• Athens Institute of Ministry (AIM)

    AIM Logo with AIM and Athens Institute of Ministry on the L and a photograph of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece on the R

    Welcome to AIM!

    AIM Online is the online Bible learning site of the Athens Institute of Ministry.
    In addition to this main AIM website, AIM currently has regional programs in Europe, the UK and Ireland, and the American Pacific.

    Please consider donating, one-time or ongoing,
    to provide scholarships for students and
    to further the work of the     AIM Teaching Ministry.

    Our current live course for the 2023 Cohort is AIM New Testament Interpretation (included at an overall discount in the New Testament Module). (Started on May 6, 2023)

    What many of us were never taught… Exegesis and hermeneutics--interpreting what a N.T. passage meant to those to whom it was written, and making a proper application to our situation today--are vital areas of theological training. There are units on exegesis of the Synoptic Gospels, Parables, Acts, Epistles, Revelation, and more. 20 useful passages and several books will be studied, including Gordon Fee's How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth.

    AIM Program 2023-2025

    AIM New Testament

    Register

    AIM Old Testament

    Register

    AIM Counseling*

    Register

    AIM Spiritual Perspectives

    Register

    A la carte

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    Transitional Module**
    $450

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    1. New Testament Survey
    2. New Testament Interpretation
    3. Exploring Hebrews
    4. Communicating Biblical Truth

    1. Old Testament Survey
    2. Old Testament Interpretation
    3. Exploring Amos
    4. Communicating Biblical Truth

    1. Counseling and Psychology
    2. Spiritual Life
    3. Family Life
    4. Christ and Culture

    1. Apologetics & Evangelism
    2. Doctrine + Holy Spirit
    3. Church History
    4. Worldviews & Evangelism

    Choose any 4 courses of your preference

    1. Exploring Hebrews
    2. Exploring Amos
    3. Christ and Culture

     * Either the New Testament or Old Testament module is a prerequisite for the Counseling Module. That is, you must take either NT or OT and Counseling to receive a certificate for Counseling 

    ** Intended for students who have taken everything except these three courses in an older version of AIM

    Pricing**

    Individual

    Group of 5-9 Students (per student)

    Group of 10+ Students (per student)
    4 Course Module $599 $499 $399
    Full AIM Program
    (Single Payment for Entire 15 course program)    		 $1,499
    Register    		 $1,249 $999
    Full AIM Program
    Payment Plan    		 3 payments of $599 ($1,797)
    Register    		 3 payments of $475 ($1,425) 3 payments of $400 ($1,200)

    **Please contact us at help@athensinstitute.org in order to make arrangements for installment payment plans, the group plans, and the a la cart module.

    AIM Program 2023 - 2025

    AIM courses may be purchased individually for $199/course, or at a discount in pre-packaged modules granting a digital certificate focused on particular study goals. For the most significant cost savings, you may also register for the entire diploma program* all at once.

    * The option to audit AIM courses is no longer available.

    Available Modules (2023 - 2025)

    • New Testament Module: Includes New Testament Survey, New Testament Interpretation, Exploring Hebrews, Communicating Biblical Truth

    • Old Testament Module: Includes Old Testament Survey, Old Testament Interpretation, Exploring Amos, Communicating Biblical Truth

    • Counseling Module: Includes Counseling & Psychology, Spiritual Life, Family Life, Christ & Culture

    • Spiritual Perspective Module: Includes Apologetics/Evangelism, Doctrine/Holy Spirit, Church History, Worldviews/Evangelism

    • A la carte: Includes Choose any 4 courses of your preference

    Course Module Descriptions

    NEW TESTAMENT MODULE 

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    The AIM New Testament Module prepares students to understand and interpret the New Testament and to teach, preach, and study the New Testament accurately and confidently with others.

    The New Testament Module includes a detailed overview of the New Testament, including how it came to be in its current form, an introduction to the authors and books of the New Testament, the types of writing contained in the New Testament, an introduction to the geography of the New Testament world, the Graeco-Roman background of the New Testament, how to properly read and understand the New Testament writings including the Gospels, the book of Acts, the Letters, and the book of Revelation, how to teach or preach from the New Testament, and an advanced, in-depth study of the Book of Hebrews as an example of applying what you've learned to a specific book of the New Testament.

    This module is suitable for anyone interested in learning how to read, understand, and teach the New Testament to others, including those who wish a more profound knowledge of the New Testament, Bible Study leaders, small group leaders, ministers desiring a refresher, or anyone who wants more up-to-date knowledge of New Testament studies.

     OLD TESTAMENT MODULE

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    The AIM Old Testament Module prepares students to understand and interpret the Old Testament and to teach, preach, and study the Old Testament accurately and confidently with others.

    The Old Testament Module includes a detailed overview of the Old Testament including how it came to be in its current form, an introduction to the authors and books of the Old Testament, the types of writing contained in the Old Testament, an introduction to the geography of the Old Testament world, the Ancient Near Eastern background of the Old Testament, how to properly read and understand the Old Testament writings including the first part of Genesis, the Law, the Prophets, and Old Testament Wisdom and Apocalyptic literature, how to teach or preach from the Old Testament, and an advanced, in-depth study of the Book of Amos as an example of applying what you've learned to a specific book of the Old Testament.

    This module is good for anyone interested in learning how to read, understand, and teach the Old Testament to others including those who wish a deeper knowledge of the Old Testament, Bible Study leaders, small group leaders, ministers desiring a refresher, or anyone who wants more up-to-date knowledge of Old Testament studies.

    COUNSELING MODULE

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    The AIM Counseling Module aims to equip the body of Christ to be "competent to counsel" one another. 

    Christian Counseling is a much-neglected discipline. And yet everyone looks to church leaders for guidance and counsel. This means that the leader must be well-equipped and prudent--especially in this day and age. The AIM Counseling Module includes a basic introduction and training in psychological, marriage, family, and personal spiritual counseling and an overview of how to build and maintain an excellent personal spiritual foundation for oneself. This module also examines current cultural trends in society and how to address them as issues within the church and when interacting with friends, neighbors, and family members in broader cultural contexts. Attention is also paid to local cultural contexts in various world cultures.

    This module is for anyone who wishes solid practical and theological training in basic Christian biblical counseling and an introduction to basic principles of counseling, including when and how to refer people to professional counselors.

    SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVES MODULE

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    The goal of the AIM Spiritual Perspectives Module is to prepare students to engage sensitively and effectively with others from a wide variety of differing denominational, religious, and philosophical perspectives. 

    The AIM Spiritual Perspectives Module includes extensive training in apologetics and evidence for the Christian worldview, an introduction to significant worldviews and world religions, including Catholicism, Orthodoxy, the Church of the East, Protestantism, Charismatic/Pentecostal Movements, and Restoration Movements, New Age Movements, atheism, postmodernism, in-depth teaching about the Holy Spirit, and various popular teachings within groups and denominations professing Christianity, as well as an introduction to the history of world Christianity, and much practical training about how to effectively evangelize and share the Good News about Jesus with others.

    This module is for anyone desiring sound and effective training and knowledge on how to reach out to anyone sensitively and knowledgeably. Students will learn how to make new relationships and engage in great conversations about personal belief with nearly anyone, regardless of what they may believe.

    Course Catalog

     

    Core Courses

    Course
    Course Details
    and Registration

    Apologetics and Christian Evidences
    This course introduces the student to Apologetics and Christian Evidences, from the Creation/Evolution debate to Archaeology to Theodicy (the problem of suffering)--and much more! You will learn how to put together convincing presentations for unbelievers, and make apologetics a part of your own personal ministry. (Also valuable in campus ministry, teen ministry.)

    The Book of Amos (Online Distance Version, not live
    DESCRIPTION

    An exegetically sound exposition of the Old Testament book of Amos. Amos is the first of the great writing prophets. From his early days as a humble shepherd in the southern Judah, Amos is called by God to be a prophet to the neighboring northern (and enemy) nation of Israel. Writing during the years immediately preceding the fall of the Israel (722 BC), Amos prophesied impending judgment upon both Israel and Judah-- as well as on the surrounding nations-- for their egregious sins against human rights and oppression of the poor and helpless.

    Join Tom Jones, Joey Harris, and Douglas Jacoby for an in-depth look at the meaning of Amos. Learning the lessons of Amos will strengthen our faith in God, provide encouragement in the face of injustice, and equip believers with a solid knowledge of Old Testament prophecy. Amos gives us a glimpse of the heart of God towards all who are oppressed.

    Church History
    As one wise person said, "Those who ignore the lessons of history are bound to repeat them." There is so much to learn from two millennia of church history--a valuable course indeed. Includes sections on the early church, Patristics, Restoration Movement, Crossroads/Campus Ministry, ICOC, and more. 20 church history dates will be learned.

    Counseling & Psychology
    Christian Counseling is a much neglected discipline. And yet everyone looks to church leaders for guidance and counsel. This means that the leader must be well equipped and prudent--especially in this day and age. Study the classical personality types (choleric, phlegmatic, sanguine, melancholic). Also learn the ABCs of pastoral counseling--when to advise and when to refer, working with professionals when necessary. Learn about Family Systems and other invaluable approaches. This short course aims to equip us to equip the body of Christ to be "competent to counsel." When is a condition a medical matter, and when is the issue "unrepented sin"? Should we ever advise church members to come off their medication? What should we do when the thin line between responsibility and victimization seems tenuous at best? Learn from Drs. Mike and Mary Shapiro, clinical psychologists with extensive experience in counseling and forensic psychology. Counseling is not an option; it is a crucial area of ministerial training.

    Family Life
    According to 1 Timothy 3, how we build our own family is how we tend to build the church family. This course covers everything the Bible teaches about parenting, marriage, and family. How to keep our priorities straight despite the heavy pressures of ministry. A vital subject--and one we ignore at our peril.

    Holy Spirit/Doctrine
    A major component of this course is pneumatology, the study of doctrines related to the Holy Spirit. [Note: this course may be taken as an equivalent to the classic AIM Holy Spirit course]. In addition overviews of the basic beliefs and worldview of pentecostalism, Calvinism and Arminianism, Mormonism, Catholicism and Protestantism, Sabbatarianism, Messianic and Judaic Christianity, New Age Movements, postmodernism, liberal theology, fundamentalism, prosperity theology, the megachurch movement, and several influential doctrinal systems developed in America will all be covered in this course.

    Homiletics
    Preaching is far, far more than constructing a three-point message, and a sermon is so much more than anecdotes, stories, and personal sharing. Expository sermons have punch and the full authority of the word of God. Without careful exposition, sermons are easily forgotten by the congregation; the preacher does not cause the word of Christ to dwell richly in the congregation (Colossians 3:16). Robinson, Stott, Goldsworthy, and Edwards (through their books) will be some of our instructors. Indeed, biblical preaching has a powerful impact (Matthew 7:28-29)!

    NT Interpretation
    What many of us were never taught… Exegesis and hermeneutics--interpreting what a N.T. passage meant to those to whom it was written, and making a proper application to our situation today--are vital areas of theological training.There are units on exegesis of the Synoptic Gospels, Parables, Acts, Epistles, Revelation, and more. 20 useful passages and several books will be studied, including Gordon Fee's How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth.

    NT Survey
    Bible study--with an emphasis on careful teaching (2 Timothy 2:15)--constitutes nearly 40% of the AIM course. This survey course introduces the student to the world of the New Testament, from the historical and geographical background to the culture of the first century to the formation of the New Testament itself. Units: Synoptic Gospels, John, Acts, the Letters of Paul, the General Epistles, Revelation, and N.T. chronology. In addition to studying a conservative N.T. textbook, the student will read the entire N.T. He will also learn how to deploy 100 useful N.T. passages.

    OT Interpretation
    Exegesis and hermeneutics of the Old Testament. Units on interpretation of: Narratives, Law, Psalms, Prophets, Wisdom Literature, and more. Text: Douglas Stuart's How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth. Learn to preach or teach confidently from the Old Testament. This course has the potential to radically change how you read and interact with God's word.

    OT Survey
    Fewer than 10% of Christians have read the entire Old Testament. This is due largely to unfamiliarity with the O.T. world and lack of much-needed training. This survey course introduces the student to the world of the Old Testament, from the historical and geographical background to the formation of the Old Testament itself. Units: Law, Prophets, Wisdom Literature, Psalms, Historical Books, Chronology, the Apocrypha, and more. We will study ancient Hebrew and Aramaic manuscripts in a special workshop, diving into the complex world of manuscript copying. A powerpoint presentation will colorfully illustrate the amazing history of the transmission of the O.T. through the ages. Learn the story of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Learn also about an upcoming opportunity to visit Israel with your congregation. In addition to studying a conservative O.T. textbook, the student will have read the entire O.T. by the time he or she graduates from AIM--as well as the location of 100 useful passages. Field trip: synagogue visit / lecture by Rabbi.

    Spiritual Life
    The Bible places far more emphasis on who we are inside than on how we behave or appear to others. We have all seen too many comrades-in-arms fall, not rebounding but remaining fallen, due to a weak walk with the Lord--while others continue to go forward to do great things despite formidable obstacles. The course covers character, sexual issues, financial responsibility (guest speaker), and so much more. The secret of God's preacher: the inner spiritual life.

    Worldviews and Evangelism
    Introduction to the major world religions: Islam (900 million adherents), Hinduism (800 million adherents), Buddhism (300 million adherents) [Note: Christianity and Judaism are covered respectively in AIM Doctrine/Holy Spirit and AIM Old Testament Survey. A serious look at the major religions of the world, including their scriptures. 40 useful passages will be learned. Field trip: visit to a Mosque or Hindu/Buddhist Temple. Goal: To learn the importance of worldview apologetics in “pre-evangelism,” and begin to implement new strategies for connecting with outsiders.