Individualized Christian Studies 10-12

Individualized Christian Studies 10-12

Introduction

Generally, the purpose of Christian Studies is to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Bible to learn how to apply it more naturally to daily living. Students will fulfil specific outcomes for In-Depth Bible Study, Christian Living, Doctrineand Worldview, and by so doing,hope to draw closer to God and live more abundant in His power and provision. Bible outcomes remain the same in each Grad Program year, but like Language Arts – where outcomes are much the same from one year to the next – they will interact with increasingly sophisticated concepts/texts, and thereby produce a more thoughtful body of work as they move toward Grade 12. Therefore, while all outcomes (see link below) are expected to be briefly touched upon in each year, students can do a more specific focus in any given year: for example, Christian Living (in 10th grade), Doctrine, Life of Christ and/or key biblical narratives (in 11th grade), and Worldview (in 12th grade). However, In-Depth Bible Study is expected to be foundational in each year.

A welcome letter will be sent out in September to all students taking Christian Studies. The following link gives an overview if you desire to have an earlier view: To get a quick overview of what is expected, click at the THREE MINUTE MARK. Otherwise, you may wish to read on (below) to become intimate with the fuller aspect of the Individualized program.

Goal

The student’s goal is to “work out their faith” (Phil 2:12) and “show themself approved” (II Tim 2:15) so they can satisfy “the goal of biblical instruction: a pure heart, a good conscience and sincere faith” (I Tim 1:5). Accordingly, Grad Program Christian Studies providesopportunities for the student to “personalize their faith” through a self-designed program of learningin four areas: In-Depth Bible Study, Christian Living, Doctrine, and Worldview. The specific goal of the student in any given year is prayerfully decided by their family, in consultation with the teacher, and with consideration of the four learning categories below. The Student Learning Plan (SLP) will state a general overall goal for the year, with some specific reference to the learning outcomes (link above) or specifying how focus on one area below will support the greater goal.

In-Depth Bible Study allows the student any number of ways to develop a more advanced study of God’s word – considering such things as context, contrasts, author, and time and place of writing – to better understand the purpose of selected biblical passages. Christian Living provides opportunities for the student to investigate a variety of special topics – such as dating, friendship, spiritual gifts, career, obedience, stewardship, etc – considering how others have appropriated God’s word in areas specific to their own interests. Doctrine builds on various principles/foundations learned in K-9 by formalizing the essential truths of Christian faith, and in some cases,better understanding them in comparison to other denominations and faith perspectives; students will consider their own testimony, combining what they believewith how they have experienced the work of God consistent with their system of understanding scripture. Doctrine may include studies in specific Biblical frameworks (i.e. Pentateuch, Prophetic Works, Writings of Paul) or focus on key narratives (Life of Christ, character studies).Worldview brings together the truth of scripture and the belief of the heart by first exposing the student to specific cultural tensions with biblical faith – identity, sexuality, marketplace (economics), abortion, evolution, environment, etc– and having them work out a convincing, biblically supported position on a topic of interest.

Learning Strategies

Ways to study and “demonstrate learning growth” may include any variety of the following: Read chapters and write outlines/summaries of what is learned; prepare essays/reports on comparisons between key Christian and secular beliefs; do studies on Bible books at home or with church and youth; discuss books and themes as a family; fill in workbooks; or, complete an assortment of the following: journals, dialogues, monologues, quizzes and tests, powerpoints, interviews, creative or free-writing, debates, diagrams, photo-essays, personal letters, dramatizations, oral presentations, ministry reports, sermon notes, multi-genre reports. Strategies should be indicated for whatever has been selected for the following areas:

In-Depth Bible Study will be satisfied through any number of the following: sermon series, youth Bible Study, personal devotions, word/theme/passage studies, workbooks, concordances, conferences, and any other number of ways where students consult the Bible firsthand and draw deeper insight into God’s word.

Christian Livingis most often satisfied by any number of the following: reading a book or series on a topic or two of interest, attending a conference on a specific theme, doing outreach, studying/enjoying an aspect of the Christian life in a focused way (missions, ministry, worship), sitting under a mentor and examining an aspect of the Christian life, doing a specific project that deepens connection to God, and his people/church.

Doctrine is satisfied by designing a specific program of study around key truths of scripture, usually aided by a study guide, a manual, or an internet program. Students may consult a statement of faith from their own denomination and examine its passages point by point (perhaps one point per week), followed by a thoroughly written testimony which affirms these truths, both by assent and reference to personal experience. In addition, a foundational area of scripture may be further examined – such as the Pentateuch, the Life of Christ, the Life of Paul,Disciples, Early Church, Church History, the Creeds, etc –to deepen the student’s appreciation for a substantial aspect of the greater Christian story.

Worldview is the outlook or “set of assumptions” that any person has as they look upon and experience the world. As the student gets closer to 12th grade, it is important that they grasp the major assumptions of the biblical outlook and draw important distinctions with non-biblical belief; it is especially important for the student to understand how belief impacts practice/lifestyle. Many students will do a year-long worldview study in one of their Grad Program years; others will do a topic or two each year, or a more advanced topical investigation in 12th grade. In any case, the strategy is for the student to understand what the Bible says on issues of tension with secular culture or other beliefs, and by applying passages and compelling argument to such a topic, be able to point out how error in belief will produce decline in personal and/or cultural life (i.e. if evolution is true, genocide is justified).

Assessment

The student’s grade is based on “a demonstration of learning growth” as it is manifested in work they pass along from time to time (most send along email attachments of work once or twice a month). In order to achieve a strong assessment (grade), work should be varied, regular, and thoughtful. That is, learning should be demonstrated in more than one way (no less than 3 varieties of engagement, or ways of showing learning growth: QnA, report, journal, test/quiz, general writings/reflection, powerpoint, sermon notes, etc). Work should be submitted in a paced fashion (somewhat regular) to substantiate that real and meaningful learning is taking place, rather than being spotty, to “get it out of the way.” Finally, work deserving of a higher grade will appear thoughtful and personalized, where it is clear that the student has valued what they have studied and cares about what they express in response.

Consider: Tests, quizzes, writing samples, oral samples, peer editing, self-editing, mentoring, various projects, specific topical essays and reports, media study, summaries, journal entries, evangelism, sermon notes, and ministry reports. HCOS teacher will receive work samples and provide feedback and ongoing direction.

Resources

The student may use an abundance of resources (or learning inputs) to meet their goals and satisfy the broader Christian Studies outcomes. Refer to the link in the introduction for options, or consider any number of the following: sermons, internet devotions and/or bible study aides, concordances, youth groups, workbooks, formal devotionals on a Book of the Bible or other topics, books on Christian Living, worship, ministry/outreach, Christian programming and DVD’s or audio, conferences, and specific programs, such as: Understanding the Times, Know What You Believe, The Truth Project, Bible Truths (BJU), LifePac, The Case for Christ, Thinking Like a Christian, Total Truth, The Consequences of Ideas (these are merely suggestions). A trip to your local Christian bookstore or a favorite Christian supply site on the internet is a great place to review possible learning materials: Devotional books (a book on the Bible, such as a study of Romans, or the gospels), topical books (dating, friendship, career or spiritual gifts), or even daily devotional books (Walking with God, Morning and Evening, Streams in the Desert) or internet sites (crosswalk.com, blueletterbible.com, biblegateway, focusonthefamily.com – each provide topical studies, devotions of the day, and so on).