September 24 - November 3, 2007
Sponsored by: Church of the Brethren Susquehanna
Valley Ministry Center
If you have questions about the course itself, email Susan Jeffers
at susan@read-the-bible.org.
For information on registration and fees, contact Mary Schiavoni, schiavonim@etown.edu
717-361-1450.
This webpage was last updated 3/4/07.
This online Biblical Studies course is open to anyone who would like to enroll. By far the majority of students in SVMC courses are members of the Church of the Brethren in training for ministry (broadly construed). The instructor, Susan Jeffers, is a Quaker (member of the Religious Society of Friends) and would be particularly pleased should some interested Quakers sign up. To get a sense of the instructor's biblical interests and approach, check out her "Peace Church Bible Study Home Page" at www.read-the-bible.org.
Course Description: In this course we will study the biblical
books of I and II Thessalonians, two of the New Testament "letters" or "epistles."
We will try to read Thessalonians "as if for the first time," paying
close attention to what the biblical text actually says and what it might mean.
We will consult commentaries and other resources for information about the ancient
world and what the Church has thought about these books of the Bible, in an
effort to become better equipped for biblically grounded ministry. Students
will be expected to read and think about assigned biblical and other texts,
to participate in online class discussion, and to learn a bit of the biblical
Greek language relevant to our study. Students will complete a course project
to demonstrate understanding of a particular aspect of Thessalonians, effective
use of resources such as Bible dictionaries and commentaries, and ability to
use the Bible in ministry.
Course Format: This course will be conducted online, using "Moodle" online courseware. You will need access to a high-speed Internet connection for an hour or more, at least 4-5 times per week throughout the course. You should plan on a total of 12-15 hours every week for the 6 weeks of the course for reading, online discussion and offline study. If you have questions, contact the instructor, Susan Jeffers, at susan@read-the-bible.org.
Required Books
(1) NRSV Study Bible, in one of these editions:
New Oxford Annotated Bible, New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha,
Third edition, 2001, ISBN 019528478X or 0195284852
New Interpreters Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha.
Abingdon, 2003, ISBN 0687278325.
HarperCollins Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical
Books. HarperSanFrancisco, ISBN 0060655801, 0060655267, or 0060655275.
Please email the instructor for permission to use a different NRSV Study Bible.
(2) Believers Church Bible Commentary 1 & 2 Thessalonians by Jacob W. Elias, Herald Press, 1995.
(3) Instructor's audio CD and workbook, A Little Bit of Greek Using the Text of I and II Thessalonians, which will be mailed to you after you register. The estimated cost of $8 including postage will be billed along with the course fee.
Course Schedule:
|
Week 1 |
September 24-30, 2007 |
Course and student introductions |
|
Week 2 |
October 1- 7, 2007 |
1 Thessalonians 1-3, Bible and commentary |
|
Week 3 |
October 8-14, 2007 |
1 Thessalonians 4-5, Bible and commentary |
|
Week 4 |
October 15-21, 2007 |
2 Thessalonians, Bible and commentary |
|
Week 5 |
October 22-28, 2007 |
Thessalonians, Paul, and Acts: |
|
Week 6 |
October 29 - November 3, 2007 |
Closing discussion; re-read the entire 2 books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. |
|
Questions about the course itself, email Susan Jeffers at susan@read-the-bible.org. For information on registration and fees, contact Mary Schiavoni, SCHIAVONIM@etown.edu 717-361-1450. | ||