
Prerecorded Virtual IBS Courses
Prerecorded virtual IBS courses last either 10 weeks (winter/fall) or 5 weeks (spring/summer).
In the 10 week format, these courses require five to six hours per week. In the 5 week format, they require ten to twelves hours. (Intro to Mission was lauched in 2016 and can be substituted toward Church History if you joined before 2016. You can learn more here.)
Each week you have certain assignments you must complete (e.g., reading, watch lectures, assignments) but there are no scheduled class sessions. You work when you want.
Five IBS courses are currently available in this format: Old Testament Survey, God/Bible/Holy Spirit, Apologetics, Church History and Intro to Mission.
How do I register for a course? (click to watch a short video)
How do I take the course I registered for? (click to watch a short video)
Refund policy for withdrawing from a 5 week virtual class:
- Full refund up if withdrawing by 10% of the class meetings (one week for a five-week class)
- No refund if withdrawing after 10% of the class is completed (one week for a five-week class)
- Email ibs.info@cru.org to withdraw from a class.
Schedule for Five and Ten Week Prerecorded Virtual Courses
Summer 2021 Session 1 - 5 Weeks (Registration is OPEN, see below for links)
- Apologetics, May 17- June 23, 2021
- Church History Survey, May 17- June 23, 2021
- Old Testament Survey, May 17- June 23, 2021
- God/Bible/Holy Spirit, May 17- June 23, 2021
- Intro to Mission, May 17- June 23, 2021
Summer 2021 Session 2 - 5 Weeks (Registration opens April 19, 2021)
- Apologetics, June 21- July 28, 2021
- Church History Survey, June 21- July 28, 2021
- Old Testament Survey, June 21- July 28, 2021
- God/Bible/Holy Spirit, June 21- July 28, 2021
Fall 2021 - 10 Weeks
- Apologetics, September 12- November 24, 2021
- Church History Survey, September 12- November 24, 2021
- Old Testament Survey, September 12- November 24, 2021
- God/Bible/Holy Spirit, September 12- November 24, 2021
- (Intro to Mission, 15 week version, August to November, 2021)
Winter 2022 - 10 Weeks
- Apologetics, TBA
- Church History Survey, TBA
- Old Testament Survey, TBA
- God/Bible/Holy Spirit, TBA
Register for Summer Session 1, 2021 (5-week courses)
(Registration is now OPEN)
Description:
In 5 weeks, this course will explore the message of Old Testament books and how their messages work together to form a revelation that points to Christ. At the end of this course, you will have a number of tools to help you apply the Old Testament to Christian living today. (2 IBS credits – Bible)
Syllabus:
Download here - please remember that this summer course is condensed and the syllabus is reflective of the standard length course.
Dates:
May 17 to June 23, 2021
Format:
The entire class will be completed online. You will watch lectures, participate in class discussions and take quizzes online using a web-based tool called “Moodle”. The class contains 20 modules plus the Final Exam. Each module includes about one hour of video lecture, approx. 30pp of reading, class discussion, and a short quiz. This course is being offered in a condensed timeframe. This course normally runs for 10-15 weeks, however, for the summer, you will have only five weeks to complete the entire course. It is strongly recommended that you complete all of the required reading before beginning this course. This course differs from the online NT Survey course in that it has deadlines for assignments and involves interaction with other students via online ministry reflection posts.
Workload:
This is not an entirely self-paced course (like NT Survey). In this condensed, one month summer version of the course, you will be required to complete all modules by the assigned due date. Each module will take roughly four to eight hours to complete so you will need to invest an appropriate amount of time each week in order to complete the course work on time.
Instructor:
Dr. Mark Futato, Professor of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary
Grad Credit:
Unfortunately OT Survey Virtual cannot be taken for graduate credit. If you want to receive grad credit, you will need to take a "live" version of the class.
Tuition:
$200 (which includes a non-refundable $100 deposit)
Registration Info.:
(NOTE: the $100 deposit is non-refundable. If you choose to drop the class, this deposit will not be refunded.)
Register:
Register here! (Before you register, carefully read the paragraph above about the course workload.)
Getting Started on the Class:
After you complete your registration, you will receive an automatic email from the CRS system with a link to the online course. Click the link in the email you receive and then click "Enroll Me" to request enrollment. Once the course is open, you will recieve another email confirming that you are in the class. Buy the book immediately and carefully review the syllabus. If you have technological problems with class, send an email to ibs.virtual@cru.org.
Description:
This course will equip you to confidently and winsomely respond to common objections to the Christian faith, identify and appropriately challenge the worldviews from which they arise, and better understand how cultural contexts shape unbelief. Topics we will explore include the existence and nature of God, the relationship between science and Christianity, miracles, the problem of evil and hell, religious and moral relativism, the trustworthiness of the Bible, and the historicity of the resurrection.
Syllabus:
Apologetics Syllabus - please remember that this summer course is condensed and the syllabus is reflective of the standard length course.
Dates:
May 17 to June 23, 2021
Format:
The entire class will be completed online. You will watch lectures, participate in class discussions and take quizzes online using a web-based tool called “Moodle”. The class contains 10 modules. Each module includes about one and a half hours of video lecture, approx. 60pp of reading, class discussion, and a short quiz. This course is being offered in a condensed timeframe. This course normally runs for 10 weeks, however, for the summer, you will have only five weeks to complete the entire course. It is strongly recommended that you complete all of the required reading before beginning this course. This course differs from the online NT Survey course in that it has deadlines for assignments and involves interaction with other students via online ministry reflection posts.
Workload:
This is not an entirely self-paced course (like NT Survey). In this condensed, one month summer version of the course, you will be required to complete all modules by the assigned due date. Each module will take roughly four to eight hours to complete so you will need to invest an appropriate amount of time each week in order to complete the course work on time.
Instructor:
Dr. Keith Plummer
Grad Credit:
Unfortunately Apologetics Virtual cannot be taken for graduate credit. If you want to receive grad credit, you will need to take a "live" version of the class.
Tuition:
$200 (which includes a non-refundable $100 deposit)
Registration info.:
(NOTE: the $100 deposit is non-refundable. If you choose to drop the class, this deposit will not be refunded.)
Register:
Register here! (Before you register, carefully read the paragraph above about the course workload.)
Getting Started on the Class:
After you complete your registration, you will receive an automatic email from the CRS system with a link to the online course. Click the link in the email you receive and then click "Enroll Me" to request enrollment. Once the course is open, you will recieve another email confirming that you are in the class. Buy the book immediately and carefully review the syllabus. If you have technological problems with class, send an email to ibs.virtual@cru.org.
Description:
This class traces the history of the Church from Pentecost to the present, emphasizes what God has done throughout the history of the Church, and explains the emergence of major theological positions and branches of Christianity.
Instructor:
Dr. Ray Albrektson
Dates:
May 17 – June 23, 2021. The course begins promptly on the week of May 17, 2021, so be sure that you have the syllabus in hand and mark your calendar! While the course officially ends on June 21, the last moment for uploading assignments is 11:55pm PST on June 23, 2021.
Format:
The entire class will be completed online. You will watch lectures, participate in class discussions and take quizzes online using a web-based tool called “Moodle”. The class contains 10 modules (2 per week) plus the Final Exam. Each module includes about 20 minutes of video lecture, approx. 50pp of reading, and class discussion in online forums. This course is being offered in a condensed timeframe. This course normally runs for 10 weeks, however, for the summer, you will have only five weeks to complete the entire course. It is strongly recommended that you complete all of the required reading before beginning this course. This course differs from the online NT Survey course in that it has deadlines for assignments and involves interaction with other students via online posts.
The text for this course is Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelley (3rd or 4th edition preferred). Syllabus (5-week Virtual Course)
Workload:
This is not a self-paced. This course follows a structured schedule similar to the live course. In this condensed, five-week summer version of the course, you will be required to complete all modules by the assigned due date. Each module will take roughly four to eight hours hours to complete so you will need to invest an appropriate amount of time each week in order to complete the course work on time.
Grad Credit:
Unfortunately CH Survey Virtual cannot be taken for graduate credit. If you want to receive grad credit, you will need to take a "live" version of the class.
Tuition:
$200 (which includes a non-refundable $100 deposit)
Registration Deadline:
(NOTE: the $100 deposit is non-refundable. If you choose to drop the class, this deposit will not be refunded.)
Register:
Register here! (Before you register, carefully read the paragraph above about the course workload.)
Getting Started on the Class:
After you complete your registration, you will receive an automatic email from the CRS system with a link to the online course. Click the link in the email you receive and then click "Enroll Me" to request enrollment. Once the course is open, you will recieve another email confirming that you are in the class. Buy the book immediately and carefully review the syllabus. If you have technological problems with class, send an email to ibs.virtual@cru.org.
Description:
This class introduces the doctrine of the Bible (Can we trust it? How do we view it? How does it function in our lives?), the doctrine of God (Who is God? How do we relate to him? How does he relate to us?), and the doctrine of the Holy Spirit (Who is the Spirit? What does he do? How does he relate to us?). Students will learn more about God but also find their hearts moved to worship this God.
Instructor:
Dr. Gregg R. Allison
Dates:
May 17 to June 23, 2021
Format:
The entire class will be completed online. You will watch lectures, participate in class discussions and take quizzes online using a web-based tool called “Moodle”. The class contains 10 modules plus the Final Exam. Each module includes about one hour of video lecture, approx. 30pp of reading, and class discussion. This course is being offered in a condensed timeframe. This course normally runs for 10 weeks, however, for the summer, you will have only five weeks to complete the entire course. It is strongly recommended that you complete all of the required reading before beginning this course. This course differs from the online NT Survey course in that it has deadlines for assignments and involves interaction with other students via online posts.
Workload:
This is not an entirely self-paced course (like NT Survey). This course follows a structured schedule similar to the live course. In this condensed, one month summer version of the course, you will be required to complete all modules by the assigned due date. Each module will take roughly four to eight hours hours to complete so you will need to invest an appropriate amount of time each week in order to complete the course work on time.
Syllabus:
Download here VirtualGBHS_Syllabus
Grad Credit:
Unfortunately GBHS Virtual cannot be taken for graduate credit. If you want to receive grad credit, you will need to take a "live" version of the class.
Tuition:
$200 (which includes a non-refundable $100 deposit)
Registration Deadline:
(NOTE: the $100 deposit is non-refundable. If you choose to drop the class, this deposit will not be refunded.)
Register:
Register here! (Before you register, carefully read the paragraph above about the course workload.)
Getting Started on the Class:
After you complete your registration, you will receive an automatic email from the CRS system with a link to the online course. Click the link in the email you receive and then click "Enroll Me" to request enrollment. Once the course is open, you will recieve another email confirming that you are in the class. Buy the book immediately and carefully review the syllabus. If you have technological problems with class, send an email to ibs.virtual@cru.org.
Description:
Our God is a missionary God. From Genesis to Revelation, God is working to create a community of redeemed people from every tribe, tongue and nation for his glory. This class will help you better understand God’s mission (missio Dei) and the vital role his church is called to play in advancing his kingdom. We will explore cross-cultural mission from four perspectives. First, we will look at what Scripture says about the mission of God (biblical/theological perspective). Second, we will trace the global history of Christian mission from the first century to the twenty-first century (historical perspective). Third, we will examine culture and how we can more effectively communicate the gospel cross-culturally (cultural perspective). Finally, we will explore how Cru fits into the global story of missions and how we, as Cru missionaries, can participate in God’s mission to gather a redeemed people from every nation for his glory (strategic perspective).
Instructor:
Multiple Professors
Dates:
May 17 to June 23, 2021
Format:
The entire class will be completed online. You will take it with a coach and coaching group, watch lectures, and complete assignments using an online web-based tool called “Moodle”. This course normally runs for 15 weeks, however, for the summer, you will have only five weeks to complete the entire course. It is strongly recommended that you complete all of the required reading before beginning this course. This course differs from the online NT Survey course in that it has deadlines for assignments and involves interaction with other students via online posts.
Workload:
This is not an entirely self-paced course (like NT Survey). This course follows a structured schedule . In this condensed, one month summer version of the course, you will be required to complete all modules by the assigned due date so you will need to invest an appropriate amount of time each week in order to complete the course work on time.
Syllabus: Download here
Grad Credit:
Unfortunately Intro to Mission Virtual cannot be taken for graduate credit. If you want to receive grad credit, you will need to take a "live" version of the class.
Tuition:
$200 (which includes a non-refundable $100 deposit)
Registration Deadline:
(NOTE: the $100 deposit is non-refundable. If you choose to drop the class, this deposit will not be refunded.)
Register:
Register here! (Before you register, carefully read the paragraph above about the course workload.)
This class is limited to 25 students.
This class may be taken in place of Church History or Apologetics.
Getting Started on the Class:
After you complete your registration, you will receive an automatic email from the CRS system with a link to the online course. Click the link in the email you receive and then click "Enroll Me" to request enrollment. Once the course is open, you will recieve another email confirming that you are in the class. Buy the books immediately and carefully review the syllabus. If you have technological problems with class, send an email to ibs.virtual@cru.org.
Register for Summer Session 2, 2021 (5-week courses)
(Registration Opens April 19, 2021)
Description:
In 5 weeks, this course will explore the message of Old Testament books and how their messages work together to form a revelation that points to Christ. At the end of this course, you will have a number of tools to help you apply the Old Testament to Christian living today. (2 IBS credits – Bible)
Syllabus:
Download here - please remember that this summer course is condensed and the syllabus is reflective of the standard length course.
Dates:
June 21 to July 28, 2021
Format:
The entire class will be completed online. You will watch lectures, participate in class discussions and take quizzes online using a web-based tool called “Moodle”. The class contains 20 modules plus the Final Exam. Each module includes about one hour of video lecture, approx. 30pp of reading, class discussion, and a short quiz. This course is being offered in a condensed timeframe. This course normally runs for 10-15 weeks, however, for the summer, you will have only five weeks to complete the entire course. It is strongly recommended that you complete all of the required reading before beginning this course. This course differs from the online NT Survey course in that it has deadlines for assignments and involves interaction with other students via online ministry reflection posts.
Workload:
This is not an entirely self-paced course (like NT Survey). In this condensed, one month summer version of the course, you will be required to complete all modules by the assigned due date. Each module will take roughly four to eight hours to complete so you will need to invest an appropriate amount of time each week in order to complete the course work on time.
Instructor:
Dr. Mark Futato, Professor of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary
Grad Credit:
Unfortunately OT Survey Virtual cannot be taken for graduate credit. If you want to receive grad credit, you will need to take a "live" version of the class.
Tuition:
$200 (which includes a non-refundable $100 deposit)
Registration Info.:
(NOTE: the $100 deposit is non-refundable. If you choose to drop the class, this deposit will not be refunded.)
Register:
Register here! (Before you register, carefully read the paragraph above about the course workload.) Registration opens April 19, 2021.
Getting Started on the Class:
After you complete your registration, you will receive an automatic email from the CRS system with a link to the online course. Click the link in the email you receive and then click "Enroll Me" to request enrollment. Once the course is open, you will recieve another email confirming that you are in the class. Buy the book immediately and carefully review the syllabus. If you have technological problems with class, send an email to ibs.virtual@cru.org.
Description:
This course will equip you to confidently and winsomely respond to common objections to the Christian faith, identify and appropriately challenge the worldviews from which they arise, and better understand how cultural contexts shape unbelief. Topics we will explore include the existence and nature of God, the relationship between science and Christianity, miracles, the problem of evil and hell, religious and moral relativism, the trustworthiness of the Bible, and the historicity of the resurrection.
Syllabus:
Apologetics Syllabus - please remember that this summer course is condensed and the syllabus is reflective of the standard length course.
Dates:
June 21 to July 28, 2020
Format:
The entire class will be completed online. You will watch lectures, participate in class discussions and take quizzes online using a web-based tool called “Moodle”. The class contains 10 modules. Each module includes about one and a half hours of video lecture, approx. 60pp of reading, class discussion, and a short quiz. This course is being offered in a condensed timeframe. This course normally runs for 10 weeks, however, for the summer, you will have only five weeks to complete the entire course. It is strongly recommended that you complete all of the required reading before beginning this course. This course differs from the online NT Survey course in that it has deadlines for assignments and involves interaction with other students via online ministry reflection posts.
Workload:
This is not an entirely self-paced course (like NT Survey). In this condensed, one month summer version of the course, you will be required to complete all modules by the assigned due date. Each module will take roughly four to eight hours to complete so you will need to invest an appropriate amount of time each week in order to complete the course work on time.
Instructor:
Dr. Keith Plummer
Grad Credit:
Unfortunately Apologetics Virtual cannot be taken for graduate credit. If you want to receive grad credit, you will need to take a "live" version of the class.
Tuition:
$200 (which includes a non-refundable $100 deposit)
Registration info.:
(NOTE: the $100 deposit is non-refundable. If you choose to drop the class, this deposit will not be refunded.)
Register:
Register here! (Before you register, carefully read the paragraph above about the course workload.) Registration opens April 19, 2021.
Getting Started on the Class:
Buy the book immediately and carefully review the syllabus.
After you complete your registration in the ERT, you will receive an automatic email from the ERT system with a link to the online course. The course is not yet available. After April 10, click the link in the email you receive and then click "Enroll Me" to request enrollment. Once the course is open, you will recieve another email confirming that you are in the class. If you have technological problems with class, send an email to ibs.virtual@cru.org.
Description:
This class traces the history of the Church from Pentecost to the present, emphasizes what God has done throughout the history of the Church, and explains the emergence of major theological positions and branches of Christianity.
Instructor:
Dr. Ray Albrektson
Dates:
June 21 – July 28, 2021. The course begins promptly on the week of June 21, 2021, so be sure that you have the syllabus in hand and mark your calendar! While the course officially ends on July 25, the last moment for uploading assignments is 11:55pm PST on July 28, 2021.
Format:
The entire class will be completed online. You will watch lectures, participate in class discussions and take quizzes online using a web-based tool called “Moodle”. The class contains 10 modules (2 per week) plus the Final Exam. Each module includes about 20 minutes of video lecture, approx. 50pp of reading, and class discussion in online forums. This course is being offered in a condensed timeframe. This course normally runs for 10 weeks, however, for the summer, you will have only five weeks to complete the entire course. It is strongly recommended that you complete all of the required reading before beginning this course. This course differs from the online NT Survey course in that it has deadlines for assignments and involves interaction with other students via online posts.
The text for this course is Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelley (3rd or 4th edition preferred). Syllabus (5-week Virtual Course)
Workload:
This is not a self-paced. This course follows a structured schedule similar to the live course. In this condensed, five-week summer version of the course, you will be required to complete all modules by the assigned due date. Each module will take roughly four to eight hours hours to complete so you will need to invest an appropriate amount of time each week in order to complete the course work on time.
Grad Credit:
Unfortunately CH Survey Virtual cannot be taken for graduate credit. If you want to receive grad credit, you will need to take a "live" version of the class.
Tuition:
$200 (which includes a non-refundable $100 deposit)
Registration Deadline:
(NOTE: the $100 deposit is non-refundable. If you choose to drop the class, this deposit will not be refunded.)
Register:
Register here! (Before you register, carefully read the paragraph above about the course workload.) Registration opens April 19, 2021
Getting Started on the Class:
After you complete your registration, you will receive an automatic email from the CRS system with a link to the online course. Click the link in the email you receive and then click "Enroll Me" to request enrollment. Once the course is open, you will recieve another email confirming that you are in the class. Buy the book immediately and carefully review the syllabus. If you have technological problems with class, send an email to ibs.virtual@cru.org.
Description:
This class introduces the doctrine of the Bible (Can we trust it? How do we view it? How does it function in our lives?), the doctrine of God (Who is God? How do we relate to him? How does he relate to us?), and the doctrine of the Holy Spirit (Who is the Spirit? What does he do? How does he relate to us?). Students will learn more about God but also find their hearts moved to worship this God.
Instructor:
Dr. Gregg R. Allison
Dates:
June 21 to July 28, 2021
Format:
The entire class will be completed online. You will watch lectures, participate in class discussions and take quizzes online using a web-based tool called “Moodle”. The class contains 10 modules plus the Final Exam. Each module includes about one hour of video lecture, approx. 30pp of reading, and class discussion. This course is being offered in a condensed timeframe. This course normally runs for 10 weeks, however, for the summer, you will have only five weeks to complete the entire course. It is strongly recommended that you complete all of the required reading before beginning this course. This course differs from the online NT Survey course in that it has deadlines for assignments and involves interaction with other students via online posts.
Workload:
This is not an entirely self-paced course (like NT Survey). This course follows a structured schedule similar to the live course. In this condensed, one month summer version of the course, you will be required to complete all modules by the assigned due date. Each module will take roughly four to eight hours hours to complete so you will need to invest an appropriate amount of time each week in order to complete the course work on time.
Syllabus:
Download here VirtualGBHS_Syllabus
Grad Credit:
Unfortunately GBHS Virtual cannot be taken for graduate credit. If you want to receive grad credit, you will need to take a "live" version of the class.
Tuition:
$200 (which includes a non-refundable $100 deposit)
Registration Deadline:
(NOTE: the $100 deposit is non-refundable. If you choose to drop the class, this deposit will not be refunded.)
Register:
Register here! (Before you register, carefully read the paragraph above about the course workload.) Registration opens April 19, 2021.
Getting Started on the Class:
After you complete your registration, you will receive an automatic email from the CRS system with a link to the online course. Click the link in the email you receive and then click "Enroll Me" to request enrollment. Once the course is open, you will recieve another email confirming that you are in the class. Buy the book immediately and carefully review the syllabus. If you have technological problems with class, send an email to ibs.virtual@cru.org.
Old Testament Survey for Interns
(Registration Open)
Description:
This course will explore the message of Old Testament books and how their messages work together to form a revelation that points to Christ. At the end of this course, you will have a number of tools to help you apply the Old Testament to Christian living today.
Syllabus:
Dates:
This course is intended to be taken over the summer. You may start the course any time after May 17. The offical end date of the course is September 1, 2021. All your work, quizzes, and exam must be finished by then.
Format:
The entire class will be completed online. You will watch lectures, write reflections and take quizzes online using a web-based tool. The class contains 20 modules plus the Final Exam. Each module includes about one hour of video lecture, approx. 30pp of reading, class reflection, and a short quiz.
Workload:
In this course you will be required to complete all modules by the end of the course. Each module will take roughly two to three hours to complete so you will need to invest an appropriate amount of time each week in order to complete the course work on time.
Instructor:
Dr. Mark Futato, Professor of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary
Grad Credit:
Unfortunately OT Survey Virtual cannot be taken for graduate credit. If you want to receive grad credit, you will need to take a "live" version of the class.
Tuition:
$200
Register:
Register here (Before you register, carefully read the paragraph above about the course workload.)
Getting Started on the Class:
After you complete your registration, you will receive an automatic email from the ERT system with a link to the online course. Click the link in the email you receive and then click "Enroll Me" to request enrollment. Once the course is open, you will recieve another email confirming that you are in the class. Buy the book immediately and carefully review the syllabus. If you have technological problems with class, send an email to ibs.virtual@cru.org.