CHRISTIAN LIFE FELLOWSHIP
SCHOOL OF MINISTRY
Overview/Program Design
The Christian Life Fellowship School of Ministry (CLF SoM) is an expansion of discipleship within the local church, specifically designed to empower believers as workmen who study to show themselves approved (1 Timothy 2:15), to perfect and equip saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:12), and to accelerate the growth/training of apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teachers (Ephesians 4:11).
CLF SoM provides two tracks of study annually, the first for growing disciples and the latter for emerging leaders:
Logos (Track 1) Logos (T1) is a foundational track of study for growing disciples of Jesus
Christ who are interested in deepening their understanding and application of the Bible; instructional modules include biblical survey courses and series of topical study.
Launch (Track 2) Launch (T2) is a track of study, discipleship, and activation for [emerging leaders and mature] disciples of Jesus Christ who are interested in developing ministry gifts and launching kingdom initiatives; instructional modules include topical review of the Church, the Kingdom, and dynamics of ministry in each sphere respectively (e.g., offices, calling, administrations, gifting, etc.).
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CHRISTIAN LIFE FELLOWSHIP
SCHOOL OF MINISTRY
Logos (Track 1)
Schedule: Meets 1st and 3rd Sundays (& one 5th Sun), 9am to 1015am; Apr 2 - Nov 19 ***
Modules: OT Overview (2 courses)
Old Testament Survey – 4 sessions (Apr 2, 16; May 7, 21)
Prophets – 2 Sessions (June 4, 18)
NT Overview (4 courses)
New Testament Survey – 3 sessions (Jul 2, 16; Jul 30)
Life of Christ (Harmony of the Gospels - parallel analysis) – 3 sessions
(Aug 6, 20, Sep 3)
Acts/Epistles – 3 Sessions (Sep 17; Oct 1, 15)
Revelation – 2 Sessions (Nov 5, 19)
Format: In-person survey course (approximately 1 hour); meets twice monthly on alternate
Sundays, which allows participants time in between sessions to read/review specific books of the Bible or complete reflective assignments.
Time: 19 hours, 50 minutes of instructional time over 9 months
***Alternate schedule suggestions:
Meet 1st and 3rd Friday evenings, 730pm to 9pm, Apr 7 – Nov 17 (approximately 30% increase of instructional time—24 hours over 9 months)
Meet 2nd Saturday of month, 9am to 1030am, requires two years for completion if modules/sessions are ordered as above, Apr 8 – Nov 11 (2023) & Apr 13 – Nov 9 (2024)
(24 hours of instructional time over 22 months)
Additional Course Ideas:
The Pentateuch Pastoral Epistles
Life of David Life of Paul
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SCHOOL OF MINISTRY
Launch (Track 2)
Schedule: Meets 4th Saturday, 9am to 11am; Apr 22 – Nov 18 ***
Modules: Foundations of Ministry (3 courses)
The Church (DNA of the Local House) – Apr 22
The Church (Regional Influence & Impact) – May 20
The Kingdom (Understanding God’s Eternal Mission) – June 24
Dynamics of Ministry in the Church/Kingdom (4 courses)
Five-Fold: Apostles & Prophets – July 22
Five-Fold: Evangelists, Pastors, & Teachers – Aug 26
Church Government & Kingdom Leadership (Elders, Deacons, & Ministry of Helps) – Sep 23
Activation in Ministry (1 course, 1 session)
Launching Kingdom Initiatives – Oct 28
Presbytery (fasting/prayer) – Nov 18
Format: In-person training/teaching sessions (approximately 1.5 hour); meets once monthly…at end of the month, which allows participants time to complete pre- assigned reading, other course work, and review of specific resources.
***Note: If 4th Saturday in a given month is a holiday weekend (i.e., May/Nov) then the 3 rd
Saturday is scheduled for class.
Alternative schedule suggestions:
Meet 4th Friday evenings, 730pm to 9pm, Apr 28 – Sep 22
Consider having a presbytery/prayer (Acts 13) meeting with Launch (T2) participants in early to mid-October prior to the fall conference if apropos.
Consider adding a mentorship component during study program that allows for participants to shadow or work alongside an elder or seasoned leader within the church and meet at least once monthly.
Additional Course Ideas:
Survey of Biblical Churches Children and Youth Ministry (Legacy in
Marketplace Ministry Focus)
Ministry in Missions Spiritual Warfare & Deliverance
Ministry
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Annual Calendar-Schedule
Logos (T1), 1st & 3rd Sundays (& one 5th Sun) = 19 hours, 50 minutes of instructional time
Launch (T2), 4th Saturdays = 10 hours, 30 minutes of instructional time
Considered church/ministry schedule conflicts: Food pantry (1st/3rd Saturdays), Swordsmen meeting (5th Saturday breakfast, 3nd Saturdays for select events), holiday weekends in May/Nov
(schedule sessions on the 3rd Sat), annual Fall Conference (3 rd weekend in Oct?), January
(holiday reset = break) / December (holiday events = break), Apr start allows for 1-3 months of course preparation after the holidays/start of New Year. /
Logos (T1) schedule also allows for Next Steps to be taught on 3rd & 4th Sundays.
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Course Quick Reference Chart
Course (Track) Sessions (time) Prep Completed Session Begins Instructor
OT Survey (T1) 4 (70 min) March 31 Apr 2 A. Hilton?
Prophets (T1) 2 (70 min) April 30 June 4 S. Woodard?
NT Survey (T1) 3 (70 min) May 31 Jul 2 ?
Life of Christ, 3 (70 min) June 30 Aug 6 ?
Gospels (T1)
Acts/Epistles (T1) 3 (70 min) July 31 Sep 17 ?
Revelation (T1) 2 (70 min) Sep 30 Nov 5 ?
The Church I (T2) 1 (90 min) Mar 31 Apr 22 ?
The Church II (T2) 1 (90 min) Apr 30 May 20 ?
The Kingdom (T2) 1 (90 min) May 26 June 24 ?
E4 – Apostles, 1 (90 min) June 30 July 22 ?
Prophets (T2)
E4 –Evangelists, 1 (90 min) July 31 Aug 26 ?
Pastors, Teachers
(T2)
Church 1 (90 min) Aug 30 Sep 23 ?
Government (T2)
Kingdom 1 (90 min) Sep 30 Oct 28 Nneka,
Initiatives (T2) Amanda,
Jessica?
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SCHOOL OF MINISTRY
Curriculum Path
Tracks – Modules – Courses – Sessions – Lesson Plan – Resources/Assignments
OR
Track – outlined and focused progression of study and course completion
1. Module – units of study, includes 2-4 courses that can be completed in 1-3 months a. Courses – unit of instruction, provided over 1-4 sessions i. Sessions/Classes – scheduled instruction and learning time for each course
1. Lesson Plan – crafted instructional plan for each course/session a. Resources – identified print or digital materials to facilitate learning b. Reflective Assignment(s) – pre-assigned or take-home assignments designed for students to demonstrate effective learning (i.e., analyze, evaluate, or create something based on key understanding).
This format allows for tracks to be repeated annually, circularly, synchronously, or asynchronously dependent upon need/number of course participants and/or creation of additional tracks for training/discipleship.
Instructors should be assigned at the course level to write course objectives, create lesson plans;
a teaching team (1-3 teachers) could be assigned to develop and/or teach courses taught over 2-4 sessions (this dynamic can also be utilized as a practicum for Launch (T2) participants to work in conjunction with church leadership or established teacher facilitating a Logos (T1) course).
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Lesson Plan Template
Track – Course Title Session Dates/# of Sessions
Course Description: Succinct description, detailing major themes and general course objective.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will [insert LEARNING VERB] the [insert applicable concept].
2. Students will [insert LEARNING VERB] the [insert applicable concept].
3. Students will [insert LEARNING VERB] the [insert applicable concept].
Note: Learning outcomes should be student/learner centered (i.e., what will they learn or be able to do by the end of the course), measurable (i.e., how is it evident that the objective has been obtained], and relevant (i.e., is there a clear significance and meaningful application for Christian living/service). Develop 2-5 learning objectives for each course (3 is optimal).
Timeframe: ## minutes per session dictates the scope/depth of instruction
Instructional Plan:
Introduction/Hook – Specific lesson/unit opener that engages the learner (reference specific learning objectives and course outcomes). ## mins
Instruction – Presentation of information (e.g., live or video lecture, digital presentation, course reading/review, expert input). ## min
Scaffolding – Guided support and interaction with course materials or concepts (e.g., group discussions, digital discussion boards, guided reading; questioning). ## min
Independent Practice – Minute learning tasks for students to practice and/or master specific learning objective(s); such tasks or exercises should be paired with meaningful teacher feedback (i.e., written or verbal). ## min
Closure – Review major points / learning objectives; assign reflective assignment and identify additional resources or support materials. ## min
“## min” = Include an estimated number of minutes used next to each step of the lesson plan.
Resources: List learning resources needed for instruction and extended learning (i.e., books, handouts, tangible supplies, etc.)
Technology: List media and physical/technological resources needed for instruction (i.e., computers, audio/visual tools, online tools, etc.)
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CHRISTIAN LIFE FELLOWSHIP
SCHOOL OF MINISTRY
Sample Lesson Plan
Logos (T1) – Old Testament Survey 4 Sessions
Course Description: Truncated survey of the 39 books of the Old Testament (OT); provides specific overview of the 5 major sections: Pentateuch, History, Poetry, Major Prophets, and Minor Prophets; emphasis on historical narrative and overarching, inspired themes.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will ANALYZE & DIAGRAM the coherency of the Old Testament as a historical, yet inspired narrative.
2. Students will IDENTIFY/INTERPRET the Christological purpose (revelation of Jesus
Christ) for each of the five sections of the Old Testament.
3. Students will SUMMARIZE the historical and doctrinal significance (3 points) of the Old
Testament in 1-3 paragraphs.
Timeframe: 70 minutes per session (4 hours, 40 minutes total)
Instructional Plan (Session 1):
Introduction/Hook 20 min
Show Bible Project video: “Overview; TaNAK/Old Testament” (YouTube/RNM)
Distribute OT Reflection Handout / ask students to complete the first entry / explain ongoing Reflective Learning Assignment.
Compare TaNAK groupings and canonized categories as segway to instruction
Instruction & Scaffolding 35 min
Guided lecture through comparison chart of book arrangements (PPT); distribute blank chart and clozed notes for students to fill in during lecture. Identify groupings of OT books, individual authors, and relevance of historical context.
Independent Practice 10 min
Students will conduct an internet search for “OT books organized charts” (or review
4-6 arrangements distributed as handouts); compare and evaluate groupings of books found.
Students will download/access RightNow Media app—explore OT survey Bible studies, select one to review.
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SCHOOL OF MINISTRY
Sample Lesson Plan (continued…)
Students will download/access The Bible Project app—note the “Explore by Book” tool for completing the Reflective Learning Assignment.
Optional: Students will download/access Thru the Bible app—utilize for extended, in- depth audio commentary study for each book of the Bible.
Closure 5 min
Review the titles/headings for the 5 major sections of the OT (as grouped for this course of study)—reference again the number of books in each section.
Distribute Reflective Learning Assignment and review instructions.
Resources:
Books: The Bible, Survey of Old Testament (Benware); Old Testament Survey (Bible
Training Centre for Pastors); The Bible Project – Illustrated Summaries of Biblical Books
Handouts: OT Testament Review—Reflective Learning Assignment; Comparison Chart
(Blank) + Clozed Notes (if applicable); OT Book arrangement charts (4); .
Technology:
Visual display for PowerPoint (i.e., projector/SmartTV); WIFI access; BYO devices.
Applications: Google (search); RightNow Media (RNM); The Bible Project, Thru the
Bible
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Sample Reflective Learning Assignment
Old Testament Survey: Journey through the Bible – Reflective Learning Assignment
Explanation: Bible survey courses are keen opportunities to study the Bible in a pervasive manner, which often includes required reading of every book. The obvious challenge for students, however, is in finding the time, sustained focus, and mental endurance to do so—especially if other priorities and commitments prevail or if reading is not a strength. This assignment leverages time and attention (and side steps reading as a requirement), but still provides the opportunity for a complete review of all 39 Old Testament books in manageable and meaningful chunks.
Directions: Each day, review a short video for one book of the Old Testament from The Bible
Project (use the The Bible Project App or YouTube). Next, reflectively consider the presentation and write down any 1-3 notable insights/connections, new information, fresh revelation, or confirmed truth that stands out to you. If you do this daily, by the last course session, you will have reviewed and thoughtfully reflected upon the entire Old Testament.
VIDEO PERSONAL REFLECTION
TaNAK
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
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Action Items (CLF Eldership…or delegates)
Approval & Modification
o Track progressions and course list (i.e., number of sessions and layout) o Proposed dates, times, and overall calendar o Track 1, Track 2, course names o Additional courses? …
Do we add now (for 2023) and build out tracks that are 2 years long? OR.
Do we start with 1-year tracks and plan to extend them annually in increments (i.e., 2024 = 18-months-tracks; 2025 = 2-year tracks…a tentative scaffold could be drafted now and teachers assigned to develop course for the next year…essentially, we would not wait until Nov 2023 to start working on SoM 2024).
Note: Given the Jan-Mar + Dec break, the proposed 1-year tracks are really 8 months in 2022. A plan for 2024, might be to start in March and utilize 2023 & 2024 to assess the time needed for effective instruction— then streamline in 2025, so as to add more course with minimal addition of months used during the year, but starting in February could be an option in
2025, running the SOM for 10 months annually from that point forward
(i.e., similar amount of time for when schools are in session).
Identify and communicate with teachers for each course; adjust the number of sessions if apropos and/or based on teacher input (note: this affects the whole schedule, so it should be discussed in a group meeting if possible).
Gather and review known instructional resources; create a list/archive and make accessible for those planning courses (note: this is in progress, but this can be completed with a keener focus once courses are finalized and the time leveraged as more teachers jump on board with the process).
Identify necessary/desired technology and audio/visual components, coordinate facilitation.
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SCHOOL OF MINISTRY
o Suggestion: Live-stream (or simply record) each session; (possibly edit and) post recording to digital library in RightNow Media to create a digital archive (CLF
SoM channel) of teaching sessions. Other video resources in RightNow Media can also be added to that channel and easily grouped for modules.
o Pre-record sessions and post recording, as referenced above…can use as a class resource
Reserve and coordinate usage of physical space for scheduled instruction; identify and purchase necessary supplies.
Identify marketing or plan communication campaign to local church; develop registration process.
Develop budget and communicate spending limits to teachers/administrators if apropos.
Identify and provide further communication with necessary administrators.
Delegate any tasks as necessary.
Schedule follow up meeting with teaching team (i.e., early January 2023, possibly even before Christmas if possible).
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