The Practical Theology Class should be beneficial to anyone that desires to participate or audit the discussions. However, it is specifically designed as training sessions for men that desire to become Elders at Grace Bible Church. Titus 1:9 specifically requires that elders are to be “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.” In seeking to fulfill this Biblical qualification, among the requirements GBC has set forth in our Elders Policy is the ability to discuss and give a Biblical defense in specific areas of Practical Theology.
This course of classes assumes that there is already a background in Bible Survey, Hermeneutics and Theology since Practical Theology is the application of each of those areas of study to the issues of human life. Those who do not have these backgrounds will still benefit from the discussions of the particular topics, but will probably struggle to derive a Biblical response to them.
The format of the class will assume familiarity with the subjects and will consist mostly of discussion rather than lecture. Suggested material to read or listen to are listed with each topic. The pdf schedule can be downloaded, but is subject to modification. At minimum, the linked written material should be read and sermons / lectures should be reviewed before class. Suggested books are optional for greater in depth study. Additional resources may be added at anytime.
We will stream class and post them on our pages on Youtube and Sermon Audio. However, since it is known that YouTube will restrict or even block material that does not match their ides of political correctness, some discussions may only be available on Sermon Audio.
If you have questions about a particular subject, you may email them to Pastor@GraceBibleNY.org I will try to include them in the discussion for that subject, or add them as a follow-up in the next class.
Simply a Slave of the Lord Jesus Christ
Pastor Scott L. Harris
Grace Bible Church, Wappinger, NY
Class Schedule
It has been decided to slow the pace of the class down in order to give adequate time for discussion. The order of discussion will remain the same, but the dates have been removed since we will proceed to the next topic only as the discussion of the previous topic is concluded.
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Date |
Subject |
Resources: Reading / Audio Recordings |
| Church Government: Structure & Role of Officers: Elders, Deacons, Deaconess | GBC Constitution Article VI, Sections A-E
GBC Policies on Elders & Deacons & Deaconesses. Elders – Plurality & Elder, Bishop, Pastor Word Studies & Elder Duties & Deacon Qualifications & Word Study & Divorce & Church Leaders Book: Biblical Eldership by Alexander Strauch |
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| Church Discipline | GBC Constitution Article V
Sermons: The Difficult One Another (9/3/2013); God’s Correction of His Children (8/7/2016) Study Questions – Click here – Church Discipline |
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| “Baby Dedications” (Believer’s baptism vs. paedo-baptism) | GBC “Baby Dedication” paper | |
| Role of Women in the Church | GBC Policy: Women in Ministry
Study Questions –Click here – Women in Ministry |
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| Biblical Concept of Missions: Local & Foreign, Sending process, Evangelism, Parachurch vs. Local Church |
Study Questions –Click here – Missions |
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| Priorities of Pastoral Ministry |
Jesus Christ Disciple Maker, Bill Hull. Fleming H. Revell, 1990. Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry, John F. MacArthur Jr. Word Publishing, 1995 Sermon: Responsibilities of Pastors (6/12/16) Study Questions – Click here – Pastoral Priorities |
|
| Stewardship (Finances – Church & Personal) |
Jim Rickard materials – SSFoundation.net Crown Financial Ministries, Larry Burket, Ron Blue Sermons: Finances / Stewardship Series (9 sermons) https://www.gracebibleny.org/category/sermons/finances_stewardship Study Questions – click here – Finances |
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| Lawsuits | 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 | |
| Divorce & Remarriage | Sermons: The Exception Clause of Matthew 5:32 & 19:9 (2/27/18); Marriage, Separation, Divorce & Remarriage (5/25/14); The Dangers of Divorce – Matthew 5:31-32 (5/18/14)
Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage in the Bible, Jay Adams. Zondervan, 1980 Study Questions – Click here Divorce & Remarriage |
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| Liberty in Christ vs. Legalism and licentiousness | Sermons: Holy & Free series (16 sermons) https://www.gracebibleny.org/category/sermons/holy_and_free(Topics: Drugs, Alcohol, Dancing, Dress, Music & Entertainment)Study Questions: O7a Christian Liberty Study Questions | |
|
Liberty in Christ vs. Legalism and licentiousness (Continued) |
Sermons: Holy & Free series (16 sermons) https://www.gracebibleny.org/category/sermons/holy_and_freeContinued: Topics – Leisure & Labor, Dating / Courtship & Marriage, Children, Cultural Traditions, Holy Bodies, Holy Days | |
| 1/16/20 |
Manifestations of True Salvation / false professions |
1 John
Sermons: Which Way to Heaven – Matthew 7:13-14 (10/26/14); Building on Solid Ground – Matthew 7:24-27 (11/16/14) Study Questions: Click here – Manifestations of True Salvation |
| 1/29/20 | Abortion / Euthanasia | Sermon: The Value of Human Life (1/20/19)
Whatever Happened to the Human Race, Francis A. Shaeffer & C. Everett Koop. Study Questions: Click here – Abortion & Euthanasia |
| 2/6/20 |
Human Sexuality / Sexual Perversions |
Sermons: Proverbs on Avoiding Sexual Sin – Proverbs 5-7 (1/21/2013); Unrighteousness in Homosexuality (2/24/2002)l Unrighteousness in Depraved Minds (3/3/2002); Christian Citizenship in a Degenerating Society, Part 1 – Romans 1:16-32 (7/5/15); Study Questions: Click here – Human Sexuality |
| 2/13/20 | Political Activism / Caring for the “poor” |
Sermons: The Christian & Politics (9/14/2008); Biblical Principles for Political Decisions (10/16/16); Christian Citizenship in a Degenerating Society Pt 2 (7/12/2015); Being Salt & Light – Matthew 5:13-16 (3/23/14); Proverbs on Government (10/22/2012) Book: The Tragedy of American Compassion, Marvin Olasky. Regnery Publishing, 1992 Study Questions – Click here – Political Activism & Charity |
| 2/20/20 |
Race Relations / |
Sermons: One Blood, One Race – Overcoming Prejudice Selected Scriptures (7/14/19); Racial Harmony (2/10/2013)
Study Questions – Click Here – Race Relations |
| 2/27/20 | Alcohol & Drugs / Smoking | Sermon: Proverbs on Wine & Drinking (1/14/2013) Study Questions: Click here – Alcohol, Drugs, gambling |
| 2/27/20 |
Gambling |
Sermons: Proverbs on Coveting (1/10/13); Proverbs on Economics (10/15/2012)
Study Questions: Click here – Alcohol, Drugs, Gambling |
| Entertainment |
Sermons: Godliness & Entertainment (2/3/2013), Sanctification of Our Minds (19/8/2000), Rejoicing in All Circumstances, Part 5: Thinking Rightly (10/24/2004), Rejoicing in All Circumstances, Part 6: Thinking Rightly (11/7/2004) Books: Worldly Amusements, Wayne Wilson. Amusing Ourselves to Death, Niel Postman Study Questions – Click here – Entertainment |
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| Priorities / Usage of Time |
Sermons: Walking in Wisdom (11/17/1996) (Ephesians 5:15-17), Love for God (9/23/2018), Loving Your Neighbor (9/30/2018) Study Questions – Click here – Priorities & Time usage |
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