S.E.A.N. Courses

THE COMPENDIUM OF PASTORAL THEOLOGY
The Life of Christ

This is the main work of SEAN and is an integral training course for Christian workers based on the life of Jesus Christ according to the Gospel of Matthew and The Acts of the Apostles.

The self-study lessons are written for students to do at home and then to meet once a week for a group study with a Study Group Leader to share and apply what they have learnt to their lives and ministeries.

On completion of each book, the students do an evaluation exam and receive the corresponding accreditation.

The 6 books of the Compendium are programmed in such a way that the student can noticeably increase his ability to study.

With each course the student will:

1. Acquire deep knowledge about the life of Jesus, thus getting to know his Saviour intimately.

2. Analyse in detail the Gospel of Matthew and be able to relate it to the gospels.

3. Analyse for himself the Acts of the Apostles, looking at the example of the lives of Peter and Paul.

4. Learn all the main points of Christian Doctrine, starting with the Biblical text, and so be able to defend them with the authority.

5. Be able to identify the main characters of the Old Testament and understand their relation to Jesus.

6. Be able to identify all the important places in the New Testament on a map of the ancient world.

7. Also acquire proficiency in:

using the six basic study techniques.
active involvement in a study group.
doing solo or group Bible study.
winning people for the Lord.
house to house visiting.
doing personal work.
preparing simple Biblical messages.
developing a rich devotional life, etc.

TIME FRAME:

The course consists of 6 books of 10 weekly units each. Each book can be completed in 3 months and the total programme is flexible between 2 and 3 years.

OTHER DETAILS:

1. The Compendium is well illustrated and includes maps, graphics and many other didactics.

2. Each Book is accompanied by a Study Group Leader's Manual and with Book 1 a self-study guide called "How to be Study Group Leader" is offered, which will prepare an apprentice study group leader whilst he is leading a study group.

3. The rest of Books 2 to 6 of the Compendium have their Study Group Leader Manuals.

4. Finally, there is also the " Compendium Analytical Index" with a detailed index of all the contents of the 6 books, for the good organisation of the programme.

5. The Compendium is the basic programme (level 1) of the International Faculty of Theological Education (FIET) and of various other Extension programmes.

6. On successful completion of the 6 books the students receive their diplomas and can continue their studies at a more advanced level of FIET or some other institution.

DESCRIPTION OF EACH BOOK

BOOK 1

Gives an introduction to the political and geographical situation in Palestine in the first century, with reference to the Roman Empire, the Herods and the provinces under their jurisdiction.
Presents the life of Jesus in five steps: Childhood, Year of Preparation, Year of Popularity, Year of Passion, Resurrected Life and shows how to find these steps in Matthew.
Details the childhood of Jesus in Matthew and Luke.
Introduces the concept of the Kingdom of God and the doctrine of Christ as God and Man, making a comparison with the false doctrines of the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons.
Teaches how to use the three basic study techniques: observation, interpretation and application.
Introduces the main Old Testament characters with their dates, giving an introductory sketch of their history.
Begins the study of the messianic prophecies of the Old Testament.

CONTENTS

1A Jesus in the Roman Empire
1B The Political Situation in Palestine
1C Matthew, The Author

2A The Kingdom of Heaven
2B Christ, the King

3A The Five Steps in the Life of Christ
3B The Map of Palestine
3C The Three Years of Ministry

4A The System of "Bridges"
4B The Structure of Matthew's Gospel

5A The Genealogy of Jesus (1) - Matthew 1:1-17
5B The Genealogy of Jesus (2) - Matthew 1:1-17

6A The Three Basic Techniques of Bible Study (1)
6B The Three Basic Techniques of Bible Study (2)
6C The Announcements of the King's Birth - Matthew 1:18-23

7A The Son of God
7B The Son of Man
7C False Doctrine

8A The Promises of God
8B Using the Promises

9A The Herod Family
9B Jesus' Infancy - Matthew 2:1-12
9C Jesus in Egypt - Matthew 2:13-23

10A The Sovereignty of God
10B Jesus' Youth

Feedback for Home Studies
Tests on Home Studies
Supplements

BOOK 2

Analyses the first year of the ministry of Jesus (Year of Preparation).
Emphasises the preaching of John the Baptist, the repentance and the spiritual fruit.
Explains the main characteristics of the Pharisees and Saducees, the Sanhedrin, etc.
The baptism of Jesus introduces the doctrines of the Trinity and the attributes of God.
The temptation of Jesus is the basis for looking at the inspiration of the Bible and a reflection on materialism, pride and violence in contemporary life.
Presentes the concepts of "synoptic" and "chronological" and uses the technique of comparison to unite Matthew with the rest of the "synoptics" and John.
Emphasises the extensive use of prophecy in Matthew. Teaches about the creed, the confession of sin and the use of symbols and examples in preaching.

CONTENTS

UNITS 1 to 3
The Preaching of John the Baptist & Associated Studies

1A The Preaching of John the Baptist Matthew 3:1-12
1B The Pharisees and the Sadducees

2A Confessing our Sins
2B Using the Bible in Confession

3A Luke's Gospel and the Year of Preparation
3B John's Gospel and the Year of Preparation

UNITS 4 & 5
The Baptism of Jesus & Associated Studies

4A The Baptism of Jesus - Matthew 3:13-17
4B The Trinity

5A The Trinity and the Apostles' Creed
5B The Attributes of God

UNITS 6 to 8
The Temptation of Jesus & Associated Studies

6A Jesus Christ Tempted as Son of God - Matthew 4:1-7
6B Jesus Christ Tempted as Son of Man - Matthew 4:1-11

7A Jesus' Use of the Scriptures
7B The Inspiration of the Bible: Its Unity

8A The Inspiration of the Bible: Its Fulfilment

8B The Inspiration of the Bible: External Evidence

UNITS 9 & 10
Leading Others to Christ

9A Jesus and Nicodemus
9B Jesus and the Samaritan Woman

10A How to Lead Others to Christ
10B The Year of Preparation - Revision

Feedback for Home Studies
Tests on Home Studies
Supplements
Evangelistic Leaflet - "How Can I Get to Know God?"

BOOK 3

Analyses the second year of the ministry of Jesus (Year of Popularity).
Describes Galilee and the expansion of the kingdom in that province.
Analyses: the statutes of the kingdom (the Sermon on the Mount), the proof of the kingdom (the miracles), enemies and examples of the kingdom (the parables).
Teaches about prayer and how to prepare sermons, make home visits, bring others to Christ and plan a new church.
Introduces the techniques of analysis and synthesis, giving the student ample opportunity to analyse in detail the Sermon on the Mount and prepare simple messages.
Shows how to use a concordance, Biblical dictionaries, commentaries, etc.
Shows how to compare related episodes in various Gospels and how to confront apparent contradictions in them.

CONTENTS

1A Analysing the Year of Popularity
1B Expansion of the Kingdom - Matthew 4:12-25

2A Edicts of the Kingdom (1) - Matthew 5:1-12
2B Edicts of the Kingdom (2) - Matthew 5:13-16
2C Edicts of the Kingdom (3) - Matthew 5:17-48

3A Edicts of the Kingdom (4) - Matthew 6:1-34
3B Edicts of the Kingdom (5) - Matthew 7:1-29
3C How to Prepare a Sermon or Talk

4A The Lord's Prayer - Matthew 6:9-13
4B Personal Prayer 4C Using the Bible in Prayer

5A Evidences of the Kingdom (1) - Matthew 8:1-13
5B Evidences of the Kingdom (2) - Matthew 8:14-34
5C Evidences of the Kingdom (3) - Matthew 9:1-34

6A Evidences of the Kingdom (4) Contradiction or Contraction?
6B Evidences of the Kingdom (5) Modern Science & Jesus' Miracles

7A Envoys of the Kingdom (1) - Matthew 8:18-22; 9:9-17, 35-38
7B Envoys of the Kingdom (2) - Matthew 10:1-4
7C Envoys of the Kingdom (3) - Matthew 10:5-42

8A Enemies of the Kingdom (1) - Matthew 11:1-30
8B Enemies of the Kingdom (2) - Matthew 12:1-45
8C Enemies of the Kingdom (3) - Matthew 12:46-50

9A Examples of the Kingdom (1) - Matthew 13:1-23
9B Examples of the Kingdom (2) - Matthew 13:24-58

10A Extending the Kingdom: Through Personal Testimony
10B Extending the Kingdom: Through Cell Bible Groups
10C Extending the Kingdom: Through Planting New Churches

Feedback for lessons
Tests for lessons
Supplements

BOOK 4

Analyses the third year of the ministry of Jesus (Year of Passion).
Deals with the doctrine of man, sin, death, correct and false concepts about the human body (transfiguration) and the spirit (spiritism), including practical matters such as: human relations, sex, marriage, family, possessions and ambition.
Shows the basic principals of pastoral psychology; emphasises five common psychological adjustments and the Biblical teaching about each of them.
Deals with the authority in matters of faith (tradition, human reason and revelation).
Highlights the ministry in Judea and the three religious festivals (John) and the ministry in Perea (Luke).
Looks at the history of the division of the kingdom (Judah and Israel), the time of Nehemiah and the formation of the Samaritan people, the Assyrian and Babylonian empires, the period between the testaments and the Roman Emperors Augustus and Tiberius; introduces the student to the writing of Josephus.

CONTENTS

Review Charts

1A Analysis of the Year of Passion - The 2 periods of Six Months
1B Analysis of the Six Months of Withdrawing - 3 journeys out of Galilee
1C The Herods - The Death of John the Baptist - Matthew 14:1-12

2A Foreshadowing the Holy Communion - Matthew 14:13-21; 15:29-39
2B Man, Fear and Psychological Adjustments - Matthew 14:22-33
2C Tradition, Human Reason, or Scripture - Matthew 14:34 to 15:20

3A Man: in the Image of God - Matthew 15:1-20
3B Man: his Sinful Nature - Matthew 15:10-20; 16:1-4

4A Angels and Demons - Matthew 15:21-28; 17:14-21
4B Christ and His Church - Matthew 16:13-23

5A Man and the Problem of Death - Matthew 16:21-28
5B Man and his Body - The transfiguration - Matthew 17:1-13
5C Man and Spiritism

6A Man's Harmful Relationships - Matthew 17:22 to 18:9
6B Man's Helpful Relationships - Matthew 18:10-35

7A Three Journeys into Judea (John)
7B Three Journeys from Perea (Luke)
7C The Samaritans

8A Man and Sex - Jesus' Teaching on Marriage (1) - Matthew 19:1-12
8B Man and Marriage - Jesus' Teaching on Marriage (2) - Matthew 19:1-12
8C Man and the Family - Jesus Blesses the Children - Matthew 19:13-15

9A Man's Material Possessions - Rich Young Man - Matthew 19:16-30
9B God's Fairness and Generosity - Workers in the Vineyard - Matthew 20:1-16

10A Man's Ambitions : Spiritual and Worldly - Matthew 20:17-19, James and John's Request - Matthew 20:20-28
10B Approaching the End : Jericho - Two Blind Men Healed - Matthew 20:29-34

Feedback for Home Studies
Tests on Home Studies and Supplements

BOOK 5

Analyses and studies the events and teachings of the last week, day by day, including the Olivet Sermon and the eschatology and the Sermon in the Upper Room (John 13-17), the trials and the crucifixion.
Gives detailed teaching about the geography of Jerusalem and how it was during the Passover, with the function and history of the Temple.
Deals with Christ as prophet, priest and king, the significance of the Last Supper and the death of Christ. Continues with the doctrine of man taking into account justification (signified by the death of Christ), the total consecration of the human personality (intellect, emotions and will).
Introduces the use of the evaluation technique and setting out a scale of effective values and (on the practical side) accounting to the local congregation.
Finishes with a comparative analysis of the life of Jesus Christ in the four Gospels.

CONTENTS

Review Charts

1A Analysis of the Last Week - The Passover in Jerusalem
1B Jerusalem and the Temple

2A Jesus - Prophet, Priest & King - The Triumphal Entry / Clearing of Temple - Matthew 21:1-17
2B The Jewish Nation - The Barren Fig Tree - Matthew 21:18-27
2C The Kingdom of Heaven - 3 Parables of the Kingdom - Matthew 21:28 to - 22:14

3A The Mind, Emotions and Will - The Great Commandment - Matthew 2:34-40
3B The Consecrated Mind - The Dispute in the Temple - Matthew 22:15-46

4A The Technique of Evaluation (1) Jesus & the Religious Leaders - Matthew - 23:1-36
4B The Technique of Evaluation (2)
4C Consecrated Emotions - Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem Matthew 23:37 to 24:2

5A The Olivet Discourse (1)-The Signs of Christ's Second Coming-Mat. 24:3-28
5B The Olivet Discourse (2) - The Coming of the Son of Man - Mat. 24:29-51

6A The Olivet Discourse (3) - The Parable of the Ten Virgins - Matthew 25:1-13
6B The Olivet Discourse (4) - The Parable of the Talents - Matthew 25:14-30
6C The Olivet Discourse (5) - The Sheep and the Goats - Matthew 25:31-46

7A The Finances of the Church - Judas Iscariot - Matthew 26:1-16 and 27:3-10
7B The Lord's Supper: Its Beginning - Matthew 26:17-35
7C The Lord's Supper: Its Meaning

8A The Sermon in the Upper Room (John 13-17)
8B The Consecrated Will - Gethsemane - Matthew 26:36-56
8C Jesus' Religious and Civil Trials - Matthew 26:57 to 27:31

9A Jesus' Death - Matthew 27:32-50
9B Jesus' Burial - Matthew 27:51-66
9C Jesus' Triumph over Death and the Grave

10A A Comparative Analysis of the Four Gospels (1)
10B A Comparative Analysis of the Four Gospels (2)

Tests on Home Studies and Supplements

BOOK 6

Covers Matthew 28 and the Acts of the Apostles.
Deals with the Resurrection and its proofs, the Ascension and Exaltation of the Lord, the Great Commission and how this was put into practice by the early church.
Considers the doctrine of the Holy spirit, baptism and the ministry of the church.
Studies the early church in the book of Acts and the expansion during the three missionary journeys of Paul until the Gospel reaches Rome.
Gives suggestions for the application of the same rules to the church of the 21st Century.

CONTENTS

Review Charts

1A The Appearances of the Risen Christ - Matthew 28:1-10
1B Proofs of the Resurrection (1) - Matthew 28:11-15
1C Proofs of the Resurrection (2)

2A The Great Commission of the Risen Christ - Matthew 28:16-20
2B The Resurrection, Ascension, and Exaltation - Acts 1:9-11
2C The Events of the 52 Days - Acts 1:1-7, 12-26; 2:30-33

3A The Book of Acts - Acts 1:8
3B Pentecost and the Person of the Holy Spirit - Acts 2:1-18; 32-33

4A The Work of the Holy Spirit
4B The Fullness of the Holy Spirit

5A Baptism and the Church in Jerusalem - Acts 2:41-47
5B The Preaching of the Apostles - Acts 2:14-40;3:12-26;4:8-12,19-20;5:29-32; - ----10:34-43
5C Miracles and Healings - Acts 3:1-10; 5:12-16

6A Persecution and Suffering - Acts 4:1-3; 5:17-41; 6:8-15; 7:59-60; 8:1-4; 12:1-10
6B Discipline in the Church - Acts 5:1-11
6C The Church as the Body of Christ - Acts 6:1-7

7A Stephen's Defence (1): Old Testament History - Acts 7:1-60
7B Stephen's Defence (2): Old Testament History - Acts 7:1-60

8A Philip: The Mission to Judea and Samaria - Acts 8:1-25
8B Philip and The Ethiopian Official: Personal Evangelism - Acts 8:26-40
8C Ananias and Saul: Counselling New Believers - Acts 9:1-31

9A Peter and Cornelius: Caesarea - Acts 9:32 to 11:18
9B Barnabas: Son of Encouragement - Acts 11:19-30
9C Paul at Antioch - Acts 13:1-4

10A Analysis: Looking for Structures - Acts 1 to 28
10B Analysis: Gathering the Facts - Acts 1 to 28
10C Analysis: Writing Titles - Acts 1 to 28

Feedback for lessons
Tests for lessons
Supplements 1 - 8
Cartoon Narratives: Ministry of the Risen Christ

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