Thirdmill Seminary

Books written on Christian counseling generally describe what it is without showing us how to counsel. This course relies almost entirely on the book “Skills for Effective Counseling” written by Elisabeth A. Nesbit Sbanotto, Heather Davediuk Gingrich, and Fred C. Gingrich, who have decades of professional experience and show us how to do it. Recognizing the limitations of training in counseling through the internet, we will learn and practice through many exercises the "microskills" necessary to effectively counsel people. Some of the topics that we will deal with are: the person of the counselor as an instrument; how do I perceive the counselee and how does he see me?; how do I develop the ability to accurately reflect what the counselee communicates to me?; how can I manage emotions and develop deep empathy? All this will be considered from a faith-based integration perspective.

This practicum develops your ministry practices of spiritual care, taking into account the emotional dimension of ministry, which is often omitted in traditional discipleship programs. The gospel changes our whole being, including our emotions. This course uses graduate-level readings, discussion forums, faculty tutorials, mentor meetings, and ministry activities to cultivate an emotionally healthy spirituality consistent with Jesus's teachings and practices. This course is not intended to treat issues of pastoral care exhaustively but aims at an understanding of how transformation occurs through the Spirit’s work in each of us through the means of grace.

The Book of Acts tells us of an exciting period of the expansion of the Church. But do the amazing experiences of that time necessarily set a pattern for us today? This course will help you answer some difficult questions about the work of the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the Church. It explains the background, structure, and content of the Book of Acts, including a study of the major themes and guidelines for applying the lessons of Acts today. This course is based on the lecture series, The Book of Acts, produced by Third Millennium Ministries and presented by Dr. Hans F. Bayer.

This course is an introduction to the doctrine of man. In every culture throughout history, people have asked questions such as, "Who are we?" and "Why are we here?" The Bible tells us that we are God's images, created to rule over creation on his behalf and to turn the world into his earthly kingdom. Sin has damaged us and complicated our work, but by God's grace in Christ, we can be restored and our work can be completed. This course is based on the lecture series, What is Man?, produced by Third Millennium Ministries and hosted by Dr. Greg Perry with contributions from a variety of professors.

Have you ever wondered why the New Testament gives so much attention to the kingdom of God? Or how this central theme relates to the new covenant in Christ? This series explores these two fundamental features of the New Testament by examining where they originated in the Old Testament, how they develop in the New Testament, and what they mean for us today.