Supporting Tennessee Ministries

The Institute intends to partner with, not compete with, churches and organizations abiding in its Statement of Faith. Koinonia Institute prioritizes Matthew 28:19′s “Go therefore and make disciples ["disciplined ones"] of all the nations.” Jesus hand-picked, taught and inspired twelve ordinary men as a small study group, nurturing them in spiritual grown and commissioning them to go out and do likewise. Members are challenged to a personal action plan: raising the bar on their walk with God, joining or starting a small study group and committing to a systematic program to really learn the Bible. At the Institute, all Christians, regardless of their occupation, are considered to be “in the full-time ministry.”

Ministry Partnerships

Koinonia Institute is partnering with Grace Chapel of Franklin, TN to bring live “Face-to-Face” Bronze-level classes to church members. In this scenario, Grace Chapel hosts one “live” session per week. Students watch the lesson on the sanctuary’s large screen, break up into small groups to verbally answer several “discussion questions,” then login to the Institute’s website to take a weekly quiz and the final exam at the end of each class.

Another example is the Institute’s partnership with Narrow Gate. Narrow Gate is a six to eight month life discovery experience that allows young men the incredible opportunity to search out and find the answer to two key questions in living a whole and purposeful life: Who am I and why am I here?

Small Groups

Another way the Institute supports ministries is by facilitating small group sutdies in homes, neighborhoods, churches or places of employment, where people take KI courses together as a group. It may include a meal, prayer and worship, but its primary focus is expositional Bible study, following strategic trends and koinonos (brotherly fellowship).

Koinonia Institute’s curriculum and weekly classroom procedure provide a great way to systematically study the Bible as a small group. Each week’s study includes a lecture (in video, electronic slideshow or audio format), a 10 question quiz, discussion questions and a final exam. Small study groups can take classes in a private class or use the materials outside of the online environment. Groups using the materials offline can apply for Institute credit upon completion of the course. Either way, the Institute’s curriculum makes a great small group package for churches and other ministries.

Practicums

The Institute’s “Koinonos Track” includes “Practicums,” practical courses of study which involve hands-on action. The scriptural foundation of this track is taken from the Third Commandment (Exodus 20:7). It is here that we are commanded not to take the Name of our Lord in vain! We see this as an issue of ambassadorship; in other words, if we are going to take the Name of the King, we must represent Him faithfully and competently in our actions and not in words alone.

Practicums encourage members to be “doers” of the Word (James 1:22) and include initiatives such as:

- Leading Institute-affiliated local study groups
- Organizing roundtables and topical discussion meetings
- Personal sponsorship of a rehabilitation effort
- Participation in efforts to bless Israel
- Gospel-focused, Missionary outreach programs
- Self-determined practicums involving local churches, mission opportunities, etc.

Pastoral Scholarships

Koinonia Institute often provides Pastoral Scholarships for church pastors interested in reviewing KI materials for their Adult Christian Education programs or for expanding their own Biblical knowledge by taking classes. Scholarships are offered to one member of a church’s pastoral staff, typically the Head Pastor or Adult Christian Education Minister. If you are a member of the pastoral staff of your church and are in agreement with the Institute’s Statement of Faith please contact your local Area Representatives for recommendation to the Institute and demonstration materials.

If you’re interested in finding out more about how Koinonia Institute works with local ministries, please contact us.