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The Fall 2008 Bible Academy Session will begin in September

Spring 2008 Course Descriptions, Teachers, and Class Times

How To Be A Conservative/Liberal Christian Without Losing Your Faith

Dr. Leroy Howe

Note:  this is a Saturday Workshop on April 19th (from 9-2)

To often, too much of the energy that the Holy Spirit pours into our lives and into the ministry and mission of the Church gets swallowed up in rancorous disputes about the right and wrong way to interpret the message of the Gospel for our own time.  And yet, conscientious Christians do sometimes find themselves in disagreement about matters of faith and life.  This course explores ways of pursuing these differences of opinion toward a greater unity of belief while assuring that the dictates of conscience need never be compromised.

Jesus:  His Life, His Time, His Land, His Hebrew Faith

Rev. Debbie Lyons and Janet Collinsworth

Wednesday evenings: 7-8:30

Journey with us to the place and time that shaped the faith of the early Christians as we dig into the land where our fore-fathers walked and where our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ lived, taught and died.  Explore the impact that the Greco-Roman culture, religion and rule had on the scattered Jewish communities of Galilee, Samaria and Judea—explore the regions where Christ was born, was baptized by John the Baptist, chose his disciples to be fishers of men, turned water into wine, spread the Good News, healed the sick, raised the dead...and suffered and died for our sins.  Understand the significance Jerusalem played in 1st century Judaism, why it was felt that “nothing good comes out of Nazareth” and the role that both played in the life, ministry and death of Jesus. 

Although this course is designed as a preparatory companion to the June 3-13, 2008 Holy Land trip, it is open to all who wish to study the scriptures that tell of the story of the life, teachings and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Paul

Frankey Commer

Thursday mornings: 9:30-11:00

Paul, a sophisticated Pharisee from Asia Minor and a persecutor of Jesus’ followers, was visited by the risen Christ and given a new vocation.  Paul was to take the Good News to the non-Jewish world.  This mission would shape the rest of Paul’s life, as he traveled through the Roman Empire proclaiming the Gospel, starting and nurturing communities of believers.  In this discussion-oriented class, we’ll learn about Paul -- his world, his life, his travels, his work, and his ideas.

Questions to All Your Answers

Dr. Scott Engle

Offered twice:

Monday mornings: 9:45-11:30

Tuesday evenings: 6:45-8:30

We all have questions about our faith, the Bible, God, Jesus, Heaven and so on.  But we also have answers, including some that we haven’t thought much about.  These might be simple sayings, even clichés or slogans, that can keep us from the life-changing truths revealed in Scripture.  “God is in control” and “Judge not” are a couple of examples.  In this class, we’ll use Q&A and discussion to test these answers and more by exploring the questions that God hopes we will ask ourselves.

Ruth: A Story of Romance and Redemption

Deborah Collins

Thursday evenings: 7:00-8:30

Note: this class starts April 10th

The book of Ruth is a portrait of God’s love, grace and sovereignty in our lives when we choose to step out in faith and walk in obedience.  Two women, Naomi and Ruth, have experienced overwhelming loss and are destitute.  Yet, God was working in the midst of their tragedy.  He was not only orchestrating a plan to restore these women, but to redeem a lost and dying world.  Through these women, we learn the importance of faith, loyalty and commitment in any relationship, and how we can experience true love and fulfillment through the romance of the Divine.

Songs of Promise: Psalms of the New Testament Christian

Bob Pannell

Tuesday mornings: 10:00-11:30

In the lyrics of old time gospel hymn favorites, we will hear the Word of God as it comforts the sad, brings joy to the despondent, strengthens the weak, and encourages the believer. These are the Psalms of today: songs of praise, hope, faith, and trust. The Psalms are the only place in the Bible where the individual initiates all the dialogue and directs it toward God. The gospel songs we sing are no different, for it is we who sing these words inspired by scripture. We’ll see how the message used by each song’s author is appropriate for us today.

Stepping Up:  A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent  (A Beth Moore Study)

Vicky Dearing

Offered twice:

Monday mornings: 10:00-12:00

Monday evenings: 6:45-8:45

Through this study, we will explore Psalms 120-134.  As we examine these 15 Psalms—essential to worship and praise in Old Testament times—we will come to a place of greater intimacy with God who delights in hearing not only our praise, but our petitions as well.  Themes such as unity, joy and gratitude, redemption, repentance, the power of blessings, facing ridicule, and more are explored in detail.  Modern-day believers can learn much from these treasured Psalms in their journey toward greater intimacy with God.

What Christians Believe and Why It Matters

Dr. Scott Engle

Monday evenings: 6:45-8:30

What are the essential beliefs of the Christian faith?  What have nearly all Christians proclaimed for 2,000 years to be true about God, Jesus, and the Good News?  From the beginning, Christians have used brief statements of faith to summarize their beliefs.  The Apostles’ Creed is one of the oldest and most widely used of these creeds.  But do we just recite the words without really understanding what they mean?  In this lecture-oriented class, we’ll explore the Apostles’ Creed, seeking a better understanding of this proclamation and a better appreciation of why these basic beliefs matter.

When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back In the Box!

Rev. Doug Meyer

Thursday lunch: 11:45-1:00

Pastor and bestselling author John Ortberg offers a thoughtfully written instruction manual for Christian game players of all ages.  Using games as a metaphor, Ortberg presents carefully considered tactics for succeeding in life from God’s vantage point.  Each chapter weaves the rules of gaming with the Christian journey: understanding the object of the game (being spiritually rich toward God); the setup (keeping score, taking turns, preventing regret); how to play (with rules, gratitude and a mission); hazards (competition, greed, losing); and winning (choosing the right trophies).

FAQ about the Bible Academy classes

Is there a cost?

There are no fees for any of the Academy classes, though we do charge for any course materials and books. The class descriptions will tell you more. Childcare is provided at no cost. If your class uses a book, these will be available at your first class meeting.

We do encourage donations to the Academy. Your donations will help to defray the cost of these classes and the work of the St. Andrew Academy. Your donations will help us develop new offerings, bring in exciting teachers and speakers, and underwrite educational outreach programs. The suggested donation for classes is $20.

How do I pay?

Money for books, course materials, and donations will be collected by the teacher at your first class meeting. We accept cash and check. We are not able to accept credit cards.

Is childcare available?

Yes! Childcare is available for all classes, but only if it has been requested. If you will need childcare, please be sure to complete the childcare information when you register, whether on-line or by mail.

When are classes offered?

There are three 8-week Academy terms each year. The fall term begins in September and ends in early November. The winter term begins in early January and ends in March, before the Plano ISD spring break. The spring term begins in late March and ends in May. Thus, classes do not meet between Thanksgiving and Christmas or in the summer.

Who teaches the classes?

We know that the quality of the teaching is very important to the success of the Academy. All classes will be taught by clergy, experienced professionals, or well-qualified lay people. See the teacher bio’s in the brochure for more information on our outstanding faculty.