Trinity Annual Conference

Old Testament

Outline of LPL Module

The Intensive Study Weekend Module provides:

• A survey and introduction to the 39 books in the Old Testament.
• Understanding the context of the Old Testament, i.e. its historical, cultural and socio-religious background.

Resources:

1. Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth.
   (Compulsory pre-reading for the course, except for NT Chapters 3,4,6,7,8,13)
2. J. Drane, Introducing the Old Testament (Oxford: Lynx, 1987).
3. W. Dumbrell, The Faith of Israel (London: Apollos, 1989).
4. Tremper Longman III and Raymond B. Dillard, Understanding the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006, 2^nd ed).
5. William Sanford Lasor, David Allan Hubbard, Frederic William Bush, Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form, and Background of the Old Testament 2^nd Edition.
6. Bruce K. Waltke and Charles Yu, An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach.

22-23 May 2021

online 

Bishop Joshua Khong

Spirituality & Discipleship

Timing of Module
In 2021 it was proposed that the Module be conducted online over two Saturdays:  June 19 and June 26.

Module Requirements
This module examines the basics of Christian spirituality and spiritual growth and the fundamentals of discipleship with the intent that course participants will learn to become more intentional in their growth as Christ’s disciples.
Being an introductory course in Spirituality and Discipleship, it can only point the way to further personal and corporate study, reflection and practice.

Course Assignments for LPL Candidates:

1. Pre-Course Preparation: Before attending the Course participants are to
   • Spend a period of time before God to reflect on how God has been at work in their lives, in their families and in their churches. They are then to discern how God has been leading them at this time of their lives. Participants are then to submit a personal reflection paper (not more than three pages) at the beginning of the course.  
   • Study the basic text for the course: Dallas Willard, The Great Omission – Reclaiming Jesus’ Essential Teachings on Discipleship.  Monarch Books, 2006, write a review of the book (about two pages) and  submit it at beginning of Course).
2. Attend all sessions of the Module on the appointed days
3. Post Course Assignments:  
   • Book Reviews: Choose any two of the following books and submit a review of about 600 words each:
     1. Gary Thomas, Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Soul’s Path to God.
     2. J. Oswald Sanders, Enjoying Intimacy with God. Moody Press (Reprint Edition)
     3. David Watson, Discipleship. Hodder & Stoughton
     4. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship. Macmillan Pub. Co.
     5. Keith R. Anderson & Randy D. Reese. Spiritual Mentoring – A Guide for Seeking and Giving Direction. IVP. 1999
     6. J. I. Packer. Rediscovering Holiness – Know the Fullness of Life with God.  Regal. 2009
     7. J. I. Packer, Keep In Step With The Spirit.  IVP.
     8. Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline – the Path to spiritual Growth. Hodder & Stoughton.
     9. Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart – Putting on the Character of Christ.IVP. 2002
     10. Bill Hull, The Complete Book of Discipleship,-- On Being and Making Followers of Christ. NAV Press, 2006
     11. Larry Crabb. Becoming a True Spiritual Community – A Profound View of What the Church Can Be.
     12. Janet O. Hagberg & Robert A. Guelich. The Critical Journey – Stages in the Life of Faith. Sheffield Pub. 2nd. Ed. 2004.
   • Submit a Reflection Paper: (of about 1,500 words) – writing direction will be given out at the Course.

19&26 Jun 2021

online 

Rev Dr Chew Tow Yow

Youth Ministry

Course Description

This module is designed to assist stakeholders in Youth Ministry in the local church in understanding the landscape of youth ministry and seeing youth ministry as cross-cultural missions in essence. We will look into the critical need of developing adult leaders for youth work as well as youth leaders to their own. We will also explore some of the key challenges in mentoring youth today. The passing of this module is dependent on course attendance, reading the 2 prescribed texts (submit a signed declaration of completion of reading) and an assignment paper of 1,500-2,000 words.

Prescribed Reading (Choose two);

• DeVries, Mark. Family-based Youth Ministry. Downers Grove: IVP, 2010.
• Compiled by McDowell, Sean, and Ray Willey. Josh McDowell’s Youth Ministry Handbook. USA: W Publishing Group, 2000.
• Housman, Brian. Tech-Savvy Parenting. 2nd ed. Randal House Publishers, 2019. (or earlier edition)

4 hours each Saturday morning 

Click to download Doc for more Instructions

17, 24 & 31 Jul 2021

online 

Dr Herbert Tan

Church History

This course, The Cloud of Witnesses, covers the period of Augustine (Early Church Fathers) to John Calvin (The Reformation).

Church History is the contemplation of:

• all those forces, influences, factors, and external situations that have moved the church first this way and then that.
• the forces that compelled the church to change its direction, to alter its beliefs, to revise its traditions.
• the myriad little changes that the church has had to make in a wide variety of areas in order to  continue to function effectively in a rapidly changing world.

But church history is also the contemplation of those basic tenets of faith, those fundamental and bedrock concepts without which the church could not be the church.
Through church history we can come to a detailed understanding of that which is basic, that which is central, that which is unchanging.  For it is only these that have survived the tests of history; it is only these that have continued unchanged through the centuries of the church’s existence.
Among these bedrock values is the belief in a transcendent and immanent God, a God who is both totally other yet a God who is with us, walks with us, shares our life with us.
Thus the study of church history is fundamentally the contemplation of the lives and times of individual persons.  Our theology, our faith, the reality of God is nothing if it is not lived out in the lives of ordinary people.
The persons chosen for considerations in this series were quite ordinary people:  Augustine, Gregory, Leo, the early monks and nuns, those enraptured by the crusading spirit, Aquinas, Erasmus, Huss, Wycliffe, Joan, Savonarola, Gerard – all these people too commenced their life of faith as do you and I.  And even the giant – Luther and Calvin – struggled long and hard to discover God’s will for their lives.
So Church History is a window on the world of faith, a window through which we can look at ourselves.

Participants who sign up for this course are required to read in advance the 8 booklets, attend the weekend course and complete the assignment before the due date.

Click to download Doc for more Instructions

3 hours each day, 6pm-9pm 

25-26 Sept & 2-3 Oct 2021

online 

Ms Aileen Khoo