BiC Final Assignment

The Final BiC Assignment is available here if you were not here on Sunday, 5/2/10.

Please note this assignment will be publicly presented at Christ Community Church on Sunday, 5/16/10 but must be submited to Pastor Tyler in written form by 5/9/10. If you know the topic you'd like to talk about please Contact PT to claim it now.

Click the link above to open the file and then select "Save a Copy" in the upper Left hand corner to save a copy to your computer.

Section 10 - The End Times

Click here for the notes from Section 10 on the End Times.

Click the image or link above to open the file and select "Save a Copy" in the upper Left hand corner to save a copy to your computer.

Holy Spirit free e-book

Click here to download a copy of Winfield Bevins' free e-book on the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

Section 9 - The Church and Christian Living

Click here for the notes from Section 9 on the Church and Christian Living.

Click the image or link above to open the file and select "Save a Copy" in the upper Left hand corner to save a copy to your computer.

Section 8 - Holy Spirit

Click here for the notes from Section 8 on the Holy Spirit.

Click the image or link above to open the file and select "Save a Copy" in the upper Left hand corner to save a copy to your computer.

Salvation - Section 7

Click here for Section 7 notes on Salvation.

Click the link above to open the file and select "Save a Copy" in the upper Left hand corner to save a copy to your computer.

Jesus Christ - Section 6

Click here for Section 6 notes on Jesus Christ.

Click the link open the file and select "Save a Copy" in the upper Left hand corner to save a copy to your computer.

The Word of God - a biblical comparison of the Written and Incarnate Word

Rene Pache wrote an immensely helpful book called The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture


(click the image above to purchase this book through the BiC bookstore).

The inspiration of the Bible makes sense to me because of Jesus. HERE is a table from chapter four of Pache's book where he compares the revelation of God through the Written Word (the Bible) and the revelation of God through the Incarnate Word (Jesus Christ).

(After following the link, select "Save a Copy" in the upper Left hand corner to save a copy to your computer).

The Bible Notes - Section 5

Click here for Section 5 - The Bible notes

Click the link above to open the file and then select "Save a Copy" in the upper Left hand corner to save a copy to your computer.

Reading the Bible for Transformation

As we begin discussing what we believe about the Bible you may find this blog helpful for getting the most out of your devotions.(I know I did!)



Beginning January 1, 2010 I will begin a one year Bible Reading plan and I would like to invite you to join me in this journey. The goal is to read through the entire Bible in one year. Obviously the object of this goal is not merely to "get through" the Bible but rather to allow the Bible "get through" us.

Certainly to read through the entire canon of scripture in a single year is a noble pursuit yet the ultimate goal is for our lives to be transformed by God's Word. Let it be our ambition to at every turn encounter the Incarnate Word of God (Jesus) through the Written Word of God (the Bible) that we may know Him, Love Him, Obey Him, Serve Him, and Proclaim Him! Join me in this spiritual procedure in 2010: to allow God's Word to penetrate our hearts, remove the disease of sin, transplant faith in Jesus, and suture us through His Spirit to be faithful disciple-makers. -PT

Section 4 - Doctrine of God notes

Click here for Section 4 - Doctrine of God notes

Click the link above to open the file and then select "Save a Copy" in the upper Left hand corner to save a copy to your computer.

The Bible in 4 minutes...

This is the song "The Greatest Story Ever Told" by Shai Linne, a very culturally-relevant song that sums up the entire Bible in about 5 minutes. Purchase his album "Storiez" here or on iTunes. Think about this: how would you tell the story of the Bible? what parts would you include/leave out? The lyrics are below...




Alright check it: let’s go back in time, brethren. Divine lessons always keep your mind guessing. The glory of the Triune God is what I’m stressing. The origin of humankind was fine. Blessings were plenteous. God is amazingly generous. Crazy benefits in a state of innocence. God told the man what he could taste was limited. Not long after came our nemesis in Genesis. He scammed well, man fell, damned to hell. The whole human race—he represented it. Fooled by the serpent, man through his work, woman through birth—even the earth ruled by the curses. But instead of a wake immediately. God said her Seed would be the One to crush the head of the snake. Yo, wait what is this? Whoa, a gracious gift! In Jehovah’s faithfulness He clothed their nakedness. This was so they would know their Savior’s kiss and bliss. But first, many growing pains exist suffering in the worst form, ugly deeds. Eve’s firstborn seed made his brother bleed. Indeed things got progressively worse. Every section of the earth is been affected by the curse. And though God’s judgments against sin were gory, praise the Lord! It’s not the end of the story.

Chorus:
It’s the greatest story ever told.
A God pursues foes whose hearts turned cold.
The greatest story ever told.
Restoring all that the enemy stole.
The greatest story ever told.
The glory of Christ is the goal, behold.
The greatest story ever told.
It’s the greatest.

Next scene: man’s sin was extreme. God gets steamed, man gets creamed. The Lord is so Holy that He drowned them in the water. Fire in the valley of slaughter – Sodom and Gomorrah. But at the same time, He’s so gracious and patient that from one man He created a whole nation. Eventually enslaved by the mentally depraved, they cried out to the only One with the strength that He could save. He brought them out with signs and wonders – satisfied their hunger. Then He appeared on Mount Sinai in thunder. Where He laid down the law for God-ruled government. Commonly referred to as the Mosaic covenant. Sin was imputed. So for man to know he’s unrighteous, God instituted animal sacrifices. This was to show our constant need for atonement. And when it came to sin, the Lord would never condone it. And when His people disobeyed and went astray, He raised up prophets and kings to lead them in the way. But they would get foul with their idolatry—wet and wild prophecy—send them into exile. To take their punishment like a grown man. Then with His own hand He placed them back in their homeland. And while in their forefather’s land they dwelt, they awaited the arrival of Emmanuel.

After 400 silent years filled with sighs and tears. In Bethlehem the Messiah appears. God in the flesh—Second Person of the Trinity. At thirty begins His earthly ministry. Baffling cats with accurate, exact facts and back-to-back miraculous acts. A stumbling block to the self righteous. But the humbled—His flock, said “There’s no one else like this.” He came from heaven to awake the numb. Demonstrated His power over nature, son. A foretaste of the Kingdom and the age to come. But the reason He came was to pay the sum for the depths of our wickedness, our wretched sinfulness. Bless His magnificence! He is perfect and innocent. Yet He was wrecked and His death. He predicted it. Next He was stretched, paid a debt that was infinite. He said that He finished it. Resurrected so the elect would be the recipients of its benefits. Through faith and penitence we get to be intimate. His grace is heaven sent, it never diminishes. Now the Holy Spirit indwelling is the evidence for heaven’s future residents who truly represent Jesus, the Author, Producer, Director, and Star of a story that will never, ever end!

Study Guide for Test #1

Click Herefor the study guide for BiC test #1 (November 1, 2009).

Click the link below to open the file and then select "Save a Copy" in the upper Left hand corner to save a copy to your computer.

Section 3 - EFCA & CCC Notes

Click here for Section 3 - History of the EFCA & CCC notes

Click the link below to open the file and then select "Save a Copy" in the upper Left hand corner to save a copy to your computer.

BiC Assignment #2

Assignment #2 is available here if you were not here on Sunday, 10/11/09.

Click the link above to open the file and then select "Save a Copy" in the upper Left hand corner to save a copy to your computer.

Section 2 - Church History notes

Click here for Section 2 - Church History notes

Click the link below to open the file and then select "Save a Copy" in the upper Left hand corner to save a copy to your computer.

BiC Expectations...

If you misplaced your expectations sheet you may get a new one here.

Click the link above to open the file and then select "Save a Copy" in the upper Left hand corner to save a copy to your computer.

BiC Church History Biography Assignment

Click Here for Church History Biography Assignment
This one page paper is due on Sunday, October 25.

Click the link above to open the file and then select "Save a Copy" in the upper Left hand corner to save a copy to your computer.

We hope to post all the complete biographhy papers on the blog to share or distribute information to the world.

BiC Assignment #1

Click the link below to open the file and then select "Save a Copy" in the upper Left hand corner to save a copy to your computer.

Click Here for Assignment #1

BiC notes - Section 1

Click the picture below to open the file and then select "Save a Copy" in the upper Left hand corner to save a copy to your computer.



Click Here for pg.7

Kings - Old Testament History

The following are charts of the kings of Judah and the kings of Israel as recorded in the Old Testament.

Click the pictures below to open files and then select "Save a Copy" in the upper Left hand corner to save a copy to your computer.

Kings of Israel


Kings of Judah

Peter's House - Church History

We began learning about Church History on Sunday (Sept. 27) with the early church era of persecution. The early church, because it was not legally permissible in the Roman Empire during its first 300 years, met as small groups in homes. Here's a clip of Pastor Mark Driscoll at Peter's house in Capernaum, near the Sea of Galilee.

Peters House in Capernaum from Mars Hill Church on Vimeo.

so you think you got skills?

TEST your knowledge of the OT & NT books with these videos.

Books of the Bible.mp3

So you want to practice learning the books of the Bible while you mow the lawn, go for a run, or cruise around town? Or maybe you'd like to set the NT song as your ringtone? Right-click and select "Save Target As" to download the songs in mp3 format.

OT Books

NT Books

Books of the New Testament Song

SONGS are one of the best tools for memorizing information. this may seem juvenile but it works! So: a simple song to help you memorize the books of the New Testament

Books of the Old Testament Song

SONGS are one of the best tools for memorizing information. this may seem juvenile but it works! So: here is a simple melody to help you memorize all the books of the Old Testmant.

what's BiC all about?

I am delighted that you have expressed interest in Christ Community's 2009-2010 Bible Instruction Course (BiC). Trusting in Jesus and obeying God's Word takes many forms and it is different for every individual. Being sensitive to individual spiritual pathways we at CCC offer a variety of opportunities to grow in Christ. However, we also recognize that at times God calls each of us to grow in knowledge of Him and be transformed in ways that are sometimes inconvenient, uncomfortable, and difficult for us. For example, one person may deeply sense God's presence through academic study but struggle recognizing intimacy with God through music, relationships, or nature. Or another individual may experience their relationship with God through relationships with others but not in solitude. Yet God calls each of us to seek Him in all things--to recognize the spirituality of mundane life, and to (at times) practice disciplines that may be difficult for us.

Just as those who are more relationally-wired are also called to seek God in the quiet solitude of their private lives and those who are aware of God's presence through silent journaling are still called to "Sing to the Lord a new song" I believe that every person will better appreciate what God has done for us in Jesus and grow in our relationship with Him through the Bible Instruction Course. Those who enjoy academic study may find that BiC comes naturally to them but this by no means makes them better followers of Jesus. But those who struggle with intellectual or academic disciplines ought also to pursue growing in Christ through BiC just as I should pursue growing in Christ through silence and solitude even though I'd rather spend time in fellowship and sometimes I feel lonely and disconnected during the practice of silent prayer or time alone with God.

BiC meets at Christ Community Church on Sunday mornings during the education hour (11:00a-12p). The material covers basic Bible overview and biblical geography, Church history, the history of the Evangelical Free Church movement and Christ Community Church, and what we believe about the Bible, God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Salvation, the Church, and the End Times. All of the material is very accessible to students, young adults, and parents. The target age is 7-9th grade students making the curriculum very suitable developmentally for anyone of that age or older. 1 Peter 2:2-3 says, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." For most students the material covered in BiC is milk. It's simple but foundational to our daily diet. The point is this: milk is essential for BOTH newborns and for mature adults. I've learned from my 3 month old son, Silas, that newborns need only milk to grow. Mature adults, on the other hand, need solid food also but milk is still a daily staple of a healthy diet. This is why the writer of Hebrews 5:11-14 says, "We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." Bottom Line: no one is too mature and no one is too immature for BiC.

The emphasis in all that we learn and study will always be God's glory through the good news of His Son, Jesus, carried out today and forever by us through the power of His Holy Spirit. We start Sunday, August 30th, I can't wait to see you there! -PT