Questions about EPIC? For expanded answers, click on a specific question below:
  • What is EPIC?
    • EPIC is an in-depth training program designed to prepare you for the greatest adventure of all: your life in the Kingdom of God.
  • Sounds great, but what is it?
    • EPIC is a nine-month, interactive, directed-study course.
  • Why nine months?
    • We want to finish the basic curriculum in less than one year, and we'd like to have students involved. We all know students won't study in the summer, so we scheduled it like an academic year.

      Seriously, we thought nine months starting in August and finishing in May was a workable and practical format.
  • How is it interactive?
    • We say study, you do it. That's interacting, right?

      Really we want EPIC to be about discipleship within relationship. The thing is, that can be hard to do with people who don't necessarily live next door to us. So, we are beginning with the PROLOGUE, which will be a fun and adventurous time together with all the participants and teachers. That way we establish rapport and relationship to carry us through the course. After the PROLOGUE, we will use the miracle of the internet to stay in touch through online postings and scheduled monthly chats.
  • What does directed-study mean?
    • We say it, you study it. Just kidding…well, sort of.

      Directed-study means that we agree at the outset on a course of study that you will complete. You aren't just going out and finding whatever strikes your fancy on any given day.

      Instead, we will give you a curriculum that has been thought-out and organized to achieve specific goals of learning and (since this is a discipleship program) spiritual transformation. You will follow along, keeping pace with the course, so you can participate in the online discussions and complete the program with your fellow participants.
  • Who can participate in EPIC?
    • EPIC is designed for young people who are excited about the adventure of discovering and fulfilling the destiny that God has ordained for them. They are hungry for whatever training will help them achieve that end and are willing to put in the work necessary to get there. These are the world-changes of their generation. EPIC is NOT for arm-chair Christians.
  • EPIC is for young people, how young?
    • EPIC is intended for those who are high school seniors through college and early adulthood. That pretty much means anyone from age 17 to age 30.
  • Why is EPIC age-limited?
    • We want to sell our mailing list to advertisers and they pay more for this demographic.

      Actually, the material covered in the EPIC course is designed to be challenging, inviting participants to expand their modes of thinking and engage cultural issues and situations in the world in which we live. While there are some really bright and mature kids who are not yet seniors, we have decided that in terms of life experience, they need to have at least reached that milestone.

      On the other end of the spectrum, we have decided to limit EPIC to age 30 because we want to have fun. I know, I know, there are some fun people over the age of 30 (including me, I hope). Actually, the heart behind EPIC is to train a generation that knows how to think from a Biblical perspective and can offer hopeful solutions to a world with desperate problems. So, we get more leverage out of a 25 year old than a 65 year old. That being said, we can also use the wisdom and life experience of those over 30, so we have made an exception (see answer below).

      Another aspect of limiting the age range is to create a sense of camaraderie among the participants as they work through the course together sharing experiences and relational interaction.
  • If I am over 30, can I still participate?
    • Maybe. Let me think about it. How fast can you run?

      For the reasons described in the answer above, we have limited EPIC to ages 17-30. However, we recognize that a lot of people who are over 30 may be interested in participating. And hopefully in your 30+ years you have acquired some wisdom and life experience that would greatly benefit a group studying like this.

      So, here's the deal: if you are over the age of 30, you CAN participate in EPIC IF you bring someone age 17-30 with you as a participant.

      One of the most basic tenets of EPIC is that you need to be giving away what you have been given. If you are over 30 you don't have as much time to give away. So, find a kid and come on! Now!
  • Do you have to be male or female to participate?
    • Yes, you must be either male or female to participate.
  • How much time will I have to spend on EPIC?
    • I could go on and on about how everyone is looking for the easy way out and why you didn't ask how much time do I get to spend”, but I won't (especially since I asked the question).

      Actually, it is a very good question. EPIC is a commitment and before you make it, you need to know what is expected of you. So, you are wise to ask such a question (see how I turned that around). Now to the answer: We expect EPIC to take 2-3 hours each week. Part of that will depend on your personal reading speed, but we recognize that you have a lot going on and quite possibly are taking a full college load, and we want EPIC to be do-able for you. So, it will take discipline to keep up, but if you can handle 2-3 hours a week, you can do it!
  • What will I be doing in those 2-3 hours each week?
    • It will vary somewhat from week to week. In general, each week you will have a reading assignment to complete and respond to (either with questions or a responsive essay). Twice a month you will receive a teaching CD to listen to.

      There will be an online discussion board where you can post questions and discuss what you are learning. And twice a month there will be scheduled online chats (you are invited to be at both, but only required to be at one each month).
  • How much does EPIC cost?
    • The cost for EPIC is probably somewhere around $2500 to $3000 or more per student. However, we want to make EPIC accessible and part of our ministry strategy is to invest in the next generation. So, we have invited partners of our ministry to subsidize the EPIC program and in this first year, the cost to you is only $495.
  • Are you trying to make me feel guilty for only paying $495?
    • Of course not! We are trying to manipulate everyone else we know into paying for your free-loading.

      In reality, careful consideration went into the decision to charge $495 for the first year of EPIC. We want it to be accessible, and we don't want anyone to not participate solely because of a lack of finances. However, we do think it is important that you know the value of this kind of training. And that you are aware that there are people who believe in your destiny enough to fund it!
  • What is included in the $495?
    • The $495 for EPIC includes your food and lodging at the PROLOGUE as well as the course materials and required books. The only things not included are your internet connection and possibly some additional suggested reading materials.
  • What if I don't have an internet connection?
    • Get one! It doesn't have to be broadband. You can get a Netscape or NetZero account for as little as $10 a month. In some places you can get a DSL Broadband connection for only a few dollars more. We are trying to engage the world, not escape it, and increasingly the world communicates over the internet. You WILL need internet access to participate in EPIC.

      If you are worried about the trash on the internet you can get filtering programs. We also recommend you use wisdom like placing your internet-connected computer in common family areas, not in the unattended bedroom of your fourteen-year-old brother. If you really don't want a connection in your home, almost all public libraries have internet access. I don't recommend this because the hassle of going to the library becomes too good of an excuse for not completing your EPIC assignments.
  • Can I participate in EPIC if I cannot attend the PROLOGUE because of prior commitments?
    • No.

      It doesn't matter if it's a mission trip, summer camp or your Caribbean cruise vacation (although invite me on the cruise and I'll reconsider). PROLOGUE is vital to the integrity of the curriculum. Try again next year.
  • I am not a great student; can I still participate in EPIC?
    • EPIC does not discriminate on the basis of SAT scores (well, we might give them the top bunks at PROLOGUE). However, you can expect to be a much better student and writer as a result of participating in EPIC.

      If you are willing to work hard, our desire is to teach you how to think...that is, how to read and otherwise assimilate information, understand the ideas the author is trying to communicate, analyze those ideas to see if the hold logically and Biblically and then draw conclusions on that basis and effectively communicate them. We are not expecting you to do this before you start EPIC, but we want you to be able to when you finish.
  • What happens after EPIC?
    • You get a new car and a job as Donald Trump's assistant.

      You are invited to return to the next year's PROLOGUE especially if you are bringing someone new who wants to participate. However, you are not required to attend in order to complete your EPIC course.
      We anticipate developing on-going study opportunities. However, we have no idea what that will look like just yet. Come on, give me a break, we just started EPIC this year!
Successful Christian Living Ministries, P.O.Box 101, Euless, Texas 76039

Phone 817-267-9224, Fax: 817-354-5522, E-mail: mail@sclm.org
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