The BSM Academic Program

Academic Load
The BSM academic year consists of 40 courses spread throughout 10 months. Courses are taught as modules, each consisting of a minimum of 8 -10 sessions @1.5 hours/session. Selected courses are taken up by the students along with FARM serving disciples through the FARM Development Program. For courses requiring skill development like Homiletics, Creative Teaching and Public Speaking practicum sessions are arranged throughout the academic year.

We facilitate fast but maximum learning by employing teaching-learning principles. We draw up clear and attainable objectives and design learning activities to achieve them. Maximum student participation and discovery learning is facilitated through creative methods, research and assignments.

Academic Content
We believe that a school should be measured based on its stated objectives. So we carefully choose courses and plan the course contents according to our stated reason for being and philosophy of training.
We see to it that we provide for the development of students’ competencies in areas generally considered necessary for a pentecostal ministerial training school, namely: personal and social development, Bible and doctrinal knowledge, ministry skills such as preaching, teaching, counseling, administering, moving in the power and operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

We give extra concentration in deepening students’ devotional life, cultivating godly character and diligence in the study of the word of God.

Because we keep in mind the kind of students we want to produce, we give effort to keep high the students’ motivation for the mission field. Every class session is sought to be an opportunity to encounter God. We emphasize the heart of the Father for the lost, the example and obedience of Jesus, the son of God and the empowerment of the Holy Sprit for effective ministry.

Because this is a school for church planters, we highlight in each course truths and principles relevant to church planting.

We regularly update our curriculum and course content. We seek to keep the BSM training system and content relevant and responsive to current needs so students are prepared to meet the challenges of their days. We have recently added courses on effective communication, people skills, urban ministry and the use of technology.

Academic Activities
A BSM student is being trained to be a minister of the gospel, a worker for God. We are concerned that each student give diligence to the study of the Word – one who does his best to present himself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2TIM 2:15). The following serve as tools to help students in their academic discipline:

1. COURSE REQUIREMENTS. The student must evidence satisfactory performance and learning in each course. This means earning a total of at least 70 points computed as follows:
a. Attendance (20%). Complete and prompt attendance in all session. Only one excused absence is allowed for each course and the student will have to do some make up work to compensate for the absence. Two or more unexcused absences will be ground to drop the student from a course. Coming to a class late twice will be considered one absence.

b. Class Response (20%) Class response is determined by student’s class participation, daily insights (written in an ` Insight Sheet’) and note taking.
c. Assignments (20%). Assignments maybe one major course assignment due at the end of the course or an accumulation of daily research assignments. Assignments can be in the form of research work, analysis of related scriptures, making a glossary, individual or group projects, case study or any other form that the teacher feels best.
d. Daily Quizzes (10%). To facilitate daily personal study and prompt class attendance, daily quizzes. Daily quizzes will be mostly information recall questions.
e. Final Examination (30%) (A standard final examination is given for each course to measure the students’ learning of the most important truths, principles, attitudes or skills required in the course. It may be in written, oral or practical form or a combination of these forms. Final exams are given on scheduled examination days (only).

2. REQUIRED PERSONAL STUDY AND LIBRARY HOURS. Students are required at least two hours of library work each school day and an accumulated 3 hours on week ends.

3. FILE OF COURSE BOOKLETS. Lesson materials are provide in booklet form. At the end of each course, the booklets are checked if they reflect active participation and interactive listening during sessions. Performance in this area is a basis for class response grade.

4. STUDY GROUPS. Students are organized into study groups of four or five so the more able students can assist the less able ones. These study groups can be research teams or discussion groups.

5. COLLATERAL READING. A list of Bible Books/Chapters and other Books are to be read by the students in support to their learning in each course.

6. A YEAR END COMPREHENSIVE TEST. Students will take a comprehensive test to prove their learning of the most important truths and principles communicated to them throughout the academic year.

Academic probation
Any student who fails to attain the required 70% grade in any of the three courses/block for three consecutive blocks will be put on academic probation. If he does not show improvement after two more blocks, he will placed on a two-year BSM program.

Revised, May 2013