What do echo chambers and healthy biblical teaching have to do with each other? I believe theological echo chambers are one of the most dangerous locations for churches, Bible teachers and students. Much of what we do in AIM UK and Ireland is to attempt to prevent us as teachers and students from inhabiting a subconscious theological echo chamber.
Question - Is there any evidence of an echo chamber in your church or group? If there was, how would you recognise it?
A mini-reflection from one of the Family Life classes. Can anger be redeemed?
"The prophets never portray God's anger as something that cannot be accounted for, unpredictable, irrational. It is never a spontaneous outburst, but a reaction occasioned by the conduct of humans...and motivated by concern for right and wrong." Abraham Heschel
A mini-reflection from one of the Family Life classes.
Introduction to the major world religions: Islam (900 million adherents), Hinduism (800 million adherents), Buddhism (300 million adherents) [Note: Judaism is covered in AIM Old Testament Survey] A serious look at the major religions of the world, including their scriptures. 40 useful passages will be learned. Field trip: visit to a Mosque or Hindu/Buddhist Temple. Goal: To learn the importance of worldview apologetics in “pre-evangelism,” and begin to implement new strategies for connecting with outsiders.
According to 1 Timothy 3, how we build our own family is how we tend to build the church family. This course covers marriage and family life including singleness, marriage, parenting, family dynamics and family systems, healthy boundaries within family systems, divorce and remarriage, blended families, and homosexuality/same-sex attraction.
Introducing our latest course, Evidences and Evangelism, running from June 8th to August 31st, 2024. Many individuals harbour doubts about God, the Bible, and the Christian faith, and it's perfectly natural. We advocate for the importance of questioning one's beliefs and believe there are credible answers to many of these inquiries. In a world where skepticism surrounds matters of faith, it's imperative to arm yourself with the knowledge and skills necessary for meaningful dialogue. Whether you're a seasoned believer seeking to deepen your understanding or an inquisitive seeker in search of answers, this course is tailored to suit your needs. Led by authorities in apologetics and evangelism, it blends theological principles with practical strategies, ensuring you're well-prepared to engage in nuanced discussions with clarity, confidence, and compassion.
The Bible places far more emphasis on who we are inside than how we behave or appear to others. We have all seen too many people we know fall, not rebounding but remaining fallen, due to a weak walk with the Lord--while others continue to go forward to do great things despite formidable obstacles.
Are you looking to strengthen your relationship with God and deepen your understanding of Christian spirituality? Look no further than the AIM Spiritual Life Course, an in-person and online course designed to enhance and guide your spiritual journey. The course covers character, sexual issues, financial responsibility, spiritual disciplines such as fasting, prayer, meditation, scripture, devotional reading, and so much more—the secret of mirroring Christ's character: the inner spiritual life.
Teachers include Douglas Jacoby, Andy Boakye and Malcolm Cox (at the live session on 23 March). Additionally, you will have access to specialised teaching from other speakers on-line
Join our worldwide community of learners and experience the transformative power of Christian spirituality.
Reading that will help you in preparation for the day includes the following:
1. R. Kent Hughes, Set Apart: Calling a Worldly Church to a Godly Life (Wheaton: Crossway, 2003). ISBN 978-1-58134-491-2. A message the church desperately needs. Easy to read.
2. J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership: A Commitment to Excellence for Every Believer (Moody 2007), ISBN: 0802482279, ISBN-13: 9780802482273. A classic, easy to read.
3. Helmut Thielicke, A little exercise for young theologians (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1980, ISBN: 0802811981). Short but very meaty
The AIM Counselling Module aims to equip the body of Christ to be "competent to counsel" one another.
Christian Counselling is a much-neglected discipline. Yet, it has tremendous potential to assist maturing and Christlikeness. We must be well-equipped and prudent--especially in this day and age. The AIM Counselling & Psychology Module includes a basic introduction and training in psychological, marriage, family, and personal spiritual counselling and an overview of how to build and maintain an excellent personal spiritual foundation for oneself. This module also examines current cultural trends in society and how to address them as issues within the church and when interacting with friends, neighbours, and family members in broader cultural contexts. Attention is also paid to local cultural contexts in various world cultures.
AIM UK & Ireland Homiletics Announcement
Paul and Barnabas 'spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.' (Acts 14.1). That experience can be yours when you take this course. Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey of discovering the power of your voice and unlocking the hidden treasures within the pages of the Bible? Look no further! Join our class on biblical homiletics and become a master of the art of communicating God to other people.
In this class, we will delve deep into the rich tapestry of biblical genres and learn from experts in the art and science of communicating biblical wisdom. You will acquire skills to craft compelling messages that resonate with hearts and minds, touching the souls of your listeners.
Biblical homiletics is more than just public speaking; it's about connecting with the divine and sharing that connection with others. You do not need a role or position to benefit from homiletics. While regular speakers, teachers and preachers will find much to help them, these principles and practicals will be hugely relevant for small group leaders, parents planning a family devotional, and anyone preparing a communion talk or testimony.
Imagine the impact you could have as you speak to a group, delivering God's truth and bringing light to the darkest corners of life, offering comfort to the weary, and empowering others to live with purpose and passion.
Don't miss this opportunity to become a skilled communicator of God's word. Join our class on biblical homiletics and let your voice become a beacon of inspiration and a catalyst for positive change. Speak with confidence, knowing that you are equipped to deliver messages that will touch hearts and change lives.
Register your interest by emailing AIM at courses@aimukandireland.com.
SPECIAL OFFER: The Homiletics session is being offered at half price, £77.
The event will take place at 9AM, on Saturday 16th September, and simultaneously on Zoom.
Your teachers share over 100 years of Christian speaking between them, and a proven track record of effective writing, podcasting, YouTube videos, teaching and preaching. Dr Douglas Jacoby, Dr Andy Boakye and Malcolm Cox are your instructors.
P.S. If financing the session is a problem why not speak to your local leadership about subsidising your attendance? Training like this is sure to benefit your congregation.
Note: Homiletics is about the process of preparing and delivering *what* we say about God and the *people* who say it.
https://aimukandireland.com
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The course will cover topics including:
As one wise person put it, "Those who ignore the lessons of history are
bound to repeat them." There is so much to learn from two millennia
of church history!
The course introduces students to the early church,
various heretical groups, the medieval church, the origins of
Protestantism, the Restoration Movement, and the Discipling Movement.
We
focus on pivotal events, key dates, and lessons to be learnt.
Christian doctrine is an exploration of the way God intends us to relate
to him, one another and the world. It isn’t a dry or difficult topic
but an exciting and dynamic one. What could be more important?
We will provide an introduction to the authors and books of the Old Testament, the types of writing contained in the Old Testament, an introduction to the geography of the Old Testament world, the Ancient Near Eastern background of the Old Testament, and how to properly read and understand the Old Testament writings including the first part of Genesis, the Law, the Prophets, and Old Testament Wisdom and Apocalyptic literature.
This module is good for anyone interested in learning how to read, understand, and teach the Old Testament to others including those who wish a deeper knowledge of the Old Testament, Bible Study leaders, small group leaders, ministers desiring a refresher, or anyone who wants more up-to-date knowledge of Old Testament studies.
Exegesis and hermeneutics of the Old Testament. Units on interpretation of: Narratives, Law, Psalms, Prophets, Wisdom Literature, and more. Learn to preach or teach confidently from the Old Testament. This course has the potential to significantly change how you read and interact with God's word.
Required:
1. Re-read Fee & Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, Chapters. 5, 9-12, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.
2. Douglas Jacoby and Paul Copan, Origins: The Ancient Impact and Modern Implications of Genesis 1-11. Nashville: Morgan James, 2018.
3. Classes in person in Watford (or on Zoom), 9:00-4:00 on Saturday 24 June 2023
Recommended:
• D. A. Carson, Exegetical Fallacies (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996)—only if not read for NTI.
• Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible Book by Book (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002), SKIM pp. 1-268 (the half dealing with the Old Testament only).
• Philip Yancey, The Bible Jesus Read (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999)
What many of us were never taught, exegesis and hermeneutics,
interpreting what a N.T. passage meant to those to whom it was written,
and making a proper application to our situation today. These are vital
areas of theological training.
The AIM Old Testament Module prepares students to understand and interpret the Old Testament and to teach, preach, and study the Old Testament accurately and confidently with others.
The Old Testament Module includes a detailed overview of the Old Testament including how it came to be in its current form, an introduction to the authors and books of the Old Testament, the types of writing contained in the Old Testament, an introduction to the geography of the Old Testament world, the Ancient Near Eastern background of the Old Testament, how to properly read and understand the Old Testament writings including the first part of Genesis, the Law, the Prophets, and Old Testament Wisdom and Apocalyptic literature, how to teach or preach from the Old Testament, and an advanced, in-depth study of the Book of Amos as an example of applying what you've learned to a specific book of the Old Testament.
This module is good for anyone interested in learning how to read, understand, and teach the Old Testament to others including those who wish a deeper knowledge of the Old Testament, Bible Study leaders, small group leaders, ministers desiring a refresher, or anyone who wants more up-to-date knowledge of Old Testament studies.
Bible study with an emphasis on careful teaching (2 Timothy 2:15), this
constitutes nearly 40% of the AIM programme. This survey course
introduces the student to the world of the New Testament, from the
historical and geographical background to the culture of the first
century to the formation of the New Testament itself.
