Prepare for a Life of Teaching and Ministry Leadership
If you have a deep passion for understanding, applying and effectively communicating the Scriptures, then CIU’s Master of Divinity in Bible Exposition program is designed with you in mind. This program is tailored to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to engage with the Word of God in a profound and impactful way.
At the core of our program is a strong emphasis on Scripture. We believe that the Bible is the ultimate authority and the foundation for all aspects of ministry. Throughout your studies, you will delve into the depths of biblical interpretation, learning how to uncover the rich meaning and timeless truths within the Scriptures. This includes developing skills in exegesis, hermeneutics and biblical analysis, enabling you to accurately understand and apply the Word of God to contemporary issues and the lives of individuals.
Spiritual formation is vital for effective ministry, and CIU’s Master of Divinity in Bible Exposition integrates this essential aspect throughout your learning journey. You will be encouraged to deepen your own spiritual walk, fostering a personal relationship with God and allowing His Word to transform your life. This holistic approach nurtures your spiritual growth and prepares you to minister to others with authenticity, compassion and wisdom.
Our carefully constructed curriculum is designed to prepare you for a life of ministry leadership and teaching the Bible. You will engage in rigorous academic study, exploring various theological disciplines and gaining a comprehensive understanding of biblical principles and doctrine. Additionally, you will develop practical ministry skills, learning how to effectively communicate the Scriptures in diverse settings and contexts.
In a rapidly changing world, it is crucial to be equipped to think biblically and navigate the complexities of our society through the lens of Scripture. Our Master of Divinity in Bible Exposition program will empower you to engage with contemporary issues, guiding others towards biblical truth and providing a solid foundation for faith and discipleship.
By pursuing this degree, you are embarking on a transformative journey that will shape you into a knowledgeable, skilled and competent minister of God's Word. You will be equipped to serve as a leader, teacher and shepherd, faithfully proclaiming the Scriptures and impacting lives for the glory of God. Our program prepares you to navigate the challenges and opportunities of ministry in our ever-changing world, standing firm on the unchanging truth of God's Word.
Why Choose Columbia Biblical Seminary for this degree program:
Your education at Columbia Biblical Seminary will be thoroughly evangelical, taught by professors from a wide array of evangelical denominations. We resolutely hold to orthodoxy and are committed to the primary doctrines of our faith. At the same time, we value the diversity of the evangelical tradition and help you to appreciate why different Christian traditions believe what they do on secondary matters of our faith.
Furthermore, we emphasize the integration of biblical knowledge with ministry skills, enabling you to teach and disciple the whole person. Our faculty are skilled teachers and scholars who are actively engaged in church ministry, missions and publishing. They will invest in you as a student, discipling you and walking alongside you on your journey into ministry.
Overall Benefits of the degree – what you can do with the degree:
Our MDiv in Bible Exposition focuses especially on exegesis and the use of the biblical languages in exposition, giving you the skills you need for careful interpretation of the biblical text. Whereas many institutions currently deemphasize the biblical languages, we believe the biblical languages are vital to interpreting and teaching the Scriptures. Thus, we equip you to exegete the biblical text faithfully and competently from the original Greek and Hebrew text, with special attention to the ancient world context in which the Bible was written.
Our Master of Divinity in Bible Exposition also integrates the interpretation and communication of Scripture with spiritual formation and ministry skills. It is not enough to simply know about God and the Bible, you will learn to embody Christ and the Scriptures in your ministry by fully integrating the head, heart and hands.
For this reason, you will learn how to teach and apply the Bible practically in a variety of ministry contexts. Coursework in preaching and teaching, in addition to guided practice in your internship, will give you the ability and confidence to communicate Scripture in a wide variety of settings, for example: church services, small groups, Bible studies and Bible classes at private Christian schools.
Featured Faculty
What Will I Study?
- CBS 5000 Succeeding in Seminary
This course prepares you for your studies at Columbia Biblical Seminary. You will be introduced to five core values that reflect the institution's mission and ethos. Services and resources available to students will be addressed, as will expectations and guidelines for being successful in seminary. You must complete this course during your first term as a seminary student.
0.00 credit hours
- BIB 5112 Introduction to the Old Testament 1
In this course, you will trace the structure, content, and purpose of the Old Testament Pentateuch and Historical books. You will identify key theological themes and relate the content of these books to contemporary Christian faith and practice.
3.00 credit hours
- BIB 5113 Introduction to the Old Testament 2
In this course, you will trace the structure, content, and purpose of the Old Testament Poetic and Prophetic books. You will identify key theological themes and relate the content of these books to contemporary Christian faith and practice.
3.00 credit hours
- BIB 5132 Gospels: God's Means of Providing Redemption
This course will guide you through a chronological, synthetic study of the four gospel records, emphasizing the time, place, circumstances, and persons involved in the events of Jesus' ministry. The gospel writers narrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God's appointed Redeemer of the world, who fulfills the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament.
3.00 credit hours
- BIB 5133 Acts to Revelation: God's People Proclaiming Redemption Globally
In this course, you will study the introductory background, structure, and content of the New Testament books, Acts to Revelation, understood within their first-century life setting. The authors of Acts, the letters, and Revelation not only relate the advance of the Early Church in proclaiming redemption globally, but they also provide the contemporary church with normative missionary documents to guide it in fulfilling Christ's commission.
3.00 credit hours
- BIB 5410 Hermeneutics
In this course, you will explore and defend hermeneutical principles and processes based on evangelical presuppositions of Scripture and authorial intended meaning. You will apply an exegetical method to interpret Old and New Testament passages from a variety of biblical genres and apply them to contemporary settings.
3.00 credit hours
- GRE 5110 New Testament Greek I: Beginning Grammar
Together with Greek II, you will be introduced to the basic grammar and vocabulary of New Testament Greek. Emphasis is placed on understanding word formation and building vocabulary as a foundation for developing reading proficiency. You will begin to read the Greek New Testament during these courses.
3.00 credit hours
- GRE 5111 New Testament Greek II: Beginning Grammar
Together with GRE 5110 - New Testament Greek I: Beginning Grammar, you will be introduced to the basic grammar and vocabulary of New Testament Greek. Emphasis is placed on understanding word formation and building vocabulary as a foundation for developing reading proficiency. You will begin to read the Greek New Testament during these courses.
3.00 credit hours
- GRE 6210 Greek III: New Testament Greek Exegesis
In the context of a method for the exegetical study of New Testament passages, you will sharpen your competence in doing textual criticism, grammatical analysis, and lexical study. Your final project will allow you to demonstrate your ability to take a text from translation to sermon outline.
3.00 credit hours
- HEB 5110 Hebrew I: Beginning Grammar
Together with HEB 5111, these courses introduce the basic grammar and vocabulary of Old Testament Hebrew. Emphasis is placed on understanding word formation and building vocabulary as a foundation for developing reading proficiency. You will begin to read the Hebrew Old Testament during these courses.
3.00 credit hours
- HEB 5111 Hebrew II: Beginning Grammar
Together with HEB 5110, these courses introduce the basic grammar and vocabulary of Old Testament Hebrew. Emphasis is placed on understanding word formation and building vocabulary as a foundation for developing reading proficiency. You will begin to read the Hebrew Old Testament during these courses.
3.00 credit hours
- HEB 6220 Hebrew III: From Exegesis to Exposition
You will learn the skills needed to analyze Hebrew grammar and syntax, use exegetical tools and methods, and prepare sermon/lesson outlines based on the Old Testament text. The goal of course assignments is to prepare you for preaching and teaching.
3.00 credit hours
- HIS 6221 History of Global Christianity I
This course provides a global survey of Christianity from its birth to the close of the Middle Ages. You will discuss and analyze the Early Church's growth, challenges, and compromises, including the Crusades and early missionary efforts. Special attention will be given to the way in which the Early Church responded to the Great Commission by establishing churches in African, Slavic, Indian, Sinic and Latin American civilizations. Attention will also be given to Christianity's relationship with both Judaism and Islam before 1500.
3.00 credit hours
- HIS 6231 History of Global Christianity II
This course provides a global survey of Christianity from the Reformation of the 16th century to the early 21st century. You will examine the Reformation as a global phenomenon, comparing church reform in Europe with simultaneous developments in Africa, Russia, and Latin America. Special attention will be given to the interaction of Christianity with Slavic, Sinic, Islamic, Hindu, Western, African, Jewish, and Latin civilizations.
3.00 credit hours
- THE 6310 Theology and Ethics 1
In this course, you will examine the doctrines of Scripture, God, Christ, and Eschatology, as well as ethical principles related to these doctrines.
3.00 credit hours
- THE 6320 Theology and Ethics 2
In this course, you will examine the doctrines of Anthropology, Soteriology, Pneumatology, and Ecclesiology, as well as ethical principles related to these doctrines.
3.00 credit hours
- ICS 6024 Understanding Cultures & Worldviews
This course will enable you to understand the worldview assumptions that are foundational to a person's belief systems and behavior patterns. You will analyze the culture and worldview of an ethno-linguistic or socio-economic grouping of people from a biblical worldview perspective. You will also consider elements of biblical contextualization.
3.00 credit hours
- MIN 5300 Foundations of Spiritual Formation
In this course, you will examine the foundational principles of spiritual formation for an effective life and ministry with emphasis on personal sanctification and growth with others in a mutually-edifying community.
3.00 credit hours
- HOM 6300 Foundations of Biblical Preaching
In this course, you will learn how to prepare and deliver sermons using a variety of homiletical methods that motivate listeners to apply the truth of Scripture to their lives and ministries.
3.00 credit hours
- MIN 6100 Leadership and Ministry Skills
In this course, you will learn how to lead and equip others using biblical mandates, proven leadership theory, professional competencies, and practical wisdom. You will learn current leadership language, the major theories of leadership, and the contemporary application of those theories. You will learn and practice ministry skills that may be applied in a congregational worship setting or in a pluralistic multi-faith environment.
3.00 credit hours
- MIN 6344 Transformational Bible Teaching
In this course, you will examine the teaching-learning process to help you understand how to adapt instructional methods to differing expectations, learning styles, cognitive processes, and social relations of learners in multicultural contexts in order to biblically transform lives.
3.00 credit hours
- CNS 6404 Short Term Counseling
You will learn the basic model common to short-term cognitive therapies and its application to treating dysfunctional emotions and self-sabotaging behaviors. You will learn cognitive, behavioral, and emotive interventions as well as techniques to help prevent relapse. You will also consider how to integrate your client's faith/spirituality with the basic model and interventions.
3.00 credit hours
- INT 6110 Foundations of Internships
This course is intended as a prerequisite for other INT courses. You will prepare for an internship by establishing a clear plan for learning and understanding the expectations, responsibilities, and activities associated with your internship experience. You must complete this course before you begin your internship. You do not need to secure an internship before enrolling in this course.
0.00 credit hours
- INT 6217 Focused Internship I
In this course, you will enhane your proficiency in ministry and organizational knowledge, skills, and attitudes gained through your studies in a focused internship under the supervision of an on-site mentor and a faculty advisor. Each course involves at least 120 hours of direct ministry experience. (1.5)
1.50 credit hours
- INT 6218 Focused Internship II
In this course, you will enhane your proficiency in ministry and organizational knowledge, skills, and attitudes gained through your studies in a focused internship under the supervision of an on-site mentor and a faculty advisor. Each course involves at least 120 hours of direct ministry experience. (1.5)
1.50 credit hours
- HOM 6390 Advanced Biblical Preaching
In this course, you will review basic homiletical methods, homiletical variety, series preaching, and annual planning. (3)
3.00 credit hours
- RES 7971 Master's Thesis
After submitting and defending a prospectus, as outlined in the SSM Master's Thesis Manual, you will research, write, and refine a scholarly thesis in both content and form (as stipulated in the Manual) under the guidance of two faculty members. The process will culminate in a defense of the thesis before an appointed committee composed of at least three faculty members.
3.00 credit hours
Admission Requirements
- Online application
- Application fee
- Affirm to be a Christian and agree with CIU’s Statement of Faith
- Official transcript for highest earned degree and any master’s level credits earned with a minimum 2.5 GPA for the most recent degree obtained.
- Essay (800 words total)
- Church Leader Reference
Accreditation and Accolades
Potential ministry opportunities for graduates include:
- Pastor (Teaching, Senior, Associate, etc.)
- Bible Teacher
- Bible Curriculum Author/Designer
- Academic Ministry
- Bible Translator
- What are the student learning objectives for the MDiv in Bible Exposition?
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The Master of Divinity in Bible Exposition will enable students to:
- Practice sound exegesis and exposition of the biblical text based on the biblical languages
- Analyze and create a plan for spiritual formation as it relates to life and vocational setting
- Identify and analyze cultural issues and dynamics
- Explain and apply principles of ministry leadership
- Apply knowledge, attitudes and skills related to a chosen vocational calling under the supervision of an on-site mentor and a faculty advisor
- What career opportunities are available with an MDiv in Bible Exposition?
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- Pastor (Teaching, Senior, Associate, etc.)
- Bible Teacher
- Bible Curriculum Author/Designer
- Academic Ministry
- Bible Translator
- Can I take this program residentially, online or both?
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Our MDiv Bible Exposition is fully available either residentially or online. All of the required courses are offered in both formats.
As a residential student, you will benefit from close interaction with professors and other students, building relationships that can support you for a lifetime of ministry. Classes are designed around block schedules, which gives you flexibility if you are working or serving in ministry while taking courses. Residential students have the option to take courses online if they wish.
As an online student, you will benefit from courses that foster your learning within the context of an intentional learning community. We recognize that not everyone can uproot themselves and move to seminary. For this reason, all our courses are asynchronous. This allows you to continue working and serving where you are located while taking courses. At the same time, you will be provided with opportunities to have regular, live online meetings with your professors and classmates, if you so desire.
- How long does this program take?
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Residential courses follow a 16-week semester format, with two semesters per calendar year (Fall and Spring). Thus, residential students can complete this program in about three years (full time, taking three courses per semester) or in about five years (part time, taking two courses per semester).
Online courses follow an eight-week term format, with six terms per calendar year (Spring 1, Spring 2, Summer 1, Summer 2, Fall 1, Fall 2). Online students can complete this program in about two years (full time, taking two courses per online term) or in about four years (part time, taking one course per online term).
Hybrid students can complete this program in about three years.
- When can I start this program?
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Residential courses follow a 16-week semester format and have two starts every year. The spring semester begins in January and the fall semester begins in August, with a break for summer in between semesters.
Online courses follow an eight-week term format and have six starts every year. Every eight weeks is a new start, meaning there are two online terms offered each spring, summer and fall.
- How much does this program cost?
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CIU’s Master of Divinity is economical and affordable. Visit Tuition and Fees for information on program costs.
- Is Bible software provided to me as a student?
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Yes, upon enrolling in your first course, you will receive a professional-level copy of Accordance Bible Software customized for your studies at Columbia Biblical Seminary. You may keep this this software upon graduation.
- Will this degree prepare me for a PhD program?
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Yes, this degree is a good foundation for moving toward a PhD in biblical or theological studies. PhDs in these areas require intimacy with the biblical languages and facility in research skills, both of which the MDiv in Bible Exposition emphasizes as a foundation for further studies.