SEMI 510 Tools for Ministry Studies

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Effective ministry training and graduate-level research require both access to key theological resources and the ability to use them skillfully. This course equips the student with a customized Logos Bible Software package, providing a robust digital library and powerful study tools. By learning to navigate and apply these resources to study and research tasks, the student will be well-prepared for seminary coursework requiring competency in using these tools to complete assignments and research procedures. Furthermore, these same tools and procedures are likewise necessary for completing the same kinds of tasks in ministry applications.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (3)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences, and there will be three of these held in this course. For each Discussion, the student will post one thread of at least 400 words. The thread must be at least 400 words and demonstrate a comprehension of the corresponding course material, incorporating at least two scholarly sources. The student must then post 2 replies of at least 200 words each. Each reply must be at least 200 words and incorporate at least one scholarly source. Proper Turabian formatting must be used for all citations in the thread and replies. (CLO: A, B, C)

Digital Workspace Exercise Assignment

The value of the Logos software is that it consolidates materials used for research, ministry, and spiritual formation into one digital workstation. Using digital ministry tools effectively requires that the student get “hands-on” in setting up the digital workspace in Logos. While the student may ultimately choose to adopt only certain aspects of the workspace tools offered in Logos, the desire is that the student will become familiar with the available features. Accordingly, the student will create a specified layout, prioritized list of library materials, library collection, reading plan, prayer list, clippings document, and notebook in Logos. The student will take and submit screenshots of his or her completed workplace sections and upload them to Canvas in the provided template. (CLO: A, C)

Logos Personal Handbook Project Assignment

The student is learning the Logos software in preparation for using it throughout his or her program and his or her lives in ministry. As such, it would be beneficial to create a handbook that is personalized in helping the student remember how to use the tools within. The process of completing the handbook will also ensure the student is able to articulate the nuances of using the toolsets, resources, and features of the program. The handbook will include an outline of the features and tools in the software, orienting the student in where to find key features. Each outline entry should include the title of the feature or tool, a 2-sentence description of the feature or tool, and a personal note on how and why the tool might be used. It will also include the completion of an index of at least 10 important how-to instructions for completing tasks in Logos. The student will complete this handbook using the provided template in Canvas. The handbook should include a title page and follow current Turabian format. (CLO: A, B)

Bible Exposition Preparation Assignment

When studying a Bible passage, the student must use the tools and resources within Logos Bible Software to analyze the text using sound biblical hermeneutics. This assignment guides the student in gathering a wide range of data from Logos to support a thorough study of a passage and prepare for effectively interpreting and expositing a passage. The goal of the assignment is not to exposit a passage, write a paper, or construct a Bible lesson, but rather to compile the essential “raw material” needed for the deeper study that would be required in such activities. This assignment provides an opportunity to apply one’s knowledge of using Logos tools and resources to essential tasks that are required in seminary-level research and coursework. The student will select 1 of the provided passages and analyze it, providing a written document that includes an introduction, background resources, passage content resources, application or presentation resources, and a conclusion. The background resources, passage content resources, and application or presentation resources sections should include the title of the resource, a sentence explaining the relevance of the tool, a sentence explaining the kind of information that might be drawn from this tool, a relevant excerpt or screenshot of the tool, and a citation of the resource information in current Turabian format if drawn from a book. This assignment should include a title page and a minimum of 15 resources total from Logos, all formatted in current Turabian style. (CLO: B, C)

Quizzes (4)

There will be 4 quizzes throughout the course, and each quiz will cover the Learn material for the Module: Week in which it is assigned along with the material covered in all of the preceding Modules: Weeks. The student is allowed to use notes and course materials (including Logos Bible Software) to take each quiz. Each quiz will contain 23 or 25 multiple-choice, true/false, or short essay questions, have a time limit of 1 hour, and allow for 1 attempt. (CLO: A, B, C)