Growing as disciples prepared for leadership in the local church and engagement in the world

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Foundations

Foundations is the new name for Trinity College's foundational level Open Learning programme.

Foundations is an Open Learning programme based on local study groups for anyone who:

• wishes to grow in knowledge of God and understanding of the Christian faith;
• is committed to systematic, disciplined and in-depth personal study;
• is ready to learn from others in small discussion groups;
• is willing to make use of God-given gifts for mission and ministry in the local church.

Foundations develops foundational knowledge of the Bible and basic Christian belief and also provides skills for effective involvement in local Christian leadership. The programme includes:

• disciplined self-study;
• regular group interaction.

It provides skills in

• biblical interpretation;
• evaluating different views and learning to express an opinion while listening to others;
• application of learning to local mission and ministry;
• and writing short assignments.

The programme is designed to be accessible to those who have no previous theological study as well as to those who want to engage with the Bible at a deeper level.  The courses are suitable for those who feel called to involvement in different avenues of ministry and mission in the local church as well as those who want to work out how to live more effectively as Christians in daily life whether at home or in workplace and society. To download our brochures, click on the images to the right.

 

I studied six biblical courses over nearly four years in home study and fortnightly tutorials, and it changed my life. Each module was like a new box of treasure. Just as marvellous as the study was the close fellowship that developed among us as we discussed what we'd studied, and the deepening respect as we were challenged by each other's different views.
Why am I an ICES* tutor? Quite often the people who come have little or no biblical knowledge and have never looked at what they believe and why. I love seeing them begin to enjoy the close respectful fellowship, where differing opinions are valued, get excited by the Bible (yes, even Leviticus!) learn how to interpret and apply it, and find the particular ministry God is calling them to.
Gay Carpenter, former Open Learning student, now a tutor

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*Trinity has incorporated ICES - Interactive Christian Extension Studies - as part of its development of foundational level Open Learning.