Iron Sharpening Groups (ISG)
Each student is involved in a weekly meeting of an Iron Sharpening Group (ISG) led by a faculty member or a designated representative. ISG is an informal time of interaction designed to address the spiritual, relational, and ministry areas in student's lives in a more intimate group setting. It also provides a great forum for mentoring and discipleship in the context of this smaller community. Students remain part of the same ISG throughout their time at IGSL. ISG is credited as Community Involvement (CI) under the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Refer to the ISG Faculty Guide to learn more about how to effectively lead an ISG.
The purpose of ISG is to expose students to a small group environment where character, philosophy, and skills can be discussed and developed under the guidance and mentoring of a faculty member. This exposure provides an opportunity to learn from and with one another on a personal level. The overarching goal is to develop a deeper intimacy with God and authentic relationships that enable us to live out principles for fruitful life and ministry. In the ISG, students experience a rich interactive environment where character, philosophy, and skills can be intentionally developed with a faculty member.
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The mentoring role of faculty through the ISG expresses several essential core values of our philosophy of ministry at IGSL. Thus the faculty member should give the needed time, attention and creativity to his or her ISG in order to make it a strong positive experience for each students. Do not let classroom preparation rob you of time for ISG preparation. The primary mentoring roles of faculty in the ISG setting are those of a spiritual guide, a coach, and a crisis care-giver. If teaching gets in the way of effective mentoring, instructors should request an adjustment in their teaching load.
Each ISG includes a faculty leader and typically five to seven students. The ISG meets weekly. Activities include Bible study, prayer, discussion on a variety of topics, training, ministering together, fellowship, and fun. Since the ISG is a context for personal development, only two “excused” (with permission of ISG leader) absences from ISG meetings are allowed per semester.
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ISG/CI Credit — To receive ISG/CI credit, a student is required to participate in a weekly ISG meeting, attend Community Chapel Time, Annual Community Retreat, Spiritual Retreat, Day with the Lord, and other scheduled ISG activities. All students enrolled in ISG should record their attendance each week at Community Chapel Time using the QR code.
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Number of credits — MDiv students must complete 6 ISG/CI credits, and MA students must complete 4 CI credits (1 credit per semester) in order to fulfill the requirements for graduation.
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Basis of credit — Anyone who fulfills the above-mentioned requirements will receive one (1) ISG/CI credit per semester.
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Students who have not graduated, but have already completed their ISG credits are expected to continue to be part of their ISG if they are living on campus. They should attend weekly ISG meetings, Community Chapel, Ministry Week, and Community Retreat.
