THE PURPOSE AND DESIGN OF THE NEBC CURRICULUM

The purpose of New England Bible College is to partner with the local church in equipping Christians for Great Commission ministries. Our goal is to develop students both personally and professionally so that our graduates exhibit Christ-like character and accurately communicate the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our students should go away with a comprehensive knowledge of the Word, a Christian worldview, and ability to do the work of ministry.

We believe that God is the source of all truth and Jesus Christ is the incarnation of truth. The world is the sphere in which God reveals truth, specifically in the person of Jesus Christ and the Bible, and generally in history and nature. Just as all truth is centered in God, so the revelation of truth is rooted in God's Word and displayed in God's works in history and nature.

To understand God's revelation of truth, then, one should be related to God through Jesus Christ and have a biblical understanding of history and nature. Hence it is necessary to combine the foundational revelation of truth in Scripture with the multifaceted display of truth in history and nature, in order to understand the world in which we live and work.

Truth is incarnate in the person of Jesus Christ and is best understood when one is in relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Therefore, the quest for truth is never meant to be an academic exercise alone. Truth is personal, relational, and is meant to be lived out daily in all aspects of one's life. Ultimately the study and teaching of truth is an act of worshiping the God of truth. As one accumulates knowledge of the truth, such learning will have to be categorized in order to be easily retrievable and useful. Libraries do this with their books and colleges do this with their curricula.

In order for NEBC to prepare students for biblical ministry in the body of Christ, we need to provide a proper understanding of the following: the Bible; the world in which students will be ministering; and the Church, which is the biblical means for carrying out the Great Commission.

The curriculum at NEBC is organized in such a way that the Bible is central and foundational. Only as this truth is properly understood can the other areas of knowledge be correctly interpreted. We study the Bible in its cultural/historical context taking a normal interpretation of it.

From this central core, we guide students in the exploration of the world in which we live, to help them develop a Christian worldview. For example, those who study history without the advantage of biblical prophecy tend to see life ending at the grave, but the Christian has an eternal perspective. The world studies human behavior and often concludes that it is basically good while the Bible shows the opposite.

In trying to understand people, the way they think, the origin of the planet earth and our responsibility for it, etc., modern man is coming up with some correct and some incorrect answers. But, we need to understand their viewpoint so that we can lead them to Christ

Leading people to Christ, however, is not a job for the lone ranger. God's design is for people who have experienced salvation to work together in order to make disciples. Conversion is one step in the process, but there is also the matter of baptizing them and teaching them to do all that Christ commanded. It takes many different kinds of people to effectively carry out this mission. The Holy Spirit gives each of us spiritual gifts to be used in specific ministry assignments so that the whole body of believers will profit. (1 Cor. 12:4-7).

What are we doing and how are we doing it? We are engaged in preparing Christians, through a well balanced education and the development of Christ-like character, to take the gospel into the world, to present it effectively to people of various backgrounds, languages and cultures, and to do so in conjunction with other believers.

Curricular Objectives

We strive to train students in:
I. Developing a deepening spiritual maturity (Gal 4:19).

A. Students learn to be diligent stewards of every aspect of their lives. (e.g. Physical body, intellectual life, money, relationships, spiritual gifts)
B. Students learn to pursue the spiritual disciplines in their personal lives, and to cultivate a consistent Biblical ethic. (e.g. Devotions, prayer, Scripture memorization, reflection, witnessing)
C. Students understand their role as members of the body of Christ to be actively involved in local church ministry.
D. Students obtain the tools needed to shape a consistent Christian worldview.

II. Developing a knowledge of the Word of God (2 Tim. 2:15).

A. Students understand the authority and reliability of the Bible as the Word of God.
B. Students develop the ability to study, interpret, and apply Scripture.
C. Students gain a general understanding of the structure and content of the Bible.
D. Students study the history and belief of the Christian Church.

III. Developing an understanding of the World of People (Eph. 5:16; 1 Cor. 9:22; Acts 17).

A. Students learn about God's creation through the study of the physical/natural world in which people live.
B. Students gain understanding of their social/relational world through study of the social sciences and communications.
C. Students study the arts and humanities to better appreciate the human creative/ideological world.
D. Students study worldviews and religious thought to understand the diversity of ways in which people make sense of their world.

IV. Developing skills for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12; 2 Tim 2:2; 1 Pet 3:15).

A. Students develop the capacity to model Christ-likeness and a deepening spiritual maturity.
B. Students develop the ability to think creatively and constructively about ministry based on a Christian worldview and a sound understanding of the nature of God, the Church, and people.
C. Students learn to incorporate their understanding of the world into effective ministry to the needs of hurting people.
D. Students learn to effectively communicate the Word of God through preaching and teaching.
E. Students develop the skills to minister to the spiritual needs of people through worship, edification, and evangelism.
F. Students cultivate servant-leadership qualities which enable them to guide others in doing the work of ministry.

V. Developing a desire for lifelong learning (2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16).

A. Students acquire a passion for continued learning both through formal and informal means as they seek to be all that God has called them to be.
B. Students learn to consistently evaluate and refine their methods of ministering to the needs of an ever-changing world.