Subtitle: Foundations of What Christians Believe

Course Description

Welcome to BBS 105! This course provides a clear and accessible introduction to the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. If other courses focus on the story of the Bible, this course focuses on the core truths that the story teaches. We will explore the biblical basis for the essential beliefs that have united Christians for centuries. You will gain a solid understanding of what the Bible teaches about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Scripture, humanity, sin, salvation, and the Church. This course is designed to equip you with a firm foundation for your faith, enabling you to know what you believe, why you believe it, and how to articulate it to others.

Course Structure

This course is composed of five chapters, each focusing on a major area of Christian doctrine. Each chapter includes a detailed summary, five in-depth lessons, a chapter test, and an optional “Deep Dive” for further study. The course culminates in a final course test.

Course: Syllabus + Interactive Syllabus + 5 Chapters + Course Test

Chapter: Summary + 5 Lessons + Chapter Test + Deep Dive

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Articulate Core Doctrines: Clearly define and explain the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith.
• Provide Biblical Support: Locate and interpret key biblical passages that support each major doctrine.
• Understand Theological Terms: Define and correctly use fundamental theological terms related to basic Christian beliefs.
• Appreciate the Trinity: Explain the biblical basis for the doctrine of the Trinity and the distinct roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• Explain the Gospel: Articulate the biblical narrative of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration, with a clear understanding of the doctrine of salvation.
• Strengthen Personal Conviction: Develop a more robust and biblically-grounded personal faith.

Course Outline

Chapter 1: The Foundation: Scripture & God

• Lesson 1: The Doctrine of Scripture: Revelation & Inspiration
• Lesson 2: The Authority & Inerrancy of the Bible
• Lesson 3: The Canon & Reliability of Scripture
• Lesson 4: The Doctrine of God: His Existence & Attributes
• Lesson 5: The Doctrine of the Trinity: One God in Three Persons

Chapter 2: The Person & Work of Jesus Christ

• Lesson 1: The Pre-existence and Incarnation of Christ
• Lesson 2: The Humanity of Christ
• Lesson 3: The Deity of Christ
• Lesson 4: The Atoning Work of Christ: His Death
• Lesson 5: The Exaltation of Christ: His Resurrection, Ascension, and Future Return

Chapter 3: The Person & Work of the Holy Spirit

• Lesson 1: The Deity and Personhood of the Holy Spirit
• Lesson 2: The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
• Lesson 3: The Work of the Holy Spirit in Salvation
• Lesson 4: The Baptism and Filling of the Holy Spirit
• Lesson 5: The Gifts and Fruit of the Holy Spirit

Chapter 4: Humanity, Sin, & Salvation

• Lesson 1: The Doctrine of Humanity: Created in God’s Image
• Lesson 2: The Doctrine of Sin: The Fall and Its Consequences
• Lesson 3: The Doctrine of Salvation: Grace, Repentance, and Faith
• Lesson 4: The Order of Salvation: Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification
• Lesson 5: The Security and Assurance of the Believer

Chapter 5: The Church & Last Things

• Lesson 1: The Doctrine of the Church: Its Nature and Mission
• Lesson 2: The Ordinances of the Church: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
• Lesson 3: The Government and Leadership of the Church
• Lesson 4: The Unity and Diversity of the Church
• Lesson 5: Introduction to Last Things: The Return of Christ and the Eternal State

Assessments & Grading

• Chapter Quizzes: Short quizzes will follow each lesson to assess comprehension.
• Chapter Tests: A test at the end of each of the five chapters will review the material covered.
• Final Course Test: A comprehensive final exam will cover the key ideas from all five chapters.
• Passing Requirement: To successfully complete this course, you must achieve a score of 80% or higher on each of the five Chapter Tests and the Final Course Test.