Study Formats

Individual study: Individuals may study at home and submit each unit to the IBE office for review.

Group study: Under the direction of a group leader, three or more participants may take IBE courses together at group rates. The leader is not expected to lecture but conducts group sessions according to the instructions provided in the leader's guide. This guide is packed with a variety of application and discussion ideas. The group leader also reviews participants' progress and reports completion to the IBE office.

Possibilities for IBE group use include the following:

Adult Sunday school classes
Bible Institute courses
Discipleship ministries
Informal Bible studies
Training-hour programs

Course Types

Video courses: Most of IBE's video courses consist of lectures taped from Bible classes offered at Bob Jones University. Each lecture averages 30 to 45 minutes in length. As participants view a lecture, they complete a fill-in-the-blank outline in the accompanying study guide. Each lesson typically includes a Scripture reading, a memory passage, and an optional textbook-reading assignment. Most are available in your choice of VHS tape or DVD format.

Written courses: In these courses participants read a Scripture passage and study a lesson that expounds the passage and highlights its practical application. They also answer several review questions and memorize an assigned passage. Additional activities are often suggested. In a group setting, participants complete each lesson at home, then meet to review and discuss what they have learned.

Materials

The IBE supplies all the materials required for each unit of study. Videotapes are provided on a 6-month rental basis and are to be returned upon the completion of each unit. Participants keep all study guides. Optional textbooks may be purchased from the BJU Campus Store (1-800-252-1927) or BJU Press produced books may be ordered directly from BJU Press (1-800-845-5731).

Achievements

The revised IBE curriculum consists of 46 units, most containing about 12 to 15 lessons. There are 24 written units and 22 video units. These are distributed among 5 divisions: Old Testament Studies, New Testament Studies, Theological Studies, Practical Studies, and Special Topics. Each division consists of a 2-unit "core course" and several units of "supporting courses." Generally speaking, the core course serves as an introduction to the division, and the supporting courses are electives that focus on biblical books or topics in more detail.

Participants receive a certificate of completion for each unit. In addition, the following categories of recognition are available (noncredit):

Certificate of Biblical Survey: granted for completing all 5 core courses (10 units total)

Divisional Certificate: granted for completing 6 units from a division (2 core, 4 supporting)

Diploma in Biblical Studies: granted for completing all 5 divisional certificates (30 units total)