Surge is a unique learning experience for many reasons, but allow me to highlight a few key reasons.
1. Local Church Based
Surge is unique because it is a truly church-based model of leadership development. All Surge tables are based out of local churches and require the leadership of the church to lead the students. Surge is not a para-church ministry, rather it is a collaboration between local churches to do theological and leadership development.
2. Holistic Education
Surge is not simply the acquisition of information. It is not less than that, but more. Surge contains three specific learning environments in which each student must participate:
Individual Study. Every student is responsible to read all the material in the books and reader. Also, each table leader is required to make sure each student commits to a bible reading plan
Surge Table. This is the primary learning environment for Surge. It is a weekly meeting where students discuss the reading and bring out the implications for life and leadership. Students are challenged by their table leader and others at their table to live out the implications of the gospel.
Intensives: There will be 4 intensives throughout the year. These are an important classroom learning environment for Surge. The intensives feature first-rate scholars and front-line church leaders from around the country. Each Intensive will be at the beginning of a quarter and are designed to set up the readings.
3. Strategic Curriculum
The Curriculum for Surge is based on a four-quarter system, in which the content of each quarter builds on the previous.
Q1: Gospel Story
Q2: Gospel Change
Q3: Gospel Mission
Q4: Gospel Leadership
Having established a foundation in the Grand Story of the Bible in Q1, we seek to apply the gospel to our own hearts in Q2. We then ask how the gospel is applied in other contexts to other people in Q3 before finally talking about how to lead in light of the gospel in Q4.
4. Multiplication
Surge has multiplication built into its core. The goal is that once students have been through Surge, they would be equipped to lead others in their church, either formally leading a Surge table, or informally discipling others with some of the curriculum and methods.
Questions?
