Deacons in the Diocese of Georgia
Deacon School for Ministry
Holy Scripture
Goal: Future deacons will hear, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the Holy Scriptures. This is an on-going learning process. In order for the candidate/ postulant to serve as a deacon in the world today he/she should be able to explain or discuss the following areas:
1. The importance and place of the Bible in our faith as Christians in our lives today and believers in God
2. How the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament relate to each other
3. The key figures in the Old Testament and New Testament 4. How the Christian faith came into existence according to Acts and how
this relates to the Christian faith today
5. The importance of Paul’s missionary efforts and how they can be applied today
6. The significance of servant ministries of the New Testament figures 7. The importance of the relationship we have with the Holy Spirit that comes to us and
gives us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
Methodology: The candidate should have completed the first two years of E.F.M. (Education For Ministry) with the understand that they will complete the last two years.
Requirements: For successful completion of this unit the postulant/candidate will answer the following questions, by writing papers, 300-600 words in length per question.
1. If you were counseling someone who is just coming to Christianity, which two books of the New Testament do you believe would give the person a solid introduction to Christianity and why?2. In your opinion, who are the three most important people in the Old Testament and why?
3. In your own words tell the story of the transformation of Saul of Tarsus into the Apostle Paul and why is this of significance to us today.
4. How do you explain inconsistencies or contradictions in the Bible? 5. Explain why there are various translations of the Bible and the advantages
or disadvantages of having more than one translation.
6. Other than Jesus, the ultimate example of being a deacon, choose any two people in the New Testament who acted as deacons and explain their diaconal ministry. What can we as deacons learn from them?
7. What is your favorite verse in the Bible and how does it apply to your desire to become a deacon?
8. Chose an aspect of our Christian faith today and compare and contrast it to the Christian faith that came into existence in Acts.
9. The New Testament and the Jewish “Old” Testament can also be translated as the New Covenant and the Jewish or Old Covenant. Explain the covenant in the Jewish scriptures that God had with his people and why in general they were not able to keep the covenant. Explain the importance of the new covenant in the New Testament in light of the old covenant.
10.How is the Holy Spirit evident in the church today, how has it touched your life, and how will you find your place of servant-hood? (I Corinthians 12; John 14:15-17; 26; 16:7-15).
Readings/References:
The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha (NRSV)
Anderson, Bernhard W.—Understanding the Old Testament
Kee, Howard Clark—Understanding the New Testament
Ferlo, Roger—Opening the Bible (The New Church’s Teaching Series— volume two)
Bright, John—Kingdom of God
The work you present in your papers should be original; quotations, however, are permissible provided that proper credit is given to the author.
Examining Chaplains: Deacon Scott Mithen St. John’s, Bainbridge Home mailing address: 248 Mills Rd
Bainbridge, GA 39817 Home phone number: 229-246-1793
Cell :229-416-7300 E-mail address: scottmithen@gmail.com
Deacon Dianne Hall St. Paul’s, Albany Home mailing address: 206 Sherwood Rd.
Americus, GA 31709 Home phone number:229-924-6618
Cell- 229-815-6898, Work- 229-410-7738. E-mail address:dhall@habitat.org
Advisor: Deacon Karyl Miller
St. Barnabas, Valdosta Home mailing address: 4613 Rustic Ridge Rd.
Valdosta, GA 31602 Home phone number:229-259-0615 Cell phone number:229-630-7607
E-mail address: miller3458@bellsouth.net
Please feel free to contact any of us if you have any questions.