SCU
The need for discipleship begins when one accepts Christ as Lord and Savior. This educational journey should continue throughout our lives. Shoal Creek University is a tool to help us grow consistently and systematically in every area of our Chrisitan walk.
SCU Classes:
By offering classes in history, apologetics, personal growth, and evangelism, we can help prepare
you for the mission at hand: to "reach, teach, and minister" to others.
Our new Fall Term of SCU classes began on Sunday, August 15 at 6:00 pm following the Evening Worship Service. The Fall Semester will go through November 14.
Detailed descriptions of the fall classes are listed below:
Way of the Master
by Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort
Led by Pastor Shane Russell and Student Minister Ashley Miller
An 8 week basic training course that will teach you to overcome your fears by using a proven, powerfully effective way to share the gospel.
Following God
by Wayne Barber, Eddie Rasnake, and Richard Shepherd
Led by Keith Nobles
Following God: Life principles from the New Testament men of faith is a 12 week study that offers a personal look at the lives of key characters in the New Testament.
Growing to be Like Christ
by Rick Warren
Led by Ben Buck
A 6 week study based on the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren that explores the basic habits of spiritual growth.
Baptist Adults
Continuing study led by Mrs. Mrytle Gibbons.
An ongoing discipleship curriculum focusing on: the fruit of the Spirit, gifts of the Spirit, family issues and needs, Bible Study, devotion, prayer life, servanthood, and ministry.
SCU Discipleship Philosophy
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen”
(Matthew 28: 19-20)
Christ Himself made it clear that our purpose as believers, while here on earth, is to make disciples.This leads us to ask the question, what is a disciple? A disciple is defined as one who learns from a teacher in order to become a follower in both doctrine and conduct of life. Using Jesus’ words, a disciple is one who is taught the things of God and observes what is taught. The mission for discipleship then is to teach people the Word of God and help them to apply the truth in their everyday life, eventually culminating in the one being discipled beginning to disciple others.
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny Himself and
take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever
loses his life for My sake will find it.’”
(Matthew 16:24-25)
The model Jesus gave for discipleship was based on the interaction He had with His disciples. Although Jesus addressed the crowds, He chose to personally invest in the lives of twelve individuals. It is in this small group setting that Jesus intentionally addressed both the belief and practice of these men. Likewise, the SCU strategy is designed to impact the lives of individuals through small groups that focus specifically on helping people mature in their faith and model that faith in their daily lives.
The Motivation
“That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love,
may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ.”
(Ephesians 4:14-15)
The motivation for discipleship is a heart of obedience to Christ and a heart of love to see others grounded in the faith. In this age of “information overload”, Christians who do not have a thoroughly biblical worldview
find themselves in a precarious position and susceptible to being “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,” (Ephesians 4:14). Whether it is through a conversation at work, a class at school, surfing the Internet, or watching the nightly news, Christians who do not filter information through the lens of Scripture are heading down the track to a spiritual train wreck. The purpose of the SCU strategy is to help people establish a firm foundation through a worldview based solely on the Word of God.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
(John 14:6)
Jesus’ reply in this verse provides us with what Merrill Tenney said “is the ultimate foundation for a satisfactory philosophy of life.” John Calvin adds that the way, truth, and life represents a progression in Christian maturity. Just as a baby progresses from infancy to adulthood, so one who is born again should progress from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity. The SCU strategy is designed to help facilitate this growth by addressing issues faced by believers at each stage along the Christian journey. Whether it is the basics of the faith (the Way), doctrines of the faith (the Truth), or application of the faith (the Life), the goal of the SCU strategy is to meet people where they are in their walk with Christ and help mature them toward being fully devoted disciples of Christ.
In an attempt to address the needs of believers as they mature in their walk with Christ, the format of the SCU strategy is as follows:
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The Material
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
If a disciple is one who learns from a teacher in order to become a follower in both doctrine and conduct of life, and our purpose is to make disciples of Christ, then the material we use in teaching must be firmly based in Scripture and focused on Christ. This material can consist of the Scripture itself or other study material that is biblically based. In order to remain focused on providing sound instruction with the goal of helping believers to mature in their faith, a selection of curriculum has already been chosen for each category within the Way, Truth, and Life tracks. If one desires to teach a curriculum outside of this selection it must be submitted for approval at least two months in advance of the proposed start date.
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”
(Acts 4:13)
As this verse shows, during the first century and into today it has been a presumption that true knowledge of God through His Word, to a large extent, was left to scholars and religious leaders. The problem with this philosophy is that God tells us in Scripture “divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him,” (2 Peter 1:3). This power is given to every believer through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The key, however, is the knowledge of Him, which only comes through His Word.
In the world’s eyes, Christians may be perceived as “uneducated and untrained” but God forbid that we validate that perception. On the contrary, as believers we should diligently seek to know God and His
Word and in turn teach others what we have learned. The Scripture tells us to “always be ready to give
a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15) Only then will the world begin to “marvel” as they see true disciples who model a doctrine and conduct of life that says,
“they have been with Jesus!”
First, as leaders in the SCU strategy, our lives should reflect the fact that we have been with Jesus. If He is not teaching us so that what we have learned is revealed through our lives, then we have nothing to share with others. Remember, you cannot lead someone to a place you have never been. We must strive to continue our growth in Christ so that we can lead others to grow as well. Second, we must emphasize that true discipleship goes beyond knowledge to application. A disciple is one who follows in belief and practice. James 1:22 commands us to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” As such, we must encourage people to not only participate in the classroom setting but also in the ministry practicums. Also, seek to encourage the students to participate in practicums that are intentionally evangelistic. It is impossible to separate discipleship and evangelism because they work hand in hand. Without evangelism there are no people to disciple and without disciples there are no people to share the gospel!
May our prayer and efforts always be focused on leading others to Christ and helping them to mature into fully devoted disciples. Only when we embark in this SCU of discipleship will we leave the heavenly mark of Christ in a world that desperately needs Him.
