ICA - SES Live

Welcome to the Institute for Christian Apologetics (ICA), the official discipleship and training arm of Southern Evangelical Seminary (SES). Co-developed with Families of Virtue (FOV), the ICA exists to bridge the gap between Sunday school and seminary by equipping believers to become active disciple-makers. Why the ICA? For too long, a significant gap has existed between the introductory discipleship commonly available through local church Sunday schools and the specialized, degree-oriented rigor of seminary education. Everyday believers want deep, substantive answers that will help them navigate cultural pressures, but most do not have the time or desire to enroll in a formal, multi-year academic program. The ICA occupies this critical middle ground by bringing accessible, seminary-caliber training to lay Christians because the seminary exists to serve the church. Transformation Over Mere Information Many traditional educational models focus primarily on communicating academic information. This approach can leave believers knowing the truth without loving it or living according to it. The ICA therefore combines rigorous intellectual training with intentional formation in Christian character and growth in sanctification, drawing upon the classical Christian virtue tradition, especially the thought of Thomas Aquinas. Our goal is to help you move from simply knowing the truth to loving it and putting it into practice. Our Four-Part Active Learning Formula Every Workshop is designed around a manageable weekly commitment of two to three hours. READ: The Foundation. Engage with five to ten pages of substantive yet accessible reading for each lesson. WATCH: The Instruction. Learn complex theological and apologetic concepts through focused video lectures lasting no more than 15 to 20 minutes each and featuring whiteboard instruction, diagrams, and other visual models. DO: The Habituation. Put abstract concepts into practice through focused exercises, such as Socratic role-plays, personal audits, and practical applications. MEET: The Mentorship. Participate in live Zoom cohorts, generally limited to approximately 20 students, and engage in robust Socratic dialogue with mentors and fellow learners. Clear Curriculum Architecture To make advanced study easier to navigate, our learning pathways are organized according to a three-tier structure: Guilds (Colleges): Broad communities of study organized around Bible, Theology, Philosophy, Worldviews, Culture, Ministry, and Virtue. Hubs (Departments): Focused concentrations of study, such as Torah, Thomism, Islam, or Logic. Workshops (Courses): Standardized eight-week modules arranged according to a uniform numbering system, allowing you to identify each Workshop’s place within the curriculum and its level of academic rigor. Flexible Milestones Earn a certificate of completion for each individual Workshop. Complete multiple Workshops to earn a Hub Concentration, and complete multiple Hubs to attain Guild Mastery. Step up, sharpen your mind, train your hands, and form your heart with the Institute for Christian Apologetics.