Participate in Personal Study

Engaging with your personal study is the core of your BookFellows study experience. This guide covers the essential activities of personal study time: reading content, reflecting on what you have read, answering questions, making personal notes, and tracking your progress. These steps apply whether you’re studying solo or as part of a class.

Prerequisites

First you need to have an active study on your Home or Studies page. You may have selected and started the study either as a solo study or by starting a class from your Library. Alternatively, you may have responded to a study invitation to join a class.

Access Your Study

There are a few ways to access your study. The easiest way is to click on the study card in your Home or Studies page. Once you have opened the study landing page, you can begin working through the study.

Navigating the Study Landing Page

The study landing page presents when you open your study. It contains the following tabs under the page header:

• Lessons: This is where you will click on the lesson card to open the lesson landing page
• Attachments: This is where you can find any supplementary materials that are provided with the study
• Notes: This is where you can add your own notes to the study
• Class or Solo: This is where you can see either your class information and fellow class members or your solo study indication
• Analysis: This is where you can see the analysis of the study
• Settings: This is where you can change the settings for your study, including setting completion status and answer sharing

Each of these tabs is pretty self-explanatory and have in-line explanations. We encourage you to take a few moments to explore each one.

The study landing page also includes a View Mode switch below the study details. See the Using View Mode section below for details.

Download PDFs for Pen and Paper Study

If you prefer to work with pen and paper rather than using the digital interface, BookFellows allows you to download printable PDF versions of your studies. This enables you to participate fully in the study even if you prefer traditional methods or need offline access.

Download Study Workbook

A Study Workbook contains all lessons in a single PDF document, perfect for those who want to work through an entire study offline:

1. Open your study from Home or Studies
2. Click the action menu (three dots) in the study information panel
3. Select Download Study Workbook
4. Wait for the PDF to generate (you’ll see a progress indicator)
5. The PDF will download automatically when ready

The workbook includes:

• A table of contents showing all lessons
• Complete lesson content with all questions
• Answer boxes for writing responses
• Study and lesson images (if available)
• All lesson headings and descriptions

Download Lesson Worksheet

For individual lessons, you can download a Lesson Worksheet that contains just that lesson:

1. Open your study and navigate to the Lessons tab
2. Click on the lesson you want to download
3. Click the action menu (three dots) in the lesson information panel
4. Select Download Lesson Worksheet
5. Wait for the PDF to generate
6. The PDF will download automatically when ready

The lesson worksheet includes:

• Complete lesson content with all questions
• Answer boxes for writing responses
• Lesson image (if available)
• All lesson headings and descriptions

Perfect for offline study

PDF downloads are ideal for:

• Studying without internet access
• Taking notes by hand
• Working in environments where digital devices aren’t practical
• Creating a personal archive
• Sharing with others who prefer traditional methods

You can download PDFs at any time, whether you’re actively working through the study or just want a backup copy.

Working with Downloaded PDFs

Once you’ve downloaded a PDF workbook or worksheet, you can:

Print and Use:

• Print the PDF on standard A4 paper
• Use the answer boxes provided for writing your responses
• Take notes in the margins or use additional paper
• Work completely offline

Transfer Your Work:

• After completing questions on paper, you can type your answers back into BookFellows
• This allows you to benefit from both pen-and-paper reflection and digital sharing (if in a class)
• Your handwritten notes can inform your digital responses

Benefits of Combining Approaches:

• Start with PDF for initial reflection and note-taking
• Use the digital interface for sharing with your class (if applicable)
• Maintain both digital and physical copies for different purposes
• Work offline when needed, then sync your responses later

Using View Mode

View Mode is a feature available on all three levels: studies, lessons, and questions. A View Mode switch appears below the description on study, lesson, and question pages. This toggle controls how you interact with your answers and notes:

View Mode Off (Default):

• All content (answers and notes) is fully editable
• Type and edit freely with auto-save working as you type
• Best for active study sessions where you’re writing and revising

View Mode On:

• All content displays in read-only format, preventing accidental edits
• Scripture references become clickable links (e.g., [John 3:16]) that open on BibleGateway
• Multiple paragraphs are properly formatted with consistent spacing
• Best for reviewing your work, facilitating class discussions, or presenting
• Ideal for when you want to focus on reading without risk of changing anything

To toggle View Mode:

1. Look for the “View Mode” switch below the study/lesson/question description
2. Click the switch to turn it On or Off
3. The setting persists across all pages and browser sessions
4. Toggle back at any time to edit again

Important: The View Mode setting is shared across your entire study experience—study, lesson, and question pages. If you turn it on at the study level, it will also be on when you view lessons and questions. This allows you to set your preferred mode once and have it apply everywhere.

When to use View Mode

View Mode is particularly useful when you want to review your work or facilitate a class discussion without accidentally making changes, or when scripture references in your answers or notes would benefit from quick lookup via clickable links. It’s also helpful when sharing your screen with others.

Navigating the Lesson Landing Page

Lessons are the heart of your study

This page is where you are likely to spend most of your time in BookFellows. Lessons are individual modules that you will be engaging with either on a daily, weekly or other cadence indicated by the study creator. Each lesson contains a series of questions that you will be answering.

Lessons may also be supplemented with additional content such as scripture passages, images, or attached files.

The lesson landing page presents when you open a lesson. It contains the following tabs under the lesson header:

• Questions: Use this tab to answer the questions in-line or click on the question number (round icon) to open the question landing page.
• Attachments: This is where you can find any supplementary materials that are provided with the lesson
• Notes: This is where you can add your own notes to the lesson
• Analysis: This is where you can see the analysis of the lesson
• Settings: This is where you can change the settings for your lesson, including setting completion status and answer sharing

Each of these tabs is pretty self-explanatory and have in-line explanations. We encourage you to take a few moments to explore each one.

The lesson landing page also includes a View Mode switch below the lesson description. This affects both your question answers and lesson notes. See the Using View Mode section for details.

Navigating the Question Landing Page

The question landing page is the first page you see when you open a question. It contains the following tabs under the question and the space for your answer:

• Notes: This is where you can add your own notes to the question
• Shared Answers: This is where you can see the answers from other members in your class if they have chosen to share their answers
• Settings: This is where you can change the settings for your question, including setting completion status and answer sharing

Each of these tabs is pretty self-explanatory and have in-line explanations. We encourage you to take a few moments to explore each one.

The question landing page also includes a View Mode switch below the question metadata. This affects both your answer and your question notes. See the Using View Mode section for details.

Pay attention to shared answers, but be careful

If you are in a class, you might be able see answers from other members in your class if they have chosen to share their answers. You may find these helpful for your own study and reflection, but we do encourage that you not view shared answers until you have answered the question yourself.

Answering a Question

Questions can be answered from the Questions tab on the lesson landing page or directly on question landing page.

1. Make sure View Mode is Off (so you can edit)
2. Click on a question to focus on it
3. Read the question carefully
4. Reflect before responding
5. Type your answer in the answer space
6. “Unsaved changes” indicator will appear in the lower right corner of the answer field
7. Your response will auto save once your cursor leaves the answer field

Tip: If you include scripture references in your answer using square brackets (e.g., [John 3:16] or [Romans 8:28]), they will become clickable links when you turn View Mode on, allowing you to quickly look up the passage on BibleGateway.

When answering a question, you should:

Be Thoughtful:

• Take time to reflect before writing
• Try to write complete thoughts, not just brief notes
• Connect the question to your own experience
• Let questions challenge your thinking

Write Authentically:

• Answer honestly and personally
• Don’t worry about “perfect” answers
• Express your genuine thoughts
• It’s okay to write “I don’t know” or ask questions

Revise as Needed:

• Return to answers anytime
• Update responses as you gain insight
• Add to previous answers
• Refine your thinking over time

Making Personal Notes

You can make personal notes at the study, lesson, or question level. They are found in their respective Notes tabs.

1. Make sure View Mode is Off (so you can edit)
2. Open the relevant Notes tab
3. Type your personal notes
4. “Unsaved changes” indicator will appear in the lower right corner of the note space
5. Your notes will auto save once your cursor leaves the note space

Tip: Like answers, you can include scripture references in your notes using square brackets (e.g., [Psalm 23:1]). These will become clickable links when View Mode is turned on. You can also use multiple paragraphs in your notes—just press Enter to start a new paragraph, and View Mode will display them with proper spacing.

Notes are good for personal reflection and organization:

• Deeper insights beyond your answer
• Questions that arise
• Connections to other passages or ideas
• Future study directions
• Related passages or ideas
• Other passages or ideas
• Previous lessons
• External materials

All notes are completely private:

• No one else can see them
• Not shared even if you share answers
• Remain private in classes
• For your eyes only

Manage Study Settings

Access study settings to manage your study status and preferences.

View Study Settings

1. Go to My Studies
2. Click on your study
3. Click the Settings tab or options icon
4. Review and adjust available options

Study Status Options

You can change your study status at any time to reflect your current state:

• Active: Currently working through the study
• On Hold: Paused temporarily
• Complete: Finished the study

Important: These statuses are flexible and can be changed whenever you want. You’re not locked into any status.

Change Status Anytime

To pause your study:

1. Change status to On Hold
2. Your progress is preserved
3. Resume whenever ready
4. All answers and notes remain
5. Change back to Active when you’re ready to continue

To mark complete:

1. Change status to Complete
2. Study moves to “Completed Studies”
3. Still accessible for review
4. Progress and content preserved
5. Can change back to Active if you want to continue or revisit

To resume an On Hold or Complete study:

1. Change status back to Active
2. Pick up exactly where you left off
3. All your work is preserved
4. No restrictions on changing status

Best Practices

Setting Your Pace

Be Realistic:

• Choose a sustainable schedule
• Don’t rush through lessons
• Quality over speed
• Adjust pace as needed

Create Routine:

• Study at consistent times
• Set calendar reminders
• Create a study environment
• Minimize distractions

Take Breaks:

• Pause between lessons if needed
• Let content settle before continuing
• Don’t force it when tired
• Use “On Hold” status freely

Engaging Deeply

Before Answering:

• Read the entire lesson first
• Understand the context
• Review any attachments
• Reflect on the question

While Answering:

• Write complete thoughts
• Connect to personal experience
• Be specific and concrete
• Express genuine understanding

After Answering:

• Review what you wrote
• Add notes for deeper insights
• Cross-reference other materials
• Consider implications

Using Notes Effectively

Capture Everything:

• Write freely in notes
• Don’t filter thoughts
• Ask questions
• Note confusion or clarity

Organize Thoughts:

• Use headings in notes if helpful
• Cross-reference question numbers, if applicable
• Date significant insights

Review Periodically:

• Revisit previous notes
• See how your understanding grows
• Track recurring themes
• Update with new insights

Staying Consistent

Build Momentum:

• Start with shorter sessions
• Build up to longer study times
• Celebrate small progress
• Keep showing up

Handle Interruptions:

• Use “On Hold” when needed
• Don’t feel guilty about breaks
• Return when ready
• Progress is preserved

Maintain Quality:

• Don’t sacrifice depth for speed
• It’s okay to take time
• Thorough trumps fast
• Let questions challenge you

Next Steps

Choose your path forward:

Share Your Answers Control who sees your responses and get feedback

Participate in Class Discussion Engage with your class and learn from others

Move to Solo Study Transition from a class back to studying independently

Select Another Study Browse and start a different study from your Library

Need help? Contact support at rich@bookfellows.net