We are pleased to announce that UBF INSTITUTE is offering four courses for the HQ Continuing Education program in spring 2025 (Feb 10 – May 30). Designed to support and equip UBF leaders, including chapter directors and Bible teachers, this concise program is biblical, practical, and relevant to the UBF ministry.
Here are the courses available:
(1) Following the Christ who Suffered for Us (1 Peter Bible Study):
This course offers a guided study of 1 Peter, focusing on Christian identity and embracing suffering. Spanning ten sessions, it aims to deepen understanding of hope in Christ, encourage humble service, and provide comprehensive study materials.
(2) Living by the Spirit, in Union with Christ:
The course provides gospel workers with a sound understanding of the Holy Spirit and salvation, emphasizing living by the Spirit and union with Christ. Participants will engage in readings, discussions, and practical applications to enhance their faith and ministry.
(3) Kingdom, Human Sexuality, and Social Justice (Christian Ethics):
This course on Christian ethics examines human sexuality and social justice through a Kingdom perspective, addressing contemporary challenges. Students will develop a robust understanding of ethical living, informed by biblical teachings, to engage effectively with modern ethical dilemmas.
(4) New Testament Greek Basics:
This course introduces New Testament Greek to enhance Bible study skills. Students will learn vocabulary, grammar, and syntax to interpret texts, utilize study tools, and deepen their understanding of Scripture, fostering a greater love for God’s Word.
For more details and to register, please see the attachment or click this link: https://ubfinstitute.org/spring-2025-term//. If you do not have an account with the UBF Institute homepage, please create one by following the instructions after clicking the link. If you have any questions, please contact us at ubfinstitute@gmail.com or info@ubfinstitute.org.
We’d like to encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to further your education and enhance your ministry. Please share this information with your chapter leaders.
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Course 1
Following the Christ who Suffered for Us
1 Peter Bible Study
This course is a systematic, guided study through the epistle of 1 Peter, focusing on the themes of Christian identity, normalizing joyful suffering with Christ in our daily lives while living in a shepherded community. Over ten sessions (nine lessons and an introduction), we will study the entire book section by section, verse by verse, together as a group with the instructors.
Our goals in this study are to learn about our identity as people of living hope through the resurrection of Jesus, normalize suffering as part of the Christian experience, and respond to the call to serve and live a humble shepherd life.
After the course, we will have a well-understood introduction to the Epistle, well-prepared Bible study materials for each lesson, and written and shared reflections on each section as well as the whole.
Instructor: Steve Stasinos, MDiv (full-time staff since 2008, currently pastor of Toledo UBF), stevestasinos@gmail.com; 773 484 3056; WhatsApp preferred
Meeting dates and times: Thursday Evenings weekly (90 minutes), skipping weeks for conferences, travel, or other reasons as necessary. The first meeting is Thursday, February 27, at 7 pm Central Time.
Course Method: Questions for each lesson will be prepared before attending the 90-minute Bible study. Participation in the Bible study will enable practicing clear articulation of what was received in personal Bible study preparation, as well as group learning. Participants should be prepared to pray together before and after the study and be comfortable in sharing brief reflections (likely online) with their classmates and facilitators.
Course Outline:
- Introductions (1 Peter, each other) and prayer
- 1 Peter 1:1-12 New Birth Into A Living Hope
- 1 Peter 1:13-2:3 Be Holy Because I Am Holy
- 1 Peter 2:4-10 You Are A Royal Priesthood
- 1 Peter 2:11-25 Christ Suffered for You…Follow in His Steps
- 1 Peter 3:1-7 God’s Beautiful Gift of Marriage
- 1 Peter 3:8-22 Christ Suffered to Bring You to God
- 1 Peter 4:1-11 Be Faithful Stewards of God’s Grace
- 1 Peter 4:12-19 Rejoice As You Participate in the Sufferings of Christ
- 1 Peter 5:1-14 Humbly Living as Shepherds for God’s Flock
- Conclusion Reflection sharing
Course 2 (Register by Feb 10)
Living by the Spirit, in Union with Christ
Biblical Doctrines of the Holy Spirit and Salvation
The Bible Doctrine course is designed to provide gospel workers with a sound understanding of Christian faith based on Scripture. This course covers the two major themes of Christian faith: the Holy Spirit and Salvation. The doctrine of the Holy Spirit belongs to the third article of the Apostles’ Creed, which confesses, “I believe in the Holy Spirit…” Today, we live in the last days when the Holy Spirit is the personal representative of the Triune God on earth. Only if we relate rightly to the Holy Spirit can we truly enjoy God’s infinite wealth as children of God. So, we must learn about who the Holy Spirit is and what his ministry is. Also, we will explore how to walk by the Spirit in our daily life and ministry.
The doctrine of salvation addresses various aspects of salvation, such as election, the gospel call, regeneration, conversion, justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification. In our study, we will pay attention to the concept of union with Christ, an inclusive term for the whole of salvation that relates to every aspect of salvation. These themes will be studied from biblical and theological standpoints with practical applications. This course can be summarized through two phrases: “Living by the Spirit” and “in union with Christ.”
Upon completion of this course, the participants should be able to: (1) demonstrate their understanding of Christian faith regarding the Holy Spirit and salvation; (2) discuss pneumatology and soteriology critically based on biblical and evangelical theology; (3) apply their understanding of Bible Doctrine to personal faith and church ministry practices. We pray to grow in the knowledge of our Savior, keep in step with the Holy Spirit, and live in union with Christ daily.
This course consists of reading lecture materials, attending online sessions (7 meetings), participating in online discussion forums, and writing a confession of faith.
Instructor: Augustine Suh, PhD (augustinsuh@gmail.com)
Meeting Dates and Time: The class will meet biweekly on Mondays at 7 pm Central Time. The first meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 17, at 7 pm Central Time/USA.
Course Schedule
- Introduction (Feb 17)
- The Person of the Holy Spirit (Mar 3)
- The Ministry of the Holy Spirit (Mar 17)
- Pentecostalism (Mar 31)
- Doctrine of Salvation Part 1. (Apr 14)
- Doctrine of Salvation Part 2. (Apr 28)
- Doctrine of Salvation Part 3. (May 12)
Course 3
Christian Ethics: Kingdom, Human Sexuality, and Social Justice
This course explores Christian ethics’ profound and transformative aspects through a Kingdom perspective. We will examine today’s culture’s challenges to the Christian faith and the growing inquiries about the relationship between faith and social change. Focusing on themes of human sexuality and social justice, we will engage in critical thinking and theological reflection to comprehend and embody ethical living that aligns with God’s Kingdom. The theme of human sexuality discusses topics such as Biblical sexuality, pornography, gender identity, and LGBTQ issues. The theme of social justice addresses topics such as justice in the Bible, economic justice, racism, and politics while emphasizing the biblical call to justice, mercy, and love.
This course aims to provide Bible teachers and ministers with a robust framework for understanding and engaging with ethical questions through the lens of the gospel of the Kingdom. Grounded in biblical teachings and theological reflections, we seek to understand the call to follow Jesus, the Messiah, in our modern context. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with a sound understanding of Christian ethics, enriched by a Kingdom perspective, and prepared to address the ethical challenges of human sexuality and social justice with wisdom, compassion, and integrity.
Course Instructors: Dr. Augustine Suh and P Kevin Albright, in collaboration with Dr. Moses Noh, Dr. Daniel Lee, Dr. Crystal Morla, and Dr. Joe Wert
Meeting Dates and Time: February 24 – May 31, 2025 (tentative meeting dates: Wednesdays, 7 pm CT). The first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, at 7 pm Central Time/USA.
Course Outline:
- Introduction and Foundations (1): The Gospel of the Kingdom and Following Jesus (Feb 26)
- Foundations (2): New Covenant; the Authority and the Use of Scripture (Mar 5)
- Human Sexuality 1: The Kingdom and Human Sexuality (Mar 19)
- Human Sexuality 2: Pornography (Mar 26)
- Human Sexuality 3: Gender Identity (Apr 2)
- Human Sexuality 4: LGBTQ Issues (Apr. 9)
- Social Justice 1: The Kingdom and Social Justice in Scripture (Apr 30)
- Social Justice 2: Economic Issues (May 7)
- Social Justice 3: Racial Issues (May 14)
- Social Justice 4: The Kingdom and Political Engagement (May 21)
- Passion for God’s Kingdom: Social Crisis Preaching and Prayer (May 28)
Course 4 (Register by Feb 10)
New Testament Greek Basics:
Reading and Interpreting the Original Language
This course is designed to introduce students to New Testament Greek, providing foundational tools for enhancing one’s Bible study competence and ability to interact with Bible study resources.
This course will equip students to
- understand biblical Greek vocabulary, grammar, and syntax
- interpret the New Testament from the original Greek text
- use computer tools for studying and analyzing a passage
- know and love God more by studying His words in greater depth
Instructor: Ben West, MDiv (full-time shepherd of Minneapolis UBF)
Meeting Dates and Time: All meetings are scheduled for Saturdays at 9:00 am Central time/USA. The course introduction is scheduled for Sat, Feb 15, 9 am CT.
Course Requirements:
- Attendance: Attend the class. Meeting every week with holiday breaks
- Reading: Read the textbooks as indicated
- Quizzes: Take a weekly quiz to assess progress
- Regular personal study: at least 20 minutes a day, 5 days per week
- Small group study: once a week
Course Schedule (Feb 15 – May 9)
- Greek Alphabet (Feb 15)
- Nouns – First & Second Declension
- Present Indicative of ???? & Prepositions
- Present Active Indicative – Regular Verbs
- Adjectives
- Third Declension Nouns & Pronouns
- Imperfect Tense
- Future Active Indicative & Demonstrative Pronouns
- Aorist Active Indicative & Introduction to Middle Voice
- Present & Aorist Middle Indicative
- Perfect & Pluperfect Tenses
- Participles
- Subjunctive & Imperative Mood
For more details and to register, please click this link: https://ubfinstitute.org/spring-2025-term//. If you do not have an account with ubfinstitute.org, please create one by following the instructions after clicking the link. If you have any questions, please contact us at ubfinstitute@gmail.com or info@ubfinstitute.org.
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