Equip Course Archive - Cornerstone Church of Ames

This crash course explores five critical areas to deepen our understanding of living and dying well in light of eternity: medical decisions, funeral planning, legacy building, financial preparedness, and spiritual reflection. Taught by Mark Vance with guest panelists.Other Resources:Blueprint Story handoutCornerstone's GriefShare ministryMcFarland Hospital's Advanced Medical Directive handout and conversation resource pageEstate Planning Inventory handoutFuneral Planning Guide handoutResources on Health and Aging handout

This crash course addresses the challenges and opportunities of post-graduation in key areas such as relationships, career, church and community involvement, while also exploring how to maintain a vibrant relationship with Christ in the midst of these changes. Taught by Alanna Sellinger with guest panelists.

In a world where truth is constantly called into question, we've been asking this question of the Bible's reliability, trustworthiness and authority for thousands of years. This crash course will explore why understanding the Bible's nature is crucial for a solid faith foundation, and participants will also learn how the Bible was formed (including a brief history of its contents and the process by which it took shape) and examine the trustworthiness of the New Testament by looking at the historicity and reliability of its manuscripts. Taught by Dan Johnston.Other Details:Crash Course HandoutSupplemental New Testament Manuscript Charts Handout"Making of the Bible [Extended Version]" video by Tim Mackie

How Should I Think About Gender?:  This session addresses the huge cultural shifts about how we think of gender identity, and the need to come back to forgotten foundations of what the Bible says about being made in God's image as men and women. Taught by Sam Allberry.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Gender & Sexuality (Spring 2025).

How Should I Think About My Body?:  This session explores the gospel of Jesus and the way it provides a unique and healthy way for us to think about our own bodies as being made by God and for him. Taught by Sam Allberry.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Gender & Sexuality (Spring 2025).

How Should I Think About Marriage and Singleness?:  This session discusses the fresh light that the gospel sheds on the meaning of both marriage and singleness, affirming both as good gifts when used in service of God's purposes. Taught by Sam Allberry.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Gender & Sexuality (Spring 2025).

How Should I Think About Sex?:  This session looks at why God even cares about things like this, and why it's good news that he does. Taught by Sam Allberry.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Gender & Sexuality (Spring 2025).

Let's be honest: Sometimes Jesus says things are just downright confusing, a this course will delve into some of the challenging and often misunderstood sayings of Jesus. Participants will gain tools for interpreting tough biblical texts, addressing questions and concerns that arise from passages that seem confusing or troubling. With a focus on clarity and sound biblical interpretation, we'll explore how these hard sayings reveal profound truths about the character of God and the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. Taught by Alex Tuckness and Alanna Sellinger.Other Details:Interpretive Journey and study resources handout

This crash course explores what the Bible says about diversity and how the church can cultivate a rich, all-encompassing theology of diversity that reflects God's heart for all people. We'll go beyond just race and ethnicity to examine how aspects like socioeconomic status, marital status, disabilities, and family makeup contribute to a fuller understanding of God's design for community. Participants will be challenged to consider how embracing holistic diversity can foster spiritual growth, deepen relationships, and help believers mature in their faith. We'll also address the dangers of elevating any single aspect of identity above our identity in Christ and explore how exclusion from diversity can hinder spiritual maturity. Taught by Alex Tuckness with guest panelists.

This crash course dives into the addictive nature of social media and how it's designed to keep us hooked. Participants will learn how to identify harmful habits, build healthier practices, and find ways to use social media with purpose, so you can connect meaningfully and show up as a faithful presence and fruitful witness online. Taught by Jill Thomas (LISW), Laura Wifler, and Alanna Sellinger.Other Details:Social Media Personal Survey, Symptoms, and Playbook Handout"Facebook Files," podcast on Spotify"The Social Dilemma," documentary and website

Which Battles are Worth Fighting?:  This session discusses lessons from the Fundamentalist-Modernist controversy. A great need in the church today is theological triage: which issues are worth fighting over? Going back 100 years into church history provides helpful perspective on which doctrines we should be willing to divide over—and which are not. Despite the negative connotations of the word “fundamentalist,” the early fundamentalists can actually help us consider how to prioritize the gospel amidst our theological disagreements. This session provides an overview of what the early fundamentalists stood for, and how their legacy relates to contemporary conversations. Taught by Gavin Ortlund.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Church History (Fall 2024).

Overcoming Anxiety:  This session discusses how the Puritans can help with anxiety, one of the most acute and prevalent modern struggles. We have resources in our theological traditions that can speak to this struggle, as the Puritans excelled at applying the gospel as a balm to the human heart. Special attention is given to the role of the Holy Spirit in providing assurance of the love of God. Taught by Gavin Ortlund.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Church History (Fall 2024).

Tales of Martyrs:  This session discusses faithful courage from forgotten stories-- inspiring and often neglected stories of faithfulness amidst suffering in church history. Special focus will be given to how Christians responded to persecution in the early church, and the courage of missionaries and martyrs who brought the gospel into Northern Europe in early medieval history. Taught by Gavin Ortlund.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Church History (Fall 2024).

How to Thrive in a Hostile Culture:  This session discusses lessons from the early church-- how the early Christians responded to a hostile and ungodly surrounding culture with neither retreat nor attack. Special attention is given to the early Christians' attitude toward entertainment (gladiator games, theater, etc.), which provides many lessons for how Christians today should respond to television and social media. Taught by Gavin Ortlund.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Church History (Fall 2024).

This crash course tackles some of the most troublesome texts of violence in the Old Testament so we can better understand how to make sense of God for ourselves and others. Taught by Rudy Hartmann.Other Resources:Crash Course Notes & Handout

From toddlers to teens, parenting takes all sorts of shapes through the years. This crash course will help you understand the nature of each stage of your child's development, and how this impacts all aspects of your parenting approach for the purpose of cultivating a meaningful and lasting relationship. Taught by Jill Thomas, therapist at Abounding Hope Counseling.Other details:Crash Course handoutParenting Resources handout

This crash course gives practical tools and biblical insights for you and your spouse to assess your marriage, enhance communication and intimacy, and prioritize one another amidst the busyness of life. Taught by Joel Jorgenson, therapist at Cornerstone Counseling Center.

Grandparents play a unique and profoundly influential role in the lives of their grandchildren, but often grandparents themselves don't understand their enormous potential as spiritual influencers. This crash course is designed to encourage and equip Christian grandparents by teaching biblical principles that will encourage you to leave a legacy of faith to your grandchildren. It will help you overcome obstacles, equip you with best practices to implement in perpetuating your faith, and offer opportunities to learn from other like-minded grandparents. You'll leave full of inspiration, ideas and practical tools to help you be more intentional in your grandparenting. Taught by Jon Ness with Legacy Coalition.

Transitioning to post-college life presents a new stage of life with excitement and challenges. From first jobs and paychecks, to moving (or staying!) and navigating friendships, dating, marriage and singleness, there are many things to anticipate. This crash course is designed for almost-college grads to recent grads (1-3 years) to discuss how to transition into post-grad life wisely and live faithfully in this unique stage of life. Taught by Alanna Sellinger with Matt and Bethany Snyder, Jacob and Elle Johnson, Carson and Elle Gardner, and Allie Frank.Other Resources:Next Steps and Local Church handout5Hs Reflection Guide handout

This crash course provides staggering data and research on how technology affects your child's brain during critical developmental stages, and the practical (and urgently important!) steps you can take as a parent to monitor, filter, and oversee your teens' technology use and screen time. Taught by Laura Wifler with Ryan and Danielle Hill, Mark and Mandy Stenberg, Peter Miller, and Rainer Erani.Other Resources:Teens and Tech Resources handoutSample Phone Agreement letter and planFamily Technology Plan handout

As anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues increase in frequency and intensity among teens and adolescents, how can you as a parent navigate these challenges and crises with your teenagers?  This crash course provides you with resources and support, practical tools, and helpful perspectives on mental health issues from therapists actively working with children and teens. Taught by Steve Jones (T-LMHC) with Ed Ruppert (MA, LISW), Sidney Barker (LISW), and Jill Thomas (LISW, PMH-C, RPT-S).

This crash course provides gospel-centered principles to implement with your teens during the often chaotic and challenging years of parenting teenagers. Parents will learn how to seize the countless opportunities to deepen communication, learn, and grow with their teenagers in this critical and formative stage of your child's life. Taught by Steve Jones.

This crash course provides an overview of the origins of deconstruction, why people deconstruct, and ways to deconstruct that lead to a healthy reconstruction of the Christian faith rather than deconversion. Taught by Graham Spruill and Alanna Sellinger.Other DetailsTheological Triage handout

The Challenge of Pseudo-religions:  Exploring the rise of the unaffiliated and the various pseudo-religions and intuitional spiritualities people are turning to as traditional religious adherence falls away, along with opportunities to bear gospel witness in a world of “do-it-yourself” spirituality. Taught by Trevin Wax.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Four Challenges Facing the Western Church in America (Spring 2024).

The Challenge of Christian Morality:  Exploring the implications of the sexual revolution and societal views of Christian teaching on sex and marriage, along with opportunities to minister in a world of sexual revolution refugees. Taught by Trevin Wax.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Four Challenges Facing the Western Church in America (Spring 2024).

The Challenge of Personalized Faith:  Exploring the relegation of religion to morality, and to personal and private expressions of spirituality, along with a challenge to proclaim the gospel as public truth. Taught by Trevin Wax.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Four Challenges Facing the Western Church in America (Spring 2024).

The Challenge of a “Be True To Yourself” Culture:  Exploring the predominant worldview of our society and how the gospel provides a better vision for humanity. Taught by Trevin Wax.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Four Challenges Facing the Western Church in America (Spring 2024).

This crash course provides a Christian perspective on the human bodies – how and why they matter to God, how Christians can care for their bodies, and how to address and face the common challenges, ailments, addictions, and struggles we experience in our bodies. Taught by Alex Tuckness, Corrie Patten, and Steve Jones.

How to Engage in Politics in the 21st Century: Models for public witness in a supercharged political climate. Live Q&A is a part of this session. Taught by Dr. Patrick Schreiner.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: The Political Gospel (Fall 2023).

Becoming Submissive Citizens: Christians are called to submit to the state and be innocent and righteous citizens. Live Q&A is a part of this session. Taught by Dr. Patrick Schreiner.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: The Political Gospel (Fall 2023).

Becoming Subversive Prophets: Christianity is a disruption, a challenge, to the political order. Live Q&A is a part of this session. Taught by Dr. Patrick Schreiner.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: The Political Gospel (Fall 2023).

Christians Need to Be More (Not Less) Political: Christianity not only has political implications but is itself a politic. Taught by Dr. Patrick Schreiner.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: The Political Gospel (Fall 2023).

This crash course  unpacks a biblical framework for women as image-bearers, how Christ's life and ministry gives dignity and significance to women, and how women lead in the church from a complementarian viewpoint. Taught by Alanna Sellinger and Mark Vance.More Resources:"Jesus, Justice, and Gender Roles," book by Kathy Keller"God's Good Design," book by Claire Smith"Jesus Through the Eyes of Women," book by Rebecca McLaughlin"Developing Female Leaders," book by Kadi Cole"Half the Church," book by Carolyn Custis James

This crash course provides a 30,000-foot overview of world religions, provide you with clarity and curiosity for non-Christians around the world, and instill courage and confidence when engaging in gospel conversations with those of different faiths and worldviews. Taught by Eric Warren with guest panelists.Other Details:World Religions handoutDavid Platt's Secret Church and Radical ministry resources

This crash course walks through the biblical framework necessary for parents to accomplish the God-sized task of preparing teenage children for adulthood. Taught by Steve Jones.Additional Resources:"Age of Opportunity," book by Paul David Tripp

This crash courses  discusses the history of technology and considers how technology shapes us with practical tools to become people of virtue in a tech-saturated world.  Taught by Nick Harsh with Alanna Sellinger.More Resources:"God, Technology, and the Christian Life," book by Tony Reinke"Analog Christian," book by Jay Kim"Competing Spectacles," book by Tony Reinke"Social Sanity in an Insta World," book by Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra, et al."12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You," book by Tony Reinke and John Piper"The Social Dilemma," documentary 

Our life stories have tremendous impact on who we are and how we live, view, and interact with the world around us. This crash course will utilize Blueprint tools to help identify pivotal moments and people, along with personal narratives and disruptions. These factors help to clarify emerging life patterns and chapters to better understand how our unique stories fit into the larger story that God is writing. Taught by Mark Duvick.Other Details:Blueprint Story Tools handout

This crash course discusses the “last and longest” phase of parenting adult children, including foundational principles and helpful ways to navigate with your adult children through singleness, marriage and in-laws, grand-parenting, and more. Taught by Steve Jones and guest panelists.More Resources:"Parenting Your Adult Child," book by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell"Doing Life With Your Adult Children," book by Jim Burns"How To Really Love Your Adult Child," book by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell

Considering the motivations of truth and love applied to doctrine for pursuing unity.  Taught by Alex Tuckness.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Doctrine (Spring 2023).

A breakout session exploring the return of Christ, the judgment of all people, the consummation of all things, including heaven, hell, and the new earth. Taught by Mark Vance.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Doctrine (Spring 2023).

A breakout session exploring the church's origins, who the church is and her distinct marks and works, including the role of sanctification for believers. Taught by Alanna Sellinger.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Doctrine (Spring 2023).Other notes:Breakout Handouts

A breakout session discussing the context and need for salvation, the life, death and resurrection of Christ, theological terms surrounding salvation, and the implications of salvation for every person. Taught by Dan Johnston.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Doctrine (Spring 2023).Other notes:"Getting the Gospel Right," book by RC Sproul"The Gospel of Jesus Christ," article from TGC"Systematic Theology, Vol 3: Sin and Salvation," book by Norman Geisler

A breakout session exploring the humanity as image bearers and the condition of total depravity. Taught by Ross Harmon.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Doctrine (Spring 2023).

A breakout session exploring God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as three distinct persons in one divine essence. Taught by Nick Harsh.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Doctrine (Spring 2023).Other notes:Breakout Handouts

A breakout session exploring the inspiration, inerrancy, canonicity, authority, and sufficiency of Scripture. Taught by Graham Spruill.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Doctrine (Spring 2023).

Exploring why theology matters for loving God with our minds. Taught by Alex Tuckness.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: Doctrine (Spring 2023).

This crash course explores a biblical framework Christians can have for disabilities, including the image of God and the sovereignty of God. Additionally, we discuss the history of disabilities in the United States, and practical ways kids, adults, and the church can move toward people with disabilities with love and honor. Taught by Dan Johnston and Laura Wifler.More Resources:"Walking with God through Pain and Suffering" book by Tim Keller"A Place of Healing" book by Joni Eareckson Tada"Suffering and the Sovereignty of God" book by John Piper and Justin Taylor"The Life We Never Expected" book by Andrew and Rachel Wilson"The Unseen Realm" book by Michael Heiser"Like Me" book by Laura Wifler

This crash course is designed for almost-college grads to recent grads (1-3 years) to discuss how to transition into post-grad life wisely and live faithfully in this new and unique stage of life. Taught by Alanna Sellinger with guest panelists.Other Details:Local Church Resources handout

This crash course discusses how Christian men and women can pursue purity in a culture obsessed with sex and addicted to pornography. Through personal experiences and research data of pornography's danger and addictive nature, this course also focuses on practical steps to finding freedom, healing, and redemption through Christ and gospel-centered community. Taught by Mark Vance and Lance Dewein.Other Details:"The Great Porn Experiment," by Gary Wilson"The Demise of Guys," by Philip ZimbardoMore Resources:Covenant Eyes filter softwarePlucky filter softwareCanopy filter softwareBrain, Heart, World docuseries

This crash course unpacks the major covenants of scripture and the ways in which the Kingdom of God unfolds through the promises God makes with His people. Taught by Dr. Tom Niehof and Dr. Alex Tuckness.Other Details:Covenants handoutMore Resources:"God's Kingdom through God's Covenants" book"The Whole Story of the Bible in 16 Verses" book"Far as the Curse is Found" book"Covenant and God's Purpose for the World" book

Exploring insights and life applications about God's character, including His transcendence and divine purposes based on what we know about His creation from science. Taught by Dr. Mike Strauss.This session is a part of Equip Weekend: God and Science (Fall 2022).