A Christian studies degree takes an academic approach to the study of God’s Word, faith traditions and the implementation of faith-based principles, values and beliefs in everyday life. Christian studies focuses not only on the teachings of Jesus, but also on how those teachings might be applied in modern society.^{(See disclaimer 1)} If you’re passionate about your faith and eager to grow closer to God, you can immerse yourself in your Christian faith by earning a bachelor’s in Christian studies.

Students interested in pursuing a degree in Christian studies have the option to specialize within their major by choosing an emphasis. At Grand Canyon University, students can choose from a variety of emphases, such as biblical studies, global ministry, philosophy, youth ministry and worship leadership.

Christian studies is a broad, interdisciplinary field that explores everything from theology to the Bible to the history of the Church. Christian studies can combine a wide range of aspects of faith, including literature, history, philosophy and sociology, exploring the role of faith in society and individual life.

In this field, students may study topics such as:^{(See disclaimer 2)}

• Christian doctrine and beliefs
• Biblical interpretation
• The role of Christianity in culture
• Ethics
• How faith influences human thought and behavior

Specific curricular areas can vary from one program to the next. At Grand Canyon University, our BA in Christian Studies covers topic areas such as:

• Theological themes, genres and major historical periods of the Old Testament and New Testament
• The doctrines of revelation, God, humanity and sin
• Methods of oral communication in ministerial contexts
• Global Christianity and mission strategies
• The cultivation of a Christ-like character, including virtues and habits

Together, all these biblical concepts can define a Christian’s worldview. Worldview is simply one’s philosophy toward life, the world and humanity. In a Christian studies degree program, students may be prompted to reflect on their worldview through the lens of Christian doctrine and scriptural truths. 

Your worldview, for example, might be to love thy neighbor as God commands. Through your worldview, you apply theology and biblical principles to your daily life.

A bachelor’s in Christian studies may prepare you to pursue careers within the Christian ministry, or you might decide to further your studies by applying to a theological seminary to earn a graduate degree in Christian studies. For example, you might pursue a career as an activities director for a Christian organization. (Some higher-level church positions may require further education and religious training.)

If you decide to pursue a leadership position within a church, you might find yourself handling a variety of job responsibilities, such as:

• Planning, organizing and leading church activities, including retreats, community outreach initiatives and church programs
• Developing the curriculum for religious education programs
• Training volunteers to assist with tasks
• Managing a budget
• Providing pastoral care and spiritual counseling

Depending on the university you choose, you may have the option of focusing your studies on an emphasis area within the Christian studies field. What is a Christian studies emphasis area? 

Consider the following emphases at GCU:

Biblical Studies

What can you do with a Christian studies degree in terms of focusing on a specific subfield? One of your options may be biblical studies.

Students who decide to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Biblical Studies explore how to use biblical studies as the foundation and framework for communicating Christ to a wide variety of audiences. In the program, they strive to gain an understanding of theology, biblical interpretation and Christian history. 

In addition to studying every facet of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, students who choose an emphasis in biblical studies explore teaching styles and methods. This can enable graduates to present lessons and deliver sermons to all kinds of audiences in a range of ministerial contexts.

Global Ministry

Christianity is a global religion, and some servants of Christ feel called to spread the Word of God in places far from home. If you have an adventurous spirit and a passion for traveling, you might consider enrolling in the global ministry emphasis program.

At GCU, the global ministry program focuses on developing Christ-like character and the ability to minister using both wisdom and sensitivity in the local church and other Christian environments. Students in the program reflect on mission work from a historical perspective and may gain the skills necessary for impactful mission work across all cultures. 

Graduates are expected to have the capacity for effectively communicating the gospel to a variety of cultures. This can allow them to share the message of Christ’s love and forgiveness with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Philosophy

If you enjoy deeply studying the Bible and reflecting on its philosophical assertions, you might consider choosing an emphasis degree program in philosophy. A Christian studies degree with an emphasis in philosophy can prepare individuals to embark on ethical and ideological engagement.

Students are taught to analyze and assess ideas and ethical systems, and to communicate understandings effectively to others. The emphasis course topics include an introduction to philosophy and ethics, knowledge and reality, applied ethics and philosophy and religion. Graduates of the program are expected to possess strong leadership and communication skills, and may pursue careers in ministry within a church or other religious endeavors.

Youth Ministry

For individuals passionate about working with young people, a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Youth Ministry can be a great degree to enroll in. In this program, students are guided in becoming servant leaders who can guide and nurture a congregation, with a special focus on communicating effectively with youth. 

Students are expected to gain an understanding of modern influences on Christianity and how to lead young people to Christ. In addition, they focus on recognizing times of crisis in a young person’s life and determining how to get them the help they need. Graduates may combine communication, leadership and organizational skills needed for effective ministry. They can pursue leadership positions in ministerial contexts that emphasize youth welfare.

Worship Leadership

Today, the opportunities to impact lives are growing and changing. Individuals in ministry can use their unique talents to point others to Christ. Those who are passionate about worship can pursue a Christian studies degree with an emphasis in worship leadership. 

In this degree program, students are taught how the gospel influences contemporary worship, and they are guided to gain a strong understanding of the Bible and Christian ethics. Graduates may explore a variety of careers within faith-based organizations that require an understanding of God’s word and how it applies to daily life.

If you aspire to serve God in a professional capacity, a degree in Christian studies can help you prepare. The coursework in the Old and New Testaments, including close attention to the Gospels, Acts and Pentateuch, can allow you to develop a firm foundation of biblical concepts and principles. You’ll also examine the biblical, theological and philosophical foundations of Christian ethics, and be prompted to reflect on your own personal morality and how Christian ethics might be applied to contemporary issues. 

In short, your coursework can lead to your own spiritual growth, as well as a better understanding of God’s Word. After graduation, you may gain applied experience in ministerial contexts that may lead you to a position of leadership.

Grand Canyon University is a private Christian university that offers numerous degree options in theology and ministry for students who desire to know, love and serve God and His people. We encourage all our students to attend our regularly scheduled worship services (also available to stream online for our remote students) and our other faith-based activities, including student-led Life Groups, weekly Bible studies and community outreach initiatives.

Learn more about our ministry degrees and find a good fit for you. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Christian studies, you might consider applying to the Grand Canyon Theological Seminary to continue studying God’s Word.