Vocabulary for Lesson 3

Instructions [ Hide ]

Learning is work. There are multiple ways to study. Different study strategies will work differently for each student. Serious students should try all of them several (6-7) times to see how they work when done well. For the best learning, every student will likely need to use more than one strategy and switch between them. Here are some tips relating to studying vocabulary. You can adapt them for memorizing texts.

  1. Use multiple senses: read, speak, and hear the material aloud. Then, write your version with a pencil into your notebook and notice how that feels. Then, read your own definition aloud as you study. (combine with the next two strategies)
  2. Use your brain: condense the definitions into a form that makes sense to you. Identify key words for every definition. Think of synonyms that you would use. (combine with the other strategies)
  3. Use your body: say your definition and act it out with an expressiveness that fits the meaning.
  4. Use your friends and family: Ask someone to quiz you using spaced repetition for a set amount of time, from your notes. (Example: for 10 minutes, all questions get repeated, but the quicker and more accurate your answer, the longer the interval until that question comes back. Questions you get wrong are repeated sooner.)
  5. Use basic technology: Show all definitions and hide all the terms on this page. Try to remember each term before you show it (by clicking the definition) to check your answer. Then, show all terms and hide the definitions on the page. Only show a definition (by clicking the term) after you have made your best effort to remember your own version of it.
  6. Use tools: Make a stack of index cards with terms on one side and your definitions on the other. When reviewing, don't check the opposite side until you've made your best effort to remember. Sort them into three stacks: Easy, Hard, and Failed. Then re-sort the Failed cards and work through the Hard cards until they are all Easy.
  7. Use advanced technology: On the web (Example: SuperNotes with free signup or with subscription.) or on an app (Example: Anki), create a stack of virtual cards and let the software quiz you. It will use spaced repetition automatically.
  8. Use brute force memorization: Copy a term and definition from this page. Then navigate to Catechesis Contents > Memorization Tool and paste it into the box, then follow the instructions on that page. (Caution: this works quickly for memorizing texts, but must be repeated a few times after a break for long-term recall. It is less effective than the other strategies for understanding what you memorize.)
the Holy Christian Church
"The assembly of all believers [in Christ] among whom the Gospel is preached in its purity and the holy sacraments are administered according to the Gospel" (The Augsburg Confession, VII)
apostles' doctrine
The teaching and preaching of the apostles that was given to them by Jesus. The church is founded upon this teaching from the apostles that centers in the death and resurrection of Christ.
fellowship
  1. To be joined together with other Christians in hearing preaching and receiving the Sacrament of the Altar (external fellowship in the doctrine of the Gospel, confession, creed, and sacramental administration).
  2. The association of faith and the Holy Spirit in the hearts of Christians that is created and nurtured by the pure preaching of the Gospel and the faithful administration of the sacraments according to Christ's institution (hidden fellowship in the Holy Spirit and faith).
the breaking of the bread
The New Testament term for the Lord's Supper used in the book of Acts and the early church.
prayer
To call upon God, asking for His help and blessing, according to the promises of His Word. To call upon God on behalf of others, the church, those in authority, and the world, as He has instructed us to do. To speak back to God the Word He has spoken to us in the words of a psalm, a hymn, the creeds, the liturgy, or the catechism.
The Prayer of the Church
The central prayer in the Divine Service in which the baptized people of God give thanks for all His gifts and pray, according to the promises of God's Word, for the church, the nations, those in need, the parish, and other concerns.
Divine Service
When God serves us with His gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation through the preaching of the Word and the giving out of Christ's sacraments, and when, by a faith born of the Gospel, we pray, praise, and give thanks for all His benefits.

Note: It is "divine service" in a broad sense whenever and wherever the Gospel is preached and taught, for it is in the preaching and teaching of God's Word that the Holy Spirit creates and nurtures faith in Christ. The public preaching of the Word and celebration of the Lord's Supper is the highest expression of that divine service.

the communion of saints
The “holy fellowship in the forgiveness of sins” in which all believers in Christ participate.