Unit 1: WHAT IS A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW? Introduction to Worldview Define worldview and explain how worldviews are developed Compare and contrast secular and Biblical worldviews Ancient Greek Worldview: Government Compare the government structure of ancient Greece with modern democracy. Compare and contrast the cultures of ancient Athens and ancient Sparta. Identify the distinct differences in interests and attitudes between ancient Athens and Sparta. Ancient Greek Worldview: Religion Describe the relationship between the Greeks and their gods. List the attributes of the Greek gods and compare their attributes with those of humans. Ancient Greek Worldview: Philosophy Compare and contrast similarities between ancient Greek beliefs and beliefs held today Identify the leading Greek philosophers and their beliefs Ancient Hebrew Worldview: Religion Compare and contrast differences between ancient Greek and Ancient Hebrew beliefs and worldviews. Describe the Hebrew religion and the relationship between the Hebrews and God. Ancient Hebrew Worldview: Government Identify the principles in Deuteronomy 28 and describe how they affected the Hebrew people. Describe the government structure of the ancient Hebrews. Ancient Hebrew Worldview: Theology Contrast the theologies of ancient Greeks and ancient Hebrews. Describe the Hebrew view of the relationship between reason and revelation. Explain the Hebrew view of man and contrast it with that of the Greeks. Project: Promises of God Research and list ten of God's promises to His people Conflicting Worldviews Compare the changes Jewish and Gentile Christians made for their new Christian faith. Describe and compare contradictions between secular and Biblical worldviews. Describe differences between Greek and Hebrew worldviews. Dualism Define dualism. Compare worldview conflicts in the early church with worldview conflicts in today's church.
Unit 2: PRESUPPOSITIONS Assumptions and Presuppositions: Introduction Apply the concepts of assumption and presupposition to real life situations. Describe how assumptions and presuppositions affect our thinking and determine the development of our worldview. Assumptions and Presuppositions: Communication Difficulties Recognize there are many different types of presuppositions and ways of presupposing. Identify problems in communication and their relationship to presuppositions. Moral Relativism Describe how the theory of relativism depends on a subjective way of thinking. Contrast individual moral relativism and cultural moral relativism. Compare and contrast objective and subjective truths. Identify the problems with moral relativism and contrast with the Christian standard, the Bible, for deciding right and wrong. Moral Absolutism Recognize the three principles of moral standards. Explain why moral neutrality is a contradiction of terms. Compare and contrast moral relativism and moral absolutism. Describe the inconsistencies of a moral relativist's view of tolerance. The Basis for Truth Identify the connection between morality and communication. Define the nature of truth and morality. The Basis for Morality Recognize that moral laws apply to all people and cultures. Understand that God has communicated moral laws to mankind. Learn that the characteristics of legitimate moral authority find their source in God alone. Describe how laws directly communicated to us by an authority are laws we feel compelled to obey. God's Communication of His Standards to Us Describe how feelings can be deceptive and how to make certain our feelings are directing us properly. Explain why God was displeased with Cain's offering. Recognize that the Ten Commandments are God's communication of His standards. Understanding Repentance and God's Grace Compare and contrast implicit vs. explicit commands. Examine and apply the process of true repentance. Understand that the Ten Commandments are broad moral standards under which all of God's laws fit. The Relationship of Law and Grace Recognize the use of God's commandments as an integral influence on the Christian worldview. Define God's gift of grace, and identify its importance in scripture. Memorize Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 6:14, and Luke 6:46.
Unit 3: THE DOCTRINES OF THE BIBLE The Doctrines of the Bible Describe the variety of means God uses in communicating with His people. Explain why the primary source of God's revelation is the Bible. Different View of Inspiration Identify and critique competing views of inspiration to arrive at the best explanation of how God inspired His Word. Define inspiration and explain its influence on the writing of Scripture. Scriptural Support for Plenary Inspiration Identify proofs that the Scripture is divinely inspired. Be able to find examples where the New Testament claims the Holy Spirit inspired the words of the Old Testament. Describe the Holy Spirit's role in the inspiration of the Bible. God's Natural Attributes Compare God's natural attributes with those of His creatures. Identify Scriptures which describe God's natural attributes. God's Moral Attributes Identify and compare God's moral attributes. Become familiar with Scriptures which describe God's moral attributes. Compare and contrast God's natural attributes with His moral attributes. The Inerrancy of Scripture Give some reasons why the Bible remains relevant despite its extreme age. Explain the connection between the inerrancy of Scripture and God's attributes. The Infallibility of Scripture Contrast the natures of God and man with regard to fallibility. Explain why Scripture is infallible. Identify the basis of man's ability to learn about the natural world. The Authority of Scripture Explain the relationship between God's promises in Scripture and His commandments. Connect the authority of God's Word to its inerrancy and infallibility. The All-Sufficiency of Scripture Identify how God extends providential care to His people. The All-Sufficiency of Scripture Compare and contrast trusting in human reason vs. the Word of God. Explain how the Bible implicitly and explicitly presents information we need in order to live a joyful life which is pleasing to God. The Illumination of the Holy Spirit Identify precepts regarding Scripture and the illumination of the Holy Spirit as they are articulated in the Belgic Confession. Describe and apply how to understand what God is saying to us in the Bible. Explain how illumination, a work of the Holy Spirit, helps us to understand what God is saying to us in the Bible.
Unit 4: GOD'S CREATION Who Owns the World? Define the term 'create.' Be able to explain God's ownership of the world and His sovereignty over creation. God's Providential Control Over the World Compare and contrast deistic belief with the account in the Bible regarding God's role in creation. Be able to identify Scriptures which teach the providential control of God. What is Man? Explain how being created in God's image affects man's ability to understand the Bible. Describe what it means to be created in God's image. The Attributes of God and Man Describe in what way humans reflect the attributes of their Creator God. Compare and contrast man's attributes with God's attributes. Loving God and Loving Others Compare the act of loving God with the act of loving others. The Sanctity of Human Life Give details about why taking a human life is rebellion against God. Be able to explain how we know the place and purpose that man holds in God's creation. Give Scripture examples which prove who decides when and if humans are to be born. Compare and contrast the acts of abortion and euthanasia. People with a Purpose Be able to describe God's specific purpose for man. The Great Commission Explain how Jesus fulfills the prophesy of Genesis 3:15. Compare and contrast the Cultural Mandate with the Great Commission. Define the Great Commission of Matthew 28. Fulfilling the Great Commission Gain an understanding of how the Great Commission is fulfilled. Discover how Christians can be witnesses for Christ.
Unit 5: HEAD OF THE FAMILY A Special Relationship with God Describe the special relationship God has with those who are in His family. Discover who is in the family of God. Learn from what one is saved' and why that salvation is necessary. The Fatherhood of God - Part 1 Describe how obedience relates to the father/child relationship between God and His children. Identify the double relationship implied in the Lord's Prayer. The Fatherhood of God - Part 2 Give examples of how God's children are united in the family of God. Explain how God's children are adopted into His family. Describe what it means to be a child of God, including the special privileges and obligations connected with the relationship. Loving Leadership Explain how Christ is the example of godly leadership. Discover who was responsible for the first sin. Identify what a husband's primary motive should be in order to be a good leader. Characteristics of a Godly Man - Part 1 Describe the kind of knowledge which a godly man will possess. Characteristics of a Godly Man - Part 2 Explain why knowing the Bible well can influence the growth of godliness in a man. Describe an abundant family life. Give some of the characteristics of a godly man.
Unit 6: THE BIBLE AND MARRIAGE Necessary Ingredients for a Successful Marriage Understand the importance of marriage partners seeking and obeying God. Explain the necessary ingredients of a successful Christian marriage. An Essential Foundation for a Successful Christian Marriage Determine the foundational element of a successful Christian marriage. Discover why it's essential that both marriage partners are Christians. Additional Factors to Consider for a Successful Christian Marriage Identify the factors to consider when choosing a partner for a successful Christian marriage. Discover why it is essential for couples to determine their compatibility before marriage. Define the word love as it applies to a successful Christian marriage. The Role of Husbands and Wives in a Christian Home Determine the wife's role in a Christian family. Discover the husband's God-given role in a Christian family. Figure out the main reason non-christians are unable to understand God's principle of submission. Explain how humans have equal value to God, although He has given them different roles. The Role of Children in a Christian Home Explain the role of children in a Christian family. Gain an understanding of parents' responsibilities under God. Role Conflicts in Our Culture Explain God's purpose for family roles. Identify the current cultural conflicts with roles in the Christian family. Learned Behavior Problems in the Family Describe the tools Christians have available in order to follow God's commands. Understand how parents are important role models and influencers of their children's future attitudes.
Unit 7: DATING TO MATRIMONY Recreational Dating Identify the purposes of dating in American culture. Compare American dating practices with those of other cultures. Dating Practices from Bible Times to Modern Times Identify the purposes and problems with recreational dating. Compare practices regarding the finding of marriage partners in Bible times with those practiced in our modern culture. Negative Tendencies in Dating Be able to explain Joshua Harris's rationale in his presentation of the negative tendencies of dating. Recreational Dating and the Christian Response Explain the negatives of teen dating. Identify some good ways to maintain propriety in boy/girl relationships. Making a Commitment Know and understand the biblical principles for marriage as described in Genesis 2:8-24. Be able to explain what those principles teach us regarding marriage preparedness. Lessons from a Wedding Ceremony Describe the importance of the Christian wedding service and its application for a healthy Christian marriage. Compare the relationship between Christ and His Church. The Engagement Period Discover the importance of the engagement period. Be able to explain what an engagement period between a man and a woman accomplishes. Resolving Conflicts Describe some of the conflicts which may arise during engagement. Give details about how to resolve conflicts during engagement.
Unit 8: CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Created to Learn Identify the key attribute which makes man different from other creatures. Learn to use Scripture as a 'filter' for all the information we receive. Discover the task God gave to man. Give examples from Scripture which reveal the task God has given to man with its special responsibility. Created to Teach Discover how that special responsibility may be fulfilled. Identify the two ways man learns from God. Differentiate between the brain and mind. Recognize God's great calling and responsibility He placed on Christians. The Foundation of all Education Determine the foundation from which all education is derived. List the goals of education. General Revelation State the primary ways God reveals Himself to man. Determine the means by which God reveals Himself to us. Discover the primary purpose of education. Special Revelation Determine the additional means by which God reveals Himself to us. Give examples from Scripture of the means by which God reveals Himself to us. Indicate which means God has used in giving His special revelation in Scripture. Filtering Facts Discover what we may use as a filter for the world around us. Understand what we must do to learn the truth about any subject. Grasp the principle that man's success depends on how he receives the information God provides. Learning In and From Our Environment Discover Bible truths regarding education. Explain the relationship between our environment and learning. Application of Truth Discover why it is important to know truth. Identify our primary purpose for learning God's Word.
Unit 9: ART,MUSIC, AND POLITICS A Christian Worldview in the Arts Apply biblical principles to appraise works of art. Understand the relationship between thoughts and actions. Christian Art through History Discover the primary purpose of art since Old Testament times. Determine what questions we must ask ourselves as we view works of art. Music, a Gift from God Determine the questions we must ask ourselves as we evaluate music. Recognize the effects music has on listeners. The Art Form of Literature Be able to explain which form of art is the most influential and why. Discover God's primary means of communicating with His people. Determine the questions we must ask ourselves as we appraise works of literature. Civil Government Determine the responsibility Christians have towards their government. Gain an understanding of the nature and concept of justice. Understand the relationship between religion and politics. Learn what Scripture says about government. The Concerns and Strategies of Politics List the major concerns of voters. Learn how to apply biblical principles to determine which candidates are best. Discover the important responsibility of voters. Christian Involvement in Politics Learn how Christians can influence the world around them. Discover what Jesus called Christians to do.
Unit 10: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER Biblical Faith Learn how to strengthen faith. Define biblical faith. Biblical Eyes Learn how to develop biblical eyes. Discover how to find the character of God through His Word. Biblical Strategies and their Application Learn which tools will help you to study Scripture. Recognize the special responsibilities of Jesus' followers and how to fulfill them. Discover how to apply Scripture to everyday situations. Unit 1 Review: What is a Biblical Worldview? Compare and contrast the worldviews of the two Greek city-states, Athens and Sparta. Compare the changes Jewish and Gentile Christians made for their new Christian faith. Identify the predominant worldviews of Western civilization. Unit 2 Review: Assumptions and Presuppositions Compare and contrast moral relativism and moral absolutism. Define and differentiate between assumptions and presuppositions. Unit 3 Review: The Doctrines of the Bible Understand the primary means God uses to communicate to man. Gain an understanding of the five major doctrines relating to Scripture. Unit 4 Review: God's Creation Discover God's special creation and determine why it is different from everything else He created. Identify God's purpose for His special creation. Unit 5 Review: Head of the Family Give some of the characteristics of a godly man. Unit 6 Review: The Bible and Marriage List the factors which must be considered to determine a couple's compatibility. Identify the necessary ingredients for a godly family. Unit 7 Review: Dating to Matrimony Identify the purpose and problems with recreational dating. Compare and contrast dating and courtship relationships. Unit 8 Review: Christian Education Recognize the responsibility God has placed on Christians. Discover the means by which God reveals Himself to us. Explain what institutions are responsible for the education of Christian children. Unit 9 Review: Art, Music, and Politics Realize what are the biblical duties and responsibility of civil servants. Understand what the forms of government are that God has ordained. List the major concerns of voters. Discover what Scripture teaches us about art.