Frequently
Asked Questions
How does it work?
You receive interactive course materials which you work through on your own. You also attend a local study group to discuss what you are studying. These are led by a trained facilitator, and give you a chance to share your ideas and discoveries, learn from other people’s, and have the support of other Christians. You can expect to gain increased confidence in understanding and interpreting the Bible and the ability to assess and evaluate different opinions. Read More [link to How it Works page]
Will it be too hard – or too easy?
The course units are designed to help you learn, whatever your academic level. Many who do not consider themselves ‘good at learning’ are surprised at their abilities. Our Level 1 and 2 courses are aimed at just such people. Our Level 3 courses also aim to be accessible but also enable people with advanced qualifications to be stretched and challenged in their thinking. Our Level 3 courses recognise that the Bible raises hard questions and we try not to duck them. The course units will stimulate you to understand various viewpoints. They encourage you to interact with the text of the Bible itself, to think through issues from a sound basis of biblical understanding and to come to your own conclusions, convictions and plans for action.
how much time would I need to invest in this?
Each course is carefully designed to help you structure your studies. The personal study is designed to enable you to go at your own pace. In your group, you will decide when you will meet, either bi-weekly or weekly, each group meeting will be around 1.5 hours on average. You will need to set aside regular time each week for your own personal studies too. The amount of time varies according to the course and the level, but we estimate that you will need to set aside at least about 30 mins - 45 mins per lesson.
Why is there coursework to do prior to the meeting?
We believe in the power of knowledge through repetition. Therefore with the simple and accessible nature of the course, it allows for the student to gain new knowledge as well as come prepared to discuss and bring insight to the group. The aim is also for students to retain the knowledge long after the course has been completed, and they’ll have their coursework to refer back to. The group meetings is where each student gets the opportunity to ask questions, bring insight, and discuss the topics from the work they have done.
How does GOLD fit into my church context?
It’s as simple as off the shelf and placing it right into your own groups.
Our student workbooks come with a GOLD Leaders manual, it is a booklet that essentially guides the leader / facilitator throughout the entire course. Like a ‘Dummy’s guide’. So there is no pre- training needed. Essentially, you can pick up these courses and take them into your own homegroups, or your small groups without any further time or work involved.
Why are the questions too simple, and could be interpreted as patronising?
Our methodology comes from counter culture education methods. This has been running over 30 years across the continents, touching and growing believers in villages such as in Africa, South America, India. This was firstly introduced in Bristol University, as such, it has worked to allow access to all levels of education, so that in a group all students are at a level playing field.
How Much Does it cost?
There is a course fee for each course Unit you enrol on.
Our Level 1 courses are presently £35 per course, but has the snapshots from the life of Christ course free.
Our Level 2 courses are presently £45 per course.
Our Level 3 GOLD Project courses are presently £55 for a 5 Block Course and £70 for a 10 Block Course.
For those who cannot afford this amount, we have a Bursary Fund, click here to find out more.