A Guided Pathway
Knowing God’s Story and Learning to Live It
The Certificate in Christian Formation is built around one integrated formation pathway. It recognizes that Christian formation requires more than biblical information, but also that spiritual practices need to be grounded in the larger story of Scripture.
The eight Story of the Kingdom courses help participants understand what God is doing from creation to new creation. The four Rhythms of the Kingdom courses help participants respond by establishing daily patterns of prayer, Scripture, attentiveness, and life in God’s presence.
Together, these courses connect knowing and living. Participants learn the story of God’s Kingdom and develop practices that help that story shape their thoughts, desires, decisions, relationships, and daily lives.
Participants complete twelve core courses and take part in one guided cohort through Christian Practices or the Online Bible Institute.
The goal is not simply to complete courses, but to form a life rooted in Christ, shaped by Scripture, attentive to God’s presence, and expressed through love.
The Heart of the Certificate
Learn the Story. Live the Story.
Part One
Know God’s Story
The Story of the Kingdom
Eight Bible Institute courses lead participants through the entire biblical story, beginning with creation and concluding with the renewal of all things.
These courses provide the biblical and theological foundation necessary for understanding who God is, what He is doing in the world, and how our lives fit within His Kingdom purposes.
Part Two
Live God’s Story
The Rhythms of the Kingdom
Four Christian Practices courses help participants establish simple daily rhythms through which the biblical story becomes part of everyday life.
These practices help believers pray throughout the day, listen deeply to Scripture, carry God’s Word with them, and remain aware of God’s presence in ordinary moments.
Biblical learning gives the practices their meaning. Daily practices help biblical truth become a lived reality.
Part One — The Story of the Kingdom
Eight Courses Through the Biblical Story
The Story of the Kingdom courses trace the unified story of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Rather than studying isolated books or doctrines, participants learn to see how the whole Bible reveals God’s purpose to establish His Kingdom, redeem His creation, and dwell with His people.
Course One
Kingdom Revealed
Explore God’s good creation, humanity’s calling as His image-bearers, and the original vision of life with God in Genesis 1–2.
Course Two
Kingdom Rebellion
Follow the spread of sin and rebellion from the Fall through the Flood and the Tower of Babel, and see humanity’s need for redemption.
Course Three
Kingdom Covenant
Discover how God begins restoring His purposes through Abraham, Israel, the Exodus, the covenant, and the calling of a people who would bless the nations.
Course Four
Kingdom Foreshadowed
Examine Israel’s kings, temple, wisdom, prophets, exile, and hope, all of which point forward to the coming King and His Kingdom.
Course Five
Kingdom Coming
Explore the promises and expectations surrounding the Messiah, the restoration of God’s people, and the arrival of God’s reign.
Course Six
Kingdom Incarnate
Encounter Jesus as the Word made flesh, the true Temple, the crucified and risen King, and the One in whom God’s Kingdom becomes present.
Course Seven
Kingdom Tension
Study the life of the Church between Christ’s resurrection and return, living in the tension of a Kingdom that is already present but not yet fully complete.
Course Eight
Kingdom Consummated
Follow the biblical story to its completion in the return of Christ, the defeat of evil, the resurrection of the dead, and the renewal of heaven and earth.
Together, these eight courses give participants a clear framework for understanding the Bible as one unfolding story of creation, rebellion, covenant, redemption, Kingdom, and new creation.
Part Two — The Rhythms of the Kingdom
Four Practices for Living the Biblical Story
Once participants understand the story of God’s Kingdom, they are invited to establish daily rhythms that help them live within that story. Each course includes biblical teaching, historical background, practical instruction, and a daily exercise available through the Christian Practices website.
Practice One
The Practice of the Daily Office
Learn to order the day around regular moments of prayer, Scripture, worship, and remembrance of God.
Practice Two
The Practice of Lectio Divina
Learn to slow down, listen prayerfully to Scripture, and respond to the invitations of God’s Word.
Practice Three
The Practice of the Living Word
Learn to carry Scripture throughout the day so that God’s Word shapes thoughts, decisions, conversations, and actions.
Practice Four
The Practice of the Presence of God
Learn to remain aware of God through Focus, Listen, Observe, and Worship in the ordinary moments of everyday life.
The four practices move participants from scheduled moments with God toward a more continual life with God. Prayer opens the day to God, Lectio Divina teaches us to listen, the Living Word carries Scripture into daily life, and FLOW helps us remain attentive to God’s presence.
How the Certificate Is Completed
Twelve Courses and One Guided Cohort
Participants will complete:
• Eight Story of the Kingdom courses
• Four Christian Practices courses
• One cohort through Christian Practices or the Online Bible Institute
The cohort experience provides a relational and guided environment where participants can reflect, ask questions, receive encouragement, and apply what they are learning in everyday life.
Where Courses Are Completed
Online Bible Institute
Certificate courses will be completed through Jesus Moment Bible Institute and Seminary, part of the Online Bible Institute Network.
This online platform allows participants to complete courses at their own pace while remaining connected to the larger Christian Formation pathway.
Courses completed as part of this certificate may also be applied toward Associate and Bachelor’s degree programs offered through the Online Bible Institute Network.
Explore the Online Bible Institute
Part Three — The Cohort Experience
Formation Is Strengthened in Community
In addition to coursework, participants will take part in one guided cohort through Christian Practices or the Online Bible Institute. The cohort helps participants bring biblical learning and daily practice together through conversation, reflection, encouragement, and shared experience.
Christian Practices Cohort
A guided cohort focused on establishing spiritual rhythms through prayer, Scripture, reflection, attentiveness, and daily formation.
OBI Formation Cohort
A cohort connected to Online Bible Institute learning that helps participants integrate biblical and theological education with lived spiritual practice.
The Goal of the Certificate
The goal of the Certificate in Christian Formation is not simply to inform, but to form. Participants learn the story of God’s Kingdom and develop daily rhythms for living faithfully within that story.
The eight Kingdom courses provide the biblical framework. The four Christian Practices courses turn that framework into a daily way of life. The cohort brings learning and practice together in community.
The certificate therefore becomes more than a learning pathway. It becomes an invitation to a life rooted in Christ, grounded in Scripture, attentive to the presence of God, and expressed through love for others.