Foundations Certificate
1st Quarter Aug 29-Oct 17, 2023
2nd Quarter Oct 31-Dec 19
Aug 29 - Introduction and Course Overview
Introducing the Third Mill Curriculum with a focus on highlighting Biblical Themes of Grace (Sonship), Reconciliation of the Nations, Kingdom Justice and Mercy, Team Ministry, Humility and the Cross, Covenant Promises and Maturing through Trials as vital parts of discipleship and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Sept 5 - Kingdom, Covenants and Canon Lecture 1: Why Study the Old Testament?
Investigates the importance of the Old Testament, exploring the distance between the Old Testament and our day, the relevance of the Old Testament, and application of the Old Testament.
Sept 12 - Kingdom, Covenants and Canon OT L 2: The Kingdom of God
Explores a proper understanding of the Bible's theology of the Kingdom of God by providing the most comprehensive outlook on the Old Testament.
Sept 19 - Kingdom, Covenants and Canon OT L 3: The Divine Covenants L 4: The Old Testament Canon
Explores how God governed his kingdom through a series of covenants that he established in Old Testament history and how the Old Testament canon presents specific guidance by examining the Old Testament as mirror, window and picture
Sept 26 - Kingdom and Covenant NT 1: Why Study New Testament Theology? L 2: The Kingdom of God
Examines why it's important to devote ourselves to the careful, in-depth study of New Testament theology and points out one of the most prominent teachings of the New Testament: the kingdom of God.
Oct 3 - Kingdom and Covenant NT L 3: The New Covenant
Explores how New Testament authors relied on the concept of the new covenant to shape some of their most significant theological perspectives.
Oct 10 - Apostle’s Creed L 1: The Articles of Faith
This lesson looks at the Apostles' Creed as a summary of the articles or doctrines that must be affirmed by all those who would call themselves "Christian." It speaks of the history of the Creed, provides an overview of its statements, and focuses on the importance of its doctrines for today.
Oct 17 - Apostle’s Creed L 2: God the Father
This lesson addresses the basic idea of God, looking at some general things the Bible teaches about his existence and nature. It focuses on the phrase "Father Almighty," paying attention to some distinctive qualities of the first person of the Trinity. And it explores the Father's role as the Maker, or creator, of everything that exists.
Introducing the Third Mill Curriculum with a focus on highlighting Biblical Themes of Grace (Sonship), Reconciliation of the Nations, Kingdom Justice and Mercy, Team Ministry, Humility and the Cross, Covenant Promises and Maturing through Trials as vital parts of discipleship and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Sept 5 - Kingdom, Covenants and Canon Lecture 1: Why Study the Old Testament?
Investigates the importance of the Old Testament, exploring the distance between the Old Testament and our day, the relevance of the Old Testament, and application of the Old Testament.
Sept 12 - Kingdom, Covenants and Canon OT L 2: The Kingdom of God
Explores a proper understanding of the Bible's theology of the Kingdom of God by providing the most comprehensive outlook on the Old Testament.
Sept 19 - Kingdom, Covenants and Canon OT L 3: The Divine Covenants L 4: The Old Testament Canon
Explores how God governed his kingdom through a series of covenants that he established in Old Testament history and how the Old Testament canon presents specific guidance by examining the Old Testament as mirror, window and picture
Sept 26 - Kingdom and Covenant NT 1: Why Study New Testament Theology? L 2: The Kingdom of God
Examines why it's important to devote ourselves to the careful, in-depth study of New Testament theology and points out one of the most prominent teachings of the New Testament: the kingdom of God.
Oct 3 - Kingdom and Covenant NT L 3: The New Covenant
Explores how New Testament authors relied on the concept of the new covenant to shape some of their most significant theological perspectives.
Oct 10 - Apostle’s Creed L 1: The Articles of Faith
This lesson looks at the Apostles' Creed as a summary of the articles or doctrines that must be affirmed by all those who would call themselves "Christian." It speaks of the history of the Creed, provides an overview of its statements, and focuses on the importance of its doctrines for today.
Oct 17 - Apostle’s Creed L 2: God the Father
This lesson addresses the basic idea of God, looking at some general things the Bible teaches about his existence and nature. It focuses on the phrase "Father Almighty," paying attention to some distinctive qualities of the first person of the Trinity. And it explores the Father's role as the Maker, or creator, of everything that exists.
Oct 31 - Apostle’s Creed L 3: Jesus Christ
This lesson speaks of the divinity of Jesus Christ, looking at things like the nature of his divinity, and his relationship to the other members of the Trinity. It looks at his humanity, and discusses the relationship between his divine and human natures. And it talks about his work both during and after his earthly ministry.
Nov 7 - Apostle’s Creed L 4: The Holy Spirit
This lesson talks about the Holy Spirit's divinity, his full membership in the Godhead. It considers his personhood, noting that the Holy Spirit is a true person and not simply a divine force. And it explores the work that the Holy Spirit did in the past, and that he continues to do today.
Nov 14 - Apostle’s Creed L 5: The Church
This lesson looks at the divine sanction of the church, and at the facts that the church is holy, catholic or universal, and a communion.
Nov 21 - Apostle’s Creed L 6: Salvation
This discussion of salvation addresses the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the nature of everlasting life.
Nov 28 - Building Your Theology L 1: What Is Theology?
Explores typical definitions, and describes and evaluates the perspectives of these definitions.
Dec 5 - Building Your Theology L 2: Exploring Christian Theology
Defines what Christian theology is, explores the theological traditions that gave shape to Christian theology, and outlines the basic tenets of Reformed theology.
Dec 12 Building Your Theology L 3: Relying on Revelation
Explores what the Scriptures teach about revelation, the dynamics of understanding revelation, and how to develop confidence in theological conclusions.
Dec 19 - Building Your Theology L 4: Authority in Theology
Summarizes the outlooks on theological authority in the Medieval Roman Catholic Church, the early Protestant church and in contemporary Protestantism.
This lesson speaks of the divinity of Jesus Christ, looking at things like the nature of his divinity, and his relationship to the other members of the Trinity. It looks at his humanity, and discusses the relationship between his divine and human natures. And it talks about his work both during and after his earthly ministry.
Nov 7 - Apostle’s Creed L 4: The Holy Spirit
This lesson talks about the Holy Spirit's divinity, his full membership in the Godhead. It considers his personhood, noting that the Holy Spirit is a true person and not simply a divine force. And it explores the work that the Holy Spirit did in the past, and that he continues to do today.
Nov 14 - Apostle’s Creed L 5: The Church
This lesson looks at the divine sanction of the church, and at the facts that the church is holy, catholic or universal, and a communion.
Nov 21 - Apostle’s Creed L 6: Salvation
This discussion of salvation addresses the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the nature of everlasting life.
Nov 28 - Building Your Theology L 1: What Is Theology?
Explores typical definitions, and describes and evaluates the perspectives of these definitions.
Dec 5 - Building Your Theology L 2: Exploring Christian Theology
Defines what Christian theology is, explores the theological traditions that gave shape to Christian theology, and outlines the basic tenets of Reformed theology.
Dec 12 Building Your Theology L 3: Relying on Revelation
Explores what the Scriptures teach about revelation, the dynamics of understanding revelation, and how to develop confidence in theological conclusions.
Dec 19 - Building Your Theology L 4: Authority in Theology
Summarizes the outlooks on theological authority in the Medieval Roman Catholic Church, the early Protestant church and in contemporary Protestantism.
3rd Quarter January 2-Feb 20, 2024
Jan 2 - Pentateuch L 1: Introduction to the Pentateuch L 2: A Perfect World
Introduces how the biblical books of Genesis to Deuteronomy served as the standard for Israel's faith and (Lesson 1 of The Primeval History) gives an overview of the primeval history, the literary structure, original meaning and modern application of Genesis 1-11.
Jan 9 - Pentateuch L 3: Paradise Lost and Found L 4: A World of Violence
Examines Genesis 2:4-3:24, the story of Adam and Eve's sin in the garden and examines Genesis 4:1-6:8, describing how human beings began to fill the world with violence, and how God reacted to those troubles.
Jan 16 - Pentateuch L 5: The Right Direction L 6: The Life of Abraham: Structure and Content
Examines Genesis 6:9-11:9, describing the direction God established for his people to follow after the great flood in the days of Noah and Explores the stories that ancient Israelites told about Abraham, their great patriarch.
Jan 23 - Pentateuch L 7 The Life of Abraham: Original Meaning
L 8: and Modern Application
Explores the original impact these stories were intended to have on the nation of Israel as they followed Moses toward the Promised Land and concentrates on responsible ways to draw modern applications from the chapters in Genesis that speak of Abraham.
Jan 30 - Pentateuch L 9: The Patriarch Jacob L 10: Joseph and His Brothers
Investigates how God humbled and shaped Jacob into one of the most admired patriarchs of Israel and examines the portion of Genesis that deals with Joseph and his troubled relationship with his brothers.
Feb 6 - Pentateuch L 11: An Overview of Exodus
Explores a number of basic issues related to what Exodus meant when it was first written and how we should apply it to our lives today.
Feb 13 - Pentateuch L 12: Studies in Deuteronomy (in class Lectures)
Feb 20 - Pentateuch L 13: Studies in Deuteronomy (in class Lectures)
Introduces how the biblical books of Genesis to Deuteronomy served as the standard for Israel's faith and (Lesson 1 of The Primeval History) gives an overview of the primeval history, the literary structure, original meaning and modern application of Genesis 1-11.
Jan 9 - Pentateuch L 3: Paradise Lost and Found L 4: A World of Violence
Examines Genesis 2:4-3:24, the story of Adam and Eve's sin in the garden and examines Genesis 4:1-6:8, describing how human beings began to fill the world with violence, and how God reacted to those troubles.
Jan 16 - Pentateuch L 5: The Right Direction L 6: The Life of Abraham: Structure and Content
Examines Genesis 6:9-11:9, describing the direction God established for his people to follow after the great flood in the days of Noah and Explores the stories that ancient Israelites told about Abraham, their great patriarch.
Jan 23 - Pentateuch L 7 The Life of Abraham: Original Meaning
L 8: and Modern Application
Explores the original impact these stories were intended to have on the nation of Israel as they followed Moses toward the Promised Land and concentrates on responsible ways to draw modern applications from the chapters in Genesis that speak of Abraham.
Jan 30 - Pentateuch L 9: The Patriarch Jacob L 10: Joseph and His Brothers
Investigates how God humbled and shaped Jacob into one of the most admired patriarchs of Israel and examines the portion of Genesis that deals with Joseph and his troubled relationship with his brothers.
Feb 6 - Pentateuch L 11: An Overview of Exodus
Explores a number of basic issues related to what Exodus meant when it was first written and how we should apply it to our lives today.
Feb 13 - Pentateuch L 12: Studies in Deuteronomy (in class Lectures)
Feb 20 - Pentateuch L 13: Studies in Deuteronomy (in class Lectures)
4th Quarter March 5-April 23, 2024
Mar 5 - Gospels 1: Introduction to the Gospels
Explores the literary character of the Gospels, their status in the Church, and their unity and variety.
Mar 12 - Gospels 2: The Gospel according to Matthew
Matthew wrote the first gospel to explain that Jesus was the king of Jews that brought the kingdom of heaven, even though Jesus didn't arrive in the way people expected.
Mar 19 - Gospels 3: The Gospel according to Mark
The persecution of Christians was on Mark's mind as he wrote the second Gospel. Mark told the story of Jesus' life in ways that strengthened the faith of early Christians and encouraged them to persevere through suffering.
Mar 26 - Gospels 4: The Gospel according to Luke
Luke described Jesus Christ as the one who saves. Humanity is lost and desperate, without help or hope, in need of salvation. The third gospel reminds us that Jesus died to save us.
Apr 2 - Gospels 5: The Gospel according to John
John wrote the fourth gospel to assure persecuted Jewish believers that Jesus was the fulfillment of God's ancient promises to the Jews that Jesus really is the Christ, the Son of God. John wanted to make sure that they would remain faithful to Jesus and enjoy abundant life in him.
Apr 9 - Acts 1: The Background of Acts
Investigates the author, historical setting, and the theological background of the book of Acts.
Apr 16 - Acts 2: Structure and Content
Examines the structure and content of Acts by looking at the ways Luke organized his material, and at the message he intended to teach.
Apr 23 - Acts 3: Major Themes
Explores the three major concepts that Luke addressed as he unfolded the unhindered spread of the gospel of God's kingdom in the days of the early church.
Explores the literary character of the Gospels, their status in the Church, and their unity and variety.
Mar 12 - Gospels 2: The Gospel according to Matthew
Matthew wrote the first gospel to explain that Jesus was the king of Jews that brought the kingdom of heaven, even though Jesus didn't arrive in the way people expected.
Mar 19 - Gospels 3: The Gospel according to Mark
The persecution of Christians was on Mark's mind as he wrote the second Gospel. Mark told the story of Jesus' life in ways that strengthened the faith of early Christians and encouraged them to persevere through suffering.
Mar 26 - Gospels 4: The Gospel according to Luke
Luke described Jesus Christ as the one who saves. Humanity is lost and desperate, without help or hope, in need of salvation. The third gospel reminds us that Jesus died to save us.
Apr 2 - Gospels 5: The Gospel according to John
John wrote the fourth gospel to assure persecuted Jewish believers that Jesus was the fulfillment of God's ancient promises to the Jews that Jesus really is the Christ, the Son of God. John wanted to make sure that they would remain faithful to Jesus and enjoy abundant life in him.
Apr 9 - Acts 1: The Background of Acts
Investigates the author, historical setting, and the theological background of the book of Acts.
Apr 16 - Acts 2: Structure and Content
Examines the structure and content of Acts by looking at the ways Luke organized his material, and at the message he intended to teach.
Apr 23 - Acts 3: Major Themes
Explores the three major concepts that Luke addressed as he unfolded the unhindered spread of the gospel of God's kingdom in the days of the early church.