THE TENTMAKERS

INSTITUTE

View the courses we offer our pastors

Biblical Handling & Teaching

This category develops a pastor’s ability to understand, interpret, teach, and apply the Bible faithfully. It provides a strong foundation for studying Scripture while exploring important portions and themes throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Students are equipped to communicate biblical truth clearly and accurately in preaching, teaching, and personal ministry.

The goal is to develop pastors who confidently handle the Word of God and help others understand its truth.

TTI101

Principles & Methods of Bible Study

This course equips students with sound principles and practical methods for studying and interpreting the Scriptures accurately. Students will learn how to approach the Bible carefully and consistently so that their preaching, teaching, and personal study faithfully communicate the intended meaning of God’s Word.

TTI102

Methods of Bible Teaching

This course focuses on the effective communication of biblical truth in the local church and other teaching settings. Students will develop practical skills in organizing lessons, explaining Scripture clearly, making meaningful application, and teaching in a way that strengthens the understanding of those they serve.

TTI103

Gospel Records

This course surveys the life, ministry, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as presented throughout the four Gospels. Special attention is given to understanding the major themes of the Gospel records and preparing pastors to faithfully teach and preach the life and ministry of Christ.

TTI104

Christian Church Epistles

This course provides a survey of the New Testament epistles with particular attention to their doctrine, instruction, and practical application to the local church. Students will examine biblical truth concerning Christian living and church ministry while developing a stronger foundation for teaching these passages to their congregations.

TTI105

Pastoral Epistles

This course provides a focused study of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus and their instruction concerning pastoral ministry and the local church. Students will examine biblical principles of pastoral leadership, church order, spiritual qualification, ministry responsibility, and faithfulness in the work of God.

TTI106

Biblical Creation

This course examines the biblical doctrine of creation and its importance as a foundational truth of Scripture. Students will consider the theological implications of creation and learn to understand and respond biblically to common challenges surrounding this doctrine.

Doctrine

This category provides students with a strong foundation in the major doctrines and theological truths of Scripture. It examines biblical doctrine throughout both the Old and New Testaments, helping students see the unity and development of truth across the Bible. Students learn not only to understand these doctrines but also to teach and defend them.

The goal is to establish pastors firmly in sound biblical theology that guides both their faith and ministry.

TTI201

Bible Doctrine I

Old Testament Survey

This course surveys the major doctrines and theological truths revealed throughout the Old Testament. Students will gain a stronger understanding of how these foundational truths develop throughout Scripture and contribute to a unified biblical theology.

TTI202

Bible Doctrine II

New Testament Survey

This course examines the major doctrines presented throughout the New Testament and their importance to Christian faith and practice. Students will be equipped to understand, teach, and defend these biblical truths while applying them faithfully within the ministry of the local church.

Preaching & Communication

This category equips pastors to communicate the Word of God and provide clear leadership through effective communication. Students develop skills in sermon preparation, organization, delivery, public speaking, and practical application. Attention is also given to the biblical character, responsibilities, and philosophy that should shape pastoral ministry.

The goal is to develop pastors who communicate Scripture with clarity, conviction, purpose, and a Christlike philosophy of ministry.

TTI301

Homiletics I

This introductory preaching course equips students with the foundational principles necessary to prepare faithful, biblical sermons. Emphasis is placed on understanding the text, developing a clear sermon structure, organizing biblical material, and communicating God’s Word with clarity and purpose.

TTI302

Homiletics II

Building upon the foundations of Homiletics I, this course develops the student’s ability to construct and deliver effective biblical messages. Attention is given to sermon development, delivery, clarity, application, and communicating Scripture effectively to different audiences and ministry contexts.

TTI303

Speech

This course develops the student’s ability to communicate clearly, confidently, and effectively in public ministry. Practical instruction applies to preaching, teaching, public speaking, leadership, and other situations in which pastors must communicate biblical truth and ministry direction to others.

TTI304

Pastoral Theology and Philosophy

This course examines the biblical calling, qualifications, responsibilities, and character of the man of God. Students will develop a biblical philosophy of ministry that shapes how they view pastoral leadership, service, sacrifice, responsibility, and the example of Jesus Christ.

Missions & Multiplication

This category prepares pastors to fulfill the Great Commission through evangelism, discipleship, missions, and church multiplication. Students learn how to communicate the Gospel personally, minister across cultural boundaries, and develop healthy ministry partnerships around the world. It also prepares them to understand different religious beliefs and respond biblically to contemporary theological challenges. The goal is to cultivate pastors who lead their churches in actively and faithfully reaching others with the Gospel.

TTI401

Introduction to Missions

This course presents the biblical foundation and practical purpose of Christian missions with particular emphasis on the Great Commission. Students will examine the responsibility of the local church to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and participate faithfully in reaching people and nations with the message of Christ.

TTI402

Missionary Methods

This course examines practical and biblical approaches to evangelism, discipleship, and church planting across different cultural settings. Students will learn principles that help them minister effectively while remaining faithful to Scripture in diverse communities and ministry environments.

TTI403

Personal Evangelism

This course equips students to communicate the Gospel clearly and confidently in personal conversations and everyday ministry. Students will strengthen their own commitment to personal witness while learning how to train and encourage members of their churches to faithfully share the Gospel with others.

TTI404

Comparative World Religions

This course introduces students to major religious belief systems encountered throughout the world. Students will learn to better understand the beliefs of others while developing the ability to engage them respectfully and respond faithfully from a biblical perspective.

TTI405

Relationships with Foreign Pastors

This course provides instruction for developing healthy, respectful, and productive ministry relationships across cultural and national boundaries. Students will consider principles of communication, partnership, cultural understanding, mutual respect, and biblical cooperation in international ministry.

TTI406

Contemporary Theological Issues

This course examines significant theological questions and challenges presently confronting pastors and local churches. Students will learn to evaluate contemporary issues through Scripture and provide clear, biblical leadership and guidance to the people entrusted to their care.

Church Leadership & Operations

This category provides biblical and practical training for leading, organizing, and strengthening the local church. Students learn principles related to church administration, governance, finances, stewardship, and ministry operations. It also addresses the practical process of establishing and developing new local churches.

The goal is to prepare pastors to lead healthy, organized, accountable, and sustainable ministries while maintaining biblical priorities.

TTI501

Church Administration and Polity

This course examines biblical principles for the leadership, organization, governance, and administration of the local church. Students will learn practical approaches to church structure and ministry operations while maintaining a biblical philosophy of pastoral leadership and congregational care.

TTI502

Church Finance

This course introduces students to responsible and ethical financial stewardship within the local church. Topics include budgeting, financial accountability, careful management of church resources, and establishing practices that promote integrity and trust in ministry finances.

TTI503

Church Planting Principles & Practice

Counseling & People Care

This category equips pastors to provide compassionate, biblical care to individuals and families within their congregations. Students learn foundational principles of biblical counseling and how Scripture can be applied to spiritual and personal struggles. Special attention is given to marriage, parenting, family relationships, and the pastor’s role in strengthening the home. The goal is to prepare pastors to minister personally and wisely to people through the truth of God’s Word.

TTI601

Introduction to Counseling

This course introduces pastors to foundational principles of biblical counseling and personal ministry. Students will learn how to use biblical truth to compassionately address common spiritual and personal struggles while providing wise pastoral care to individuals and families within the church.

TTI602

Marriage and Family

This course examines biblical principles concerning marriage, parenting, and family relationships. Students will be equipped both to strengthen their own homes and to provide biblical instruction, encouragement, and pastoral care to marriages and families within their congregations.

Personal Life of the Pastor

This category focuses on the pastor as a person, recognizing that effective ministry begins with a faithful private life. Students examine spiritual character, personal health, family responsibilities, finances, prayer, and the unique demands of balancing ministry with other areas of life. Practical instruction helps pastors establish healthy priorities and patterns that support long-term faithfulness in ministry.

The goal is to develop pastors whose private walk with God, family life, stewardship, and personal character support the ministry they lead publicly.

TTI701

The Private Life of the Pastor

This course focuses on the spiritual character and personal walk of the pastor beyond the public responsibilities of ministry. Emphasis is placed on personal integrity, devotion, consistency, holiness, and maintaining a faithful relationship with God when no congregation or audience is watching.

TTI702

The Health of the Pastor

This course addresses the emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being of those serving in pastoral ministry. Students will examine practical principles for establishing healthy patterns, recognizing the dangers of ministry exhaustion, and sustaining long-term faithfulness and effectiveness in serving others.

TTI703

The Bi-Vocational Pastor

This course provides practical instruction for pastors who serve in ministry while also working in another occupation or vocation. Students will examine time stewardship, priorities, family responsibilities, work, ministry expectations, and practical strategies for sustaining faithful service in both areas of life.

TTI704

The Family Life of the Pastor

This course examines the pastor’s biblical responsibilities as a husband and father alongside his responsibilities in ministry. Students will consider practical ways to care faithfully for their marriages and children while maintaining appropriate priorities between the home, the church, and the demands of pastoral leadership.

TTI705

Personal Finance and Economic Stewardship

This course provides biblical and practical instruction in managing personal and family finances wisely. Students will study budgeting, saving, debt management, income development, economic stewardship, and responsible financial decision-making with application to their families, ministries, and vocational responsibilities.

TTI706

The School of Prayer

This course provides a biblical and practical study of prayer with an emphasis on developing a deep and disciplined personal communion with God. Students will examine biblical patterns and purposes of prayer, intercession, spiritual dependence, and the pastor’s responsibility to cultivate both a personal life of prayer and a praying local church.