Prerecorded Virtual IBS Courses

Prerecorded virtual IBS courses last either 10 weeks (winter/fall) or 5 weeks (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.)

These courses are not "work at your own pace." Although there are no scheduled class sessions, each week there are specific assignments with due dates you must complete (e.g., reading, watch lectures, assignments). You can do the work anytime you want during the week but you must complete the assignments for that module by a fixed date.

Five IBS courses are currently available in this format: Old Testament Survey, God/Bible/Holy Spirit, Apologetics, Church History and Intro to Mission.

Refund policy for withdrawing from a virtual class:

Full refund up if withdrawing by 20% of the class meetings (two weeks for a ten-week class, one week for a five-week class)
No refund if withdrawing after 20% of the class is completed (two weeks for a ten-week class, one week for a five-week class)
Email ibs.info@cru.org to withdraw from a class.

Updated Prerecorded Courses

In Janaury 2023, Old Testament Survey and Global Church History were updated with new videos and assignments. In January 2024, God/Bible/Holy Spirit was likewise updated. Apologetics was rerecorded in the summer of 2023, the new version is set to be released Fall 2024.

Schedule for Five and Ten Week Prerecorded Virtual Courses

Winter 2024 - 10 Weeks

Apologetics, January 8- March 20, 2024
Global Church History, January 8- March 20, 2024
Old Testament Survey, January 8- March 20, 2024
God/Bible/Holy Spirit, January 8- March 20, 2024
Intro to Mission, February 12- May 29, 2024 (15-weeks)

Summer 2024- 5 Weeks

Apologetics, May 13- June 19, 2024
Global Church History, May 13- June 19, 2024
Old Testament Survey, May 13- June 19, 2024
God/Bible/Holy Spirit, May 13- June 19, 2024
Intro to Mission, May 13- June 19, 2024

Fall 2024 - 10 Weeks

Apologetics, September 9- November 20, 2024
Global Church History, September 9- November 20, 2024
Old Testament Survey, September 9- November 20, 2024
God/Bible/Holy Spirit, September 9- November 20, 2024

Register for Summer, 2024 (5-week courses)

(Opens March 4, 2024)

Apologetics - Summer 2024 (May 13- June 19, 5 Weeks)

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:

Download here- please remember that this summer course is condensed and the syllabus is reflective of the standard length course.

Dates:

May 13- June 19, 2024

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 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 an in person version of the class.

Tuition:

$300

Register:

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 - Summer 2024 (May 13- June 19, 5 Weeks)

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 13- June 19, 2024

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 a final project. 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:

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 an in person version of the class.

Tuition:

$300

Register:

Getting Started on the Class:

Global Church History - Summer 2024 (May 13- June 19, 5 Weeks)

Description:

This course will trace the global expansion of Christianity from its beginnings to the present era. Attention will be paid to the theological, cultural, sociological, and missiological dimensions of the worldwide Christian movement as it developed and spread throughout history. In addition to exploring European and American Christian history, the course will also investigate African, Asian, and Latin American varieties of Christianity, which are currently enjoying resurgence in the global south

Syllabus:

Download Syllabus (please remember that this summer course is condensed and the syllabus is reflective of the standard length course.)

Instructor:

Dr. Sean Doyle

Dates:

May 13 – June 19, 2024

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 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 has deadlines for assignments and involves interaction with other students via online posts. Each module opens two weeks ahead of schedue for you to be able to work ahead.

Workload:

This is not an entirely self-paced course. You will be required to complete all modules by the end of the course. 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.

Grad Credit:

Unfortunately GCH Virtual cannot be taken for graduate credit. If you want to receive grad credit, you will need to take the in person version of the class.

Tuition:

$300

Registration Deadline:

May 3, 2024

Register:

Register here (Before you register, carefully read the paragraph above about the course workload.) Opens March 4, 2024

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" and type in the enrollment key you recieved. Buy the book immediately and carefully review the syllabus. If you have technological problems with class, send an email to ibs.virtual@cru.org.

God/Bible/Holy Spirit - Summer 2024 (May 13- June 19, 5 Weeks)

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. Christy Thorton

Dates:

May 13- June 19, 2024

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

Grad Credit:

Unfortunately GBHS Virtual cannot be taken for graduate credit. If you want to receive grad credit, you will need to take an in person version of the class.

Tuition:

$300

Getting Started on the Class:

Intro to Mission - Summer 2024 (May 13- June 19, 5 Weeks)

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 13- June 19, 2024

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/Notebook: 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 an in person version of the class.

Tuition:

$300

Register:

If you have already taken NT Survey, 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 to confirm your registration. About a week before the class starts you will recieve another email with the enrollment key. Click the link in the email you receive and then input the enrollment key provided to enroll. Buy the books immediately and carefully review the syllabus. If you have technological problems with class, send an email to ibs.virtual@cru.org.

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