Interpreting the Westminster Shorter Catechism Course Proposal
This is Cloud Theological Institute’s proposal to produce a course(s) in the interpretation & application of the Westminster Shorter Catechism and/or Westminster Standards to be used primarily in missions context for equipping the church.
This is proposed by Tim Spears
Rev. Tim Spears, Th. M., M. Div.
Co-Founder, Pastor, Teacher & Content Creator
I grew up in the Philippines. After I received my under grad degree in Mechanical Engineering, God called me to be a minister of the Gospel. I love my family, the global church, theology & most of all Jesus. It has taken me a long time, but I am slowly learning what it means to wait on the Lord, to rest in Christ, and to value the small things in life.
It was during COVID while we were in Tacloban City, Philippines that the Spirit led us to re-think the way in which we equip leaders in the church when traditional methods are not accessible or feasible. Cloud Theological Institute is the result. I deeply believe in what we are doing as we have seen the Lord’s work, its power, effectiveness, sustainability & scalability.
When I am not developing content, teaching or preaching, you will find me playing with my girls, working out, throwing the frisbee with our German Shepherd, or enjoying some good food around a fire. I believe that those things too are most holy if done by faith. I would enjoy connecting with you.
Educational Background
B. S. - Mechanical Engineering, Pensacola Christian College, Pensacola, FL, 2007
M. Div. - Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary, Lansdale, PA, 2013
Th. M. - NT Interpretation - Westminster Theological Seminary, Glenside, PA, 2015
Ph. D. - Missiology ~ Theological Education for Oral, Visual Learners - Accepted by Kairos University - (Start date tentative Fall 2024)
Teaching Experience
Proctor for The Urban Ministry Institute, PA USA - 2013-2015
NT Professor for Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Cavite Philippines - 2016-2017
Adjunct Professor & Curriculum Development B.A. in Theology accredited by CHED Philippines for BST Grace College, Camarines Sur, Philippines - 2016-2017
Founder & primary teacher at Cloud Theological Institute, Philippines - 2020-Present
Adjunct NT Professor for Cebu Graduate School of Theology, Cebu, Philippines - 2020-2021
Adjunct NT Professor for Covenant Mission Seminary, Phenom Phen, Cambodia - 2023-Present
Adjunct Apologetics Professor, NT Issues at Lancaster Bible College, Lancaster, PA USA - 2023-Present
Global Training Associate, M. A. in Intercultural Studies Program - Converge International Ministries, Orlando, FL - 2023-Present
Teaching Experience with students from Philippines, Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Peru, Zambia, India, Bangladesh & the USA.
Challenges
Many global students have not grown up in a Western academic, reading context.
Many global students are more visual in their learning & problem solving.
Many global students are better at learning through imitating.
Westminster Shorter Catechism is written in archaic English ~ similar to KJV Challenges in global contexts ~ archaic word meaning, syntax & structure.
The global church is typically Word founded & centric ~ meaning that theological statements do not hold great weight for many global Christians ~ b/c they do not understand them, & they have not been shown a clear, understandable connection or correlation.
Many global students do not know how to use Bible software or online Bible software & online resources.
“It is not an either-or compared to traditional education but a both-and!”
A Proposal
Overview of Program & Course Structure
Create courses topically that progress through the Catechism
1 Question = 1 session
12 sessions per course or 3 months (+ or - depending on the major theological topics in the catechism)
The 108 questions will be divided into 9 courses (roughly)
Each catechism question is the foundation for teaching & discussing the WLC & WCF & their related Scripture proof texts.
Certificate in Theology program in preparation for gospel ministry
Teaching Methodology
Lecture - Investigation session, lecture/discussion session, reflection session (Live or Video)
Reading - Primarily in the Westminster Standards (WCF & WLC & targeted sections in the commentaries on the standards as they relate to the Catechism)
Assignments: Learning the statements, fundamental Scripture proof texts & explaining them
Major Course Projects: preaching, teaching, & small group facilitation related to the WSC
Testing: Catechism content & Scripture proof texts
Types of Teaching Visuals
Visual Handouts
Visual Markup Worksheets
Visual Coloring pages ~ “How to” application for families in their local contexts
Short Video Clips
Long Video/Live Workshop Sessions
Live Bible Software utilization
Instruction can be live or videos watched videos on YouTube with facilitators
Outcomes
To learn the Westminster Standards
To be able to teach or to preach expository Sermons from WSC proof texts ~ expository, Christ-centered sermons that include the theological truths without eisegesis
To teach Sunday School lessons on the Westminster Standards
To teach families how to teach their children in the catechism ~ understand & learn the catechism in English or their local language
Components
Handouts
Worksheets
Small Group Q/A
Coloring WS
Scripture Prooftext Analysis
Westminster Shorter Catechism Handouts
Short Video Clips
Full Live Workshops
Teach & Network in the Social Media Space
Our Methodology: Connecting the Blocks
How do you study the Word of God if you haven’t been educated in a western academic culture & context? What are the fundamental components of a sentence? How does one sentence relate to another sentence? For answers to these questions & more, check out our language tool which works with any Biblical language or your language of choice. Apply these language principles beyond the Bible & the great theological creeds, confessions, & catechisms of the Christian Faith. Click on the pic to start learning visually!
A Different Option: Word of God Catechism
Westminster Shorter Catechism with additional Q/A’s directly from the WLC & the WCF. It is a re-packaging of the Westminster Standards.
A Live Workshop Session Example at 20x Speed:
Does Acts 2:38–39 teach baptismal regeneration?
Sample Teacher Lecture Notes
Sample Live Lecture Markup Worksheet
Key Features Integrated with WTS Core Values
Exegetical - Biblico-Systematic
Theological - Biblico-Systematic
Word Founded - Lecture/Workshops include Presuppositional/Covenantal Apologetics
Gospel Centered - Christ-centered preaching in application
Practical for local church & families - Spiritual Formation for church & the Christian Life
Westminster Theological Seminary was founded on missions ~ This directly supports that vision.
Next Steps
WTS endorsement of our work
Collaboration in podcast style Q/A while marking up the text: discuss the catechism, Scriptural proof texts, & reformers
Open to other recommendations