One-hour classes for Churches & Bible Studies
What are the classes?
Bible Study
- Discuss the major events in OT history
- Learn how to match OT events with OT books.
- Fascinating OT facts:
- Why do Jews use a different book order?
- Why do Catholics have more books in their Bible? etc.
- This class will clearly explain the prophet books from Hosea to Malachi.
- Answer the dectective questions on each one: Who wrote it? When was it written? Why was it written? To whom was it addressed?
- When people leave, they will have a clear understanding of the timeline of the Minor Prophet books plus how each one fits into Jewish history.
- Learn about the 9 NT authors.
- Discover why NT books are arranged the way they are.
- Discuss how OT/NT connect.
- Review confusing terms: grace /mercy, Christ/Messiah, etc.
- Fascinating NT facts:
- When were chapters and verses added?
- Etc.
- Learn the background, year, & purpose for Paul’s letters.
- Review Paul’s biography (including his death).
- Discover why the letters are arranged the way they are.
- Discuss Paul’s link with Hebrews.
- Hear an eyewitness account of what Paul looked like.
Bible History
- Learn what happened to the 11 Apostles.
- We will cover a detailed timeline from the ascension of Jesus in AD 30 to the death of the Apostle John around AD 100.
- Learn which NT books were written in what order plus events such as the destruction of the Temple and the martydoms of Peter and Paul.
- By AD 150, approximately 125 writings existed that claimed to be Christian.
- Why were only 27 of those writings included in the NT?
- Discover the fascinating 300-year-long story of the formation of the NT as God guided church leaders with ideas such as Ephesians 2:20.
- By AD 150, approximately 125 writings existed that claimed to be Christian.
- We will discuss the two types of Apocrypha and learn how to tell the difference between heretical Apocrypha and false Apocrypha
- Read examples from such books as the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Judas.
- Little known fact: By the time of Jesus, the OT was not settled yet. When did that happen?
- What part did the Jews play and what part did Christians play in deciding the OT books?
- What are the OT Apocrypha and why do Catholics use some of them in their Bible?
Youth groups
- Most youth are confused by simple theological ideas. In this class, we will cover 10 questions every youth needs to be able to answer
- Dr. Nickens will cover simple and clear explanations for theological ideas such as the Trinity, incarnation, and, if Jesus was God, why did He pray to God?
- This is not a lecture: Students will enjoy much back-and-forth as Dr. Nickens uses his 30 years of teaching to entertain and teach your youth.
Church History
- We will start off by listing all the denominations that everyone in the room has been involved in or has an interest in knowing about.
- Dr. Nickens will start with the Protestant Reformation and explain the development of each denomination.
- At the end, we will have a detailed and unique bullet point graph that will link all the denominations together.
- We will start off by briefly examining Catholic teachings of the late Middle Ages.
- We will then examine the significance of Martin Luther, the Anabaptists, John Calvin, and Henry VIII (The creation of the English Reformation).
- What were the differences and similarities, and how is your church connected to them?
- Learn how Christianity spread around the world, for example, why are some global regions mainly Catholic and others mainly Protestant?
- What inventions have been game-changers, meaning that they caused the spread of Christianity to leap ahead?
- We will learn more deeply about some areas, such as India (Christianity was introduced there in AD 52) and China (Christianity was introduced there in the 600's)
World Religions and Cults
- This is a different type of class because each hour-long session will cover one religion or cult.
- Available religions: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism.
- Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses
- This can be two classes or one class.
- Learn the history, basic beliefs, and different doctrines and theologies of these groups that claim to be Christian.
General Information
- Worksheet for each student to take home after the class.
- Informal, fun, and fascinating.
- Not a lecture! Questions are encouraged as Dr. Nickens uses his 30 years of teaching experience to both entertain and teach.
- Religion professor at Liberty University and Liberty Seminary.
- For more information on Dr. Nickens, go here
How do I get him to my church or Bible study?
- Click on link on bottom right of the page
- Contact link on bottom right of the page
- Cost? Free; financial contribution not expected but appreciated
- Contact link on bottom right of the page
- Travel expenses
- Cost? Free; financial contribution not expected but appreciated
- Contact link on bottom right of the page
- Cost? Free; financial contribution not expected but appreciated
Great idea
- Combine three classes for a 3 1/2 hour block of teaching:
- Saturday morning: 8:30, 9:45, 11:00
- Saturday afternoon: 1:30, 2:45, 4:00
- Sunday afternoon: 1:30, 2:45, 4:00