Lessons

The EFM programme of study covers the range of the Christian tradition from the earliest period to the present. The programme for each of the four years has 34 chapters of academic content and 5 common lessons.

 

The first year of study examines the Old Testament. Year 2 covers the New Testatment. Years 3 and 4 emphasise church history and the development of theology, linking these to other aspects of history, changes in society, and developments in philosophy and science. In New Zealand, the EFM course includes extensive additional studies, specifically prepared to cover church history in this country.

 

Despite the focus on the Scriptures in the first two years, EFM is not a traditional “Bible study” but rather utilises the Bible as the key book of the Christian tradition. Students learn biblical exegesis, various interpretative methods and approaches, the historical record of the Ancient Hebrews and the societies with whom they came into contact, Church history, the role of historical criticism, systematic theology, and ethics.

 

Each lesson has an accompanying parallel guide, designed to assist the adult student in reading and working through the readings. They also aim at provoking individual thought and group discussion on how the material covered in the lesson links to each person’s own beliefs, life experience, and ministry. The parallel guides include: Summary of chapter’s main points, Learning objectives, Assignments to deepen your understanding, Preparing for your seminar questions, and suggested additional sources for those desiring to read more. The questions and exercises vary in approach, recognising that adults learn in a variety of ways.

 

The School of Theology at the University of the South, Sewanee, has put a few lessons online. Their website is listed on the Links page.

 

For a detailed list of the lesson topics, click on each year listed below, or on the side menu.

| lessons | year 1 | year 2 | year 3 | year 4 | common lessons |

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