The Apostle Peter admonishes believers to "…sanctify Christ in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you…" (1 Peter 3:15, NASV). He makes a challenging statement, no doubt.

What could Peter mean by "being ready?" And how are we to go about "readying" ourselves? What form, what manifestation might that take?

Scripture teaches and directs that we grow in our relationship with the living God by prayer and meditation upon His Word. Prayer life is essential if we are to know our Lord in the way that He desires. We must make the time to communicate with Him, and we must guard that time from outside interferences.

Meditating upon God's Word is a much broader subject. This includes personal and group Bible study, Sunday school and regular worship participation. The more time we spend in the Scriptures, the greater our understanding of God's message for the world - and the more confident we will be when asked to "make a defense for the hope that is in us." Simply, all Christians are responsible for being able to properly handle and communicate God's message to the communities in which our Lord has placed us.

Most believers agree this a good thing, and would attest that they would like to study the Bible in more than a superficial manner. Over the years, our churches have done a good job providing opportunities for this type of education. But many adults and professionals are used to being able to engage in programs of personal development in locales other than the church. In recent years, some have discovered that studying in a seminary environment - without pursuing a degree - is attractive because of the instructors, the learning atmosphere, and scheduling advantages.

Fortunately, many divinity schools and theological seminaries have recognized this, and have made such opportunities available. From lay theological centers, to Certificate and Lay degree programs, to evening classes and weekend seminars, today's Christians have more variety in available theological education than ever before. As Robert Weber and Bruce Roberts point out, "there is no greater educational need in the life of congregations and church organizations today than having a committed, informed, and continually educated leadership." Whether lay or professional, scripture identifies every Christian as a minister. It is incumbent upon us to partake of as many opportunities as possible, to prepare for this important role.

Beeson Divinity School recognizes and accepts the responsibility to reach out to the body of the Church with programs of lifelong theological learning, open to laity as well as clergy. Beeson Divinity School is one of eight schools that make up Samford University. It opened its doors in 1988, after Ralph Waldo Beeson, a Birmingham businessman, provided the largest gift from a living individual in Samford history. This endowment established the first divinity school at a Baptist college or university in the nation.

At Beeson, we are committed to the great principles of historic Christian orthodoxy while being open to students and faculty from a variety of Christian traditions. We desire to be a ministry resource for the entire Body of Christ, by providing quality theological education in a Christian university context from an explicitly evangelical and interdenominational perspective.

One way we intend to do this is through two of our programs of lifelong learning. The Extension Division offers courses in over 30 locations throughout Alabama, where local residents can participate in courses taught by skilled instructors in the area. The Lay Academy of Theology offers daytime, evening, and weekend classes at the Divinity School led by Beeson faculty. Both programs offer fall and spring courses in theology, Old and New Testament studies, history, spirituality, and Christian living.

These learning opportunities challenge the mind and spirit in order to equip men and women for service in the Kingdom of God, so each of us will be ready "to make a defense for …the hope that" we have. We are excited about these offerings, and invite all Christians, regardless of education, experience, and tradition to participate.

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