Course Descriptions

This course will provide a clear view of the Bible by equipping you with the inductive method of Bible study. The student will develop skills in observing, interpreting and applying a given text to his or her life.

Required Book: Bible
Suggested Book: Howard Hendricks, Living by the Book

We will explore the major themes of each portion of the Old Testament, as well as present a picture of the chronological order of the OT.  Students will be equipped with the messages of the Pentateuch, The Prophets, and the Wisdom Literature.

Required Book: Bible

This course presents an overview of the major themes of the New Testament as it relates to Jesus Christ and the early church. Students will discover the background, theology, purposes of the New Testament books, and how to apply New Testament ethics to everyday life.

Required Book: Bible

Are you experiencing the true freedom that comes in following Christ? The gospel is more than just the entry into the Christian life; it is the bondage-breaking truth we must experience daily. Join us as we explore together the history and theology of this New Testament letter and learn to live out its message of freedom.

Required Books: Bible; N. T. Wright, Galatians

Your understanding of God’s plan for the future and how it impacts you is essential to your spiritual journey. Students will explore chapters 11-22 for the context, outline, major themes and theology in this New Testament letter with the goal of applying the message of Revelation to their own lives.

Required Books: Bible; Charles C. Ryrie, Revelation

This core course will focus on the major areas of theology. Participants will be able to articulate the major areas and identify the major biblical passages that correlate. In addition, participants will be challenged to demonstrate their understanding by developing case studies.

Required Book: Bible

Don’t let the third person in the Godhead be a mystery to you. Understand what the Bible actually says about the Holy Spirit. In this basic pneumatology (i.e., the doctrine of the Holy Spirit) class, students will examine the Biblical teaching of the work of the Holy Spirit, discuss how the Holy Spirit works in the life of the believer and understand the historical views of the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

What do the major world religions believe about God, Jesus Christ, sin, death and the future? Join us as we take an in-depth look at the beliefs and practices of three major world religions (i.e., Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism) and compare them with Christianity, so that we are better equipped to communicate the hope of knowing Christ Jesus (1 Pet 3:15).

Required Books: Bible; Winfried Corduan, Pocket Guide to World Religions

This course is part 1 of a survey of Christianity from the very beginning of Christianity to the early 1500s. It will explore the great movements, persons, and events that have influenced the development of Christianity and give special attention to certain identities, several of the larger contemporary denominations, and major religions.

This course will address relevant issues affecting our emotional and relational health and apply biblical principles that guide right thinking and actions. Students will understand the necessary connection between biblical truth and godliness and be able to defend their counseling position with sound biblical principles.

Students will be introduced to basic expository preaching theory and skills, emphasizing the preparation and delivery of a textually derived proposition with accuracy, interest, clarity and relevance.

This course involves an in-depth study of the life of Christ that’s informative, inspirational, and practical. Students will learn to relate the parallel accounts in the four gospels, and divide the life and ministry of Christ into generally accepted periods. Additionally, students will gain a thorough understanding of Jesus’ example of ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Required Book: Tony Evans, Who is the King of Glory

This course is designed to give you a concise introduction to the subject of soteriology (i.e., the doctrine of salvation), explaining the purpose and need as well as how it takes place. We will look at the original state of man, the fall, and the need for salvation. We will identify the only one qualified to rescue man. This class is a must-attend for all those who have questioned their salvation or that of others. We will review how you can know you are saved and explain why it is necessary to be saved. We will explore the different questions that often cause confusion, like “can you lose your salvation?” and “do you need to do something to get it?” This class will strengthen our faith and increase your trust in God. It will also provide you with an overview of the entire plan of God for rescuing mankind.

This course will equip students with a comprehensive understanding of what it means to follow Jesus Christ passionately and righteously. It includes the teaching of biblical discipleship and evangelism. Practically, students will learn strategies that will help them share their faith.

Required Books: J. Oswald Sanders, Effective Evangelism and George Verwer, Literature Evangelism (two books in one).

Spiritual growth is the transformation process by which we allow the indwelling Christ to increasingly express Himself in and through us, resulting in a greater capacity on our part to bring God greater glory and experience His greater good. This is a twelve-week, facilitator-led, interactive class designed to advance the discipleship process by helping the believer mature in their faith. This class will challenge the student to align his or her thinking, behavior and relationships toward a more constructive lifestyle that reflects the glory of God.

Required Book: Tony Evans, Life Essentials

Does your lifestyle reflect adoration for our King? This course will introduce students to the five elements of worship and challenge them to cultivate a genuine passion and desire to impact a lost world for Christ. They will gain an understanding of what it means to worship and follow Jesus Christ passionately and righteously.

Required Book: Tony Evans, What Matters Most

Without an accurate and authentic understanding of the spiritual discipline of prayer, we miss out on many of God’s promises to His children. The school of prayer will teach students how to pray according to God’s will and Word. The course will inspire your faith, deepen your understanding and equip you to fulfill your purpose in life.

Required Book: Bible

The Kingdom Agenda course will give students an exciting, in-depth biblical worldview of every area of life. The kingdom concepts presented in the course are essential to those who desire to understand and live life from God’s perspective. Students will gain an understanding of the rule of God over every area of life for the individual, family, church and community.

Required Book:  Tony Evans, The Kingdom Agenda

Whether you’re trying to escape the clutches of debt or diligently plan for the future, Financial Freedom is your pathway. Issues such as earning, spending, ownership, savings, stewardship and eternity are addressed with practical applications of biblical principles that will help you make healthy financial decisions. God’s way works every time and in every situation!

Required Book: Building Your Finances God’s Way (ebook available from CompassEBooks.org)

Because money plays a significant role in all relationships, financial wisdom is paramount to healthy relationships. This course will uncover the elements of financial wisdom and discretion in family money management, budgeting, debt reduction/credit management, insurance, taxes, investing, education planning, social security principles and more.

When is it the best time to start a new business? Maybe now is the time. Students will learn the nuts-and-bolts of turning their business dreams into a reality. This class will provide the practical information every business owner needs and will present it in a way that’s easy to understand and ready to be utilized.

This twelve-week class has been valued at $1,500. There is no cost to OCBF members. However, a detailed workbook that includes schedules, forms and checklists is required for the class for a cost of $69.

Personal finance is 80% behavior and only 20% head knowledge. The goal of this course is not just information, it’s transformation. In nine action-packed lessons, you’ll learn how to beat debt, build wealth, find bargains, invest for the future, give like never before and much more! Stop worrying about money and start your journey to financial peace today.

Required Book: Ramsey+ Membership

Children will not develop money-management skills on the own, especially from a biblical perspective. This workshop for PARENTS will teach learning strategies and provide action plans parents can use in the home that will teach their high-schoolers financial responsibility.

Required Book: Raising Financially Freed-Up Kids

This course is designed to help you plan your estate, manage your finances and assemble and organize your important information. Students will meet every other week to allow time to complete a comprehensive set of materials and important information such as healthcare and guardian decisions, estate planning, living wills, funeral instructions and more.

Longer lifespans and the disappearance of traditional pensions means it’s largely up to you to build a nest egg that’ll help provide for you and your family. This Multiply study will help you meet the challenge. This study is designed to put your fears at rest and to equip you with the knowledge, confidence, and biblical foundation you need to get started with investing successfully With video-based instruction, group discussion, and individual activities, you’ll learn how to take a portion of your income and grow it to help provide for your family’s future financial needs.

Required Workbook: Multiply Workbook

From God’s perspective, leaving a legacy is far more than just leaving a heritage to your family for a few generations. In this study, you’ll explore how you can finish well and leave a legacy that not only touches your family but also influences families around the globe in such a way that the impact will last forever. Together with the others in your group, you will wrestle with issues such as:

• Relational impact of wealth on my family
• Equipping my children to be good stewards of God’s resources
• Leaving a legacy for my children/grandchildren
• Preparing my spouse to handle our business/finances in the event of my death
• How can I finish my life well?

This class is for people in the second half of life and those looking to move from success to significance, increase generosity and desire to leave a legacy of finishing well.

This in-depth study will teach business people in all walks of professional life how to conduct business according to biblical principles. Whether you are the CEO or manager of a department, small business or large, prosperous or struggling or the business is a start- up or well established, this study will provide foundational principles that will help you improve your business and your finances. Although God does call some people out of business, He calls many to serve Him in business, where they can influence their customers, vendors, employees and competitors for Christ. Each lesson contains solid Scriptural teaching and thought-provoking studies to practically apply what you’ve learned. Topics include: Ownership, Leadership, Finance, Human Resources, Marketing and Planning.

This six-week course provides participants with a hands-on application of business principles based on Biblical truths when starting a new business or reviewing the operations of an existing business.

Whether you are the CEO or manager of a department, small business or large prosperous, a start-up or well established, this study provides the instructions on how to develop tools that will help you identify opportunities for business growth and profits.

It’s been said that the best way to finish well is to start well.  Participants will start by evaluating the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats to the organization or department.  Once these facts have been gathered a well-designed Business Plan is tailor-made for their business.

The framework of the course is based on every successful business having four components that function well: Values, Strategy, People and Finances.

This course is designed to equip believers in Christ with essential biblical knowledge, principles, and skills required to grow spiritually and develop into mature “Kingdom Disciples.” Upon completion of the course, the believer in Christ will be able to effectively reproduce the discipleship process with another believer in Christ.

Required Book: Tony Evans, Kingdom Disciples

Learning to listen and hear God is methodical and spiritual. Learn principles of an effective prayer life. Join this prayer journey in a bible study to learn how to align your visions, thoughts, actions, and prayers with scriptures. Praying for YOUR breakthrough.

Required Book: Bible

Does your life seem to be taking a pathway that is much different from what you imagined or planned? Have circumstances or setbacks disrupted your journey to success? Come and learn how Deborah dedicated her life to Godly principles and precepts that can be applied to your day-to-day life journey. Deborah, the prophetess, a wife, and a judge of Israel centered her faith in daily living and YOU can too!

Required Book: Bible

This class is about YOU and the body given by God to be your temple. Each session is filled with health information, exercising, and learning how to develop a healthy body through healthy behaviors. Health care workers share expertise on diabetes, cancer, body conditioning, weight loss, diet, and EVERYTHING you need to be healthy. Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live!

Required Book: Bible

To experience a satisfying marriage takes an abundance of commitment to the relationship. This class provides you the opportunity to take the time to be self-introspective about your impact as a wife and your view of a wife in marriage based on biblical principles. Glean Godly principles for the role of a wife as protector of her marriage and cornerstone of peace in the home.

Are you unemployed, under-employed, or just struggling to advance in your current career? Whether you’re just getting started in the job market or looking for a career change, this seven-week course is designed to help you secure a successful career through self-examination, market analysis, as well as identify and eliminate personal barriers that can prevent career advancement.

Whether you’re looking for ways to strengthen an already healthy marriage or seeking solutions to address specific marital challenges or simply wanting to restore joy in your marriage, then Marriage Builders is exactly what you and your spouse need. Marriage Builders is an eight-week course that offers biblical tools and practical ideas to help you and your spouse build a stronger marriage that will last a lifetime.

In this course, men will be challenged to recognize the standard of greatness that God has set forth in His Word for men. You will learn what it means to be a kingdom man who accepts responsibility for his domain of influence; who lives by kingdom principles; and who devotes his life to advancing God’s kingdom at home, at church, and in the world. Step up and claim your destiny as God’s kingdom man.

Required Books: Bible; Tony Evans, Kingdom Man and Kingdom Man Member Book

This course is designed to teach each student how to build healthy, loving relationships with their loved ones. Students in this class will also learn the biblical role that God has designed for each family member.

Required Book: Bible

As Christians, we are God’s ambassadors in the world, especially in the workplace. This course analyzes effective Christian leadership practices and teaches a biblical philosophy of Christian leadership in the workplace.

What are the skills parents need to discipline their kids and develop behaviors in them that bring glory to God? This seminar will equip parents with a discipline tool box filled with practical methods that will help them respond effectively to the challenges of training their children in the way they should go.

Required Book: Bible

Raising children in a secular world can be daunting. How can Christian parents protect their children from negative influences in the culture? This course will equip parents with the skills to counteract harmful cultural influences while nurturing attitudes and behaviors that reflect the values of the Kingdom of God.

This course is designed to equip parents to raise their children with a Kingdom perspective and also offers practical how-to advice on providing spiritual training as instructed in Scripture. Practically students will learn how to fulfill the parenting role God has given them—not just in raising healthy kids intellectually, physically and socially, but in contributing to their child’s relationship with God and alignment under His plan.

Learn biblical principles of managing division and strife in your life. You will experience a life-changing experience in conflict management and building and maintaining harmonious relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and others.

You must read chapter one before attending the first class session. If you are unable to read chapter one before the first class, please register for the next class.

Required Books: Bible; Oletha Barnett, Diversity of a Different Kind

Racial division in the culture and in the church are a sinful blemish before God. It’s hard to find real harmony in our polarized society. Although oneness is hard to achieve, the Christian must never stop striving as biblical reconciliation is a mandate from God. We find the kingdom-based approach for oneness in Scripture.
The course includes reflections on matters of racial history, culture, the church, and social justice for the purpose of unity.

“Glorifying God is our ultimate goal. Oneness exists to enable us to reach our goal.”
– Dr. Tony Evans, Oneness Embraced

Required Book: Dr. Tony Evans, Oneness Embraced: A Kingdom Approach to Race, Reconciliation and Justice

This course will teach God’s unique and magnificent plan for the New Testament church. You will learn the dynamics of the church, its design, its leadership, and its purpose.

Required Textbook: What is a Healthy Church? by Mark Dever

This course will provide biblical tools to empower students to make changes in their lives that will improve their personal and professional performance and enhance their overall quality of life.

Required Book: Guy Earle, Transformed through His Thoughts

Material for this class costs $100 for non-members and $75 for members.

If you are interested in serving in the Children’s Ministry, you must attend this orientation. You’ll be given an overview of Children’s Ministry that includes information regarding the vision, organizational structure, staff, facilities, policies and procedures.

We are called to share the gospel to children and help them grow and mature in their faith. Learn basic principles of sharing the gospel with children and how to encourage them to grow as obedient disciples.

Children have been created with unique needs and experiences that are specific to their development. This course will review each age level based on mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs associated with the stages of a child’s development.

Learn the basic components of preparing a lesson plan and organizing a learning experience for children, ages birth through K5.

Learn the basic components of preparing a lesson plan and organizing a learning experience for children in grades 1 – 6.

Children need the opportunity to interact with Christ-like role models who will encourage and direct them to behave in a manner that is reflective of biblical standards and expectations. This session will equip Children’s Ministry volunteers to disciple children and create an environment that encourages obedience, cooperation, sharing, community and respect.

This course will discuss the challenges that are faced by children who have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, dyslexia and other learning challenges and teach strategies that can be implemented in the Children’s Ministry environment.

This course will teach students basic first aid skills and how to respond to medical emergencies.

In this course, you’ll learn strategies for creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere and an engaging experience for our members and visitors that entrust the care and spiritual development of their children to us. The course includes how to respond to requests for services, ministry needs and/or information.

This class is designed to help the teacher appreciate the benefits that technology can bring to the classroom.

We are called to share the gospel to children and help them grow and mature in their faith. Learn basic principles of sharing the gospel with children and how to encourage them to grow as obedient disciples.

God has created children with the capacity to acquire knowledge and information in different ways. This course will address the different learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic and tactual) and ways to appeal to a variety of learning styles.

The Children’s Ministry partners with parents to disciple and nurture their children as they grow in their faith. This course will present the rationale for a children’s ministry from a biblical perspective.

This class is designed to help the teacher manage the classroom better by explaining how to handle unacceptable behavior and take loving steps when correcting a child.