Overview of the Lesson Format
Because the lesson format is consistent throughout this module and throughout the School of the Spirit, you will be tempted to simply skip all the “unimportant stuff” and jump right to the Assignments section. Please do not give into that temptation! We are not just trying to fill the page with lots of words. Every section is important and valuable and included to help you get the most out of the course. This is what you can expect in each lesson.
When you complete this lesson, you will…
Here you will be given the objectives for this lesson – what we are hoping you will learn and ways in which we expect the Holy Spirit to speak to you and mold you. Knowing these objectives will help you focus your attention more carefully as you watch, listen and read your assignments. These objectives are also the key to success on your quizzes!
Before you begin…
Our School of the Spirit depends on supernatural phenomena – spiritual transformations that cannot be accomplished by the work of the flesh but require the intervention, revelation and power of the Holy Spirit to be achieved. This section of your Lesson will give you a preview of the content and subject matter you will be exploring in the teaching material, and lead you in a prayer to prepare your heart to hear and receive all that the Lord wants to say to you and do in you through the Lesson. Take the time to pray in sincerity and faith that the Lord will be your Teacher. Without the supernatural impartation of the Spirit, any change that is affected in your life is simply a work of your own flesh, and the Bible says that “the flesh profits nothing.” Don’t allow this module to be merely an academic exercise! Call on the Holy Spirit to accomplish His purposes through it in your life.
Assignments for Lesson…
This section of your lesson will give you a list of assignments to complete. It will tell you what video to watch or MP3 to listen to and what chapter of the textbook to read. The order of the assignments has been prayerfully designed to give you the greatest benefit. To get the most out of the course, follow the instructions exactly as given.
You will also have some written assignments – usually involving two-way journaling about what you are learning and meditation on specific Scriptures that are related to it. Each of these assignments is designed to give the Holy Spirit place to speak to you, heal you, and change you into the image of the Son. These assignments are not just busy-work to make you feel good about completing an online course; every one of them is important. Take the time to complete them thoroughly before moving on if you truly want to embrace all the Spirit has for you.
You will not be submitting your assignments to anyone for evaluation or grading. Our School of the Spirit modules are designed for your personal growth and benefit, so the amount of work you put into them will determine how much you get from them. Don’t skimp or be half-hearted in your answers just because no one else will see your work. Complete your assignments recognizing that the Holy Spirit is your Teacher and it is His approval that you seek. Your life will be transformed as you spend time meditating and growing in the Word and the Spirit and people will see the results of your work in your changed life. And, really, isn’t that the most important thing?
Much of the work in this course is devotional in nature, opening the Word to you and drawing you into conversations with the Lord. So if you would like to, you could easily work on your assignments during your normal daily quiet time.
Enriching Extras…
This section includes exercises that will give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to deepen the message in your heart, making His word flesh in you. These exercises are optional; you are not required to do them if you choose not to. They are here for your benefit, however, to help you truly receive all the Lord wants to minister to you. These exercises will deepen your understanding and ability to receive and minister His grace more effectively. They will help you internalize the teaching of the lesson by looking more deeply into the text and writing out the answers yourself. Completing these exercises will also help prepare you for the quizzes.
Prepare for Quiz…
Before you begin any quizzes, you will be reminded that you do not need to depend on your own abilities to remember all that you have learned. The Holy Spirit has promised that He will be your Teacher, and in Christ are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. You do not have to pray the prayer given if you prefer to do it yourself, but dependence on the grace of God in all things is what the Christian life is all about.
The questions on the quizzes are taken directly from the lesson objectives (“When you complete this course, you will…”), so reviewing them to be sure you have learned the things they say before you begin your quiz will ensure your success. The quizzes are self-scoring so you will immediately know how you did when you complete them. We have set the “pass” grade at 70%. That means that the program will not let you continue on to the next lesson until you have earned at least 70% on a quiz. You can take the quizzes as many times as you want.
Personal Assessments
We are not interested in only filling your mind with academic facts and principles, though these are important. Our goal is that your life is changed by your interactions with the Holy Spirit through every assignment. To help you stop and let the Spirit show you how well you are applying what you are learning, we have included Personal Assessments in the module. No one will see your answers on these Assessments, so be totally honest before the Lord. Ask the Spirit to show you what truly is happening in your life and ways He is changing you.
Pre-Course Survey
Let’s take the time to look at where you are now and what you are hoping to get out of this course. Then, when you finish, you’ll have a better idea of where you’ve come from and the progress you have made. So, before you begin the course, take the “Pre-Course Survey” below.
