Frequently Asked Questions
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YOU may wonder why this Bible institute bears the name of Nehemiah. Who is this Nehemiah? How can he encourage us?
As a Christian leader, you will have read the history of Nehemiah in your Bible. He was a waiter for the king of Persia. He was a person just like you and me. But when God showed him the sad state of the city of God on Mount Zion, the city of his ancestors, it touched his heart. The walls of the city had been broken down by its enemies. He knows that such a state was not to the glory of God. He felt called to do something about it. And God used him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
In this way he helped prepare the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. It is clear that God is doing something great in Zimbabwe. An estimated 85% of Zimbabweans consider themselves to be Christians. Yet we do not live like Christians. There is so much sin, division, strife and unhappiness. It is clear that there are some great holes in the walls of the Christian community. This course has therefore come into being in response to many requests from the leaders of a number of different churches. Many leaders find that they need help and training in order to do their God-given task better.
The courses were developed by an interdenominational working committee to suit the needs identified by a large number of church leaders. These lectures are very practical, and we trust that you will find you can apply each lecture as you go along. May God make you one of the Nehemiahs who repair the walls of Zion.
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths — Psalms 25:4
Why study?
There used to be a time when experience was enough training. But today we live in an educated and fast-moving society, where training is everything. We need to learn how to do everything well.
This is also true of leading a church. God gives his Spirit to guide his leader, but even so there is still so much to be learnt. Even Moses felt that he needed further training. He prayed, “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people” (Exodus 33:13). And Jesus gave his disciples a full three years of training before he could trust them with leading the church.
Most church leaders find that many of their church members, and even their own children, are better educated than themselves. They feel a need for more training.
You do not have to leave your job or church in order to obtain the training that you need. With these lectures you can train yourself in your time at a fraction of the cost of residential training. The study guides are available in English. (A Shona translation is in progress.)
As a Christian leader, you will have read the history of Nehemiah in your Bible. He was a waiter for the king of Persia. He was a person just like you and me. But when God showed him the sad state of the city of God on Mount Zion, the city of his ancestors, it touched his heart. The walls of the city had been broken down by its enemies. He knows that such a state was not to the glory of God. He felt called to do something about it. And God used him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
In this way he helped prepare the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. It is clear that God is doing something great in Zimbabwe. An estimated 85% of Zimbabweans consider themselves to be Christians. Yet we do not live like Christians. There is so much sin, division, strife and unhappiness. It is clear that there are some great holes in the walls of the Christian community. This course has therefore come into being in response to many requests from the leaders of a number of different churches. Many leaders find that they need help and training in order to do their God-given task better.
The courses were developed by an interdenominational working committee to suit the needs identified by a large number of church leaders. These lectures are very practical, and we trust that you will find you can apply each lecture as you go along. May God make you one of the Nehemiahs who repair the walls of Zion.
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths — Psalms 25:4
Why study?
There used to be a time when experience was enough training. But today we live in an educated and fast-moving society, where training is everything. We need to learn how to do everything well.
This is also true of leading a church. God gives his Spirit to guide his leader, but even so there is still so much to be learnt. Even Moses felt that he needed further training. He prayed, “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people” (Exodus 33:13). And Jesus gave his disciples a full three years of training before he could trust them with leading the church.
Most church leaders find that many of their church members, and even their own children, are better educated than themselves. They feel a need for more training.
You do not have to leave your job or church in order to obtain the training that you need. With these lectures you can train yourself in your time at a fraction of the cost of residential training. The study guides are available in English. (A Shona translation is in progress.)
THIS learning program is designed to help church leaders at the grassroots level who have not had the opportunity to get theological training. NBI therefore targets church leaders who are already in ministry. The learner is expected to apply what he or she learns in the practical situation of a congregation. Any apply what he or she learns in the practical situation of a congregation. Any church leader – whether youth leader, Sunday school teacher, elder, deacon, pastor, evangelist or bishop – will find this course helpful in his or her daily duties. The course was designed according to the felt needs of church leaders in Africa.
NBI does not insist on school certificates for enrolment. Anyone who can read and write in English can sign on. Most of the current learners have O-levels. Some have only Grade 7; others have masters’ degrees.
Learners may be helped to understand the lessons and we encourage them to learn in groups with their own facilitator.
The enrolment form is available on our homepage.
NBI does not insist on school certificates for enrolment. Anyone who can read and write in English can sign on. Most of the current learners have O-levels. Some have only Grade 7; others have masters’ degrees.
Learners may be helped to understand the lessons and we encourage them to learn in groups with their own facilitator.
The enrolment form is available on our homepage.
NBI offers a distance learning program. This means that learners can do the course on their own. However, we strongly encourage all learners to join a learning group. We offer a discount as an incentive to learners who form groups of 10 or more for this purpose.
This does not mean that learners must go to a residential institute for their classes. We realize that many church leaders are married and have to support themselves by means of a secular job, and therefore cannot afford to attend full-time classes or go to a theological college for learning. What we suggest, therefore, is that they find an existing group or form their own learning group wherever they live.
When learners form such a group, they have to find their own facilitator who can assist them in the learning process. The facilitator does not need to be highly qualified. Anyone who has had some form of theological training can be used. The pastor of the local church or a person who has completed the NBI course may be a good candidate.
The facilitator does not have to teach the material. Each learner still has to work through the material before coming to class. The task of the facilitator is not to lecture, but to guide the discussions and supervise the assessments and assignments
All learners who register as part of a learning group must make sure that their learning group and facilitator are registered with the NBI Office. You will find the registration form on our homepage.
This does not mean that learners must go to a residential institute for their classes. We realize that many church leaders are married and have to support themselves by means of a secular job, and therefore cannot afford to attend full-time classes or go to a theological college for learning. What we suggest, therefore, is that they find an existing group or form their own learning group wherever they live.
When learners form such a group, they have to find their own facilitator who can assist them in the learning process. The facilitator does not need to be highly qualified. Anyone who has had some form of theological training can be used. The pastor of the local church or a person who has completed the NBI course may be a good candidate.
The facilitator does not have to teach the material. Each learner still has to work through the material before coming to class. The task of the facilitator is not to lecture, but to guide the discussions and supervise the assessments and assignments
All learners who register as part of a learning group must make sure that their learning group and facilitator are registered with the NBI Office. You will find the registration form on our homepage.
The theological training of the Nehemiah Bible Institute is founded on the teaching of the whole Bible as the holy and authoritative word of God, including:
• That the Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments in their original texts, are fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and are the final authority for the church • That there is only one God eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
• That God the Father is the creator and sustainer of all things
• That our Lord Jesus Christ is fully God, but also fully a perfect man. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, did miracles and died on the cross to atone fully for our sins. He rose physically from the dead and ascended to heaven
• That the Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the Trinity. He gives life, he sanctifies, he empowers and comforts all believers
• That man was originally created sinless. Tempted by Satan, man fell and thereby brought all mankind under the condemnation of God
• That man is saved through repentance and faith in the finished work of Christ. Justification is by grace alone
• That the church as the body of Jesus Christ is composed of all true believers. The present work of the church is to glorify God, to obey him in everything and to preach the gospel to all people
• That the Lord Jesus Christ will return personally and bodily to earth to raise all from death, to judge all mankind and to establish his kingdom for ever
• That the Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments in their original texts, are fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and are the final authority for the church • That there is only one God eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
• That God the Father is the creator and sustainer of all things
• That our Lord Jesus Christ is fully God, but also fully a perfect man. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, did miracles and died on the cross to atone fully for our sins. He rose physically from the dead and ascended to heaven
• That the Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the Trinity. He gives life, he sanctifies, he empowers and comforts all believers
• That man was originally created sinless. Tempted by Satan, man fell and thereby brought all mankind under the condemnation of God
• That man is saved through repentance and faith in the finished work of Christ. Justification is by grace alone
• That the church as the body of Jesus Christ is composed of all true believers. The present work of the church is to glorify God, to obey him in everything and to preach the gospel to all people
• That the Lord Jesus Christ will return personally and bodily to earth to raise all from death, to judge all mankind and to establish his kingdom for ever
The course is divided in to six modules of four courses each. Each module will take about six months. At the end of all six modules, you receive your diploma. Each lecture on each subject will help you to do your work better. You will find it much easier to lead a church with the training you will receive. You will understand the message of the whole Bible and be able to see how the Bible books fit together. You will be able to prepare good sermons, organize youth groups, train church members and fulfill your role of leader with confidence.
Each module is divided into four subjects:
• Your personal spiritual growth
• A practical course in church growth; a course in the practice of leadership
• A course in Biblical studies, which will give you much material for sermons. This course will take longer than the other three.
• Your personal spiritual growth
• A practical course in church growth; a course in the practice of leadership
• A course in Biblical studies, which will give you much material for sermons. This course will take longer than the other three.
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