We invite you to undertake a lifelong adventure, exploring the Word of God among an international fellowship without borders-neither intellectual nor geographic.
This is an opportunity to bloom where you are planted by studying the Bible-and related topics-in virtual classrooms on the Internet, while discovering the unique calling on your own life and preparing for the challenges which will inevitably emerge on your personal horizon.
This is not for everyone. It is designed for those who are truly committed to becoming an Ambassador for our Coming King. At the Koinonia Institute, you will find flexible paths of achievement without any straight-jackets of presumption or tradition. We are non-denominational, but decidedly fundamental.
We believe that we are all heading into extremely turbulent times, which will test all of our presumptions and beliefs. It is our objective to identify, encourage, and equip leadership for the challenges ahead.
In addition to the classrooms and courses, your KI Membership will also allow you to take advantage of our KI Member store discount.
The Threefold Structure
a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:12
The programs at the Koinonia Institute are organized around three tracks, which are concurrent paths of achievement:
- The Berean Track;
- The Issachar Track; and
- The Koinonos Track
It is the objective of the Institute to encourage the student through a balanced program of simultaneous progress along each of these tracks. (Think of them as three legs on a stool: balance is a requisite for effectiveness.) The three tracks include a wide variety of electives to permit a tailored curriculum to match the specific gifting of each individual student.
As various levels are achieved in each of the three tracks, a series of Distinguished Achievement Awards are available, which carry special privileges and incentives.
The Berean Track
The Berean Track is the primary backbone of the Institute, motivated by the diligence of the Bereans:
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, yet searched the Scriptures daily, to prove whether those things were so.
Acts 17:11
The program begins with a strategic overview of the entire Bible, with an emphasis on its integrity of design, its extra-terrestrial origin, and its inerrancy in the original autographs. When the final Berean Level is achieved, the student will have studied all 66 books of the Bible, verse-by-verse, with in-depth expositional commentaries based on a commitment to the inerrancy of the Word of God.
These expositional studies can be supplemented with optional electives in the areas of epistemology, apologetics, hermeneutics, and contemporary aids in the source languages.
The Issachar Track
The Issachar Track is motivated by the diligence of the Sons of Issachar:
And of the Sons of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do;
1 Chronicles 12:32
The study of the prophetic Scriptures often suffers from its enthusiasts as much as from its detractors, and the Institutes course of study is aimed at encouraging an in-depth understanding of Gods plan of redemption and an awareness of the times-and challenges-we currently face. One of the principal activities of the Institute is to monitor the strategic trends on our horizon and their relationship to the Biblical scenario that we are admonished to understand (Cf. Mt 16:2,3; Lk 19:42,44).
Benjamin Franklins concept of an educated person was: A jack of all trades and master of one. (He is often misquoted, as master of none.) His intended objective was to know something about everything, and everything about something.
Following this model, the Issachar Track begins with an overview of the prophetic Scriptures and a survey of the strategic trends impacting our horizon. Subsequent Issachar Levels include various topics in eschatology, and also encourage becoming a master of one of the strategic trends by specialization in specific trends of interest. Senior levels of pursuit may also include participation as a Research Associate as part of the intelligence network that supports the publications of the Institute.
The Koinonos Track
Koinonos, is the Greek word for a partner or participant; it also implies a fiduciary-one who puts his partners interests ahead of his own. The Koinonos Track is intended to emphasize being a doer of the Word, not a hearer only.
The Koinonos Track takes its imperative from the Third Commandment:
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.
Exodus 20:7
It is our view that this has little to do with vocabulary (as is often supposed), but refers to ambassadorship (Cf. Prov 30:9). If we are to take the name of the King, we need to be prepared to represent Him faithfully and competently, in actions, not just in words alone.
The Koinonos Track focuses on discipleship, servanthood, and ambassadorship. It also strongly encourages participation in a small study group as one of the most effective means of personal growth. This track includes a broad spectrum of electives that encompass a wide range of callings as the Holy Spirit may direct:
Distinguished Achievement Awards
As an incentive to maintain a balanced program among all three tracks, a series of Medallion Awards has been established. (Each medallion is accompanied with both a lanyard to wear for formal ceremonial occasions as well as a presentation desk stand for the office.)
The Medallion design is centered around the passage in 1 Corinthians 13:12 (in Greek), and Lukes admonition to diligence in Acts 17:11 (which has been a trademark of Koinonia House for several decades). This is all embedded on the background of the symbol for Israel, the Shield of David, and the Shma, Deuteronomy 6:4-5, the Great Commandment.
The Bronze Medallion
In ancient Israel, the first things that were encountered when entering the Tabernacle were the Brazen Altar and the Brazen Laver (Molten Sea). [The word translated brass in the King James Version would be more correctly rendered bronze, since the alloy used was copper and tin (Ex 27:4).]
Levitically, bronze was the metal that could sustain fire; so it represented Gods judgment. The brazen serpent on a pole represented the Cross: Jesus, made sin and judged in our stead (Num 21; Jn 3:14; 2 Cor 5:21). Two bronze pillars encountered in front of Solomons Temple were named Boaz, in His Strength, and Jachin, in His Counsel (1 Kgs 7:21; 2 Chr 3:17).
Our first level of achievement in the Institute is the Bronze Medallion, memorializing our commitment to Christ: to rely on His strength, and to remain in His counsel. When the Level 1 requirements have been met in all three tracks, a Bronze Medallion will be awarded at the next suitable Convocation of the Institute. This medallion will afford favored admittance to all Koinonia Institute functions so designated, and such other privileges as will be announced from time to time.
[However, our tokens, trinkets, and activities must never take our eyes off of Him, or they become Nehushtan: a thing of brass! (2 Kgs 18:4).]
The Silver Medallion
The trying of mens hearts was compared to the refining of silver (Ps 66:10; Isa 48:10). YHWHs words were as pure as silver refined seven times (Ps 12:6).
The gaining of understanding is better than the gaining of silver (Prov 3:14; compare 8:19; 10:20; 16:16; 22:1; 25:11). Levitically, silver was the symbol of blood. The Tabernacle rested on silver sockets (Ex 38:25-27). The redemption shekels were of silver (1 Sam 9:8). Judas even attempted to return the 30 pieces of silver and cried, I have betrayed innocent blood! (Mt 27:4).
Our silver medallions are to remind us that nothing avails for us but the blood of our Savior. No achievement which we might undertake, no matter how extensive or weighty, can add to what He has already completed on our behalf.
When the Level 3 requirements have been met in all three tracks, a Silver Medallion may be awarded at an investiture ceremony established for this purpose. This will also entitle the wearer to serve as an Advisor to Bronze Medallion students and such other privileges as will be announced from time to time.
The Gold Medallion
Gold reminds us of His Kingship. The gifts at His birth were myrrh, frankincense, and gold, indicating the offices of Prophet, Priest, and King.
Our goal is simply to be the Kings Ambassador, and to represent Him faithfully. Everything external to the Tabernacle (and the Temple) was bronze: the Altar, the Laver, etc. However, everything on the inside was gold.
When the Level 5 requirements have been met in all three tracks, the Gold Medallion may be awarded at the next National or International Convocation, or at a suitable banquet in Israel. This will qualify the wearer to serve in senior organizational roles and in such opportunities for service as may arise.
Our Gold Medallion is not a final goal: only an intermediate mid-course reminder that our ambition is to earn that ultimate Crown of Gold, which we will then cast upon the glassy sea (Rev 4:6, 5:10):
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Revelation 3:11
Go for Bronze This Year!
The courses required to achieve Bronze Medallion status will take you on a survey of the Bible (Old and New Testaments using Learn the Bible in 24 Hours), and an Introduction to Prophecy and Spiritual Disciplines. Why not Go for Bronze this year? Enrollment is Free! See www.StudyCenter.com for details.
