Biblical and Theological Training at Legacy

Year Overview

Legacy Bible Institute’s year-long curriculum is designed to immerse students in Scripture while equipping them with the theological foundation, spiritual disciplines, and practical skills necessary for a lifetime of faithful discipleship and mission. Throughout the entire year, students engage in three Biblical Survey courses that provides a sweeping overview of the biblical story that points to Jesus and offers a comprehensive understanding of God’s redemptive plan. These core biblical courses provide the foundation for all other learning, ensuring that every discussion, discipline, and ministry practice is rooted in Scripture. Alongside this, students participate in personal devotions, morning worship, and scripture memorization. Open Forum discussions provide space to wrestle with theological and cultural questions that naturally arise as students attempt to connect biblical truth to daily life. The topical courses are structured so that foundational topics—Bible study methods, spiritual disciplines, and gospel fluency—are established in the first semester, while the second semester focuses on applied theology, including church life, apologetics, biblical sexuality, and peacemaking. These second semester topics are explored one at a time through intensive modules, allowing students to engage deeply and practically with each subject. Through it all, students cultivate a biblical worldview and a lifestyle of discipleship.


First Semester Overview

The first semester lays a strong foundation in biblical knowledge, spiritual disciplines, and evangelism. Students will develop essential Bible study skills in the Bible Study Methods class, which will help them engage deeply with the Scripture they are studying and discussing through the various Bible survey courses; inversely, the Bible Survey courses will give students the space to try out and hone the study skills and tools they are learning. As the students participate in personal devotions and morning worship, the Prayer & Spiritual Disciplines class will reinforce the importance of personal and collective time with God, as well as a daily rhythm of prayer and Scripture meditation for spiritual growth. Finally, the Gospel Fluency & Evangelism class equips students to deeply understand what the gospel is, how to interpret all of life through it, and how to confidently share it with others. 


Second Semester Overview

Building on the foundation of the first semester, the second semester focuses on applying biblical truth to the Christian life, the church, and the broader culture. Students will explore Church History and Christian Doctrine. Courses on Biblical Peacemaking, Church Life, and Discipleship emphasize living out the gospel in community. Students will also engage with contemporary issues through classes on Biblical Sexuality and Cultural Apologetics. Throughout the term, students are challenged to take ownership of their faith and step confidently into their calling as ambassadors of Christ. After graduation, the semester is capped off with an elective Missions Training Intensive and week-long Missions Trip, which allows students to practice serving cross-culturally with wisdom and humility.

At Legacy Bible Institute, students immerse themselves fully in God’s Word, reading through the entire Bible during their time in the program. Our biblical courses include a complete study of the Old Testament, New Testament, and the Gospels, exploring the historical, theological, and Christ-centered connections across Scripture. Each morning begins with worship and devotion, fostering a daily rhythm of prayer and reflection. Alongside Scripture study, students engage in topical courses that equip them for spiritual growth, theological depth, and practical ministry, including Peacemaking, Church Life, Discipleship, Church History, Christian Theology, Apologetics, Biblical Sexuality, Prayer and Spiritual Disciplines, Gospel Fluency and Evangelism, and Bible Study Methods. These courses combine interactive teaching, discussion, and hands-on application, ensuring that students don’t just learn the Bible—they are transformed by it and equipped to live it out.

Year-Round Courses

  • Morning Worship/Devotion (All year, M-F)

    Start each day grounded in worship, Scripture, and prayer, fostering personal devotion and deepening your relationship with Christ in a communal setting.

    Readings & Assignments: Psalms & Proverbs

  • Survey of the Old Testament (All year, Tuesdays & Thursdays)

    Explore the grand narrative of the Old Testament, tracing God’s redemptive work from creation to exile and restoration, and discover how it points to Christ.

    Readings & Assignments: The Old Testament (minus Psalms & Proverbs)

  • Survey of Acts, the Epistles, & Revelation (All year, Wednesdays)

    Study the early church’s growth, the apostles’ teaching, and the formation of Christian doctrine, learning how the gospel transformed lives and communities.

    Readings & Assignments: The New Testament (minus the four Gospels)

  • Survey of the Four Gospels (All year, Fridays)

    Encounter Jesus through the distinct perspectives of the four Gospel writers, gaining a deeper understanding of His identity, life, ministry, message, and mission.

    Readings & Assignments: Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John

  • Bible Memorization (All year, Fridays)

    Hide God’s Word in your heart through intentional memorization, equipping yourself with Scripture for faith, discipleship, and spiritual battle.

    Readings & Assignments: Extended Bible passages of the students’ choosing

  • Open Forum (All year, Thursdays)

    Engage in thoughtful discussion on theology, culture, and Christian living, addressing challenging questions in an environment that fosters biblical wisdom and discernment.

    Readings & Assignments: various; at least one hour of self-directed research per week

First Semester Courses

  • Bible Study Methods (First semester, Mondays)

    Learn practical tools for interpreting and applying Scripture faithfully, growing in confidence as you study God’s Word for yourself and others.

    Readings & Assignments: customized in-class and out-of-class learning activities (Dan Rickett)

  • Prayer & Spiritual Disciplines (First semester, Mondays)

    Cultivate a life of intimacy with God through prayer, fasting, solitude, and other disciplines that shape spiritual maturity and dependence on Christ.

    Readings & Assignments: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (Donald Whitney); The Hidden Life of Prayer (David McIntyre)

  • Gospel Fluency & Evangelism (First semester, Mondays)

    Develop a personal understanding of the gospel, and build confidence in sharing the gospel naturally and effectively, learning to communicate the good news in any context with clarity and grace.

    Readings & Assignments: Gospel Fluency Handbook (Jeff Vanderstelt, Ben Connelly); Evangelism (J. Mack Stiles); The Gospel and Personal Evangelism (Mark Dever)

Second Semester Courses

  • Biblical Peacemaking (Second semester, four Mondays)

    Discover how the gospel transforms conflict, equipping you with biblical principles to pursue reconciliation and unity in personal and community relationships.

    Readings & Assignments: The Peacemaker (Ken Sande)

  • Church Life (Second semester, two Mondays)

    Examine the biblical foundation of the local church, its mission, leadership, and the believer’s role in cultivating a Christ-centered church community. 

    Readings & Assignments: I Am a Church Member (Thom Rainer); What Is a Healthy Church? (Mark Dever)

  • Discipleship (Second semester, one Monday)

    Explore Jesus’ model for making disciples, learning how to invest in others through intentional relationships, teaching, and accountability.

    Readings & Assignments: Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus (Mark Dever)

  • Church History (Second semester, three Mondays)

    Trace the story of Christianity from the early church to today, discovering how historical movements, leaders, and doctrines have shaped our understanding of the faith.

    Readings & Assignments: Various readings from church fathers, councils, and historical figures (compiled by Dan Rickett)

  • Christian Theology (Second semester, three Mondays)

    Gain a foundational understanding of key doctrines, exploring how biblical theology shapes our view of God, salvation, the church, and the Christian life.

    Readings & Assignments: Mere Christianity (C. S. Lewis); various readings of systematic theology

  • Apologetics (Second semester, two Mondays)

    Strengthen your faith by learning how to defend Christianity with reason and grace, engaging with cultural challenges through a biblical worldview.

    Readings & Assignments: Cultural Apologetics (Paul Gould)

  • Biblical Sexuality (Second semester, two Mondays)

    Explore God’s design for sexuality, relationships, and identity through a biblical lens, addressing contemporary issues with truth and compassion.

    Readings & Assignments: Rethinking Sexuality (Julie Slattery)

Training Intensives

  • Life Skills Training Intensive (First semester, one week, afternoons M-F)

    Students are equipped with essential life skills like cooking, cleaning, and laundering, emphasizing biblical stewardship, diligence, and servanthood through hands-on training.

  • Evangelism Training Intensive (First semester, one week, during lunches M-F)

    A focused week of hands-on training in evangelism, equipping you with practical skills and real-world opportunities to share the gospel with confidence.

    Readings & Assignments: SonLife’s Peer-to-Peer Evangelism Training Material (​​Eric Liechty)

  • Missions Training Intensive (Second semester, evenings M-F)

    Offered as an elective the week following May graduation, this intensive prepares students for Legacy’s optional short-term summer missions trip through immersive training in missiology, worldview engagement, and practical strategies for effective gospel witness.

    Readings & Assignments: Helping Without Hurting in Short-Term Missions (Steve Corbett, Brian Fikkert, Katie Casselberry)