Education Plus @ the Brazos
“Education is the key to a better life.”
www.educationplusatthebrazos.org
SJConnally60@yahoo.com
Reverend Shirley J. Connally, M.Ed., M.Div.
2021 EP@B Newsletter
The following courses are being offered at BeADisciple.com – online Christian Education courses.
CHRISTIAN CARE AND COUNSELING CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
This Christian Care and Counseling Certification Program is designed to equip God’s workers with skills to help people coming to them for help in dealing with life’s many issues – personal, financial, family, identity, control, anger, suicide, depression, self-esteem…
Required Courses
1. The Church and Counseling: A Biblical Perspective. Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
This course is designed to show that God’s Word is our guide for good living and by reading and studying His Word we can find that God addresses every concern we have in life. In the church we have a lifetime support system to love and care for us and the whole community of believers and nonbelievers.
2. The Theology of Christian Care and Counseling. In this course we will look at the biblical themes of sin, suffering, exodus, sacrifice, law, kingdom and exile and how they develop in Scripture over the course of redemptive history. We will also look at counseling topics such as interpersonal ministry, conversation, discipleship, personal struggles and crisis. Our focus is to learn how these themes work together to formulate the theology on which we base the Christian life.
3. Understanding People: A Ministry to God’s People in All of Life’s Stages. To truly understand people, we must combine the rigorous formal study of developmental issues with our own observations and thorough study of Scripture. In this course we will seek to enhance Christian care and counseling skills to work with people in different developmental stages to help them get the most out of life in each stage.
4. A Look at Life’s Issues. God sent His Son to show us how to deal with the problems of this world. We will consider how to help people with prominent issues – anger, anxiety, depression, guilt and forgiveness, loneliness…developmental issues…interpersonal issues, such as abuse and neglect, conflict and relationships…identity issues – self-esteem, grief…family issues…control issues…
*****January 18 – February 26, 2021 - The Church and Counseling: A Biblical Perspective (1st of 4 courses in Christian Care and Counseling Certification Program)
*****January 18 - February 26, 2021 - Understanding People: A Ministry to God’s People in All Stages of Life (3rd of 4 courses in Christian Care and Counseling Certification Program)
*****February 15-19, 2021 - Christian Parents Raising Christian Children: A Pandemic Edition
This course is designed to give parents principles and tools to navigate parenting while instilling Christian values in their children. Parents will have the opportunity to participate in activities that will encourage positive Christian learning during the pandemic. Topics will include effective communication, Christian character building, and maintaining healthy relationships between the parent(s) and child(ren). The course is designed to help parents grow in Christ while maintaining skills to get through the tough times, as well as the good times.
PLEASE NOTE: This course will incorporate live meetings on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings at 7:00 pm Central time. Please write these into your schedule for the week of the course. If you have to miss, the meeting will be recorded for later viewing, but you will benefit from setting this time aside as a priority. Please communicate absences to the instructor on the start day of the course.
Learners will be required to obtain a copy of the following book:
The Five Parenting Commandments: How to Raise Christian Children to Be Life-long Learners and Men and Women of Character, by James L. Casale
This course is eligible for 0.5 CEU. Krystal Davis, Instructor
*****February 15 – March 26, 2021 -
Walking with Christ (Lenten Study)
Even though 2020 had unprecedented challenges, 2021 will have its own unique stressors. “Walking with Christ” will help you prepare for these new challenges as you go through the 40 days of the Lenten season.
The course will delve into the five essential practices of worship, study, serving, giving, and sharing faith. It is intended to prepare participants to be the people and The Church the world needs to lead the lives God has planned.
*****March 8 - April 23, 2021 - A Look at Life’s Issues (4th of 4 courses in Christian Care and Counseling Certification Program)
*****March 8 - April 23, 2021 - The Theology of Christian Care and Counseling (2nd of 4 courses in Christian Care and Counseling Certification Program)
*****May 10-14, 2021 - “Before You Say, I Do”: A Premarriage Retreat
We are living in a time when more people are delaying marriage or writing it off altogether. If you are one of the couples wanting to commit to one another and start a marriage on the right foot, then join us in “Before You Say ‘I Do’: A Pre-Marriage Retreat
tttetat The journey will help you
· explore your relationship in depth and will provide new insight into your partner and how the two of you relate to one another
· establish your wants and needs as individuals and as a couple before your marriage begins
· lay the groundwork for open and honest conversation for a stronger, healthier marriage
· reveal how life events and family background can influence decision making in finances, family, education, faith, and career
· engage you in activities that lead to thought-provoking discussions that address your past experiences and current expectations.
The whole experience is engaging and full of tried-and-true wisdom to help you plan for your future and build a lasting relationship with the one you love.
This course is worth 1 CEUs.
Learners will be required to obtain a copy of the following book:
Before You Say “I Do”: A Marriage Preparation Guide for Couples by H. Norman Wright, Wes Roberts
Required Zoom meetings will take place from 6:00-7:00 pm CST every day. Each member of the couple needs to register for the course.
*****February 8-14, 2021 - “After You Say, I Do”: A Marriage Retreat
Whether you are newly married or married for years, couples can improve their relationship through understanding and helping each other. “After You Say, ‘I Do’: A Marriage Retreat” takes couples on an exciting and illuminating journey into the heart of their marriage.
The course is targeting married couples who want to use this unique environment to be able to have tough conversations, rebuild a foundation, experience personal and spiritual growth, and strength in their relationship. We will use the discussion board so couples can interact and see differing perspectives with other couples. We will use the journal to daily capture new thoughts and expressions. Specific chapters in the book will be worked through daily as a couple. We will also use Zoom to engage in group activities and also have speakers on the specific topics that we will cover. We will talk about goal-setting for your marriage, communication and conflict resolution, and spiritual growth as a couple.
Learners will be required to obtain a copy of the following book:
After You Say “I Do”: Making the Most of Your Marriage by H. Norman Wright, Wes Roberts, Judy Roberts
Required Zoom meetings will take place from 7:00-8:00 pm CST every day. Each member of the couple needs to register for the course.
Ashley Whitley, Instructor
*****August 23 – October 1, 2021 - The Church and Counseling: A Biblical Perspective (1st of 4 courses in Christian Care and Counseling Certification Program)
*****August 23 - October 1, 2021 - Understanding People: A Ministry to God’s People in All Stages of Life (3rd of 4 courses in Christian Care and Counseling Certification Program)
*****October 11 – November 19, 2021 -
The Theology of Christian Care and Counseling
(2nd
of 4 courses in Christian Care and Counseling Certification Program)
*****October 11 - November 19, 2021 - A Look At Life’s Issues (4th of 4 courses in Christian Care and Counseling Certification Program)
*****November 15-19, 2021 -- Time with God: A Thanksgiving Prayer Retreat
Time with God: A Thanksgiving Prayer Retreat is prepared to be completed online by participants in the quiet of their own homes. There are times when we may not be able to go away on a retreat, but we can retreat from the busyness of the day and the worries and cares of the world to spend time with God in our very own quiet place in the home, at work or wherever we can be alone with God…
We are coming together with thoughts of thanksgiving to Our Loving and Gracious Heavenly Father. Many scriptures encourage us to be thankful. Despite these reminders, we can easily forget our blessings with just one negative event in our day. It’s easy to let that one ‘bad apple’ spoil our mood even when the rest of the day has gone well.
Let’s take this week to focus on being thankful and what having a thankful heart can mean in our lives. Yes, we all have unpleasant things happen; but, knowing that God is always available for us and that His steadfast love endures forever is a major reason for us to rejoice with thankfulness and gratitude.
*****November 22 – December 17, 2021 - The Wonder of Christmas (Advent Study)
The Christmas season is always filled with wonder, but this year rediscover the true wonder of Christmas by sharing the love of Christ with others. This four-week, all-church study centers on looking to the Christmas story and the stories of real people today to find inspiration and ideas for reflecting the light of Jesus at Christmas time and throughout the entire year.
Chapters include: The Wonder of a Name, The Wonder of a Star, The Wonder of a Manger, and The Wonder of a Promise.
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For additional information, questions or concerns, please contact Reverend Shirley J. Connally (SJConnally60@yahoo.com or 832-612-8949).
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
