Studying for Personal Development

What can I study? Can I choose which modules to study?

You are free to choose any distance learning modules that are of interest to you. However, we recommend that you accompany biblical study modules with theological and applied subjects. This is because your study of the Bible actually improves once you've done some doctrinal studies, a bit of church history, and spent some time considering how you apply it. Take a look at the modules we recommend here.

An alternative way of choosing modules is to study for one of LST’s internal awards. These awards combine a number of modules or credits, which create a coherent package of study.

What level of study should I choose?

Some modules are described as Certificate level, and some as Diploma level. Although this refers to the accredited study scheme, it gives you a good guide as to how difficult the module is likely to be. If you choose to start your study with the Diploma level module on Genesis, for example, you should not be too surprised if it seems rather more difficult than you hoped. Genesis may be the first book of the Bible, but our module on it is not the best place to start!

If you have not completed any previous theological study, it would be best to start with Certificate level modules. However, you may study in any order or priority, provided you are aware of the increased challenge.

Academic or vocational marking?

Academic marking means that your study is identical to those studying for a qualification on site at LST: essay titles are comparable or identical, and marking standards are identical. Choosing this marking scheme gives you greater flexibility for the long-term: if in the future, you’d like a qualification, you can readily swap into that scheme.

Vocational marking is the marking scheme for those who do not need the more rigorous academic marking scheme. Getting footnotes sorted out properly, for example, seems superfluous to their needs. You will study the same material, however the emphasis will be on your ability to describe the ideas and issues. You will have a wider selection of essay titles, and the marking will be of the standards appropriate to your situation rather than the exacting requirements of academic marking.

Vocational marking is not a lower quality of study or marking; it is different, targeted at the needs of a particular type of person. You need only make a choice of marking scheme when you start work on the first essay for the module, and will be able to discuss marking options with your tutors first.

Please note: in this context 'vocational' does not mean that you intend to enter full-time Christian ministry as a church minister. Those interested in such ministry will almost certainly need academic marking.

How long will I study for?

We will ask you to decide if you intend to complete the module within one year or three years. You will then opt for an appropriate period of tuition. If you don't meet the one-year target, then you can extend to three years; and if you complete within one year after choosing three then we'll refund the difference.

Recommended Modules for Studying for Personal Development

Although you are free to choose from all modules, these modules are the ones we especially recommend for those who are new to distance learning. These modules provide a thorough grounding in their topic, with just enough detail, but not too much.

Introducing the Old Testament (001)

Credits: 20

Do you know the difference between the Exodus and the Exile, and which came first? If not, then this is the module for you.

It is our most popular module and is designed to ensure that you have a thorough grounding in the entire Old Testament. The emphasis is on ensuring that you have a secure appreciation of the content of the Old Testament.

It will also help you develop your ability to interpret and use the Old Testament. Is Solomon really a wise King, or should we read with a heavy dose of sarcasm and irony? What had the bigger impact on Old Testament thinking: the Exodus or the Exile? Do prophets foretell the future, and the Messiah, or were they doing something different?

A solid grounding in the Old Testament has long been recognised as a secure starting point for theological study. This module gives the foundation on which so much else is built.

Introducing the New Testament (002)

Credits: 20

As a companion module to 'Introducing the Old Testament', this module will give you a thorough grounding in the entire New Testament. How trustworthy is John's portrayal of Jesus, given that he describes Jesus as never using parables, describes Jesus giving long abstract meditations and cleansing the temple at the beginning of his ministry, not at the end? Does the book of Acts provide a model for the contemporary church? Should we think of Paul as an evangelist or as a theologian? Why do Paul and James apparently come to totally different conclusions on the nature of faith? Were the Pharisees really that bad?

No matter the level of experience in the New Testament you feel you already have, this module will almost certainly provide valuable information and insights. It is an ideal stand-alone study, or excellent preparation for moving deeper into biblical study.

Introducing Christian Doctrine (003)

Credits: 20 Modules for Personal Study

If your image of doctrine is of pedantic cloistered scholars buried in dusty tomes, then we invite you to discover how relevant it is. You’ll find that studying doctrine is one of the most effective ways to improve your understanding of the Bible.

How do we communicate the gospel to a world that no longer knows what sin is? What is the pastoral impact of thinking that Jesus was not really God but most of God? Working constantly with the Bible, this module tackles questions of belief in God, Jesus, humanity, the Church and the Holy Spirit. Taking a non-denominational stance, it recognises the differences of opinion among evangelical Christians on some matters. It will train you to recognise the strengths and weaknesses of differing opinions, and how to put forward the traditions of your denomination in a sensitive but effective manner.

Introducing Christian Ethics (004)

Credits: 20

With science and technology 'improving' our power over human life and the environment, everyday moral decisions become much more difficult to make. How should the principles of a true biblical faith be applied to our rapidly changing world? Does the Bible have anything to say about wealth and poverty, test-tube babies, abortion, unemployment, nuclear weapons, drug addiction...?

The module will not give you quick and easy answers to these and similar questions. Instead of trying to tell you what you ought to believe, it teaches you how to use the Bible in such discussions. It focuses on the way we build up a system for dealing with such questions, so that as new issues arise we are better equipped to respond to them. This subject is of vital importance to all Christians.

Introducing Church History (005)

Credits: 20

The Church has a heritage that is rich, diverse and colourful. You may think of history as a boring subject, simply a list of dates and events. However the situation in which we live now is strongly affected by the past. An improved awareness of those events will help us understand the impact they have on us, and be far more relevant and useful than abstract facts. It will enable us to apply lessons from the past, and potentially avoid repeating some of the mistakes. Our approach looks beyond the historical dates and facts and focuses on the effects these events have had.

Was Constantine a 'good thing' to have happened to the church? Why were Christians in the past so keen on monks and monasteries? Would the Reformation still happen had Martin Luther never been born? Where did your denomination come from? Do the events of the past shackle our present development? Were the Church Councils of the third and fourth centuries too dominated by politics to be of any theological validity?

This module will enable you to gain an overall grasp of the history of the Christian Church from its beginning to the present. Investigating how the Church confronted the challenges of the past, you will be better able to apply that thinking and insight to contemporary problems and situations.

Going the Distance (008)

Credits: 10

Trying to study by distance demands new skills and abilities, ones that few of us were taught at school. This module is specifically designed to help you improve those skills and so gain more from the other modules. Amongst other things, it will teach you how to read textbooks more effectively, how to write better essays and how to maintain your enthusiasm for study. It also addresses the difficult issue of coping with challenges to our faith and belief that might arise from studying academic theology.

The core of this module is the book The Distance Learner, written and produced by St. John's College, Nottingham; we are grateful to them for permission to use their material in this way. There is a single assessment, involving the analysis of a Grove Booklet.

Christian Life &... video or DVD modules

Originally created to be housegroup / small group study resources, the Open Learning Department has redesigned this material for individual study modules. The Department has enhanced the academic discussion of the issues raised, and incorporated book lists and essay titles for assessment. You will also receive further guidance on relevant reading and internet resources. Each module is worth 10 credits for the personal development scheme; some can also be studied for validated awards.

When you buy the study pack you will receive all the materials necessary for running the module as a house group study, making it doubly beneficial to you. If you prefer to just buy the resource for use in a housegroup, please contact our Bookshop on 01923 456130 or email: bookshop@lst.ac.uk. These resources are available in video or DVD format.

Christian Life & Work (440)

Credits: 10

On average people spend 70% of their waking hours working each week. For some this may be in a Christian environment, but of the vast majority it will be in the secular workplace or in the home. This module is designed to help you and your Christian community to understand that all work is important to God and needs relevant teaching.

Is the feeling of drudgery and fruitlessness we feel about work part of the curse in Genesis 3? Is work something we have to do and not actually of any interest to God? Is the workplace a legitimate place for evangelism? If so, how would we go about it?

You will investigate the theological aspects of work, considering ethical issues distinctive to the workplace - such as globalisation or excessive work hours - or the implications of unemployment and ministry amongst work colleagues.

A copy of Mark Greene's book Thank God It's Monday (Scripture Union, 1994, 2001 3rd Edition) is supplied with the study material.

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