House of Praise Bible College & Training Center

Curriculum | AdmissionsClass SchedulePrograms | Faculty

One Year Courses:

Foundations of the Faith I - The New Testament word for doctrine means teaching or instruction. We are to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jude 3). There is a body of doctrinal truth which we are to preserve and communicate. Tragically, doctrinal understanding is at a low point today. This without fail hurts the believer and the church. This course is a systematic study of some of the major doctrines of the Bible including Scripture, God, Man, Sin and Satan.

Foundations of the Faith II - Sound Christian doctrine will bless you. A lack of accurate doctrinal understanding will inevitably diminish your Christian experience. The Apostle Paul warned Timothy, the leader of the church at Ephesus, of a time when people would not endure sound doctrine (2Timothy 4:3). In this course you will study the doctrines of Christ, Angels, the Holy Spirit, the Church, Heaven and Hell, and Eschatology. Please note that Foundations of the Faith I is not a pre-requisite to this course. However, every student should take both courses to receive a basic, comprehensive doctrinal understanding.

The Person of the Holy Spirit – Since Pentecost (Acts 2), the people of God are now in the Age of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that He would not leave His followers as orphans. He has come to us again in the person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is actually the very Spirit of Christ! “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2Corinthians 3:17). Christ’s Spirit fills us with powerful energy, strong confidence, clear truth, and the very nature of God. This is an in-depth study of the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Special emphasis is given to both the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Application is made to the individual and to the corporate church.

Interpreting the Scriptures (Bible Research) – To interpret is to have clarity and accuracy – understanding the meaning of something. Sound scriptural interpretation is vital to the individual believer and the corporate church. It is foundational to sound doctrinal comprehension, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2Timothy 2:15). This course is an advanced study in the methods of scriptural study including basic principles of interpretation, word studies and topical studies.

Life Stewardship I - There is a Larger Story – the Ultimate Story. It’s a story of a Creator-King who has given everything for His Bride, the people of God. There are things which our eyes have not yet seen, our ears have not heard … things which have not yet entered our hearts. All of these things are prepared for those who love Him. Your Personal Story is a royal story and it fits into this Larger Story. How then do we live? How do we steward our lives? Life Stewardship I begins to focus on the discovery of your Personal Story – the will and purpose of God for your life.

Life of Christ: The Gospel of the Kingdom -The teachings and activity of Jesus Christ recorded in the Gospels are meant to implant within us the DNA of His Kingdom. Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He says to us now, “Transform your thinking and living. The restoration of My realm, My world is now accessible to you.” He said it was to our advantage that He would return to the Father and give us the blessing of His Spirit. The Holy Spirit will bring to our remembrance all that He said, teach us all things, and show us things to come. The Spirit of the ascended Jesus Christ even says things to us now that the first disciples were not ready for. Jesus said this would happen. This course will root you in the life, teachings, and works of Jesus Christ.

Discovering the Revelation of the Church - Jesus said that He would build His Church upon revelation – most importantly, the revelation of who He is, and then the revelation of ourselves as we are built into His Church. The Church is stronger than hell. And Christ gives His Church the keys of the Kingdom, authorizing us to forbid and permit activity in the earth. The Church was a mystery which has now been revealed. It takes revelation to understand the full meaning and significance of God’s eternal purpose in the Church. This course gives special emphasis to the local Church as the revelation of the Church manifests locally in cities and regions. The biblical pattern, structure, and ministries of the local Church in our time will be explored.

New Testament Survey - The New Testament is a progressive and unfolding revelation of Jesus Christ, the Church, and the New Covenant. The DNA of the Kingdom of God is revealed in the Gospels in the sayings and works of Jesus Christ. Through an increasing spirit of wisdom and revelation in Christ, the Apostle Paul and other NT writers develop the mystery of the Church and the unfolding Kingdom of God. This course is a survey of the New Testament books, emphasizing their historical settings and thematic content.

Old Testament Survey –  The Old Testament reveals to us the creation, the creation-mandate given to humanity, the nature and purpose of God, and the covenants. We discover God’s purpose in the birth and formation of the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people through whom Christ the Messiah would come. The Old Testament is a composition of history, the law, psalms and poetry, wisdom literature, and prophecy. Old Testament Survey emphasizes the historic setting and thematic content of the Old Testament. Understanding the Old Testament is foundational to understanding the New Covenant. Jesus Christ is revealed in each Old Testament book.

Personal Bible Study & Prayer -  Is there anything more creative than Spirit-energized prayer and proclamation? Yet, our prayer and proclamation must be sourced in effective, fruitful Bible study. This releases a flow between heaven and earth. Bible study and the prayer/proclamation that it births are key disciplines in the life of every believer. This course explores and develops these disciplines. You will study the basic tools and methods of Bible study and prayer. Emphasis will be given to the personal devotional life of the believer.

Victorious Christianity -  God is a winner. An Old Testament name for God, El Gibbor, means God, the Champion. Because He’s a winner, His sons and daughters are winners. “Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place” (2Corinthians 2:14). Christ has attained the complete victory. We must now process Christ’s victory attained at the Cross, empty tomb, ascension, and enthronement at the right hand of the Father. Through discipline, we must appropriate the triumph of heaven on the earth, This course focuses on the spiritual foundation of the life of every believer: repentance, faith, water baptism, baptism of the Holy Spirit, local church commitment and the life of obedient servanthood.

Writing & Research (optional class) – There’s potential power and influence in your pen or keyboard! Unleash it with what you will discover in this course. The Kingdom needs effective communicators. You will be equipped with tools to enhance your ability to write, speak and do effective research. These are essential tools for succeeding not only in life, relationships, and business…but also in ministry.

Two Year Courses:

Covenants – A survey of the nine covenants that God established with man in His progressive unfolding of His eternal purpose and our present relationship to each of them.

Evangelism – This course is designed to equip the student with the tools that they need to become more effective in communicating the Gospel and to familiarize the student with strategies that can be used to effectively build bridges to the lost.

Genesis – A study of the first book of the Old Testament with particular emphasis on Genesis 1-11 which forms the seed bed of all of the major doctrines of the Bible and lays the foundation for the purposes of God and many of the covenants between God and man.

Homiletics – A study of principles relating to the spiritual feeding of a congregation and the technical preparation and delivery of sermons. Time is given for each student to give a variety of sermon messages.

Life Management II – This class builds on Life Management I and focuses on goal setting and the management of life to achieve one’s destiny and enter into God’s purpose.

Life Management III - This class builds on Life Management I and II with emphasis on how to fulfill the will of God and extend the kingdom of God through one’s work and career life.

Romans – A study of the book of Romans, focusing on its theological significance and relevance to the life of every believer.

Speech & Communication (Public Speaking) – This course is designed to equip the student with principles that will help him/her to become more confident and effective in public speaking. Opportunity is given for each student to practice what is being taught.

The Book of Acts – A study of the first book of Acts with special attention given to the growth and development of the Early Church and to the pattern that Paul provides for modern apostolic ministry.

Walking in Present Truth – A study of the biblical principles of restoration as they apply to the history of the church from Pentecost to present, the future of the Church and God’s unique work in the life of every believer.

Worship – A study of the biblical basis for, the biblical forms of and the purpose in the church with special emphasis on principals of leading worship in church gatherings.

Three Year Courses:

Children/Youth Ministry – A practical look at ministry to children and youth and the philosophy that stands behind such ministry.

Church Administration - A practical look at the pastor and Christian worker as administrators including such areas as setting up a corporation, writing legal documents, transacting official business, office management, risk management and budgeting.

Church Planting – A look at the theological and philosophical basis for church planting as well as practical approaches to preparation and implementation.

Counseling I (Introduction to Counseling) – A study of the biblically based principles and techniques of counseling and their application in a variety of problems that are commonly found when ministering to people.

Counseling II - A study of the biblically based principles and techniques of counseling and their application in a variety of problems that are commonly found when ministering to people with a focus on case studies to assist the student in putting the principles into practice.

Family Issues – A survey of family relationships, roles and responsibilities with particular emphasis on building principles of marriage and parenting.

Hermeneutics II - study of the basic principles governing the appropriate interpretation of Scripture and how to use them effectively.

Leadership - A study of the biblical qualifications for leadership, important keys to success as a leader and timeless leadership principles that serve as a basis for a persons ministry as a leader.

Music Fundamentals – A brief introduction to the fundamentals of music aimed at inspiring an interest in music, acquiring an appreciation for its place in the life of the church, and developing an ability to read music and understand music basics

Pastoral Ministry – This class deals with the biblical foundation for the pastoral ministry and the practical application of these principles in pasturing today.

Social Roles/Relationships – A course dealing with the roles of men and women in society and how to relate to each other. It includes such areas as the development of multi-generational friends, dating, courtship and marriage.

Church Leadership Courses:

Evangelism, Genesis, Leadership, Life Management II & III, Romans, Walking in Present Truth and the following additional courses required for church leadership:

Life of Moses - This course looks at the life of a significant leader in the history of God’s dealing with his people and principles of leadership that can be drawn from his life (Exodus – Deuteronomy).

Vision & Values (Team Building) – A study of the biblical principles of team ministry and the application of those principles into every department of the church with special attention to working with an eldership.

Future Courses:

Ministry to Personal Needs – This class is dedicated to training the student to minister to people in personal areas including salvation, water baptism, baptism of the Spirit, healing, and basic counseling.

Vision Management –  A leadership development course focusing on defining, developing, and implementing core values, vision and appropriate strategies in growing a church.

Practicum –  Each  student in their second year is required to volunteer time in some area of Christian service in one of the departments of the Church with a view to strengthening, sharpening and releasing their spiritual gifts and their servant hearts.

Current Trends -  A biblical study of the principles one uses to discern trends and true and false ministry with a special emphasis on the analysis of various trends affecting the church world.

The Life of David -  A study of the life of the “man after God’s heart” extracting principles of ministry, devotion to God and covenant relationship.

Transforming Society – This course demonstrates the need to have a kingdom worldview that allows us to see all of life through God’s eyes.