A Course in Miracles (ACIM) consists of three distinct volumes, each with its focus. The Text presents the theory of the Course, laying out its central ideas in a holistic, symphonic progression. The Workbook for Students provides daily lessons that focus on integrating the Course’s ideas into your life. The Manual for Teachers (which is for everyone, because we are all students and teachers) is written in the question-and-answer form to address many of the most important and practical Course topics.

Also included in the Foundation for Inner Peace Combined edition are two valuable Supplements to the Course: “Psychotherapy: Purpose, Process and Practice” and the beautiful and inspiring “Song of Prayer.” Faced with three books
and two supplements, it’s not surprising that new students can find themselves confused and wondering where to begin.
It is always wise at the start of any new learning experience to determine the most helpful and advantageous method of study. 

While this would seem to be a recommendation to do the Workbook and Text together, many students have been quite successful completing the Workbook first. The main message that we take from this passage is that your Course training will be incomplete without studying both the Text and the Workbook at some point, whatever the order in which they are studied. 

The Manual for Teachers makes the case for personal choice in the matter: “In some cases, it may be helpful for the pupil to read the manual first. Others might do better, to begin with, the workbook. Still others may need to start at the more abstract level of the text.” (Manual for Teachers, Section 29, paragraph 1:5-7) Please note that it’s important not to skip the introductions to the different sections of the Course, as they contain valuable instructions.

This includes the Preface at the beginning of the book. Its first two sections were written by Course scribe Helen Schucman to help introduce the material to students. The third and final section, titled “What It Says,” was dictated to Helen in the same manner as the rest of ACIM. It is a beautiful and succinct summation of all the main principles found in A Course in Miracles.