The Episcopal Church   

The Diocese of Georgia

 

       

Deacon School for Ministry

                                 Competencies for Holy Scriptures

 

Goal:  Future deacons will hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the Holy Scriptures.  The candidate/postulant will demonstrate the ability to

 

n     discuss the large themes and movements of the Bible

n     explain how the Bible came to be

n     explain relationships between the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament

n     identify the different types of writings in the Bible

n     explain key differences and similarities between the four Gospels

n     explain the development of the Christian faith as outlined in the book of Acts

n     explain the significance of Paul’s missionary efforts and the major theological themes in his epistles and in the other epistles

n     identify and discuss the significance of diaconal ministries of New Testament figures

n     discuss how the Bible relates (or does not relate) to various church doctrines

n     discuss how the Episcopal Church views the authority of Scripture and how this differs from the interpretations of other churches

 

Methodology:  The candidate/postulant should take the first two years of EFM (Education for Ministry).   Candidates/postulants are welcome to contact me at any time for discussion and guidance.

 

Requirements:  To successfully complete this part of deacon formation, the candidate/postulant will answer the following questions, either by writing papers and/or by having a conversation with me.

 

  1. If you were counseling someone who is just coming to Christianity, what TWO books of the New Testament do you believe will give the person a solid introduction to Christianity? Explain in detail.
  2. In your opinion, who are the three most important people of the Old Testament?
  3. Tell the story of the transformation of Saul of Tarsus into the Apostle Paul.
  4. Discuss the Creation stories in Genesis and the Gospel of John.
  5. How do you explain inconsistencies or contradictions in the Bible?
  6. People point at 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.
  7. Before the Bible was written down, people knew the Scriptures and had faith.  Discuss the pros and cons of having the written Bible.
  8. Explain why you wish one of the non-canonical books had been included in the Bible and why you wish one of the controversial books in the Bible had not been included.
  9. 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?
  10. Who is/was Jesus?  How is it that opinions can differ on his identity?  Give examples.

 

Readings and other assignments:

 

The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha (NRSV)

Understanding the Old Testament,  Anderson, Bernhard. 

Understanding the New Testament, Kee, Howard Clark. 

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

 

Examining Chaplain:

 

Karyl A. Miller, Deacon St. Barnabas, Valdosta

Mailing Address:  4613 Rustic Ridge Rd. Valdosta, GA 31602

Phone:  Home:  229-259-0615  Cell:  229-630-7607

Email: miller3458@bellsouth.net