PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION/WORLD RELIGIONS PAIRING The semester-long courses Philosophy of Religion and World Religions are paired. Students who enroll in Philosophy of Religion will automatically be enrolled in World Religions in the second semester. Philosophy of Religion serves as an introduction to philosophy and also answers the question, “Are there good reasons to believe any religion (specifically Christianity) is actually true?” The goal of this course is for students to use appropriate philosophical logic in giving a culturally relevant, sound, and objective defense of their beliefs. Students achieve this through examining the basics of logic itself, recent arguments for and against the existence of God, the resurrection of Jesus, the historical accuracy of the Bible, and other major topics relating to Christian truth. Challenging students to consider how issues of character and communication may help or hinder the defense of their belief, this course also lays the philosophical foundation for asking the same difficult questions of other religions in the course World Religions. Special Note: This course is a Bible department requirement for either junior or senior year. Students will need to take one year of this Philosophy of Religion/World Religions course and one year of a Service Learning Course before graduation. Please refer to the Bible department map tab for more information.

PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION/WORLD RELIGIONS PAIRING The semester-long courses Philosophy of Religion and World Religions are paired. Students who enroll in Philosophy of Religion will automatically be enrolled in World Religions. World Religions is designed to give students the structure to help organize their thoughts and enable them to make intelligent judgments about different philosophical claims. This course focuses on the major world religions and how each answers philosophical questions related to the meaning of life. Some of the questions included relate to views on ethics, the nature of the external world, the nature of man, the role of the mind, and views of knowledge. Students are introduced to each faith through their corresponding texts and by advocates of each tradition (via pre-recorded interviews). They then have the opportunity to evaluate the philosophical claims of each religion through discussions, essays, and a final project. Special Note: This course is a Bible department requirement for either junior or senior year. Students will need to take one year of this Philosophy of Religion/World Religions course and one year of a Service Learning Course before graduation. Please refer to the Bible department map for more information.

This course is designed for students to practice leadership skills and a servant mentality as they connect with on-campus opportunities for service. Students are invited to affect change through small group and 1:1 service projects such as peer tutoring, mentorship, and assisting faculty members with various projects. This includes working with campus administrators in evaluating school rules, processes and initiatives to improve school culture. Students also research to articulate their own giftedness and passions to determine how best to use their unique voice. Biblical principles guide the motivation and the lessons such that students understand and live out God’s desire for them to notice and take action to better their community. Additional Expectations: To receive the 15 hours of community service available in this course, students are required to participate in a minimum number of service activities. There are a variety of events (both ongoing and one-time events) throughout the year so students have some options as to which events work best for their schedules. If this requirement is not met, students cannot receive the 15 hours and must serve outside of this course to meet their service requirements. Please note VCHS requires a minimum of 10 hours of community service to be completed with a Christian church each year which must be completed outside of VCHS. Special Note: This course is a Bible department Service Learning course. Students will need to take one Philosophy of Religion/World Religions course and one Service Learning Course before graduation. Students will be placed in a service course after completing a preference feedback form that helps determine the best fit for their unique service experience. Please refer to the Bible department map tab for more information.

This yearlong course is designed for students to learn and develop leadership skills and a servant mentality as they minister to our local public elementary schools. Components of study include the study of childhood development; teaching skills such as the development of the unit, lesson plans, and class management; biblical prayer and evangelism; and a study of historic Christian revivals and missions. Students will have the opportunity all year to practically apply their learning as they plan and lead lessons and activities at local elementary schools, tutor elementary students, and plan and lead a kid's Bible club. Additional Expectations: There is a fee for a uniform, which includes a sweatshirt and t-shirt that students wear on days they leave campus during their class period. You will receive non-church community service hours for attendance and participation in this course. Please note VCHS requires a minimum of 10 hours of community service to be completed with a Christian church each year which must be completed outside of VCHS. Special Note: This course is a Bible department Service Learning Course. Students will need to take one Philosophy of Religion/World Religions course and one service course before graduation. Students are placed in different service courses after completing a feedback form that helps determine the best fit for their unique service experience. Please refer to the Bible department map tab for more information.

This course is designed for students to practice leadership skills and a servant mentality as they connect VCHS with opportunities to work for justice in their communities. God is a God of justice (Micah 6:8), and this class is an avenue for students to move beyond charity to advocate for justice from a biblical perspective. While students study the concept of God’s kingdom and God’s design for the role of humanity in the earth, they create real life opportunities for both themselves and others on their campus to live out the concepts of justice, mission, giving, service, and compassion. Students will also consider the difference in perspective between good works without God, good works for God, and good works with God. Additional Expectations: Students will occasionally leave campus by bus to learn about service needs and opportunities during their class period. Once a semester, they will be required to participate in one day-long service trip as part of this course. This trip will occur during the regular school day which may require missing one or two other classes during that travel day. Students will receive non-church community service hours for attendance and participation in this course. Specifically, they are required to complete each step in their service project to receive credit for the 15 community service hours. Please note VCHS requires a minimum of 10 hours of community service to be completed with a Christian church each year which must be completed outside of VCHS. Special Note: This course is a Bible department service course. Students will need to take one Philosophy of Religion/World Religions course and one service learning course before graduation. Students are placed in different service courses after completing a feedback form that helps determine the best fit for their unique service experience. Please refer to the Bible department map tab for more information.

This yearlong course is designed for students to develop leadership skills with an attitude of service as they work together to produce a full-scale weekly Chapel experience for Junior High and High School. Students will choose either a Music track, focusing on leading musical worship, or a Production track, focusing on the technical and logistical aspects of worship production. Class time will be dedicated to rehearsing music, refining production techniques, and studying the theology and practice of worship. Students will study the biblical and historical foundations of worship, explore how worship intersects with different cultural and community contexts, and reflect on how to create meaningful and impactful worship experiences. This course emphasizes spiritual growth, teamwork, and the practical skills needed to lead and support worship that positively influences school culture for the glory of God. Additional Expectations: To receive the 15 hours of community service available in this course, students are required to regularly participate in chapel production. Students will also be required to attend some out of class worship events including Convocation and Encounter. This course is a Bible department Service Learning course. Students will need to take one Philosophy of Religion/World Religions course and one Service Learning Course before graduation. Students will be placed in a service course after completing a preference feedback form that helps determine the best fit for their unique service experience. Please refer to the Bible department map tab for more information.