Beginning Theology
Beginning Theology
Certificate III in Christian Ministry and Theology
Beginning Theology is designed for you to study theology at home but to also meet regularly with a support group of local people.
The course has been developed by the Institute of Faith Education, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Brisbane and Brisbane Catholic Education.
The Parramatta Institute for Mission coordinates and facilitates this course for the men and women of the Parramatta diocese. Each year, an information evening is held at the Institute for Mission for those interested in undertaking Beginning Theology.
Why study theology at home?
As we grow in our faith many questions arise – questions that come from our own experience, questions put to us by our children and those around us, questions that arise as a result of our living with others.
Our life is a mystery to be lived, a search for answers to all the questions and challenges that come from our personal relationship with God.
Beginning Theology contains four easy-to-follow modules that are completed over the course of one year. They are specifically designed for anyone who has no formal theological background but wishes to benefit from an introduction to theology in the Catholic tradition. Focused on God’s presence and mystery, the modules include:
- Module 1: God
- Module 2: Word of God
- Module 3: People of God
- Module 4: Following Jesus Christ
Note that Parramatta CEO teachers undertaking the Parramatta Certificate in Religious Education complete Module 1 of Beginning Theology before commencing the Foundations course.
Throughout Beginning Theology, your local discussion group (known as a ‘cluster group’) is a valuable means of support. Members come together every month to share their own life experience, their learnings and insights from their readings, as well as the questions that may have arisen as they have read and reflected on the material provided. A local support person acts as a mentor for your cluster group.
Participants who complete Beginning Theology have a number of options for continuing their learning. Foundations and Foundations II are ideal follow up programs that you may like to consider. They use a similar learning structure with study notes and local cluster groups for discussion (see below for more information on Foundations and Foundations II).
Assessment for Beginning Theology
The assessment for Beginning Theology includes brief cluster group reports and personal reflection reports. All course assessments and group meetings provide you with an opportunity to explore your learnings in more depth and experience personal formation through adult reflection on our Christian beliefs. You will develop new skills or competencies that will enrich your lived discipleship and prepare you for mission and ministry in the communities to which you belong. Prompt and detailed feedback is provided to students upon completion of each item of assessment.
The Parramatta Institute for Mission provides you with all necessary support and encouragement as you deepen your journey of theological reflection on the mystery of God and the implications of this mystery for our Christian living.
For more detailed information about Beginning Theology,
visit the Institute of Faith Education.
If you are in the Parramatta diocese and would like to enrol, contact the Parramatta Institute for Mission at mh@instituteformission.com.au or phone 9831 4911.
Foundations
Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology
Foundations is designed to build upon those skills and insights that you have gained through the Beginning Theology course or an equivalent program. It provides an opportunity to delve more deeply into the questions and challenges of Christian life. Like Beginning Theology, Foundations is designed to enable you to study theology at home but also with a support group of local people who meet to share their insights and questions.
The course has been developed by the Institute for Faith Education, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Brisbane and Brisbane Catholic Education.
The Parramatta Institute for Mission coordinates and facilitates this course for the men and women of the Parramatta diocese. Each year, an information evening is held at the Institute for Mission for those interested in undertaking Foundations.
There are six modules accompanied by set readings that are completed over the course of two years. They are specifically designed for anyone who is seeking a systematic introduction to theology in the Catholic tradition. Focused on revelation, history and the Church, the modules include:
Module 1: Theology and History
Module 2: Revelation and the Hebrew Scriptures
Module 3: God’s self-communication in Jesus Christ
Module 4: Church – People of God
Module 5: Liturgy and Sacraments
Module 6: The Christian way of life
Assessment for Foundations
The assessment for the Foundations course includes brief cluster group reports and two written assignments over the course of two years.
The Parramatta Institute for Mission provides you with all necessary support and encouragement as you develop the skills of learning theology in a systematic way and of applying theological principles in personal life and ministry.
For more detailed information about Foundations, visit the Institute of Faith Education.
If you are in the Parramatta diocese and would like to enrol, contact the Parramatta Institute for Mission at mh@instituteformission.com.au or by phone 9831 4911.
Foundations II
Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology
Foundations II is designed to build upon those skills and insights that you have gained through the Foundations course or an equivalent program. It is intended for adults engaged in a variety of Christian ministries and service, for example, catechising, nursing, teaching and social work, and/or parish ministry. Foundations II is designed to enable you to study theology at home but also with a support group of local people who meet to share their insights and questions.
The course has been developed by the Institute for Faith Education, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Brisbane and Brisbane Catholic Education.
The Parramatta Institute for Mission coordinates and facilitates this course for the men and women of the Parramatta diocese. Each year, an information evening is held at the Institute for Mission for those interested in undertaking Foundations II.
There are eight modules accompanied by set readings that are completed over the course of two years. They are specifically designed for anyone seeking to continue studying theology in the Catholic tradition. Focused on issues of interpretation and meaning, the modules include:
Early Church History: First Five Centuries
The Scriptures Jesus Knew
Engaging the New Testament
Introduction to Philosophy I
Introduction to Philosophy II
The Christ of Contemporary Theologies
The God of Contemporary Theologies
Mission and Ministry
Assessment for Foundations II
The assessment for the Foundations II course includes cluster group reports and four written assignments over the course of two years.The Parramatta Institute for Mission provides you with all necessary support and encouragement as you strengthen the philosophical and theological foundations of your ministry, with implications for your Christian living.
For more detailed information about Foundations, visit the Institute of Faith Education.
If you are in the Parramatta diocese and would like to enrol, contact the Parramatta Institute for Mission at mh@instituteformission.com.au or by phone 9831 4911.