How to Use the Video Seminary Curriculum

Schools, teachers, students, and other groups or individuals are free to implement lessons and courses in any fashion they choose. Below are a few recommendations that have led to successful deployments.

Study the courses in any order you like, or follow this recommended order:

Online Courses and MOOCs

• Thirdmill is now offering certificates and a diploma in Christian Ministry through the Thirdmill Institute. The Institute combines the entire curriculum of Thirdmill with ministry and life skills training to educate and train anyone for ministry. It is designed to be done in small groups we call Learning Communities that meet regularly to discuss the lesson's content and aid in ministry application. You can join as a group, as a student, or even sign up to lead a group of others.
• For a free online learning experience that is very effective, you and/or each member of your group can register at mythirdmill.org/. This site offers complete programmed courses, including lesson guides, automatically graded tests, learning games, additional reading materials, mini-lessons with additional information, and questionnaires for personal application. After completing the course satisfactorily, you can print a personalized certificate with your grade. These online courses are also available in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Russian and Indonesian. Estos cursos también están disponibles en español. 这些课程也有中文版, هذه الدورات الدراسيّة متاحة أيضًا باللغة العربية, На русском языке доступны для изучения такие курсы, Materi-materi ini juga tersedia dalam bahasa Indonesia.
• Schools looking for turnkey distance education, online courses and/or MOOCs (massively open online courses), please contact the webmaster@thirdmill.org for information on having Thirdmill set up a Moodle website for your students. Courses are fully customizable according to your school's needs.
• Earn a degree using Thirdmill material through one of our online degree partners.

For Groups and Individuals

• If you have broadband internet access, the lessons can be viewed online using a computer or similar device.
• If you don't have broadband internet access, download the highest quality version of the lesson you can. This may be the video, audio, or manuscript. These resources can also be accessed from our mobile apps.
• If you don't have broadband or a mobile device, or if you will be displaying the lessons on a large screen, consider obtaining a microSD card with the completed curriculum-to-date. Email webmaster@thirdmill.org for other delivery options.
• For a video explanation of a flourishing offline solution we call the "tablet model," please view this user-made video from Will Savell of ESEPA in Costa Rica.
• There are no "rules" for using these resources. Customize your study as seems appropriate to your circumstances.
• Consider joining the Thirdmill Institute to get credit for your work.

Viewing Lessons in a Group Setting

• Each group meeting can focus on entire lesson, or on one or more major sections of a lesson.
• It's helpful for each student to have a copy of the lesson guide and to complete the Notes section of the guide while viewing the lesson. You can find lesson guides and an index of all downloadable course files here or email resources@thirdmill.org.
• After each major section of a lesson, it's recommended to include a period of discussion so that students can reflect on the content of the lesson and interact with each other. The lesson guide for each lesson includes Review Questions and Application Questions that can help spark discussions.
• The Review Questions in the lesson guides can also be used as homework or essay test questions.
• The Application Questions in the lesson guides are often useful as topics for essay assignments.

Classroom Flipping / Assigning Lessons as Homework

• Flipped classrooms assign videos as homework to be watched before class, and spend classroom time on valuable activities like group discussions and projects.
• Each assignment can focus on entire lesson, or on one or more major sections of a lesson.
• Each student can replay portions of the lesson as desired.
• It's helpful for each student to have a copy of the lesson guide and to complete the Notes section of the guide while viewing the lesson.
• The Review Questions in the lesson guides can also be used as homework or essay test questions.
• Classroom meetings following completion of these homework assignments can be used to discuss the content of the lessons.
• The Application Questions in the lesson guides are often useful as topics for essay assignments.

Self-directed Study

• Lessons can be used by individuals who are not part of a class or study group.
• View as much of the lesson as feels comfortable to you.
• Replay any portion of the lesson if you find it helpful.
• Complete the Notes section of the lesson guide while you view the lesson.
• Complete the Review Questions in the lesson guides to make sure you understand the major concepts of the lesson.
• Reflect on the Application Questions in the lesson guides. You may also find it helpful to write out your thoughts in short answers or journal entries.

Research and Additional Assignments

Our website provides many resources that can be used as study aids, references for research, and homework. Students should also be encouraged to make use of any other resources to which they have access.