What Theological Education is Required?
We provide mission-critical theological training for Cru missionaries through our Institute of Biblical Studies (IBS). The Institute of Biblical Studies curriculum includes 11 graduate level courses that are designed to give you a foundation for a lifetime of ministry.
As a new missionary staff member, you will complete three courses before you report to your first assignment:
Intro to Mission
Our God is a missionary God. From Genesis to Revelation, God is working to create a community of redeemed people from every tribe, tongue and nation for His glory. This class will help you better understand God’s mission (missio Dei) and the vital role His church is called to play in advancing hHis kingdom.
We will explore cross-cultural mission from four perspectives:
- What the Bible says about the mission of God.
- The global history of Christian mission from the first century to the 21st century.
- An examination of culture and how we can more effectively communicate the gospel cross-culturally.
- How Cru fits into the global story of missions and how we, as Cru missionaries, can participate in God’s mission to gather a redeemed people from every nation for His glory.
Bible Study Methods
Using an educationally sound, workshop-style approach, Bible Study Methods is designed to introduce you to a process of studying the Bible and give you a chance to improve your skills, all under the watchful eye of a skilled mentor. You will be exposed to the classic principles of interpretation, and then you will turn theory into practice by applying the principles as you study the book of Ephesians.
This course will cover the entire process of Bible study, from motivation, to interpretive principles, through skills and tools, all the way to communicating the text to others. After a lecture each day, your trained workshop coach will teach you skills and guide you through the use of tools to help you see and savor the glory of Jesus in the Bible.
Intro to Christian Theology
Good theology is vital to the life and health of the church. Theology helps us answer questions like:
- What is God like?
- How does God speak to us?
- Why did God create the world?
- What does it mean to be human?
- What’s wrong in the world?
- Who is Jesus Christ and what did he do for us?
- What is the good news of the gospel?
- Who is the Holy Spirit?
- What is a church?
- How will God’s story end?
This course will introduce you to the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith affirmed in the Cru Statement of Faith. Not only will you gain a deeper understanding of these doctrines but you will also discover how these doctrines should practically shape our lives and ministries.
Through one of our partner seminaries you have the option to receive graduate credit for these courses as well.
For more information please see: IBS First Year Requirements.
