3. What type of equipment is Recommend for the course?
Computer, tablet, or smartphone with video conferencing capabilities
Good Internet for streaming online videos and video conferencing (You can test the playback quality of the videos by watching LESSON 1. )
Microsoft Word (or another compatible Word processer program)
Accommodations can likely be made for these things if needed. Please let us know before hand if you have questions or need accommodations.
4. How often does the class meet?
Webinars: There are only 5 required live webinar sessions that Certificate Level students will need to attend. Audit students are encouraged to attend, but not required. You get to choose which time slot will work best for you - 9 AM, 2:30 PM, or 7:30 PM - all times Central Standard Time.
Fall 2020 Webinar Dates: Mon., September 14, Thurs., October 29, Mon., November 9, Mon., December 7, and Thurs., December 17. Winter 2021 Webinar Dates: Mon., Jan. 11, Thurs., Feb. 25, Mon., March 8, Mon., April 5, Thurs., April 15.
If you know that you cannot make one of the webinars but you would still like to take the course, please contact the course facilitator ahead of time to see what accommodations can be arranged.
----- Assignments and Videos: For Certificate Level students, each week there will be weekly assignments given that need to be completed by a certain date but those assignments can be completed anytime during that week's lesson.
For Audit Level students, they can work at their own pace, though it is recommended to keep up with that week's lesson as new lessons that are released each week.
5. Can I take the course without doing all the assignments?
There are two levels for this course - certificate and audit.
Certificate Level - All of the assignments are required, will be graded, and upon satisfactory completion, the participant will receive a certificate from NETworkers TEC that signifies that he or she has earned the “Minute Fisherman – Apologetics Certificate”. View more info on the CERTIFICATE level.
Audit Level - You may do as little or as much of the course as you would like.
While you need to choose one of the levels when you register, you may switch at any time during the course.
6. What is the minimum age for this course?
This course is recommended for high school age students and older. Middle school students may take the course with their parents.
7. What does "apologetics" mean?
The word "apologetics" means defense or answer and comes from the Greek word "apologia" found in 1 Peter 3:15, "... always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.." (bold mine)
J. Warner Wallace likes to call apologetics "Christian Case Making" because the purpose of studying apologetics is for you to have confidence that Christianity is true and then share (make the case of) that truth to others.
8. Who is this course for?
Parents
Grandparents
Sunday school teachers
Teens
Young adults
Those the work with kids
Those who want to share the Gospel (with their family, friends, or community)
Christians
9. What curriculum and books are used for the course?
By the end of the course you will KNOW that Christianity is true, not only from the Bible, but also from:
Reality
Evidence
Science
Logic
History
10. In what subjects could this course qualify for with homeschool hours?
Logic/Reasoning Science History Bible Apologetics Worldview Speech/Debate Writing/Language Arts Ancient Literature Evangelism
11. Why is there an accelerated version in the summer and what's the difference from the regular version in the Fall and winter?
An accelerated version of the course is offered in the summer to serve those who might not be able to do the full 14-week course during the school year. Participates are still able to choose whether to participate at the audit or certificate level (see "Certificate Level" section below for more info).
Main Differences for the accelerated version are:
Some lessons are combined into 1 week instead of 2 weeks causing the video viewing time to be a bit more some weeks.
Some of the assignments are shortened or modified to serve the accelerated model.
It is a 10 week course, instead of 14 weeks.
12. WHat if I want to do this with friends/family or my small group?
To qualify for the small group discount you must have at least 3 people in your group.
Small Group suggestions:
Get together in person every week, watch the video lectures, and do the study questions together. Normally the videos are 1-2 hours each week.
Watch the videos individually at home and then get together each week (or periodically) to discuss the study questions/content.
Your group can sign up to be part of an already scheduled Summer, Fall, or Winter course to meet other believers who are taking the course, or be your own private small group that sets its own lesson schedule.
If your small group decides to work at their own pace, the course facilitator will still be available for the 5 necessary webinars as it works into the schedule, for other questions you may have, and to give feedback on the homework if submitted. Members of your groups can choose to do either the certificate or audit level (See the "Certificate Level" section below for more info).
Your small group could also choose to do Option 1: Footing or Option 3: One Brick at a Time, instead of the full course (Option 2: Footing + Foundation). CONTACT US for pricing for Option 1 and Option 3 for a small group.
If you would like to set up a small group, please CONTACT US to let us know.
13. How does the self-paced option work?
If you register for the self-paced option you may start the course at any time. You will have access to the material for 6 months. If you still need additional time to complete the course, an additional 6 months can be purchased for $10.
You can still choose to do the certificate or audit level (for more information on these options see the "Certificate Level" section below.)
You will still have opportunity to practice your skills via live webinars with the course facilitator if you would like. Webinars can be schedule at a time that works both for you and the course facilitator or you can jump into an already schedule webinar.
If you are wanting to do the course with a group but at your own pace, you may want to consider signing up for the "Group" option. See question #1`2 for more info.
Are you prepared to serve the Lord at "minute's notice"? View other Minute Fisherman Certificates we offer to help equip you with tools to be a "fisher of men".
