Every Thursday morning (9:00-11:00 AM) I have the privilege of teaching systematic theology to a group of men and women at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA) here in Austin. Typically, we have 10-12 students for each class session. We have certainly grown a lot since beginning this past July when I started with one participant! Each one of the students serve in various ministry settings–as ruling elders, deacons, crisis counselors, missionary pastors, and chaplains. Moreover, they all greatly desire to “go deeper” into our beliefs, doctrines, and practices. We are using Louis Berkhof’s well-regarded Manual of Christian Doctrine (2nd Edition) as a guide, and I regularly assign additional resources as needed. Besides my teaching, we thoroughly discuss these doctrines and seek to come up with practical applications that can be useful in actual ministry situations.
For example, we recently studied the “Providence of God” and we noted how beneficial this doctrine can be in providing assurance and comfort to those who are in the midst of suffering and trials. Our Confession of Faith states it this way, “God the great Creator of all things doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by His most wise and holy providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will to the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy.” (Westminster Confession of Faith, Ch. 5, Art. 1) What a blessing it is to know that God directs the affairs of mankind! And, that our Lord is intimately involved in the details of our own life so that He knows even the number of hairs upon our head! (Matt. 10:29-31)
I sure would welcome your prayers as I teach systematic theology from week to week, and as I seek “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (Eph. 4:12) And, for those who may be interested in joining us, then simply reach out to me to get more information.
— Dr. Marcus J. Serven