Reformation Academy Outline – – Semper Reformanda
The purpose of the church is to worship God, spread the gospel and make disciples. Corporate worship and sharing the gospel come easier to many churches than discipleship. Making true disciples is not easy or automatic but we are called to do it.
Purpose: To compliment the local church by offering something ‘between Sunday School and seminary.’
God has revealed Himself through nature, conscience & especially in Scripture so that we may know God as He would have us to know Him and that we may know who we are in relation to God. This wholistic understanding of systematic theology from logic, philosophy and especially from Scripture is sadly lacking in much of the visible church of today in America. We facilitate understanding the triune God of creation and redemption.
Theology
The Bible is our complete authority! Truth (even beyond the essentials of the Gospel) should be universally sought after, agreed upon and applied. We share, teach, discuss & compare various doctrines. We strive to aid in knowledge of and application of Scripture to areas of life in which Christians confront serious challenges from our culture: Education, Worship, Evolution, Politics, Church Government & Discipline, etc.
Residential Programs
Our core mission is to facilitate self-directed Biblical learning and the application of spiritual truth.
Residential stays are in 1 week increments with communal meals as a means of true Christian fellowship.
As part of the registration process we will attempt to find each guest’s specific need or interest so we can provide customized recommendations for study and follow-up discussions. For those with no known specific need or interest, a general theme will be given for each week.
We have a substantial book library and over 1,000 lessons on DVD.
Our Name – Reformation Academy
ReformationAcademy.com and ReformationAcademy.org are reserved for this ministry. Our motto: “Semper Reformanda” (always reforming) reflects our desire to continually reform our thinking to Biblical truth especially as revealed by Jesus Christ and outlined by the Apostles. Church history is full of reformations & relapses. We can learn from the lessons of Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Edwards, Sproul, etc.
Table of Contents
Residential Program Overview ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 2
Curriculum by Weeks ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 3
#1 Need: Funding for (or donation of) Real Estate ~ ~ ~ ~ 6
Additional & Future Ministries ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 7
Residential Program Overview
Typical Day Except: Mondays start at Noon. Saturdays end at Noon
7:00 AM Quiet Time Ends
7:00 – 7:30 Personal prayer & devotions (Optional group prayer & devotion time)
7:30 – 8:30 Breakfast*
8:30 – 12:00 Study &/or Fellowship Time – Includes components from curriculum outline
12:00 – 1:30 Lunch*
1:30 Study &/or Fellowship Time Resumes – May include components from curriculum
3:00 – 4:00 Optional Snack Bar fellowship time starts
6:00 – 7:30 Supper*
7:30 – 9:30 Fellowship Time Resumes for Games &/or Discussion
Optional 23 minute video with snacks – Video may be from curriculum outline
9:30 Quiet Time Begins
* Volunteers help prepare & clean-up after meals.
“Study &/or Fellowship Time” includes individual use of books and videos.
“Study &/or Fellowship Time” may also be used to meet with Staff for direction and counsel.
Meetings with Staff are sometimes very casual and done going for a walk or playing games. Sometimes they are more formal and private with a same gender staff member.
“Study &/or Fellowship Time” can be used in casual activities individually, with other visitors &/or with Staff. Flexibility can facilitate the encouragement that comes from Christian fellowship.
Eligibility
Typically, a profession of Christian faith is required for residential programs. No heresy (contradicting the Gospel), but error is allowed. Statement of faith required: “The atoning work of Jesus Christ is my only hope of eternal security.” However, we anticipate scheduling separate times for non-believing inquirers. These are separate times because there can be no true Christian fellowship with non-believers and true Christian fellowship is an important directive of Scripture for the believer and proves very fruitful. The curriculum is vastly different between the two, with non-believers being presented with the truth claims of Christianity and the tools to evaluate those claims. We want all (believers and non-believers) to rightly know which category they are in and why. Raising pretenders to Christianity in patterns of righteous living is a destructive obfuscation of the Gospel.
Scheduling – Start-up
Our projected initial opening is June 2024. This initial opening is dependent on the acquisition of and preparation of an appropriate facility. Until and unless God provides such a facility or the resources to purchase one, we will continue to operate as we do now. Currently we operate on a very limited basis supporting and facilitating individual and small group studies and fellowship. We have accumulated substantial educational resources which are available for use in homes and churches as requested. Let us know if you would like to borrow, view or discuss any of our resources for yourself, small group or church use.
Between now and actual in-person on-site operation we also intend to continue developing outlines, lessons, videos, etc. These are for use by loan, with Reformation Academy staff or virtually on-line. We anticipate that those services will continue after the start of in-person operation but with a lower priority.
Check-in is from 9 AM – Noon Monday. Check-out is from 9 AM – Noon Saturday.
There is no curriculum scheduled for Saturdays. Sundays are reserved for worship. Guests staying over between weeks are invited to join staff members at their local churches or to visit the local church of their choice. Visitors staying over between weeks of study are not charged extra for Saturday & Sunday.Curriculum by Weeks
Systematic Theology — Broad Overview:
MondaySystematic Theology vs Biblical Theology
Forest vs Trees
What the Bible tells us: Who is God? Who am I relative to God?
Creeds and Confessions
TuesdayRegenerative History
Wednesday5 Solas
ThursdayT.U.L.I.P.
FridayCovenantal + Calvinist + Regulative Principle of Worship = Reformed (TR)
Biblical Understanding:
MondayThe Purpose of the Bible
Who is God?Who am I relative to God?
Eternal Worship or Retribution
TuesdayPrinciples of Biblical Interpretation
The Bible interprets itself
The Skeptic’s Guide to the Bible
WednesdayChoosing and using Bibles
Canon, Versions, Format variations
ThursdayPractical Insights
Types of Biblical Interactions:
ReadStudyRumination
FridayFormulas:
Initial order to read & Daily schedule
1 Proverb chapter per day
Once per year
Sticky notes
The Reformation: History & Theology
MondayBefore Luther
TuesdayLuther
WednesdayCalvin
ThursdaySummary of Reformation Theology
FridayReformed vs Roman Catholic Beliefs
5 Solas
MondaySola Scriptura
TuesdaySola Gratia
WednesdaySola Fide
ThursdaySolus Christus
FridaySoli Deo Gloria
T.U.L.I.P.
MondayTotal Depravity
TuesdayUnconditional Election
WednesdayLimited Atonement
ThursdayIrresistible Grace
FridayPerseverance of the Saints
History of Heresies & resulting Councils, Creeds & Confessions
MondayJesus is Lord
TuesdayPelagius
WednesdayArminius
ThursdayCumulative Heresies into the Middle Ages
FridayReformation Return to Scripture
Clarifying Creeds and Confessions
Sphere Sovereignty
MondayIntroduction: Church – Civil Government – Family
TuesdayRole of Family
Role of Civil Government
WednesdayRole of the Church – Worship, Evangelize & Disciple
ThursdayRole of the Individual in all 3 spheres
FridayRole of God & The Will of God:
Decretive
Providential
Revealed (Prophetic)
Secret – None of our business
Moral
Grand Themes of the Bible – (At least 3 weeks) Mix and match any 5 for one week:
Pride vs. Humility
God is Sovereign
Unworthy; not Worthless
Miracles – as authentication only
Covenant Theology
God’s Nature and Character
Man’s Nature and Character
The Problem of Sin
Death
How to Please God
The Human Behavior Cycle – as in Judges (include graphics)
Grace & Mercy (include graphics)
Heaven & Hell
Kingdom of GodKingdom of Heaven
SheolHades
Lake of FireNew Earth
ParadiseBosom of Abraham
Salvation
Election & Reprobation
Justice & Mercy; no injustice in God (include graphic)
Double Imputation (include graphic)
Catholic vs Reformed
MondayAuthority (include Venn diagram)
Bible, tradition & Pope vs Sola Scriptura
TuesdaySalvation
Works + Grace vs Sola Gratia
WednesdayOrdo Salutis – Order of Salvation
Baptism vs Regeneration, Repentance, Sanctification, Glorification
ThursdaySacraments
FridayChurch Government
Video Week
Short videos all day (poss choice of 2 or 3 if facilities available)
Movie every night
Discussions over snacks & meals
Church History Video Week
All videos & movies pertain to church history (Otherwise as “Video Week” above)
Definitions Week (At least 5 weeks) Mix and match any 5 for one week:
ScienceLogic
Science vs LogicScientific Law
Scientific TheoryScientific Model
ReformedCalvinist
DispensationalistAmillennial
Pre-millennialPost-millennial
PelagianSemi-Pelagian
2nd Law of ThermodynamicsPredestination
Arminian (Jacob Arminius 5 point remonstrance)
ElectHeresy vs Error
EvolutionPreterist
Partial PreteristFellowship
Exegesis vs EisegesisGeneral Revelation
Special RevelationSelf-Existence (The power of being)
Denominational Differences Grid – A church not a church? Distinguishing heresy from error
Monday Creation
Tuesday Christology
Baptism & Lord’s Supper
Wednesday Soteriology
Thursday Spiritual Gifts
Friday Eschatology, Ethnic Israel, Millennium
Essential Doctrines
Monday What are the key doctrines that are critical to the Christian faith?
What are the doctrines that we can agree to disagree on?
Tuesday Doctrine regarding God
Wednesday Doctrine regarding man
Thursday Doctrine regarding salvation and the Christian life
Friday Review of what is essential and what is desired but not essential
Brief overview of dozens of doctrines
Heresy vs Error, Gray area, Understanding terms#1 Need: Funding for (or donation of) Real Estate
Note: With our IRS 501(c)(3) designation, we do not anticipate having to pay any property taxes as long as the property is in the name of Reformation Academy, Inc.
Ideally the property would have:
An inviting appearance
A gathering room for at least 15 people (30 would be great)
A full kitchen and dining area for at least 12 people (24 would be great)
Low maintenance features
Safe but not prestigious location
Space for outside activities
Inside Facility Preferences:
Low maintenance improved spaces
Guest Quarters with en suite baths
Dormitory Spaces with nearby baths
Manager and Employee/Volunteer Apartments
Recreation room: Pool table or Ping-pong, Cornhole or Darts, Card tables, Games
Library: Basics of Christianity, General Purpose & Christian Research
Classrooms
Storage
Outside and Location Facility Preferences:
Acreage for gardens, trails, gazebo, recreation & gathering/dining
Scenic: Natural surface water &/or Mountain views
Depending on projected maintenance possibly a few of:
Garages(s)BadmintonNature trailBocceBasketball hoop
HorseshoesVineyardDisc golfChicken spaVolleyball
Operating funds:
Reformation Academy, Inc. is incorporated in Florida as a not-for-profit corporation and has full IRS 501(c)(3) certification for tax deductibility of contributions.
Some ministries may be free, but generally our visitors will contribute financially to fund the ongoing ministry.
Visitors will generally pay all variable costs plus at least a bit toward fixed costs and maintenance costs.
We have in place sufficient commitments of volunteer labor and cash to begin in-person residential ministries as soon as the real estate need is met. In the mean time, we will continue to develop on-line and limited in-person services.
Additional & Future Ministries
Evening Programs
We may incorporate weekday evening (not Sunday or Wednesday) meetings to present the gospel to unbelievers, disciple believers, answer questions and introduce the community to our mission.
At a later date (independent of or in cooperation with local churches) we may provide:
A safe environment for Pastors to discuss theological differences.
Community lectures, videos, Q&As, etc. with hospitality (snacks or meals)
Hosting of community Bible studies.
Day only study programs priced to include meals.
Specialized Curriculum
Most elements of our curriculum are available to all visitors as appropriate but we plan to have some specialized elements for the specific needs of specific categories of visitors during specific dedicated weeks.
Possible Specialized Residential Programs (Not self-guided but a directed curriculum):
College preparatory retreat
College recovery retreat/preparation for real life
Theological instruction specific to the needs of current or future:
School teachersPoliticiansRetireesCounselors
PastorsEldersDeaconsHomeschoolers
Pastor restoration for those under discipline
Co-op program in coordination with Bible College(s) &/or Seminaries
Transition into society after prison
Homeschool Supplementation
Resources for parents
On-site group activities for parent supervised children
Dedicated Christian History Room/Museum
In addition to meeting the specific interests of guests, the main 3 categories of learning in the study center are: Systematic Theology, History & Wisdom.
To that end, we envision a Christian History emphasis starting with a few posters and possibly eventually growing to something of a Museum which may include 1 or 2 rooms or even an entire small house on the property. Resources may include:
Bible Timelines:
Books of the Bible — time of recording, author & time recorded
Bible Characters
Bible Events
Kingdoms
Miracles
N.T. Timeline
Passion Week Timeline
Ark – Tabernacle – Temple
Creation
Revelation
Maps – Large versions of good Bible maps
Artist renderings:
Ark – Noah’s
Ark of the Covenant
Tabernacle
Temples
List of History Resources available in the Library
DVD lectures
DVD movies
Books
Artistic displays and models:
Noah’s Ark
Ark of the Covenant
Dioramas showing the terrain surrounding events
Tabernacle
Temple(s)
Holy Land
Calvary
Boats, clothes, tools, coins, houses, etc. of the era