Below are some frequently asked questions we hope will help you. If you do not find the answer to your question below, please feel free to contact us directly.
With our low-cost Premium subscription you will get full access to all of ODBU’s courses and certificate programs, as well as Learning Paths and Learning Groups. For more information on the benefits of a subscription, or to subscribe, visit our Subscription Options page.
ODBU is committed to making the life-changing wisdom of the Bible accessible to all. In that spirit, you can access the lecture content of over 75 courses without a subscription. For more information about our free offerings visit our Free Access page.
- An electronic device such as a computer, tablet or smartphone capable of running a web browser and playing video and audio.
- Internet access capable of streaming videos, loading webpages, and downloading files.
A PDF reader (optional) for working with downloadable PDF files. Though most browsers allow PDFs to be viewed within the browser, we recommend downloading and saving them to your device so that you can save your work.
You can change your password by clicking on Profile” in the left-hand menu and select “Account Settings.”
You can choose to change your payment method at any time during your subscription. To do so, please visit your “Account” and click on the “Payment Methods”. You can then add a new payment method or delete old payment methods. Once you add a new payment method, please ensure that you set it to the default, otherwise, the system will continue to use the previous payment method.
You can choose to cancel your subscription at any time. To cancel your subscription, please visit your “Profile” page, click on “Subscription”, click on “Manage Subscription”. You can then click on the “Cancel plan” button to stop your subscription. Please note that your subscription access will continue until the renewal date. If you have any questions or need assistance please contact us.
ODBU offers group discounts based on the number of subscriptions you purchase. You can find out more information and purchase group subscriptions here.
Only Premium subscribers can enroll in courses and earn a completion award. To successfully earn a completion award for any course you will need to engage with all of the pages in every lesson, view all of the lectures, contribute towards the discussion boards, and complete the Course Evaluation. All other activities are recommended but not required for course completion.
Course levels are designed to help you select the right course based on where you are in your faith journey and how much knowledge you have in a particular area.
Seeker: These courses are perfect for anyone who is curious about the Christian faith.
Apprentice: These courses are ideal for the new believer who wants to build their foundational knowledge of the Bible and the Christian faith.
Disciple: These courses build on a foundational knowledge of the Bible and Christian faith to provide a deeper and wider understanding.
Leader: These courses are designed for those experienced Christians who are called to be leaders and disciple-makers.
Effort levels are designed to help you select a course based on the time and effort it will require to complete it.
Low: This course may have: 1-5 lessons, lectures lasting 15 minutes or less, minimal reading or writing assignments, and no sophisticated theological language.
Medium: This course may have: 6-10 lessons, lectures lasting 15-30 minutes, some reading or writing assignments, and theological terms with definitions provided.
High: This course may have: greater than 10 lessons, lectures lasting more than 30 minutes, significant reading or writing assignments, and sophisticated theological language.
Certificate Program Related Questions
The Foundations for Biblical Ministry Certificate program is designed for anyone who wants to learn and grow in the Christian faith, prepare to serve in a leadership role, and to share their faith with others.
The Bible Journey Certificate program is a comprehensive curriculum that covers the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. It is ideal for those who want to deepen their Bible knowledge and engagement, or for those who are interested in teaching Bible studies.
Since these are self-paced programs, the length of time depends on the individual’s own time commitment.
- The Foundations for Biblical Ministry Certificate consists of 16 courses that can be completed in 12-15 months.
- The Bible Journey Certificate consists of 45 courses that can be completed in 2 years.
If you have any questions or issues, you can contact us. You will also receive emails of encouragement throughout the program from ODBU and you can participate in a learning community through the Learning Group.
You can access all courses through the website, or on the ODBU app for mobile devices.
We recommend that you ask your pastor or a leader within your church or faith community. The Learning Mentor should be someone whom you trust, who shares your beliefs, and who can guide you based on their experience and knowledge.
The Learning Mentor should commit to meeting with you twice during each course (once at the beginning and once at the end). They are a conversation partner for you as you set your learning goals and process what you are learning. They are also your accountability partner who will encourage you to commit to apply what you are learning in your own spiritual life and in your life of service to others.
The Learning Group is a discussion forum for learners participating in the Certificate program. This is a place where you can post questions, encourage fellow Christians, and learn from their perspectives and experiences. The Learning Group is optional and not a requirement for completion.
The Certificate program is a coherent curriculum that has been developed to achieve specific learning objectives. Learning Paths are groups of courses that relate to a common topic. A certificate will not be available for completion of a Learning Path.