Spring 2024 Courses

The Message of the New Testament

Dates and Times: Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30pm; January 17 – March 20, 2024 (no class on Feb 14)

Location: Southwest Church of Christ, Education wing (Tigard, Oregon)

Cost: $30 recommended donation

Class Description:

The Message of the New Testament explores the big picture of the New Testament while also diving into several specific topics of particular importance for Christian doctrine and practice. These include classic theological questions such as the nature of Christ, predestination and free will, the doctrine of the Church, and the End Times. However, practical topics such as worship, personal holiness, and gender roles may also be covered. At the first meeting, class participants will be asked to suggest topics of particular interest and every effort will be made to address them by the end of the term.

Students should have an ESV Study Bible and a copy of George G. Guthrie, Read the Bible For Life: Your Guide for Understanding and Living God’s Word (2011).

Introduction to Christian Ethics

(THEO 2003)

Dates and Times: Thursdays 11am – 2pm; September 5 – December 5, 2024

Location: Longview Church of Christ, Longview, WA

Teacher: Darren T. Williamson

Cost: his is an accredited college course with fees. Students can audit the course or take it for college credit. If auditing there is no assessment (quizzes, tests, papers, etc) or credit assigned. The audit fee is $30. If taken for credit, there is assessment, a grade is assigned, and three college credits are earned. The credit fee is $60

Course Description:

This course examines Christian morality and ethics rooted in the teaching of Jesus. Other major contemporary ethical systems are also surveyed. Students practice ethical discernment on
topics such as sexuality, family, food, environmentalism, consumerism, and wealth.

Studying ethics is essential for developing a deeper understanding of the Christian faith.
Christianity teaches that people are saved by the grace of God yet that same grace instructs
them to “renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and
godly lives in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12). The renunciation of sin and the pursuit of virtue
and holiness is to mark the ethical Christian life. This course’s objective is...

• To increase students’ understanding of the Biblical and philosophical foundations of ethics
• To equip students to read and analyze responsibly primary and secondary sources
• To enable students to think carefully and biblically about both classic ethical issues and
new issues raised by modern developments in technology
• To encourage students to engage in thoughtful and respectful discussion of sensitive and
controversial ethical issues

Required Texts:
1. Keith D. Stanglin, Ethics Beyond Rules: How Christ’s Call to Love Informs Our Moral Choices (Zondervan, 2021).
2. Philip Graham Ryken, Written in Stone: The Ten Commandments and Today's Moral Crisis (P & R Publishing, 2010).
3. ESV Study Bible

Jesus of Nazareth: Servant, Savior, King

Dates and Times: Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30PM; September 4 – November 20, 2024 (12 weeks)

Location: Southwest Church of Christ, (Tigard, Oregon)

Teacher: Zach Hailey

Cost: Recommended Donation: $30

Course Description: The course is a journey through the life of Christ, from his birth to his ascension, with the goal of answering the following questions: Who he was, Why he came, and What he left behind. Although many who have been apart of the church for many years have a grasp of the life of Christ, many historical and contextual details may get lost when considering the story as a whole. Why did he appear 2000 years ago? Why the virgin birth? Why would his teaching be so offensive that they would one day get him arrested and sent to his death? Why did his achievement set in motion the greatest revolution the world has ever seen? One thing is certain for those who have encountered Christ in the flesh – none ever remained the same.

Recommended Textbooks and Sourcebooks:

Philip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew (Zondervan, 1995)
ESV Study Bible

Band of Brothers

Dates and Times: 2024-2025

Location: TBD

Teacher: Darren T. Williamson

Class Description: a new initiative of the Northwest School of Discipleship seeking to address the crisis of
Christian manhood facing young men today. More than ever, guys in their late teens and 20s need to be
challenged to fully embrace their commitment to Christ and their critical role in society, the church, and the
home. Band of Brothers seeks men who want to grow deeper in faith and develop themselves as godly men.
Band of Brothers is designed for guys in the Portland metro region with jobs or in college or trade-school
school, but who are willing to commit to a serious 8-month season of spiritual growth and discipleship with
other young men.

Full Course Description HERE

Approximate Cost:

$500 (operating expenses); $2500 (mission trip).