Year One: Biblical Literacy · Vintage Church Liberty Hill
A year of theology, Scripture, and formation.
The theological and spiritual foundation every leader stands on: the whole counsel of God, worked through over four quarters and lived out in a local church.
Who it's for
Biblical Literacy is where preparation begins. Across four quarters you learn to read Scripture rightly, trace the whole story of the Bible, stand on systematic doctrine, and defend the faith, all while serving in a local church, meeting weekly with a cohort, and being formed as a disciple. No prior training is assumed, only a willingness to do the work.
Anyone serious about ministry or discipleship who wants a real theological foundation, taken online, or in person through a church.
- Format
- Online or in person
- Length
- One year · four quarters
- Tuition
- $2,400 · Vintage Church Liberty Hill
- Courses
- 8 courses
- Ministry
- ~5 hrs / week
What you'll learn
Four quarters, two courses each
8 courses across the year, taken in order, each quarter building on the last.
Quarter 1
Sep 14 to Dec 7, 2026- Hermeneutics13 lessons · about 2 hours
- Church History12 lessons
Quarter 2
Dec 14, 2026 to Mar 8, 2027- The Bible & World Religions12 lessons · about 6 hours
- Old Testament Survey12 lessons · about 6 hours
Quarter 3
Mar 15 to May 24, 2027- Systematic Theology I14 lessons · about 9 hours
- New Testament Survey12 lessons · about 6 hours
Quarter 4
Jun 7 to Aug 30, 2027- Systematic Theology II12 lessons · about 7 hours
- Apologetics12 lessons · about 6 hours
More than courses
The rhythm of the year
Alongside the coursework, the year is shaped by four Saturday Intensives, a book report each quarter, a weekly cohort, and hours in real ministry.
Saturday Intensives
- Principles of Christian LeadershipOct 24, 2026
- Biblical Cosmology & Spiritual WarfareJan 16, 2027
- PneumatologyApr 24, 2027
- Christian Political TheoryJul 31, 2027
A book report each quarter
- Spiritual Leadership · J. Oswald SandersQuarter 1
- When No One Sees · Os GuinnessQuarter 2
- Mere Christianity · C. S. LewisQuarter 3
- Exegetical Fallacies · D. A. CarsonQuarter 4
Weekly cohort
Mondays, 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Practical ministry
~5 hrs / week
The reading
What you'll read
Every required book for the year, quarter by quarter. Order ahead if you like: each title links straight to Amazon. Plan on about $205 for the full set.
Quarter 1
Quarter 2
The Bible & World Religions
It's Not What You Think: Islam and the Gospel · Daniel Hayworth~$25ForthcomingForthcoming, ISBN to be announced
Old Testament Survey
The Old Testament in Seven Sentences · Christopher J. H. Wright~$16Amazon
Quarter 3
Quarter 4
Saturday Intensive books
- Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God's Agenda · Henry and Richard Blackaby~$14Amazon
Quarter 1 Saturday Intensive: Principles of Christian Leadership
- Supernatural: What the Bible Teaches About the Unseen World and Why It Matters · Michael S. Heiser~$16Amazon
Quarter 2 Saturday Intensive: Biblical Cosmology and Spiritual Warfare
- The Holy Spirit in You · Derek Prince~$11Amazon
Quarter 3 Saturday Intensive: Pneumatology
- Don't Waste the Miracle · Nathan Brown~$25Forthcoming
Quarter 4 Saturday Intensive: Christian Political Theory. Releasing Fall 2026
What's included
What the program involves
Courses
Knowledge Checks
Assignments
Gatherings
Community
Certificate
Who teaches it
Taught by pastors who've done the work.
You learn from leaders who have built the local church, not career academics. Every course is shaped by real ministry.
Meet the faculty
Pastor Stephen Martin
Founder and President
Pastor Nathan Brown
CLC Program Director, Lead Instructor & Cohort Leader
Pastor Luis & Martha Pereda
Adjunct Instructors
What you earn
Certificate in Biblical Literacy
Confirms a working command of Scripture, systematic theology, and the practice of discipleship.
- A confident grasp of Scripture, theology, and how to defend the faith
- The Certificate in Biblical Literacy on your account
- The foundation met for Year Two: Church Leadership
Church Leadership College
Certificate of Completion
Certificate in Biblical Literacy
How it works
Two ways to take it
On your own
Coming soonTake it online
Take it through your church
Where it's running
Common questions
Good to know
- Do I need any background to start?
- No. Year One begins at the foundation and assumes no prior training.
- How is the year structured?
- Four quarters of two courses each. Each week you meet in person one evening for discussion and application, watch two short online video lessons, and complete a knowledge check. Every quarter also includes a Saturday Intensive and a book report, and students give about five hours a week to practical ministry.
- Can I do this while working full time or raising a family?
- Yes. The in-person commitment is one evening a week; the rest of the coursework is online and done on your schedule. It's built for full-time workers, stay-at-home parents, and people already serving in ministry.
- What does admission look like?
- You start with a short application and a conversation with our team. There's a one-time $75 application fee, and from there we walk you through the rest personally.
- Can high school students enroll?
- Yes. High-school juniors and seniors can enroll concurrently, earning real ministry training alongside their studies.
- Does CLC help with ministry opportunities?
- Yes. As they train and graduate, CLC students are given priority for ministry roles and openings across our network of churches.
- Can I take it online?
- An online path for Year One is coming soon. For now, Year One is taken in person through a church near you, where the weekly cohort and Saturday Intensives happen together.
Your calling deserves preparation
Begin when you're ready.
Year One: Biblical Literacy