BML 101: The Church (Spirit Empowered)

Course Description

Welcome to BML 101. This course examines the biblical nature of the local church as a Spirit-empowered community. We will explore what it means for the Holy Spirit to be involved deep and wide in every facet of the church’s life—from biblical interpretation and decision-making to fostering genuine human connection. This course challenges the notion that being “Spirit-Empowered” is a narrow or one-dimensional experience. Instead, we will define it as a comprehensive empowerment through Divine Intervention that touches the mental, social, physical, and emotional lives of believers and the administration of the church.

Course Structure

This course is composed of five chapters. 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:

1. Articulate a comprehensive definition of a “Spirit-Empowered Church” as one guided by Divine Intervention in all areas.
2. Analyze the dimensions of a Spirit-led life in the individual, including its depth, breadth, and frequency.
3. Design operational frameworks for a Spirit-Empowered Organization, applying spiritual discernment to vision, ministries, and management.
4. Analyze the role of the Holy Spirit in biblical interpretation and contrast it with purely intellectual approaches.
5. Formulate practical strategies for cultivating genuine, embodied community.
6. Synthesize biblical principles to defend a theology of Divine Intervention in the life of the church.

Course Outline

Chapter 1: Foundations: What is a Spirit-Empowered Church?

• Lesson 1: Defining Spirit-Empowered (Divine Intervention)
• Lesson 2: Case Study: Spiritual Healing vs. Healing through Divine Intervention
• Lesson 3: Spirit-Empowered Individuals in a Church vs. a Spirit-Empowered Church
• Lesson 4: Case Study: Holy Communion as Four Events (Individual, Community, Internal, External)
• Lesson 5: Synthesizing the Foundations: The Hallmarks of a Spirit-Empowered Community

Chapter 2: The Dimensions of a Spirit-Led Life in the Individual

• Lesson 1: The Frequency and Persistence of Guidance: Cultivating a Continual Conversation with the Spirit
• Lesson 2: The Wide Work of the Spirit: Divine Intervention in Every Area of Life
• Lesson 3: The Deep Work of the Spirit: Moving Beyond Surface-Level Faith
• Lesson 4: The Granularity of Guidance: From Abstract Principles to Detailed Steps
• Lesson 5: Case Study: Integrating the Deep, Wide, and Frequent Leading of the Spirit

Chapter 3: The Spirit-Empowered Organization

• Lesson 1: Vision with Divine Intervention
• Lesson 2: Mission with Divine Intervention
• Lesson 3: Strategy with Divine Intervention
• Lesson 4: Objectives with Divine Intervention
• Lesson 5: Case Study: Putting it all together

Chapter 4: Core Practices of the Church

• Lesson 1: The Practice of Prayer: A Dialogue with God
• Lesson 2: The Practice of Worship: Adoration in Spirit and Truth
• Lesson 3: The Practice of Fellowship: Building the Covenant Community
• Lesson 4: The Practice of Discipleship: Following and Making Followers of Christ
• Lesson 5: The Practice of Mission: Being Witnesses to the World

Chapter 5: Core Practices with Divine Intervention

• Lesson 1: Prayer with Divine Intervention: When God Answers by Fire
• Lesson 2: Worship with Divine Intervention: Encountering the Tangible Presence of God
• Lesson 3: Fellowship with Divine Intervention: The Supernatural Bonds of the Spirit
• Lesson 4: Discipleship with Divine Intervention: Accelerated Growth and Transformation
• Lesson 5: Mission with Divine Intervention: Signs, Wonders, and Kingdom Advancement

Assessments & Grading

To successfully complete this course, you must achieve a score of 80% or higher on the Final Exam.