After you’ve read all the required reading for each class, you are ready to focus on writing your paper. A paper is primarily a record of intelligent reading in several sources on a particular subject, which in this case is a doctrinal statement or issue. Writing is not as formidable as it seems if it is thought out in advance. Below you will find six steps to follow to write your paper.
This manual is organized by each individual EFCA Article of the Statement of Faith plus Current Doctrinal Issues and Issues Related to Lifestyle. Each Article is a doctrinal statement; the EFCA Statement of Faith includes 10 Articles. In addition to the 10 Articles, 2 issues are also part of the curriculum. You will write a paper for each class based on each Article or Issue. By the end of this course you will be able to put all 12 papers
together for one final document.
Follow these steps to write a paper for each class during the GATEWAY course:
Step 1: Focus on the one Article of the EFCA Statement of Faith or Issue you are studying
Step 2: Consult sources of materials
Step 3: Gather and organize your notes
Step 4: Review and organize your paper
Step 5: Write your first draft to present to your class
Step 6: Use feedback to revise your paper
Step 1: Focus On the Article or Issue
Begin your paper by writing out each Article of the Statement of Faith or Issue you are studying. In this manual, you will see that each Article is divided into phrases, with Scriptures supporting that phrase. Read and consider each of the Scriptures listed for each phrase and their Connection to the gospel. Consider the Importance and Implications, and review the Required Reading. Review the Focus Questions.
Ask yourself, “Do I understand the context of the questions and topics?” “Do the statements make any affirmations that need more investigation?”
Your answers to these questions will make up the content of your paper, using Scripture to support your position.
Step 2: Consult Sources of Materials
This manual includes assigned readings from Evangelical Convictions and Bible Doctrine by Wayne Grudem, and required scripture references. Some Articles/Issues may have extra requirements, and you will be directed to sign in to your GATEWAY account in order to complete them. Most Articles/Issues will have optional resources such as books, videos, podcasts and websites that can also be found after you sign in to your GATEWAY
account
Step 3: Gather and Organize Your Notes
While reading the assigned material, take notes that relate to what you are studying. In your notes, be sure to include:
- the source title
- author
- location of the source
- page number
This will allow you to go back later to gather more detail. The first thing to do to organize your notes is to briefly describe what the author is saying about the doctrinal statement. Please note that when writing your paper, you will not quote authors or state what the author said, we are looking for what you think and believe.
Step 4: Review and Organize Your Paper
You’ve completed your reading and compiled your notes. Do not hurry into writing. Take time to think about what the doctrinal statement or issue says, what your position on it is, and what you have learned from the
material you have found.
Review your notes and write your paper built on the Focus Questions. The Connections to the gospel and Importance and Implications sections will help clarify your thoughts. Do not write out the Focus Questions in the body of your paper.
Step 5: Write your First Draft
Organize your writing into paragraphs. Your paper should support your doctrinal position and can include its application to ministry.
Paper length and format
Your paper will be 1 ½ to 2 pages long per Article or Issue, not including the cover page.
Note that the doctrinal section for those who plan to combine their papers for their licensing paper should be 15 pages.
See details for the final paper in the GATEWAY manual appendix “Paper Requirements.”
Use this format to write your paper:
- Create a cover page with the Article number or Issue, student’s name, date, facilitator’s name, and course title
- Essay form, full justification
- 1-inch margins on the top, bottom and sides
- Double spaced
- 12-point font, Times New Roman
- Indent paragraphs 0.5 inch
- Quote the article of the EFCA Statement of Faith, or Issue, single-spaced and bold, at the beginning of the
- paper, prior to your written support
- Do not write out any of the Focus Questions
- Do not type out the Bible passages, show only their references
- Provide page numbers on each page, except the title page, with numbers at the top right
- Submit papers by uploading them after you sign into your GATEWAY account unless your facilitator directs you otherwise.
STEP 6: USE FEEDBACK TO REVISE YOUR PAPER
During the interaction in class, write your own observations about your paper and get feedback from the other students and your facilitator, this gives you direction to polish, correct and rewrite your paper.
- Incorporate or delete any phrase or sentence according to your observations and the feedback you received
- Read your paper out loud in order to be sure that the language is not awkward and that it “flows” properly
- Check for proper spelling, phrasing and sentence construction
- Check for proper form and punctuation
- Remember that the paper’s purpose is to present your particular position for each article of the Statement of Faith or Issue.
- Submit your rewritten paper by uploading it after you sign into your GATEWAY account unless your facilitator directs you otherwise.