Since the fall of 2004, tutorial classes for high school students have been offered at Abundant Life Church
by the Schaeffer Study Center. The focus of the Study Center curriculum is on equipping high school students with basic
biblical knowledge, an understanding of the Christian world-view and an integrated study of the literature, history, and art
of western civilization. The organizing committee for the Study Center included Rob & Cyndy Shearer, Kevin &
Karen Brummett, Cindy Landham, Deb Pennebaker, and Vicki Graham.
Tutorial classes meet on Wednesdays at Abundant Life Church, 1000 Woodridge Drive, Mt. Juliet, TN. The academic
year runs for 32 weeks beginning in mid August and ending in May. The core program is built around an integrated chronogical
study of Western Civilization beginning with the ancient world in 9th grade and finishing with the 20th century in 12th grade.
The core courses for each high school grade are History, Literature, Art History and Bible. In addition, SSC also offers
courses in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Painting, Drawing, Drama and Chorus.
Our Mission
The core curriculum of the Schaeffer Study Center is a set of integrated humanities courses which cover western civilization
chronologically from the ancient world to modern times.
We believe that a chronological approach is the best way to organize the study of western civilization. Accordingly,
our recommended course of study is:
9th Grade – The Ancient World
10th Grade – Middle Ages thru Reformation
11th Grade – The Early Modern World
12th Grade – Modern Times
For each year, we recommend that the student take a set of four core courses: one hour each on History, Literature, Art,
& Bible. These four courses, taken together with a small group of 6-12 classmates, will provide an integrated cultural
overview as well as an introduction to a consistent Christian worldview.
We believe it to be important to include an opportunity for students to take courses in the practical and creative arts.
As Dr. Schaeffer wrote:
"The arts and the sciences do have a place in the Christian life -- they are not peripheral. For a Christian, redeemed
by the work of Christ and living within the norms of Scripture and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the Lordship of
Christ should include an interest in the arts. A Christian should use these arts to the glory of God -- not just as tracts,
but as things of beauty to the praise of God. And art work can be a doxology in itself."
- from Art and the Bible
Our science courses will also be taught from an explicitly Christian worldview. The biology course will be explicitly
creationist, but the evidence both for and against the theory of evolution will also be covered.
While we believe firmly that a well-rounded high school education should include both the study of mathematics and a
foreign language, our experience has been that this is difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish with a 1-day a week tutorial
framework.
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2005 Study Tour Group - in Rome, in front of the Colosseum
Click here for more pictures from the tour
Video Slide Show of the 2005 Europe Trip
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Registration / Open House Dates
for the 2008/2009 academic year Monday, May 5, 7:00-8:00pm @ Abundant Life Church in Mt.
Juliet Monday, June 2, 7:00-8:00pm @ Abundant Life Church
in Mt. Juliet
At each Open House, there will be time to ask questions, and meet with tutors. Tutors
and & syllabi will be available. We'll have question & answer and time to visit and talk about the program.
Come join us! There is still space available in all classes. New students who have not yet registered
can pick up applications and complete most of the paperwork at the Open House. Returning students will have preference for
all courses. After returning students have registered, new students will be admitted until classes are full. Classes
are limited to a maximum of 15 students. All meetings and SSC classes are held at
Abundant Life Church (ALC), Mt. Juliet, TN DIRECTIONS TO ALC:
Abundant Life Church is located in Mt. Juliet, TN. The address is 1000 Woodridge Place. From Nashville, take I-40 east towards
Knoxville. Take exit 226-B, Mt. Juliet Rd North off of I-40, go approximately 3.5 miles north, and turn right onto Woodridge.
Abundant Life Church is the second driveway on the right, just past Celebration Lutheran Church and across Woodridge from
Mt. Juliet High School.
Next Planned Study Trips:
March 2009 - England and Scotland March 2010
- Washington, DC December 2010 - Italy and Germany
Past trips: March 11-17,
2007 - Washington, DC Total Cost was $600
December 2005 - Italy & Germany
Total Cost was $3,165 included airfare to &
from Nashville, lodging, transportation, entrance fees, breakfast & dinner
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