A six-week intensive short course equipping NORLAG youth leaders with a deep understanding of Grace Doctrines — to articulate, defend, and live them out.
This short course is designed to equip youth leaders with a profound understanding of Grace Doctrines as taught by Things to Come Mission, Inc. Participants delve into key doctrinal statements, learn to articulate and defend their beliefs, and apply their knowledge in Christian lifestyle and leadership roles.
Organized by the International Grace Bible Institute in collaboration with the Northern Luzon Association of Grace Churches, this program fosters a stronger, more unified Grace youth community through virtual lectures, reflective fellowships, and practical assignments.
Students become owners and constructors of their learning by creating artifacts that address real challenges in their communities and churches.
Cooperative tasks inside and outside the virtual classroom instill scholastic independence and community-centered faith.
Virtual lectures every Monday and reflection fellowships every Friday, culminating in a face-to-face graduation event with pastors and Bible women.
Six weekly reflections and a final electronic portfolio (PechaKucha) demonstrate mastery of Grace Doctrines. No grades — just growth.
Exhibit a comprehensive understanding of TCM, Inc. doctrinal statements and articulate them with confidence and clarity.
Recognize and value your role in building a stronger, more unified Grace youth community within NORLAG.
Effectively apply your understanding of Grace Doctrines in your Christian lifestyle, leadership, and outreach ministry.
Six weeks of focused study, moving from foundational doctrine to practical ministry leadership.
Acquaint yourself with course rules, navigate the virtual learning environment, and associate individual success with team success.
State and explain the TCM, Inc. doctrinal statement on the Bible. Explore rightly dividing the Word and the finality of Scripture in modern times.
Define and understand the persona of the Godhead, explore different religious perspectives, and value the magnitude of God's deity.
Understand Jesus' deity and humanity, highlight His critical role in salvation, and explain His unchanging deity and evolving relationship with Israel and the Body.
Define depravity, explain human nature in contrast to God's essence, identify characteristics of depravity, and value God's grace as the remedy.
Identify three paramount youth ministry priorities, elaborate a ministry mission, and demonstrate leadership with the FPEE Framework. Conclude with face-to-face certification and recognition.
Sessions run every Monday (lecture) and Friday (reflection) from 6:00 to 7:00 PM.
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| May 16 | Orientation |
| May 23 | First Lecture Lecture |
| May 30 | Second Lecture Lecture |
| Jun 06 | Third Lecture Lecture |
| Jun 13 | Fourth Lecture Lecture |
| Jun 20 | Culminating Activity Face-to-face |
Seasoned Grace pastors and Bible women from across the Northern Luzon Association.
Log in with your teacher credentials to access the complete five-lesson GIG curriculum — with scripture references, teaching cards, discussion prompts, and section-by-section navigation.
Enter your credentials to access the curriculum.
Enrollment is open to all NORLAG youth officers. The course is completely free. Secure your place in Batch 1 today.
For inquiries, contact the course coordinator at 0961-793-0629
5 lessons · Grow in Grace curriculum · NORLAG Youth Ministries
Lesson 1
The Bible
God-breathed, progressive, rightly divided
The Bible is God-breathed
Understanding why Scripture is our supreme authority
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness."
2 Timothy 3:16
Official statement
The entire Bible in its original writings is inerrant, verbally inspired of God, and of plenary authority. — Grow in Grace, Grace Gospel Fellowship, Grace Bible College
The songwriter analogy
God is the songwriter; the human writers are the singers. You hear a unique voice, but the message comes from God.
Inerrant
The Bible has no mistakes. It is the "Supreme Court" of our lives — the final word on what is true.
Discussion
Ask the group: What makes the Bible different from any other book you've read? Why does it matter that it came from God?
Progressive revelation
God revealed His plan in stages over thousands of years
The math class analogy
You start with 1+1=2. Once you understand that, you move on to fractions and algebra. The early lessons are still true — you just follow the instructions for the level you are at now.
God's plan unfolds across time
The Bible shows how God spoke to different people at different times. His plan for Jesus was prepared long before Jesus was even born.
Think about it
Can you think of a story or plan that unfolded slowly over time and made more sense at the end? How is the Bible's story similar?
Rightly dividing the Word
Not every command is written directly to us
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."
2 Timothy 2:15
The group text analogy
If a message says "Pick up milk on your way home" and it was meant for your brother, you don't need to go to the store. You can learn that your family needs milk, but the command wasn't for you.
Animal sacrifices
In the Old Testament, God told people to sacrifice animals for sin. We don't do that today because Jesus was the final sacrifice — for everyone, forever.
Discussion
Can you think of other Old Testament commands that Jesus fulfilled so we no longer need to follow them literally? How does this help us read the Bible better?
What the Bible tells us about Jesus and us
The main goal of Scripture is to lead us to Jesus
Truly God, truly man
The Bible proves Jesus is both fully God and fully human — the unchanging God who became man to save us.
Total depravity
Our hearts are naturally broken by sin. We can't fix ourselves — which is exactly why we need a Savior.
Salvation is a free gift
We are saved simply by trusting that Jesus died for our sins and rose again. We don't earn it — we receive it.
Lesson 2
The Godhead
The most fundamental doctrine for understanding the Bible
The Nature of the Godhead
One God eternally existing as three distinct Persons
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Matthew 28:19
Singular name, plural Persons
Matthew 28:19 uses "name" in the singular — showing that while there are three Persons, they share one divine essence. This is the bedrock of Trinitarian doctrine.
Not three modes or offices
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not merely different "hats" God wears at different times. They are three distinct Persons regularly mentioned together in Paul's benedictions.
Each Person is fully God
The Father is God. Jesus is called God in Hebrews 1:8. The Holy Spirit is called God in Acts 5:3–4. None is a fraction — each is the fullness of the one divine Being.
Discussion
Why does it matter that there are three distinct Persons and not just one God wearing three masks? How does this affect how we pray and relate to each Person?
Understanding the "Inscrutable" Trinity
Illustrations that help us grasp what goes beyond human logic
The universe's triunity
Drawing from Nathan R. Wood, the universe is made of Space, Matter, and Time — and each has an inner "threeness." All of space is length, all is breadth, and all is height. You cannot have one without the others, yet each is the whole of that space. God built His own image into creation.
Like an electron
Scientists describe an electron as acting like both a particle and a wave. That seems like a logical contradiction — yet both are true. Similarly, God is both Three and One. Human logic has limits; reality does not.
Think about it
Can you think of other things in creation that seem paradoxical but are still true? How does this prepare us to accept what we cannot fully picture about God?
The Deity of Jesus Christ
Jesus is true God and true man — not one or the other
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Hebrews 13:8
"Firstborn" and "Only Begotten" are titles, not timelines
If God is an eternal Father, He must have an eternal Son. These titles do not mean Jesus was created in time — they are titles of privilege and headship, meaning He is the Heir and Boss of all creation.
His deity never changes; His form and role did
Jesus' essential deity is "the same yesterday, and today, and for ever." Yet He changed from the form of God to the form of man to reconcile the world, and from King of Israel to Head of the Body of Christ.
Reflection
What does it mean to you personally that Jesus did not give up His deity when He became human? Why is "true God and true man" essential — not optional?
The Personality of the Holy Spirit
He is a Person — not a force, influence, or feeling
The Spirit possesses personality and deity
The Holy Spirit is not an "it." He performs specific, personal works: convicting the world of sin, regenerating believers, and indwelling them permanently. These are acts of a Person with will and purpose — not an impersonal force.
Of sin, righteousness & judgment
The Spirit draws people to recognize their need for Christ — no one comes to God without this work.
Permanently, from salvation
At the moment of belief, the Spirit takes up residence inside the believer — never to leave.
Discussion
How would your relationship with the Holy Spirit change if you thought of Him as a Person rather than a feeling or energy?
Why the Godhead Matters for Salvation
The Trinity is not abstract theology — it is the foundation of the gospel
Only God could righteously pay the debt
If Jesus were only a good man, it would be unethical for God to punish Him for the sins of others. Because Jesus is God manifested in the flesh, it is perfectly right for God Himself to pay the debt. Justice and mercy meet at the cross precisely because of the Trinity.
Salvation is a joint effort of the Godhead
The Father sent the Son. The Son paid the debt. The Holy Spirit applies that work to the believer. Maintaining these distinctions helps believers appreciate the full depth of God's grace.
Planned and sent
Out of love, He designs the plan of redemption and sends the Son.
Came and paid
Jesus became man, lived perfectly, and died as the sufficient sacrifice for all sin.
Applies and seals
The Spirit brings the believer to faith, regenerates them, and seals them for the day of redemption.
Closing reflection
How does understanding salvation as the work of all three Persons deepen your gratitude? Which Person of the Trinity do you feel you know the least — and why?
Lesson 3
Jesus is God
True God and true man — why this changes everything
A team of three
Father, Son, Holy Spirit — one God
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Matthew 28:19
Three dimensions, one space
You need length, breadth, and height to have space. Take one away and space doesn't exist. God is three Persons — remove one and you don't have the God of the Bible.
The Father is God. Jesus is God. The Holy Spirit is God.
They are distinct but not separate — three Persons, one Being.
Jesus: 100% God and 100% man
He didn't pretend to be human, and He didn't stop being God
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Hebrews 13:8
Heir, not created
A title of honor meaning He is the Heir and the Boss — not that He was made after the Father.
Particle and wave
An electron is both at once. Hard to picture, but true. Jesus is both God and man — fully, simultaneously.
Only God can pay a divine debt
Because Jesus is God, His sacrifice on the cross counts for the entire world — past, present, and future.
Total Depravity: why we need Him
Sin broke our spiritual engine
"For those who live according to the flesh cannot please God."
Romans 8:8
Heart at enmity
A sworn enemy might do something "nice" physically, but their heart won't let them truly love that person. Before salvation, our hearts are like enemies toward God.
Dead people need life, not effort
When we realize we are spiritually dead in sin, we stop trying to save ourselves. We realize we need someone to give us new life — and Jesus does exactly that.
Activity
Ask each person: "Have you ever tried really hard to fix something totally beyond your ability? How did it feel when someone stepped in and fixed it?" Connect this to what Jesus does for us.
Knowing Jesus is God gives us confidence
He has the power to save and keep us — forever
One God in three Persons
Father, Son, Holy Spirit — each fully God, eternally distinct.
Became man to pay for sin
His sacrifice is perfect and sufficient because He is the eternal, unchanging God.
Total depravity → total grace
We can't save ourselves, so God saves us completely. His grace covers everything.
Lesson 4
Total Depravity
Why every person needs a Savior — and why that's good news
What Total Depravity really means
The condition every person is born into
Not "as evil as possible"
You can still be kind, honest, and helpful to others. Total depravity isn't about maximum badness.
Spiritually dead from birth
Our relationship with God is broken from the start. Even our "good" deeds aren't done from love for God.
Shiny outside, dead inside
A car might look perfect — but if the engine is broken, it can't actually run. Sin is that broken engine in our hearts. We can function outwardly but we can't truly connect with God on our own.
The problem: we are "at enmity"
Our hearts naturally act like enemies of God
"The mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot."
Romans 8:7
A heart that won't yield
A sworn enemy might be able to do something "nice" — but their heart blocks it because they have no love. Before salvation, we are like that toward God. We prefer ourselves over Him in every choice.
Even our best isn't good enough
The Bible says even our very best deeds are like "filthy rags" compared to how perfectly holy God is. This isn't to shame us — it's to show us how much we need Him.
Why this is actually good news
Understanding our need is the first step to receiving grace
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."
Romans 3:23–24
Stop trying to be "perfect enough"
Once you know you can't fix it yourself, you can stop exhausting yourself trying. God isn't waiting for you to be good enough.
God does all the work
Because we are helpless, God offers salvation completely free. We just trust that Jesus paid the full price on the cross.
He gives us a new nature
God doesn't just forgive us — He gives us a brand new heart and a new ability to love Him. This is grace.
Closing reflection
Knowing we are "totally depraved" helps us see just how incredible God is for loving us and saving us anyway. How does understanding your need for grace make you feel toward God?
The big picture
Three truths about Total Depravity
We are born spiritually stuck
We cannot fix our relationship with God on our own — no matter how hard we try.
Our motives are off
Even when we do good things, the motive is usually about ourselves rather than love for God.
God does all the work
Because we can't save ourselves, God gives us a new nature and new life as a completely free gift through faith in Jesus.
Lesson 5
The Ministry
Called to share — the Great Commission for every believer
What is the ministry?
Understanding what we mean when we talk about "the ministry"
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."
Matthew 28:19–20
The ministry = sharing the Good News
The ministry is the work of telling others about Jesus — His love, His sacrifice, and the hope of salvation. It's not just for pastors or adults. Every follower of Christ is called to do it.
Evangelize
To share the gospel — Jesus died and rose again so we can be forgiven and have eternal life.
Witness
To be a living example. Your life, words, and character all point others toward God.
Quick discussion
Have you ever told a friend about something that excited you — a movie, food, or a game? How easy was it? Why do we sometimes find it harder to talk about Jesus?
Why do the ministry?
Three big reasons God calls us to share
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16
Because people matter to God
Every person around you is deeply loved by God. When we share, we partner with God's greatest desire: that all people would know His love.
Because we've been transformed
If God has changed your life — given you peace, forgiveness, or hope — that story is powerful. Your testimony is a tool God can use to reach someone else.
Because Jesus commanded it
The Great Commission isn't a suggestion — it's a command for every believer, including young people.
Reflection
Write one sentence: "My life changed when I met Jesus because ___." Share with a partner. These are the beginnings of your personal testimonies.
How do we do it?
Practical steps — no seminary degree needed
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
1 Peter 3:15
Pray first
Before you say a word, ask God to open doors and soften hearts. Ministry begins on your knees, not just with your mouth.
Build genuine relationships
People don't care what you know until they know that you care. Be a real friend — listen, help, show up. Friendship is the bridge the gospel walks across.
Share your testimony
Life before Jesus → How I met Jesus → Life after Jesus. Keep it short, real, and personal. No one can argue with your own experience.
Present the gospel clearly
God loves us → sin separates us → Jesus bridged the gap → we must choose to receive Him. Invite them to pray to accept Christ.
Practice activity
Pair up. Person A shares their 2-minute testimony. Person B listens, then asks one natural question. Switch. Practice makes it feel natural — not scripted.
Your next step
The ministry starts with one person, one conversation
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."
1 Timothy 4:12
Name one person this week
Write down the name of one person you know who doesn't know Jesus. Commit to praying for them every day and looking for one natural opportunity to share God's love with them.
Do this week
Pray for your one person daily. Send them a kind message. Invite them to hang out.
Remember this
You plant the seed. God makes it grow. Your job is to be faithful, not to force results.
Group closing prayer
Each person prays one sentence for their "one person." Close with: "We are not too young, too quiet, or too new. We are exactly who God wants to use."