Deacon School for Ministry

               Holy Scripture

Goal: Future deacons will hear, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the Holy Scriptures. This is an on-going learning process. In order for the candidate/postulant to serve as a deacon in the world today he/she should be able to explain or discuss the following areas:

• The importance of the Bible in our faith as Christians and believers in God
• How the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament compare to each other
• The key figures in the Old Testament and New Testament
• How the Christian faith came into existence according to Acts and how this compares to the Christian faith today
• The importance of Paul’s missionary efforts and how they can be applied today
• The significance of diaconal ministries of the New Testament figures
• The Bible in our lives today

Methodology: The candidate should have completed the first two years of E.F.M. (Education For Ministry)

Requirements: For successful completion of this unit the postulant/candidate will answer the following questions, by writing papers, 200-500 words in length per question, or by having a conversation with the examining chaplain.

1.      If you were counseling someone who is just coming to Christianity, which two books of the New Testament do you believe would give the person a solid introduction to Christianity?

2. In you opinion, who are the three most important people in the Old Testament and why?
3. In your own words tell the story of the transformation of Saul of Tarsus into the Apostle Paul and why is this of significance to us today.
4. How do you explain inconsistencies or contradictions in the Bible?
5. Before the Bible was written down, people knew the scriptures and had faith. Discuss briefly the pros and cons of having the written Bible.
6. Explain why there are various translations of the Bible and the advantages or disadvantages of having more than one translation.
7. Choose any two people in the New Testament who acted as deacons and explain their diaconal ministry. What can we as deacons learn from them?
8. People point to the Bible to condemn homosexuality, a hot topic in our church. Read the passages relating to homosexuality and explain what the Bible says on both sides of the question.
9. What is your favorite verse in the Bible and how does it apply to your desire to become a deacon?
10. What is your favorite parable in the Bible and how does it apply to your desire to become a deacon?

Readings/References:

The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha (NRSV)

Anderson, Bernhard W.—Understanding the Old Testament

Kee, Howard Clark—Understanding the New Testament

Ferlo, Roger—Opening the Bible (The New Church’s Teaching Series—volume two)

Bright, John—Kingdom of God

The work you present in your papers should be original; quotations, however, are permissible provided that proper credit is given to the author.

Examining Chaplain:

Deacon Karyl A. Miller

St. Barnabas Valdosta

Home mailing address: 4613 Rustic Ridge Rd.

                                      Valdosta, GA 31602

Home Phone Number:  229-259-0615

Cell Phone Number:     229-630-7607

E-mail address:             miller3458@bellsouth.net

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.