The preview includes the class overview, text books, and three sample lessons. You can purchase the class by clicking the button below. Each class contains 20-22 lessons. Each class is intended for single person use only. Please repurchase for each additional user.  
Welcome to the Church class. 

This class examines the past, present and future of the Church. It starts off with a brief historical overview of the key points in Church history. Next are readings in three books (only two of which you will have to purchase) that highlight present trends in the church today. This is followed by a vision of what a healthy Great Commission Church looks like.

​Finally, wise words from three men: a sampling of the 12 traits of a Biblical church by one of America's top teachers, David Platt, a message by Rick Warren about five reasons everyone needs to be part of the Church, and finally, a timely presentation by Os Guinness who issues a compelling call to courageously recapture our culture for the sake of the gospel.

Unless a lesson is defined by a specific reading assignment or activity, spend two hours to complete each lesson. 
 On this rock I will build my church, and the power of death will not be able to defeat it. Matthew 16:18 NCV
Text Books
  1. Radical Together: Unleashing the People of God for the Purpose of God, by David Platt. 

    "Writing to everyone who desires to make an impact for God’s glory—whether you are an involved member, a leader, or a pastor—Dr. Platt shares six foundational ideas that fuel radical obedience among Christians in the church. With compelling Bible teaching and inspiring stories from around the world, he will help you apply the revolutionary claims and commands of Christ to your community of faith in fresh, practical ways." (Source: Amazon)

  2. Gaining By Losing: Why the Future Belongs to Churches that Send, by JD Greear.

    ​"People are leaving the church J.D. Greear pastors. Big givers. Key volunteers. Some of his best leaders and friends. And that’s exactly how he wants it to be. When Jesus gave his disciples the Great Commission, he revealed that the key for reaching the world with the gospel is found in sending, not gathering. Though many churches focus time and energy on attracting people and counting numbers, the real mission of the church isn’t how many people you can gather. It’s about training up disciples and then sending them out. The true measure of success for a church should be its sending capacity, not its seating capacity. But there is a cost to this. To see ministry multiply, we must release the seeds God has placed in our hands. And to do that, we must ask ourselves whether we are concerned more with building our kingdom or God’s." (Source: Amazon) ​
Sample Lessons
Lessons 7
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  1. Read Church Starting Points 1-13 at GreatCommission.com Church Starting Points cast a vision of what the church can (and should) be. 

  2. Write a Summary paper. 

  3. ​Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at the MBC Group. 
Lessons 9
  1. Read the Great Commission Church Gathers to celebrate. Note: The Big Idea Study is covered in the Hermeneutics class. 

  2. Write a Summary paper. ​
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  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at the MBC Group. 
Lessons 13
  1. Watch the Three Question sermon by David Platt. 

  2. Write a Summary paper. 

  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at the MBC Group. ​