Post Encounter

The victory experienced at the Next Step Encounter is only the beginning of a wonderful and fulfilling journey with the Lord. Choosing to walk with Christ means a life of continual blessings through what He did on the Cross. Post Encounter is designed to consolidate and cement the breakthroughs made at the Encounter. It will reinforce the foundation that was laid and enable these candidates to build successfully on their blessings received at the Next Step Encounter.

The Word

This is an introductory course to help young believers know the importance of the Bible, which is the word of God, in their new lives in Christ. The first half of the course is devoted to a study of the nature of the Word of God and its practical benefits in a believer’s life. The second-half deals with the devotional aspects of study and the application of the Word of God. Included in this second section are lessons that instruct students in the different methods of Bible study. The desired outcome of this course is that students will commit themselves to a habit of studying the Word of God daily.

Prayer

This course complements the course on “The Word”. These two courses should be taken together in the same quarter. This study on ‘Prayer’ introduces new believers to the importance of prayer and the different aspects in which prayer may be expressed in their lives. The objectives of this course are not only to inculcate a habit of prayer, but also to move a believer’s prayer life from one of desire to discipline and finally to one of joy and delight.

Romans and Galatians

Romans and Galatians are the two letters written by Paul to ensure that believers will have the knowledge and legacy of the one true Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Romans, Paul deduced systematically the fact of man’s sinfulness. It is only in Christ and what He did on the Cross that man can receive forgiveness of sin and be reconciled to God. Paul wrote Galatians because of the threat of a dangerous heresy taught by the “Judaizers”, who insisted that Gentiles had to be circumcised before they could become Christians. For Paul, this was a repudiation of the truth that man’s salvation is by faith and not by works of the law. As with all Paul’s letters, the great doctrinal truths taught are then applied to practical Christian living.

Christian Character and Conduct

The Christian mould has been set from God’s eternal perspective, as evidenced by Paul’s teaching in Romans 8:29. There, Paul stated that God intends every believer to be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. This course is very practical; students will learn from the Scriptures what it means “to be like Jesus.” Christians will find this course enriching, challenging and interesting.

Fruit of the Spirit

There are two natures within us. What we become depends on whether we allow the Holy Spirit or our own sinful nature to control us. This course will show you how to let Christ change you by the Holy Spirit. By examining the nine characteristics of the fruit of the Holy Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23, you will be compelled to examine your own life for evidence of the fruit of the Spirit. You will also be challenged to allow God to produce in you this Christ-like character.

Principles of Success

This course provides insights into the lives of some of the great men in the Bible, how they lived and why they were so successful. It gives you the Biblical definitions of blessings and success and shows you how to apply them in your own life. You will study the lives of these godly and successful men and glean principles on what it means to live a life that is prosperous and blessed by God.

Principles of Counselling

This course is important for those who minister to others. This is the first of the three courses on counselling and will deal with the basic principles. You will learn the various theories and approaches of counselling based on the Word of God. Students who complete this course will understand the differences between the Biblical basis of counselling and secular counselling.

Church Planting Training Programme 1

The CPTP 1 is a preparatory class to introduce participants to life in missions. This course is intended to present a practical overview of the different aspects of VFC’s missions programme. You will be adequately informed on the main aspects of becoming a member of a missions team.

Apologetics

Apologetics refers to the defence of the Christian faith against arguments that are in opposition to what we believe and stand for. We will study the major tenets of Christianity such as the proof for the existence of God, why we believe the Bible is the Word of God and why we believe in the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Part of this course will be devoted to a study of the problem of pain and suffering in the world. Through a knowledge and understanding of these subjects, your faith will be strengthened and you will be equipped to give a proper account of your faith and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.

General Epistles

Why are the letters of James, Peter and Jude important? James deals with practical aspects of Christian living while the letters of First and Second Peter were written to encourage believers in the Early Church to keep their hope focused on the return of Christ in a time of severe persecution. Jude was written to believers in the Early Church to warn them against the false teaching that God’s grace is an excuse for immoral living and to contend against false teachers who had denied “our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ”.

Pauline Epistles

This course is a survey of the epistles written by the Apostle Paul to the churches he founded and worked with. Several books will be highlighted for analytical and expository study in terms of structure and content. You will learn to identify and study themes in each epistle which deal with the local church.

Ministry Gifting 2 (Missions and Evangelism)

Missions is the heartbeat of VFC. Since the inception of the church, VFC has not stopped praying for missions, participating in giving to missions and sending church planting teams all over the world. This course studies how the evangelism ministry equips the church to do effective witnessing and bring the saving knowledge of Jesus clearly and with conviction to the pre-believer. This ministry leads the thrust into the community with either direct approaches such as door knocking or street witnessing or with creative methods to nurture friendship and connect with the community.

Ministry Gifting 3 (Family Life and Pastoral Care)

The course explores how family life envisions the church as a family, looking into the needs of focus groups – children, youth, singles, pre-marital, young adults, newly marrieds, marriage enrichment, family counseling, parents and the elderly. This ministry aims to see close-knit and healthy families become the hallmark of VFC.

This course presents how the pastoral care ministry envisions each member as an important part of the Body, ensuring they are cared for. Expressions can be seen in benevolence, visits, counseling, inner healing, care for missionaries and their families and follow up of converts.

Ministry Practics 2

This course is for students who have completed Ministry Practics 1 (MP 1). Biblical principles as well as practical insights are shared in specific areas of ministry such as praying for the sick, praying for deliverance as well as recognizing and utilizing spiritual gifts and ministries. Students will also be taught on the importance of having and imparting vision.

Worship, Praise and Prayer

It has been said that worship is the highest form of expression of man to God — the created to his Creator. Worship is an integral way of life for the Christian, not only individually but also corporately as a Church. Biblical insights, together with principles on experiences of worship, will be taught in the course.You will be shown how you can be transformed from mere “singers” to “true worshippers” of the great and mighty God we serve.

Life of David

This course will equip students with principles of leadership from the study of the life of David. His early training as a shepherd caring for his father’s sheep, had laid a foundation of faithfulness, commitment and courage.From David’s life, students will learn how a leader should respond to and overcome hatred, jealousy, fear, insecurity, pride and selfish ambition.  Out of David’s sin of adultery and murder and his subsequent repentance and brokenness, the Lord brought him to the place where he truly had “a heart after God’s own heart”.

Life of Moses

In this course, you will learn core principles of spiritual leadership exemplified in the life of Moses. In learning how God calls, prepares, trains and equips a man so that he ultimately becomes a “mighty man of valour”, you will discover the various tests that a leader must go through. When you complete the course, you will find the “secrets to passing the tests of leadership”.

Hearing God’s Voice – Even in Covid Times!

In this course, principles on becoming more sensitive to hearing God will be shared and applications made to our daily lives. Special emphasis will be placed on seeking and receiving God’s direction for life’s decisions, especially in a season of limited opportunities & restricted freedoms.

Coping Well in a Time of Pandemic

This course consists of 2 parts and will equip you with practical tips for this season.

Part 1: Relating Well in Confined Spaces (6 weeks)
Practical tips will be presented in this course on cultivating and maintaining relationships in these restrictive times. Particular attention will be paid to aspects of living and relating well in confined spaces, conflict resolution skills, features to note regarding online relationships etc.

Part 2: Self-Leadership in a Season of Change (6 weeks)
Only when we are able to lead ourselves well are we in a good position to lead others well. Good and bad examples of self-leadership will be shared from the Bible. Factors such as goal-setting, doing regular self-evaluation, practising the spiritual disciplines etc. will be explained and discussed. This course will equip the student to better face and meet the challenges of today and the future.

Foundations for a Godly Marriage

This course is designed for young adults, singles and couples who are considering marriage or planning to get married within the next 2 to 3 years. It is also for those that have completed the SCG class on Dating and Courtship.

For those who have decided to get married, it is a necessary prerequisite before they undergo Pre-Marital Counselling. This course forms the teaching component of marriage preparation. It will also focus on the dynamics of a couples’ relationship and skill development.