COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An examination of the New Testament church with particular concern to its origin, distinctive nature, mission, government, offices, ordinances, and destiny.

I. RATIONALE:
Among Christians throughout the world there is considerable confusion as to just what constitutes the Church. Many scriptures make it clear that the Church is much more than buildings and organizations.

II. PREREQUISITES:
None

III. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND RELATED SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
A. Cognitive:

1. The student will understand the true meaning of building the Church, as Jesus stated in Matthew 16:18.

2. The student will learn about the nature of the Church through types and analogies given in Scripture.

3. The student will learn the basic structure of five-fold ministry within the local church.

4. The student will learn about the importance of the sacraments and giving.

5. The student will learn the basic elements of church planting and expansion of the Kingdom of God.

B. Performance:

1. The student will be able to teach others what he has learned.

2. The student will be able to communicate more effectively truths from Scripture concerning the Church, its structure, gifting, and calling as they relate to service, growth, the Kingdom, and church planting.

3. The student will be able to develop teaching notes and outlines necessary for the effective communication of these essential truths to others.

IV. PREASSESSMENT:
A. The student must write a brief paper on the course goals.

V. INSTRUCTIONAL/LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
A. Read the text in its entirety and all related Scripture references in the text.
B. The student will answer all the End-of-Chapter Questions at the end of each chapter. Answers should be at least one paragraph and demonstrate understanding of the content.
C. The student will write a 5–7 page paper on a subject related to the text.
D. The student will write detailed teaching notes on each chapter of the text. These notes should expand on the material in the text by adding cross-references, sermon notes, related teachings, etc. (Do not simply rewrite the textbook.)
E. All work must be typed and submitted for grading.

VI. SELF-EVALUATION:
N/A

VII. POST ASSESSMENT:
A. The student will reread the brief paper on the course goals.

VIII. CORRECTIVE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:
N/A

IX. LEARNING RESOURCES, MATERIALS, TOOLS, ETC.
A. The Bible
B. Supernatural Architecture – God’s Pattern for Building His Church, Dr. Stan DeKoven, Vision Publishing, Ramona, CA