“Strengthening the church for worship and service through theological education.”
Learning is an indispensable part of the Christian life. In fact, at its core, the term “disciple” means “learner” or “student.” When asked what the greatest commandment of the Law is, Jesus replied, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:36-37). The apostle Paul would later encourage the believers in Rome to "not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:2).
Following Jesus, therefore, necessitates learning. We can’t build our lives on principles we don’t know and we can’t love and worship God if we don’t know what He is like or what He has done. As part of our effort in making disciples, Grace Road Institute exists to strengthen the church for worship and service through theological education. Our course offerings will offer opportunities to dig deeper in a variety of topics while in a formal context. Through reading, lectures, discussions, and more, participants of the Institute will grow in biblical literacy and theological proficiency as maturing disciples of Christ.
Doxological. Education and development is conducted in such a way that encourages a worshipful response to the Lord and provokes greater faith and repentance in the student.
Relational. Institute students experience education and development in the context of community so as to encourage participation and a culture of “iron sharpens iron.”
Orthodox. Institute content draws on the deep well of church history and exposes the student to faithful Christian thinkers of previous generations.
Modern. We make clear how doctrine is relevant to daily living and seek to articulate orthodox belief in fresh ways in light of our modern cultural moment.
Visionary. We help the student gain clarity on how their development through the Institute can be used in the greater mission of God’s people.
Equipping. Institute education aims toward serving the student with the tools needed to make a gospel impact, both near and far.
What Do We Do?
Understanding Our Offerings.
Our three core classes create a year-long discipleship pathway that introduces and equips the student with foundational Christian beliefs and practices. The student can pick and choose which classes would be most helpful, but are encouraged to move progressively through all three.
Systematic Theology. A survey of key Christian doctrines as well as their historical formation and their modern-day relevance. Offered Fall semester.
Biblical Theology. A walk-through of the storyline of Scripture, understanding how God’s revelation progresses from the Garden of Eden to the New Heavens and New Earth. Offered early Spring semester.
Great Commission Discipleship. An overview of the call of God upon his people to take the gospel to the nations, including how to be faithfully involved in such a task both near and far. Offered late Spring semester.
A year-long discipleship and leadership development program that intensifies the learning from the core classes. The program starts the student off with various assessments in order for them to develop a vision for their growth and establish goals for the coming year. They attend core classes, but are placed into cohorts for further discussion and equipping with added reading and assignments.
Additionally, the student attends monthly leadership and ministry development gatherings hosted by Grace Road Church staff.
Grace Road Institute Library provides many helpful books on a number of theological, cultural, and practical issues. Books are available to check out for 3 weeks and can be picked up Sundays and Tuesdays.
In 2024, we hosted Dr. Gregg Allison (Professor of Christian Theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY) for a 3-hour seminar on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.
Click the image above to view seminar recordings.