Independent study program

Templates

A notebook, an argument archive, flashcards and a rule of life

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Personal Theological Notebook

PERSONAL THEOLOGICAL NOTEBOOK

Sections (one divider each):
1. Scripture: passages read, what they say, what I do not understand
2. Biblical interpretation: method used, readings compared, my conclusion
3. Systematic theology: doctrines studied and the positions of each tradition
4. Church history: people, events, dates, why they mattered
5. Philosophical arguments: premises, objections, replies
6. Apologetics: objections and my developed answers
7. Vocabulary: term, plain definition, example
8. Questions and uncertainties: what I cannot yet answer
9. Personal reflections: what changed in me
10. Practical application: what I will do, and the date I will check
11. Solitary practice: my rule of life, kept and missed days

A good entry:
Date:
Source or passage:
What it says (my own words):
What it means in its setting:
What I still doubt or do not understand:
What I will do about it:

Personal Argument Archive

PERSONAL ARGUMENT ARCHIVE: ONE ENTRY

Proposition:
Supporting evidence:
Biblical references:
Historical sources:
Premises:
  1.
  2.
  3.
Conclusion:
Strongest counterargument:
My response:
What I am still unsure about:
Final assessment (strong, adequate, weak) and why:
Date written / date to review:

Flashcards

FLASHCARD EXAMPLES

Front: What is the difference between solitude and isolation?
Back: Solitude is chosen, purposeful time apart, with relationships kept. Isolation cuts a person off in a harmful way.

Front: Who wrote the Life of Anthony?
Back: Athanasius of Alexandria.

Front: What does cenobitic mean?
Back: Monks living together in community under a rule.

How to make them: one idea per card, written in your own words, with a question on the front and a short answer on the back. Keep new cards separate from reviewed cards, and move a card forward each time you answer it correctly (after 1, 7, 30, then 90 days).

A rule of life

PERSONAL RULE OF LIFE: A STARTING FRAME

Daily: prayer (when, how long, which texts); Scripture reading; examination of the day.
Weekly: a longer time of study; a day of rest; contact with a trusted believer.
Yearly: the Christian year (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost); a retreat; a review of this rule.
Safeguards: who can correct me, and how often.
What I do when I cannot keep it:
Dates to review it (30 days, 90 days):