BORN AGAIN DAILY · FREE NON-DEGREE PASTORAL MINISTRY SELF-STUDY
This is a proposed personal study sequence: 16 modules, 64 units and 240 estimated self-study hours. A further 60 hours of verified supervised practice is a proposed requirement for any future, separately reviewed completion pathway. No academic credit, accreditation, ordination or qualification is issued by printing this document.
Learn to read ancient texts as whole arguments, trace the broad Old and New Testament stories, and explain Christian teaching about Jesus and salvation without using isolated promises as shortcuts.
| Weeks | Module / suggested study | Hours | Personal checklist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Reading and Interpreting Scripture 1. Who Speaks and to Whom?; 2. Genres Shape Meaning; 3. Comparing Translations; 4. From Study to Sermon |
14 | ☐ Units 1–2 ☐ Units 3–4 ☐ Knowledge check ☐ Original assignment ☐ Feedback / revision where available |
| 3–4 | Old Testament Story, Law, Prophets and Wisdom 1. Creation and Covenant; 2. Exodus, Law and Justice; 3. Prophets and Public Ethics; 4. Wisdom, Lament and the Limits of Formulas |
14 | ☐ Units 1–2 ☐ Units 3–4 ☐ Knowledge check ☐ Original assignment ☐ Feedback / revision where available |
| 5–6 | Gospels, Acts, Letters and Revelation 1. Four Gospel Witnesses; 2. Acts and Community Leadership; 3. Letters to Real Congregations; 4. Revelation and Humble Interpretation |
14 | ☐ Units 1–2 ☐ Units 3–4 ☐ Knowledge check ☐ Original assignment ☐ Feedback / revision where available |
| 7–8 | Jesus Christ, Salvation and the Christian Hope 1. Jesus in the Gospels; 2. The Cross in Multiple Images; 3. Resurrection and Testimony; 4. Grace and Discipleship |
14 | ☐ Units 1–2 ☐ Units 3–4 ☐ Knowledge check ☐ Original assignment ☐ Feedback / revision where available |
Term capstone: Produce an original passage analysis, a comparison of Gospel accounts, an Old Testament context study and a clear explanation of the gospel suitable for a newcomer.
Study the historic vocabulary of Christian theology, examine diverse writers critically, use Bible language tools without overclaiming fluency and learn to prepare sermons with accountable citations.
| Weeks | Module / suggested study | Hours | Personal checklist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9–10 | God, the Trinity, the Spirit and Christian Doctrine 1. One God, Distinct Persons; 2. The Spirit and Christian Community; 3. Holiness and Human Limits; 4. Future Hope and Present Responsibility |
14 | ☐ Units 1–2 ☐ Units 3–4 ☐ Knowledge check ☐ Original assignment ☐ Feedback / revision where available |
| 11–12 | Church History, Traditions and Responsible Source Reading 1. The Early Church and Its Witnesses; 2. Creeds, Councils and Dispute; 3. Reformation and the Public Word; 4. Revivals, Missions and Historical Accountability |
14 | ☐ Units 1–2 ☐ Units 3–4 ☐ Knowledge check ☐ Original assignment ☐ Feedback / revision where available |
| 13–14 | Hebrew, Greek, Manuscripts and Translation Decisions 1. A Lexicon Is Not a Magic Decoder; 2. Read a Greek Clause with Help; 3. Manuscripts and Critical Editions; 4. Translation Ethics |
14 | ☐ Units 1–2 ☐ Units 3–4 ☐ Knowledge check ☐ Original assignment ☐ Feedback / revision where available |
| 15–16 | Preparing and Delivering a Responsible Sermon 1. Choose and Study One Passage; 2. Design a Clear Structure; 3. Teach with Consent and Integrity; 4. Delivery, Feedback and Revision |
16 | ☐ Units 1–2 ☐ Units 3–4 ☐ Knowledge check ☐ Original assignment ☐ Feedback / revision where available |
Term capstone: Submit a source comparison with at least two historic voices and a revised sermon manuscript with Scripture references, quotations, and a clear distinction between original meaning and modern application.
Practice compassionate listening, understand referral boundaries, protect vulnerable people, establish financial controls and explain worship practices fairly across different Christian traditions.
| Weeks | Module / suggested study | Hours | Personal checklist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17–18 | Pastoral Listening, Grief and Referral 1. Listening Before Explaining; 2. Grief, Lament and Hope; 3. Counseling Boundaries and Referrals; 4. Care Plans and Ethical Follow-Up |
16 | ☐ Units 1–2 ☐ Units 3–4 ☐ Knowledge check ☐ Original assignment ☐ Feedback / revision where available |
| 19–20 | Safeguarding Children, Vulnerable Adults and Abuse Survivors 1. Power, Consent and Spiritual Coercion; 2. Children and Two-Adult Safeguards; 3. Responding to Disclosures; 4. Institutional Accountability and Repair |
18 | ☐ Units 1–2 ☐ Units 3–4 ☐ Knowledge check ☐ Original assignment ☐ Feedback / revision where available |
| 21–22 | Church Governance, Finance and Stewardship 1. Money Is a Stewardship Responsibility; 2. Budgets and Restricted Gifts; 3. Governance and Conflicts of Interest; 4. Reporting, Audits and Donations |
16 | ☐ Units 1–2 ☐ Units 3–4 ☐ Knowledge check ☐ Original assignment ☐ Feedback / revision where available |
| 23–24 | Worship, Prayer, Baptism and Communion 1. Prayer as Honest Dependence; 2. Baptism and Denominational Differences; 3. Communion and Community; 4. Songs, Images and Copyright |
14 | ☐ Units 1–2 ☐ Units 3–4 ☐ Knowledge check ☐ Original assignment ☐ Feedback / revision where available |
Term capstone: Prepare a fictional pastoral-care scenario, a child-safeguarding response plan, a church governance and budget exercise, and an explanation of responsible worship-media rights.
Design age-appropriate teaching, lead accountable small groups, plan ethical mission partnerships and assemble an original portfolio. Review how supervised service would be verified by qualified human mentors.
| Weeks | Module / suggested study | Hours | Personal checklist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25–26 | Children's Ministry, Youth Teaching and Family Discipleship 1. Teaching Across Development; 2. Classroom Safety and Consent; 3. Questions About Faith and Doubt; 4. Families, Caregivers and Partnership |
16 | ☐ Units 1–2 ☐ Units 3–4 ☐ Knowledge check ☐ Original assignment ☐ Feedback / revision where available |
| 27–28 | Discipleship, Small Groups and Community Formation 1. Design a Group Around a Real Passage; 2. Accountability Without Control; 3. Managing Disagreement; 4. Assessing Growth and Serving Neighbors |
14 | ☐ Units 1–2 ☐ Units 3–4 ☐ Knowledge check ☐ Original assignment ☐ Feedback / revision where available |
| 29–30 | Missions, Service, Cross-Cultural Dialogue and Human Dignity 1. Listen Before You Organize; 2. Service Without Conditional Aid; 3. History, Slavery and Colonial Power; 4. Measure the Actual Benefit |
14 | ☐ Units 1–2 ☐ Units 3–4 ☐ Knowledge check ☐ Original assignment ☐ Feedback / revision where available |
| 31–32 | Capstone, Portfolio and Supervised Ministry Practice 1. Portfolio and Teaching Plan; 2. Safeguarding and Care Case Assessment; 3. Supervised Practice Record; 4. Human Evaluation and Continuing Formation |
18 | ☐ Units 1–2 ☐ Units 3–4 ☐ Knowledge check ☐ Original assignment ☐ Feedback / revision where available |
Term capstone: Complete a final portfolio index, revised teaching sample, safeguarding case analysis, and a proposed supervised-practice plan. Do not count unsupervised or unverified hours as formal practicum.
For every unit, read the whole Scripture passage in context and use the connected full-length guided studies. Check actual historical editions in the Heritage Reading Room rather than unsourced quotes.
Safeguarding and professional boundaries apply throughout. Never submit actual private third-party accounts as practice. Student self-reports and online quiz results do not verify ministry competence, clinical safety or supervised fieldwork.
For current standards, see https://bornagaindaily.com/academy/requirements and https://bornagaindaily.com/academy/assessment-rubric.