TIME & COMMITMENT
The Student's Perspective for Success

Dr. Timothy Hoflund - January, 2010

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HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

It takes a year just to get in some colleges. Then its degrees are locked into a "time-served" system. It can take up to six years to receive a Doctoral degree from some universities. But hanging around a campus five or six years doesn't necessarily make a person more successful than someone else who completes his or her studies in a fraction of the time. Total time elapsed is not the main ingredient of learning.

For instance, Jesus completely trained the Apostles for tremendous miracle ministries in less than 3 1/2 years. This is because our spiritual walk is not controlled by the calendar or subject to the clock. The Holy Spirit is not limited to the calendar or a time clock! His operation supersedes both time and space and is able to surpass in a short time what men take a long time to accomplish!

Therefore, The True Hope Bible Institute does not follow a set semester schedule. We operate continuously year round. Whenever you're ready for us, we are ready for you. The Lord is doing a quick work in these last days - - see Rom. 9:28. So the True Hope Bible Institute has an intensive and accelerated program of study. Our courses are time-tailored so that you could complete them in a relatively short span - - governed primarily by your schedule and the time you can invest in your studies each day, week or month.

You study on your own schedule, and proceed at your own pace, but please don't HURRY, because there should be a reasonable interval between your degree levels.

As soon as we receive your application and fees, you will receive your first course of study which you can begin immediately. Upon successful completion of all the required courses and any required papers, you immediately receive your degree.*

YOUR COMMITMENT

In developing the body, they say, “No pain, no gain.” In developing Christian character, we say, “No cross, no crown.” And in the development of the mind, we say, “No work, no honor.”

The True Hope Bible Institute has prepared excellent study courses, but you receive no benefit until you start studying them. Babies must be fed, but adults can feed themselves. Immature youths may need the classroom structure and a teacher to push them.

But to participate in the programs of The True Hope Bible Institute, one must have a reasonably stable lifestyle and a sense of responsibility and priority. Distance education requires individual motivation and personal incentive. You must have a God-given drive and diligence. The very word “study” implies an ongoing commitment, application, and persistence to complete a course. But in the end, it will develop your mental abilities, and promote your Spiritual refinement.

Many things compete for the time you need to study God’s Word. If you’re a busy breadwinner, you may have precious little time for study, so you may have to sacrifice something. But in the same way that we must make room for Christ in our lives, and take time to pray, you will have to prearrange a place and create a time to study. It may require a firm determination to eliminate some T.V., etc. But God will help you develop your own techniques for avoiding distractions and overcoming interruptions.

However, we recommend that students do NOT rush through their courses too fast. You have no deadlines, so work on your studies at a relaxed and enjoyable pace. There is a difference between spiritual and secular studies. In secular studies, you can “cram” facts into your mind to pass the tests and earn a degree that you may or may not ever use to make a difference in the lives of others. In spiritual studies, you are studying for two reasons: First, your own life in Christ; second and in some ways more importantly, for the benefits you can give others in their life with Christ!

Therefore, just “getting some degree” to hang on your wall won’t ever be of true value!  If all you do is “cram for the exam”, you will never truly benefit from the degree you receive!  Unless you allow the Holy Spirit TIME to impart His understanding into your life, you will never benefit to the fullest potential of this or any other course of study - - even just daily devotions! 

So as a student of T.H.B.I. (or any other Bible Study Institution) place your study a priority one for your time and attention and give yourself time to complete the courses properly under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  By this you will not only pass the exams and meet the scholastic requirements for your degree, but the degree you earn will make you a valued benefit to others!  And after all, isn't that what any Ministry of Christ is all about?

(*Students on a tuition payment plan must have made all payments in order to receive their certificate of degree/diploma.)

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