broad ministry scope and access to ministry education while allowing for a specialization in a distinctive area of ministry. This program lays a foundation for an effective ministry of biblical understanding in the context of a local church ministry. It is designed to enable a student to do further graduate studies at a seminary of their choice. Students who proceed to graduate studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School can qualify for advanced standing in the MDiv program due to agreements between Trinity College and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
COURSEWORK:
Requirements total 55 hours. This includes 38 hours from the Biblical Studies required courses/cognate areas, 12 hours from Christian Ministries and 5hours of additional general education courses.
Required Courses (38 hrs) |
Course |
Title |
Credits |
BI 275 |
Teaching the Bible |
3 hrs |
BRS 331 |
Christian Doctrine |
3 hrs |
BRS 338 |
Theological and Sociological Foundations for Evangelism |
3 hrs |
Church History |
Course |
Title |
Credits |
BRS 321X |
American Church History |
|
BRS 340X |
History of Christianity |
|
Ministry |
Course |
Title |
Credits |
CM 172 |
Introduction to Ministry |
|
CM 201 |
Survey of Christian Education |
|
CM 260 |
Introduction to Intercultural Ministry |
|
CM 224 |
Integrated Field Experience; Spiritual Formation |
|
BI 452 |
Biblical Studies Seminar (Capstone) |
|
GR 121 |
Elementary Greek I |
|
GR 122 |
Elementary Greek II |
|
Electives (12 hrs) |
Old Testament—Choose at least one course, such as: |
Course |
Title |
Credits |
BI 302 |
Pentateuch |
3 hrs |
BI 304 |
Old Testament Prophetic Books |
3 hrs |
BI 306 |
Old Testament Poetic Books |
3 hrs |
BI 308 |
Old Testament Historical Books |
3 hrs |
New Testament—Choose at least one course, such as: |
Course |
Title |
Credits |
BI 312 |
Life of Christ |
3 hrs |
BI 313 |
New Testament Church |
3 hrs |
BI 335 |
Theology of the General Epistles |
3 hrs |
BI 400 |
Romans |
3 hrs |
Theology—Choose at least one course, such as: |
Course |
Title |
Credits |
BI 415 |
Theological Issues |
3 hrs |
BRS 322X |
Topics in Church History |
3 hrs |
BRS 437X |
Music in Worship |
3 hrs |
TEDS Cross Registration (5 hrs) |
Course |
Title |
Credits |
PR 5600 |
Christian Faith and Contemporary Challenges |
2 hrs |
CM 5000 |
Introduction to Counseling Ministries |
2 hrs |
CM 6000 |
Issues in Counseling Ministries |
1 hr |
TOTAL HOURS |
|
55 hrs |
CAREER OUTCOMES:
|
Missionary |
Theology Professor |
Pastor |
|
CAREER OUTCOMES:
|
Pastor |
Missionary |
Chaplain |
Professor |
Non-Profit Director |
Evangelist |
Worship Leader |
Theologian |
Church Planter |
Camp Director |
Bible Teacher |
Discipline Minister |
Community Outreach Pastor |
|
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BIBLE AND MINISTRY FACULTY
All courses are taught by Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) faculty & adjuncts.