It's January, snow covers the ground and fresh semester cycles are beginning everywhere. Whether you are a student, a working adult, a stay at home mom, or a retired couple, I want to share with you an amazing course called Perspectives.
Perspectives is short for Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, a course created to help believers from all walks of life see how they can get threaded into God’s story of redeeming people from every tribe, tongue, and nation to Himself!
From Genesis to the prophets, Jesus Christ to the early church, and Constantine to today, students will see how God has been moving, how the global Church has responded, and what the greatest needs in world evangelization remain today. Though Perspectives does study missions, it isn’t a class about missions, but a course on how every believer can be intimately woven into the story of God using His people to be a blessing to all the peoples of the earth!
Perspectives is a ministry of the U.S. Center for World Mission, a non-denominational ministry that exists to enhance the effectiveness of the mission movement. The course, however, operates almost completely through a network of trained volunteers. Here is one such volunteer. The course impacted me so much that I have been helping prepare for YOU to take it too!
I'm honored to invite you to the upcoming semester of Perspectives! This class changed my life and it consistently changes it's student's lives! The hit rate is amazing! The course clarified and strengthened my understanding of what God has been doing and changed the way I live for God's purposes! The course indeed threaded me into what God is doing from four perspectives: from the biblical perspective, from the historical perspective, from the cultural perspective, and from the strategic perspective. The course is so rich and in-depth; you really don't want to miss it!
Over 15 weeks, we have 15 different speakers from around the world lined up to teach students about what God is has been up to! The speakers are amazing! The most unique aspect of the course is the diversity and quality of the speakers. Generally, every class schedules a lineup of Biblical scholars, missionaries, pastors, professors, and mobilizers who bring a wealth of experience and passion to each lesson. Some speakers are flown in just to teach you and some speakers are more local. Your speaker could be a businessman who’s using his company to bless an impoverished African country, a pastor from a local church, or a missionary fresh back from Timbuktu. When I took the class, we had speakers from India, Mongolia, and the Middle East! Don't miss out!
After classes, we have an incredible book and study guide written especially for this course. This book and study guide are the meat of the course-- and they're LOADED! The Perspectives book is a collection of some amazing articles by a wide variety of Biblical scholars, historians, missiologists, and practicioners. The Perspectives study guide helps students navigate through the book and ushers students through the study of God’s mission and character through the Bible, Christian history, culture, and the task remaining in world evangelization. Each week, students will do a few hours of reading and a review. Who knew readings and homework would change your life? Yes! No joke! At the end of the semster, students will receive a certificate for their accomplishment! The certificate isn't useless either; it will benefit you with many non-profit organizations.
Perspectives is for anyone from about the upper-high school age and on. There is a registration fee-- I know, I know, we all hate that too!-- but it is totally worth it! Registration cost varies by class. Check your particular class page for more information. Regardless, the investment will be well worth the cost! There are 3 levels of registration but the Certificate Level is the recommended level (over key reading) for getting the full impact of the course (unless you need college credit). Some students have found sponsors. If you need to, check with local churches or generous individuals who might be willing to help you out!
There are many classes throughout the country and throughout the world as well. To find your class, visit the Perspectives Classes page!
Spread the word about Perspectives. Share this post. Talk about Perspectives with your friends, family, and anyone who may be interested. If you can't make the class, maybe someone else can. Or maybe they'll go with you next year or whenever it is you take it. You're on the scent now. Get them started on the scent too! We can't wait to see you there!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
