Agape International Ministries

Bible Training Institute

Course Descriptions

Study of Acts:  This course conducts an expository study of the Book of Acts with consideration of main events, characters, the early church ministry, and how it affects us today.  Also study of the two main characters in the Book of Acts; Peter and Paul and their lives, ministries, trials, tests, imprisonments and writings.  

Ministry Gifts:  This course helps the student become familiar with each ministry gift that Jesus gave to the church:  Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher as well as ministries that are supportive to the fivefold ministry offices. 

Bible Characters:  This course conducts a systematic survey of the lives of men and women found in scripture.  The study will examine their strengths and weaknesses; their achievements and failures; and the “fusion of God’s divine providence with human personality.” 

Music/Praise and Worship:  This course will provide an opportunity to develop musical knowledge and performance skills related to Praise and Worship.  In addition major emphasis will be placed on why music is mentioned 989 times in the Scriptures and why God places such a major priority on it. 

Comparative Religions:  This course will examine the principal religions:  Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and their impact on society.  In addition, a broad-based study of the major cults and belief systems that diabolically oppose Bible-based Christianity will be examined. 

Evangelism:  This course will assist in training for Evangelism and gain insight regarding the additional functions of an Outreach Department.   

Church History:  This course introduces the student to contemporary phenomena such as the Religious Right, megachurches, and user-friendly worship services as well as some of the leading personalities behind these movements. 

Pneumatology/Penteostal Theology:  This course does an in-depth study of the Holy Spirit’s character and ministry and also the study of a few of the fundamental doctrines of the Christian church presented not as theory, but as teachings to be believed and practiced.  A few of these doctrines considered to be “distinctive’ to the Pentecostal movement include the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in tongues,  and the operation of spiritual gifts. This course also has as its aim, to establish the student “rooted and grounded” in these foundational teachings.  In addition, doctrinal teachings of the Scriptures will be explored, so that we might be “rooted and built up in Him and stablished in the faith”  (Col. 2:17); “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works”  (II Tim. 3:17). 

Children’s Ministry:  This course will  help church leaders understand today’s children, understand how to lead them and how to develop programs to best minister to their spiritual needs. 

Youth Ministry:  This course will give the student a basic foundation in how to set-up, run, and maintain a successful Youth Ministry. 

Counseling:   This course is intended to acquaint the student with the basic concepts, principles, and theories of counseling.  Particular, though not exclusive, attention is given to theories of learning, intelligence, child development, personality, motivation, and abnormal behavior.  In addition, Biblical principles will be examined that apply to the area of counseling and through this knowledge, accurate and effective application of these principles can be made in counseling situations.  

Plans, Purposes and Pursuits:  This course will help answer the question of “What I believe is the most critical question as a future minister of the gospel I will have to answer”.  The course will also help locate areas in the student’s life where adjustments and perhaps changes need to be made in order to walk in the perfect will of God.  Then when we stand before the Lord Jesus Christ and He asks, “Did you follow My plans for your life, or your own?” we can say, “I followed yours!”   

Find Your Place in the Ministry/Ministerial Ethics:  This course will assist the student in identifying, developing and moving forth in whatever gift God has imparted to them in order to be a blessing to the Body of Christ. Also, this course will make each student aware of God’s view of the ethical and moral standing of a minister of the Gospel. 

Principles and Practices of Preaching:  This homiletic course will highlight the paramount need for prayerful preparation and effectiveness presentation of the gospel message.