Introduction to Theology provides an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the Bible, the history and doctrine of the church, and the shape and task of Christian living today.
Our Introduction to Theology course provides an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the Bible, the history and doctrine of the church, and the shape and task of Christian living today. It is open to anyone who is interested in learning more about faith and discipleship.
This 15-week course is structured in three modules, each consisting of five sessions.
- Module 1 Faith, Hope and Love and the Witness of the Scriptures
- Module 2 The Nicene Creed and the Lord’s Prayer: Two Essential Summaries of Christian Faith and Hope
- Module 3 The Call and Cost of Discipleship
The sessions will take place on Zoom, on a weekday evening beginning in the Autumn term.
Click here to view the 2026-2027 dates and book your place.
To receive updates on future courses, please register your interest by emailing Sophie Smith (sophie.smith@elydiocese.org).
Time Commitment
Between each session, students will be given a short set of questions on which to reflect. These questions are intended to support learning and enrich class discussion.
At the end of each module, there will be a short assignment. These assignments provide opportunities for students to deepen their learning and make connections with Christian discipleship. Instead of academic essays, these assignments include writing a Bible study, a short article for the parish newsletter, and a theological reflection. Alternative methods are available for those who will find written assignments challenging, for example a presentation or a reflective conversation with the tutor. Whilst assignments offer important learning opportunities, if they will be prohibitive to your engagement with the course, please contact the Lay Development Officer, niamh.colbrook@elydiocese.org, to discuss alternative arrangements.
Module 1 – Faith, Hope and Love and the Witness of the Scriptures
This Module sets a foundation for understanding how the Bible witnesses to God’s nature, intention and actions and how this can shape our beliefs, hopes and actions.
- Session 1 – Introduction: faith, hope and love and understanding the Bible in context.
- Session 2 – The nature of God in the Old Testament: Creator, Covenant maker (Sustainer) and Peace-Giver (Redeemer)
- Session 3 – Freedom, identity, and redemption: The experiences of exile in Isaiah of Jerusalem and Second Isaiah
- Session 4 – Discipleship through the eyes of Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels
- Session 5 – Scripture as witness in John’s Gospel and the Letter to the Galatians
Module 2 – The Nicene Creed and the Lord’s Prayer: Two Essential Summaries of Christian Faith and Hope
This module sets the foundation for an exploration of theology. We explore how the Nicene Creed and the Lord’s Prayer complement each other to bring a comprehensive understanding of Christian faith and discipleship.
- Session 1 – Introduction to the Creeds and the Lord’s Prayer
- Session 2 – The Nature of God and Jesus in the Nicene Creed and how reciting the Nicene Creed can transform us
- Session 3 – The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and the Church
- Session 4 – The nature of grace in the Lord’s Prayer and the Nicene Creed
- Session 5 – Christian tradition meets contemporary life: Transforming what we do in the World (Liberation Theology)
Module 3 - The call and Cost of Discipleship
This module addresses how our beliefs and hopes inform our choices, and how we seek to reflect Christ through loving actions.
- Session 1 – How do we make our mind up as a disciple of Christ?
- Session 2 – What sources and tools do we use to make decisions?
- Session 3 – Deontology – ethics arising from commands and moral obligation
- Session 4 – Taking responsibility for the consequences of our actions
- Session 5 – Virtue Ethics – Developing a flourishing character to serve the church as a community of grace