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.

  • 450 years between OT/NT.
  • Learn about the land of Israel as it was conquered five times.
  • Also, discuss the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70, plus discover why the Temple has not been rebuilt (in the same spot).
    • 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

     
     

    Questions? Comments?
    Contact Dr. Mark Nickens