Frequently Asked Questions
- Do we need another resource?
- Who is the course designed for?
- How does the course work?
- How long is the course?
- How long are the sessions?
- Is the teaching dry and academic?
- Do I have to lead the whole course without any breaks?
- What’s the Q&A section all about?
- Are there pricing breaks for larger orders?
- How can the course be used?
- What if I don’t agree with Grudem in some areas?
- Is there a leader’s guide available?
- Can I get the sessions in audio format or for ipod?
- Do I have to buy the book Christian Beliefs, Bible Doctrine, or Systematic Theology to do the course?
- What’s so special about the Christian Beliefs course?
- Can this course be used in an inner city urban context or is it just for the more educated?
1. Do we need another resource?
In many ways we have never had so many resources, there are books and curriculum for just about everything. And yet, a fair question to ask is whether the church displays the maturity, stability and devotion that's proportionate to the resources we have?
Jesus prayed that we would be sanctified and that this would happen through the truth. Christian Beliefs is not just another resource. It is a tool for our times, unprecedented in what it offers the modern church. Undiluted, well packaged–truth.
2. Who is the course designed for?
The course is appropriate for the full spectrum of believers, from new to mature believers, and even unbelievers. It is a perfect course to become established in the foundations of the faith. It is also excellent for older believers to grasp and experience afresh the heart and mind impact of these central teachings of the Bible.
One of the great strengths of this unique discipleship course is that the material can be accessed on a number of different levels. Indeed, many of the people you will see on camera in each session are themselves leaders of different churches and they all benefited from Professor Grudem’s outstanding teaching. Still others present where brand new in their faith. Each session covers the key elements of the doctrine to be considered and then has a follow up Q&A session where Professor Grudem widens and deepens the discussion for leaders and for others on the course who may want to go deeper into God’s Word.
3. How does the course work?
As well as the main sessions, which last approximately 40 minutes (max), there is a live Q&A section which can be used as an ice breaker, a recap, or as part of the 'Going Deeper' section in the Study Guides.
Each session can be either watched straight through or you can choose to play the session with automatic discussion breaks. These session breaks point you to the relevant questions in the Study Guides. Just press play to continue with the next session. Chapter menus also mean you can pick and choose if you want to watch something again, or just focus in on one particular point.
4. How long is the course?
The course has 20 sessions.
5. How long are the sessions?
Each session lasts for approximately 40 minutes (maximum).
6. Is the teaching dry and academic?
Christian Beliefs is most certainly not dry and academic! But neither is it anti- intellectual and ‘dumbed down’. Grudem delivers all the material you’ll need to be established in the faith with warm illustrations and spiritual maturity that can only come from years of teaching experience with a wide range of people. Dr Grudem's greatest appeal is not just his clarity but his passion, love and wisdom.
7. Do I have to lead the whole course without any breaks?
No. Many leaders run two to five sessions and then have a week on other teaching or social activities and then return to the course to keep variety. Others have done one session a month in their small groups or Sunday Schools. There is room for great flexibility with Christian Beliefs so that each leader can do what is most appropriate for their context.
8. What’s the Q&A section all about?
The Q&A section works together with the going deeper section at the end of each session. This section is for those who want to look a little deeper at the study and the Q&A questions help with this. Leaders will find these questions particularly helpful but feedback has shown that a variety of groups really enjoy the cut and thrust of the Q&A section!
9. Are there pricing breaks for larger orders?
Yes there are, you will find the prices by clicking on the store link above.
10. How can the course be used?
The course has 20 sessions and can be taught in a variety of contexts including small groups, one on one mentoring, larger church sessions or just individual study. Each session is self contained. Please see the how to use this resource page.
11. What if I don’t agree with Grudem in some areas?
Most people who hold an evangelical position would not have a problem with the majority of what Dr Grudem teaches in these sessions. However, where Christians do differ on certain topics Dr Grudem gracefully shows the alternatives and why he holds to the position that he does. It is refreshing to hear a world class theologian occasionally say that he does not know, or that he appreciates and sees the merits of other views.
A key benefit of the course is that although clear about the teachings of the Bible, one of the aims is to teach people how to think biblically, not just what to think. This is one of the things that makes the church wonderfully differentiates us from cults. We are encouraged to be Bereans (Acts 17v11) and search the scriptures for ourselves. Dr Grudem is a great model in these sessions of how to handle secondary issues gracefully.
If there are areas you disagree with Dr Grudem, let it spur you on to study the word and clarify your position. If your leading a group, do it together. The result will be iron sharpening iron.
12. Is there a leader’s guide available?
Yes you can download a leader’s guide which has plenty of excellent tips for using the course and suggested answers to all of the questions and suggested activities.
13. Can I get the sessions in audio format or for ipod?
These will be made available soon.
14. Do I have to buy the book Christian Beliefs, Bible Doctrine, or Systematic Theology to do the course?
No the course stands alone, however, you may want to supplement your discipleship learning with these excellent books!
15. What’s so special about the Christian Beliefs course?
There is not another course like this available today taught by such an eminent theologian as Wayne Grudem. Professor Grudem makes profound theology accessible to all types of people whilst challenging those of us who are further on in the faith.
16. Can this course be used in an inner city urban context or is it just for the more educated?
Christian Belief’s has been used very successfully in the most deprived urban contexts. As long as the leader or discipler uses the pause button on the DVD to explain and answer and questions as they come up, this course is ideal for this context. Dr Grudem does not get in the way of the clarity of scripture.
