Course Description

A study of the growth and development of the first century Church as recorded by the accurate historian, Luke. Special attention will be given to the activity of the Holy Spirit in the ministries of Peter and Paul. (Formerly BIBL 424).

Rationale

Students in this degree program should know the general background of the time of the Apostles, including chronology, geography, social customs, historical backgrounds, and events within the first-century New Testament Church. Also, students should be aware of both specific and general issues, problems, and areas of concern that have faced Christian scholars surrounding the book of Acts, as well as the early Church as a whole.

Measurable Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Explain the authorship, date, addressee, purpose, historicity, and canonicity of Acts.
2. Trace the development of the major theme(s) of Acts throughout the book with an emphasis on the ministries of the Holy Spirit.
3. Explain the contribution of Acts to the New Testament canon by demonstrating its theological and historical connection to the Pauline and General Epistles.

Course Assignment

Textbook Readings, Web Articles, and Lecture Presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to participate in each Discussion by posting a 300-word thread in response to the instructor’s prompt. The student is also required to submit 200-word replies to 2 other classmates’ threads. More detailed guidance is given in the instructions for each of the 2 discussions. (MLOs: A, B, C)

Bible Study Assignment

The student will prepare a Bible Study on a passage in Acts that is personally meaningful. The student will identify the selected passage, offer a brief explanation of why it was selected, and then prepare a study intended to teach others about the passage. More detailed guidance is given in the instructions for this assignment. (MLOs: A, B)

Step 1: Select Passage and offer rationale for selection
Step 2: Determine Main Point(s) and write a summary of the passage
Step 3: Design Questions for Participants
Step 4: Develop Teaching Plan
Step 5: Teach and Offer Analysis

Church Council Case Study Assignment

Students will consider a situation in/her church or a hypothetical church that would be similar to the debate in Acts 15. Students will then recreate Acts 15, but substitute the issue that he/she has selected, offering a defense for both sides of the argument, rendering a judgment, and then creating a letter that declares the decision made by the recreated “Acts 15 Council.” (MLOs: B, C)

Journey Through Acts Assignment

The student will examine each chapter in the book of Acts and offer a 50 – 150 word summary of the chapter as if he/she was one of the disciples. Connect similar events and identify themes/motifs throughout the book. More detailed guidance is given in the instructions for this assignment. (MLOs: A, B, C)

Pauline Church Project Assignment

Students will create a one-page document for the following churches established by Paul in the Book of Acts: Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth, and Ephesus. More detailed guidance is given in the instructions for this assignment. (MLOs: B, C)