At this time of year, most people’s attention turns to holiday plans and activities. For us, this time of year signals the approaching end of our first semester of classes. Since the start of classes at the end of August, we have steadily worked through several courses. Currently, we
are working through the study of Apologetics—the defense of the faith, to bring the semester to an end. Arguably one of the most rigorous subjects of TEPSE’s first year, this course is invaluable for the evangelist. In a world continually growing in disbelief of even truth itself, our time spent preparing ourselves to “be ready always for the hope that is within” greatly improves our ability to persuade men and women of the truthfulness of the gospel. There is much to cover in this subject and we are only hitting the tip of the iceberg. Nevertheless, we believe it is a wise investment of our time to pursue these matters. Pray that our student, Jon, would “buy the truth and sell it not,” as this course demands a lot of energy and could be forgotten if not put into practice. Click here to learn more about TEPSE.
Recently, we also began the pre-residency phase for two of our Distance Learning Program course offerings. This period of reading about thirty pages and taking an online quiz every week lasts for nine weeks. Following the pre-residency is a one week residency phase, which involves daily on-site classroom instruction in which the student and instructor dig more deeply into the subject matter. Then there is a four week time of reflection and integration, called the post-residency. We have already conducted two DLP course residencies this past summer - 
one in Atlanta, GA and one in Kansas City, KS. From the instructor’s view at least, these sessions have been extremely profitable. People from all different places in their walk with the Lord and understanding of His word were able to expand their knowledge of Scripture.
Next month, we will conduct the residency phase for the next two course offerings – one in Augusta, GA and one in Armada, MI, the home of The Ezekiel Project’s base of operations. We are especially excited about the residency here in Armada as we look forward to “playing with a home field advantage”.
In both of these locations the course is the same—Introduction to Systematic Theology. This course is really the study of the principles of hermeneutics. To highlight a line from the syllabus, “before a student can learn doctrine he or she must learn how to learn doctrine from the only true source—the Bible.” The pursuit of the art and science of interpretation is well worth the time and we look forward to what God will do through these courses. Please continue to pray for us, namely that our efforts would be for the expanse of the “good news of great joy for all people” and that our words and our actions would bring “glory to the new born King.” Click here to learn more about the Distance Learning Program.