The BTCP Concept
Life-On-Life Equipping for Ministry
Provides the “irreducible minimum”
Trains students to properly handle the Word of God
Equips with knowledge and practical skills
Church-based, comprehensive education
Cross-denominational setting
Enables and encourages students to equip and train others
Exhorts students to personal obedience and growth toward maturity in Christ
Focused on biblical principles, truths and concepts, not mere accumulation of knowledge
Promotes an ongoing process of assimilation of knowledge
No traditional measuring devices such as exams and term papers
Student motivation comes from a personal desire to be biblically equipped, not from grade point averages, or fear of failure on exams
If you would like a comprehensive view of the BTCP guidelines, concept , curriculum and philosophy of ministry, please download our Program Summary Manual. This resource provides a comprehensive view of our ministry as well as a syllabus and sample lesson from each of the 10 course manuals.
The BTCP Curriculum
Curriculum available in over 40 languages
Course #1 - Bible Study Methods & Rules of Interpretation
An introduction to basic Bible study methods and rules of interpretation with emphasis on accurately understanding and obeying God’s Word and the development of practical skills. Students will learn to determine what Scripture says, what it means, and how it can be applied.
Course Goals:
To train pastors and church leaders to properly and systematically study and interpret the Bible in order to “correctly handle the Word of Truth” so that they may be “equipped for every good work.”
To lead pastors and church leaders to an awareness of their need to personally apply and obey the Bible as they preach and teach others.
To demonstrate that an important purpose of studying the Bible is for personal “training in righteousness” so pastors and church leaders will become more like Jesus Christ.
To emphasize the necessity to absolutely and totally depend on the illumination and teaching ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
To encourage pastors and church leaders to engage in personal, serious, regular Bible study in the text of Scripture.
Study the Word of God to know the God of the Word
Course #2 - Old Testament Survey
A broad overview and survey of the Old Testament designed to emphasize the structure, theme and message of the Old Testament and each of its 39 individual books in order to provide understanding of God’s self-revelation and His plan of redemption.
Course Goals:
To teach pastors and church leaders the basic structure, theme and message of the Old Testament and its 39 books as the foundation for the New Testament.
To teach pastors and church leaders the broad sweep of Old Testament theological history as it relates to Israel and God’s plan of redemption.
To lead pastors and church leaders to a clear understanding of the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament.
To lead pastors and church leaders to a better understanding of and appreciation for—
• who God is
• who man is
• the purpose for which man was created
• the nature and consequences of sin
• the gracious love and mercy of God expressed in redemption
• the integrity, unity and value of the Word of God.
5. To encourage pastors and church leaders to learn from the examples and illustrations of the Old Testament.
6. To encourage pastors and church leaders to walk by faith before God.
7. To encourage pastors and church leaders to fully obey the Word of God.
8. To exhort pastors and church leaders to preach and teach the principles, truths and concepts of the Old Testament.
SACRED SCRIPTURE MAKES US WISE FOR SALVATION AND SANCTIFICATION
Course #3 - New Testament Survey
An overview survey of the New Testament focusing on the theme, purpose, structure and basic content of each individual book and relating each book to the whole Bible. Strong emphasis is also given to the applicational message of each book.
Course Goals:
To provide pastors and church leaders with the knowledge necessary to understand the essential meaning and significance of the New Testament as it relates to salvation and sanctification.
To train pastors and church leaders in the use of the survey method of study, including book charts.
To instruct pastors and church leaders in the basic content of each New Testament book and how that content applies today.
To increase appreciation for the scope, unity, purpose and reliability of Scripture.
To prepare pastors and church leaders for effective ministry by equipping them with the Word of God.
To enhance understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ.
To reinforce dependence on the Word of God as the fundamental ministry resource.
To encourage pastors and church leaders to preach and teach the principles, truths and concepts of the New Testament.
Knowing the content and structure of the New Testament will enable pastors and church leaders to know Christ more fully and minister to people more effectively.
Course #4 - Preaching Biblical Messages & Pastoral Ministry
The first part of this course, Preaching Biblical Messages, is designed to equip and train pastors with the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare and communicate expository messages from God’s Word. The goal of these messages is that they be biblically accurate and responsive to the needs of people. Emphasis is placed on practical preparation of the preacher and his message with numerous examples and practice assignments. The second part of the course, Pastoral Ministry, is designed to equip pastors with knowledge and practical skills required for effective ministry in the church which is fruitful from God’s perspective.
Course Goals:
To demonstrate from Scripture the necessity for the expository preaching of the Word of God and to train pastors to communicate God’s Word.
To teach pastors what the Bible says about their qualifications, role, and responsibilities from God’s perspective as servants of Christ and His church.
To underscore the importance of the preacher’s spiritual preparation.
To train pastors in the basic skills of preparing accurate biblical messages.
To emphasize the need to allow the text of Scripture to determine both the content and structure of the message.
To provide instruction on how to productively and practically carry out pastoral ministry in the church.
To warn pastors about those things which lead to “burn-out” and failure in the ministry.
To show that the goal of preaching is life change—becoming more like Jesus Christ.
The pastor who honors Christ is committed to communicating the Word of Godand to ministering to the people God has entrusted to him.
Course #5 - Bible Doctrine Survey
A survey and summary of the ten major doctrines of the Bible with an emphasis on the pastor or church leader knowing God more fully while understanding and practicing sound theology.
Course Goals:
To teach pastors and church leaders the foundational truths of Bible doctrine.
To lead pastors and church leaders into a deeper understanding of and appreciation for God.
To enrich the pastor’s and church leader’s personal relationship to God.
To train pastors and church leaders to teach correct doctrine and refute false doctrine.
To enable pastors and church leaders to see that correct belief must be reflected in correct behavior.
Let him who boasts boast about this— that he knows and understands God. (Jer. 9:23-24)
Course #6 - Personal Spiritual Life
This course is designed to teach pastors and church leaders the basic concepts and principles of the spiritual life so that they can personally grow to spiritual maturity and live a life that is pleasing to God.
Course Goals:
To instruct pastors and church leaders in the basic principles and truths related to the spiritual life.
To lead pastors and church leaders to understand their position in Jesus Christ and the essential resources God has provided through the Word and the Holy Spirit.
To train pastors and church leaders to successfully participate in the process of growth to spiritual maturity by practical application and obedience.
To suggest to pastors and church leaders what the believer should know and do in regard to the basic areas of the spiritual life.
The pastor or church leader should be personally growing in relationship to Christ and in relationships with others.
Course #7 - Church Ministry & Administration
This course is designed to teach pastors and church leaders the basic concepts and principles of the spiritual life so that they can personally grow to spiritual maturity and live a life that is pleasing to God.
Course Goals:
To teach pastors and church leaders the nature, structure, purpose and priorities of the church as a spiritual organism.
To instruct pastors and church leaders with regard to the principles and practice of “body life” in the church.
To train pastors and church leaders in how to meet the ministry needs of church members.
To equip pastors and church leaders in the principles and practice of operating and administering the church as a structural organization.
To enable pastors and church leaders to understand and implement an effective ministry of biblical education in the church in order to “build-up” the body of Christ.
When the church properly and effectively functions as a spiritual organization in the areas of ministry, administration, and education the real needs of people will be met, the church will grow to spiritual maturity and God will be glorified as His kingdom is advanced.
Course #8 - Teaching Principles & Methods
Designed to equip pastors and church leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively teach God’s Word. Much emphasis is placed on the pastor’s role as teacher and the biblical goal of teaching.
Course Goals:
To demonstrate from Scripture the importance of the expository teaching of the Word of God.
To practically train pastors and church leaders in the basic principles and methods of teaching.
To emphasize the importance of the teacher’s spiritual preparation and dependence on the Holy Spirit.
To enable pastors and church leaders to understand that real learning involves life change.
To practically equip pastors and church leaders to effectively teach the Bible so that the church will not be biblically malnourished but will grow to spiritual maturity.
Teach the Word so people can grow to maturity in Christ.
Course #9 - Church History Survey
This course is designed to introduce pastors and church leaders to the principal people; the major political, historical, and cultural developments; the main religious movements; and the doctrinal issues which have influenced and shaped the Christian church throughout its 2000 year history.
Course Goals:
To teach pastors and church leaders the primary facts, significant events, and main movements which have impacted the Christian church in history.
To acquaint pastors and church leaders with the key figures of church history whose lives have influenced the church.
To instruct pastors and church leaders in the biblical principles by which the church should have operated over the centuries.
To lead pastors and church leaders to an awareness of both the triumphs and failures of the church in history.
To encourage pastors and church leaders to learn from the lessons of church history what the church should and should not do.
To re-emphasize to pastors and church leaders the need for the church to maintain pure doctrine and practice.
To enable pastors and church leaders to gain a proper historical perspective on the church today in order to understand its present condition and challenge.
Missions is the mission of the church.
Course #10 - Missions Evangelism & Discipleship
This three-part course is designed to ground pastors and church leaders in the basic biblical principles of missions, evangelism, and discipleship so that the church can accomplish its God-given task of bringing lost people to Christ and building them up in Christ.
Course Goals:
To teach pastors and church leaders that missions is the main ministry of the church.
To instruct pastors and church leaders in the biblical basis, principles, and practice of missions.
To assist pastors and church leaders in developing a missions mind-set and ministry in the church.
To dispel and deal with common myths, misconceptions, and hindrances to missions.
To convince pastors and church leaders that the church is God’s channel for witnessing to Christ in the world.
To show that evangelism is the first requirement in fulfilling the Great Commission.
To train pastors and church leaders in the content and communication of the true Gospel and to point out false “gospels”.
To enable pastors and church leaders to build an evangelistic mind-set and ministry in the church.
To provide basic knowledge in how to defend the Christian faith against common challenges, world religions, cults, and the occult.
To equip pastors and church leaders to answer contemporary moral and ethical issues from the Bible.
To demonstrate that discipleship is the second requirement in fulfilling the Great Commission.
To train pastors and church leaders in the biblical principles and practices of discipleship in order to reach the goal of maturity in Christ and making more disciples.
Evangelism and discipleship are what the church does in missions.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Dennis J. Mock is an ordained pastor, having served on staff from December 1984 until October 1995 at First Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, as Minister of Adult Education and Minister of Bible Teaching and Training. After January 1989 his ministry primarily focused on BTCP, of which he is the founder and author of its 10 course curriculum.
He served as pastor of Genesis Bible Church, Atlanta for over 23 years from which he retired in October of 2018.
Prior to entering the ministry in 1982, Dr. Mock practiced law in Atlanta for 13 years. He has been married to Patricia Mock since 1963 and they have three children and six grandchildren.
Dr. Mock has written numerous Bible book studies for use in Sunday School and was on the adjunct/extension faculty of Columbia Bible College (S.C.) from 1985 to 1990. He holds the following degrees: BA (1966) from Samford University; Doctor of Law, J.D. (1969) from Emory University Law School; and MA in Biblical Studies (1984) from Dallas Theological Seminary. God has used Dennis greatly over a lifetime of pastoring, Bible teaching, teacher training, curriculum development and writing. Although he retired as President of BTCP in Dec., 2015, he is still actively involved in the ministry as BTCP’s Chairman of the Board.