Studying the Bible on your own can be a challenge, especially when it comes down to some of the harder aspects, like prophecy and the law. However, those interested in learning more about the Bible and Christian principles in a structured format can enjoy studying with the Bermuda Bible Institute.Run by Donald Duerre, the school has been offering courses to the public for 14 years, and is a satellite school of the Sunset International Bible Institute, based in Lubbock, Texas.“A member at my church knew about Sunset International Bible School,” Mr. Duerre, who attends West End Church of Christ, said.Interested, he travelled to Texas to learn more and to take an administrative course, which would allow him to facilitate classes here in Bermuda.“After about three years, we got certified,” he explained, making the Bermuda branch Sunset’s first satellite school anywhere.Today, Sunset International Bible Institute has sattelite schools across the US, as well as branch and associate schools in Russia, Ukraine, Greece, Mexico, Ecuador, Indonesia, Haiti, the Philippines, Ethiopia and the Dominican Republic.Mr. Duerre does not teach the classes himself. Rather, he facilitates the classes, which consist of a video lesson and text book, allowing students to enjoy the lecture and take notes, as well as use the text book for futher study.What is especially unique about the programmes is that students at the classes here in Bermuda can choose to simply audit the class or receive credit towards a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies.For the last several years, the Bermuda Bible Institute has been meeting at T.N. Tatem Middle School, under the auspices of the Community and Education Development Programme. Registering through CEDP allows students to receive a CEDP participation certificate.The courses are free, but a small fee is charged to cover the cost of the workbook.Meeting on Tuesday evenings at 6pm, this term, Mr. Duerre has been leading the group through a course called The Christian Home, which has been truly enlightening.“It looks at God’s design for families,” he explained, and is very relevant for parents, those preparing for marriage, and just about anyone dealing with family issues. He hopes to repeat the course in the near future.It is followed by a second class at 7pm, Biblical History.Next term, they will be beginning a two-term session on the Basics of Christian Counselling, which covers basic Biblical principles in counselling those around you in need.“You are not going to be a certified counsellor when it is done,” Mr. Duerre said. The course is designed for the personal level with practical advice, “some things you as a Christian can do to help another person.”For information on attending the Bermuda Bible Institute classes, interested parties can contact Mr. Duerre by e-mailing bermuda.bible.institute[AT]gmail.com, or by registering at the CEDP offices.“Everyone is welcome who’d like to gain a more in-depth study of the Bible,” Mr. Duerre said.