Program Snapshot: Biblical Studies

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Biblical studies student preaching

A hard-hitting sermon, a prayer with a church leader and mission trips are all moments that bring us closer to God as Christians. During each of these moments, people have been there to teach us, pray with us and give us counsel when we need it most. As Dr. Dan Olinger, chair of the Division of Biblical Studies and Theology, said, “No matter how much time passes, there will always be a need for Jesus Christ. There will always be people who need His help, and we have the opportunity to lead them to Him.”

BJU’s biblical studies program prepares the future generation of pastors, missionaries and church leaders for a life in ministry. Graduates of this program have traveled all over the world, teaching and spreading the Gospel.

Is This Program Right For Me?

The biblical studies program was specifically designed for two types of students. The first type of student wants to serve in full-time ministry. They will need to go on to seminary. The other type of student is pursuing a career outside of full-time ministry, but they still want solid biblical training.

“We specifically designed this program so students could double major. If they use their electives in the biblical studies major to take the major requirements in a different major, then those electives are effectively doing double duty, and they can finish all the requirements in four years,” Olinger said.

If you fall into either of these categories, biblical studies will fit your needs. It will give you a strong biblical foundation for your career, or it can be the first step toward working in a ministry-related field.

What Concentrations Can I Choose From?

The biblical studies program emphasizes leadership in the church and comprehension of Scripture. It has eight concentrations, each designed to prepare you for a different area of ministry:

  • Apologetics/biblical worldview
  • Biblical counseling
  • Biblical languages
  • Cross-cultural service
  • Pastoral ministry
  • Women’s ministry
  • Worship leadership
  • Youth ministry

Said Olinger: “Apologetics and (biblical) worldview focuses on courses in defending the faith. So, if somebody is interested in writing and defense of the faith . . . that would be a great concentration for them.”

Another popular concentration is cross-cultural ministry which is focused on missions. “If somebody is thinking about teaching Bible overseas then the biblical studies major with a cross-cultural concentration would be ideal,” Olinger said.

What Requirements Will I Have?

Biblical studies is a hands-on program that prepares its students for the ministry with a combination of classroom material and real-life experiences. As a part of the program, students participate in activities that teach skills you can’t always learn inside a classroom.

Olinger believes that in order to truly learn, you need to apply the principles you are learning in class to real-life situations. “It’s kind of like saying, ‘Why should somebody working on his pilot’s license actually have to fly a plane?’ You can do all the ground school, learn all the navigation skills and read all the books, but in the end, you have to actually fly the plane to learn,” Olinger said.

Outreach

A big part of the program is weekly outreach. Each week, students serve the community by helping out in local food banks, cleaning up parks and teaching children how to read. The Center for Global Opportunities works with you to set up opportunities that are right for you.

By helping out in the community, students get a taste of what serving in the ministry is like. “It’s skill-building. It gives them a heart for ministry. It helps them see that they can do it, and leads them to experience the joy of seeing someone else’s life change as a result of their ministry to him or her,” Olinger said.

Local Church

As Christians, the local church is an important aspect of our lives. “God has called us to be a part of a body of believers. We’re not designed to ride alone as Christians. That means interacting with other believers and edifying them,” Olinger said.

The biblical studies program emphasizes the importance of our commitment to the local church. As a part of this program, you are expected to be an active member of your church. “We want our students to have a strong commitment to being active in a local church. We don’t want them to just attend. We want them to participate and exercise their gifts,” Olinger said.

Internship

During your senior year, you will intern in a local church. The type of internship will depend on the concentration you are studying and what area of ministry you would like to serve in after you graduate.

“The internship is a great way of seeing what it is like to work inside a church and see the tasks that church leaders have to do every day. It gives students a behind-the-scenes look of how a church operates,” Olinger said.

What Opportunities Should I Take During College?

College is all about taking advantage of the opportunities around you. Even small opportunities offer a real-life experience that can teach you skills you can’t always learn inside a classroom.

Build Leadership Skills

Learning to be a good leader is one of the skills a biblical studies student has to learn early on. “Once you graduate, you will be in a leadership position. Whether it’s as a pastor, youth leader or as a missionary, you will be expected to be a leader,” Olinger said.

It can take a lot of practice and time to become a good leader. “Leadership typically doesn’t come naturally. You’re not born a good leader. You have to learn those people skills,” Olinger said. “That is why we need our students to get as much experience in real-world leadership as they possibly can.”

There are many on-campus opportunities that students can participate in to build their leadership skills. Whether you run for an officer position in your society or you lead a discipleship group, there is always a way to get involved.

Go on a Mission Trip

Biblical studies students, as do all BJU students, also have the opportunity to go on mission trips. “Going on a mission trip always humbles the students. You have to rely on the locals if you don’t speak the language, and it helps you see how much the Gospel is needed in different parts of the world,” Olinger said.

Each year, BJU sponsors several teams that visit different parts of the United States and the world to spread the Gospel. In the past, BJU mission teams have gone to countries such as Kenya, Cuba and Israel.

See Also: Summer Mission Teams Minister Around the Globe

Every opportunity you take will contribute to your education. Whether you become the president of a campus organization or you go on a summer mission trip, your experiences will equip you with the skills you need for the ministry.

Said Olinger: “We know we can’t teach them everything in the Bible in four years, but we can give them the tools they need for a life in the ministry, the tools to study the Bible for the rest of their lives and the tools to bring others closer to God.”

For more information about the biblical studies program or to apply online, visit BJU’s biblical studies program page. 

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