What to expect

In this basic study of the New Testament church, you'll explore the characteristics inherent in that early community of Jesus' followers. You'll look especially at the churches in Rome and Thessalonica to discover the identifying markers of a New Testament church. Perhaps most importantly, through a study of Jesus' letters to the early churches in Asia, you'll learn about His expectations for the church.

  • Discover the characteristics of the New Testament church.

  • Learn about Jesus' expectations for His bride.

  • Explore the cultural influences on the early church.

  • Discuss the implications of the study of the New Testament church for the church today.

Course Outline

An introduction to the New Testament church.

    1. Welcome to this Ephesiology Master Class

    2. How to use the course player

    3. Course Description and Objectives

    4. Before we begin...

    5. Learn more about our degree programs

    1. What to expect in this session

    2. New Testament Ecclesiology

    3. Forms of the Early Church

    1. Marks of the Church

    2. The Study of the Churches of Rome and Thessalonica

    1. Jesus' Marks for the Church

    2. Discussion

    1. What to expect in this session

    2. The Monkey and the Fish

    3. Adaptive and Captive Ecclesiology

    4. Cultural Influence on the Development of the Church

    5. Five Characteristics of a Church Rooted in the Community

    6. Church Indigeneity Matrix

    7. Discussion

    1. Want to go further? Here's what's next.

    2. Invite us to speak

    3. More resources for you

    4. Before you go...

    5. One more thing ...

    6. Our degree programs

About this course

  • Free
  • 25 lessons
  • Four hours of video

Meet Dr. Michael T. Cooper

Professor of Missiological Theology Michael T. Cooper

Dr. Cooper earned a PhD in Intercultural Studies with a focus on religious movements and a minor in theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He currently serves as a missiologist for a missions agency where he focuses on missiological research and equipping missionaries for effective cultural engagement. He has thirty years of missions experience, including ten years as a pioneer church planter in Romania after the fall of communism and has equipped church planters and leaders in Africa, Europe, North America, South America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. He is a guest faculty at Torch Trinity Graduate University, adjunct faculty at Mission India Theological Seminary, Asia Graduate School of Theology Nepal, and Ebenezer Bible College in Katmandu, and affiliate faculty at Kairos University. He has written and contributed to more than 30 books and academic articles and has presented conference lectures at the London School of Economics, University of Bordeaux, Loyola University, Baylor University, and many others. His recent book, Ephesiology: A Study of the Ephesian Movement is a best seller at William Carey Publishing.

Are you ready to change your world?

It's not simply about what you know in your head, but what you believe in heart and do with your hands so that you are motivated and equipped to lead movements.