Creative

Bible Study

Methods

HARVESTIME INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE

This course is part of the Harvestime International Institute, a program designed to equip believers for effective spiritual harvest.

The basic theme of the training is to teach what Jesus taught, that which took men who were fishermen, tax collectors, etc., and changed them into reproductive Christians who reached their world with the Gospel in a demonstration of power.

This manual is a single course in one of several modules of curriculum which moves believers from visualizing through deputizing, multiplying, organizing, and mobilizing to achieve the goal of evangelizing.

For further information on additional courses write:

Harvestime International Institute

3092 Sultana Dr.

Madera, California 93637

U.S.A.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

How To Use This Manual . . . . . . . . I

Suggestions For Group Study. . . . . . . II

Course Introduction . . . . . . . . . 1

Course Objectives . . . . . . . . . 3

PART ONE: THE SUBJECT OF STUDY

1. Introducing The Bible . . . . . . . . 4

2. The Books Of The Bible . . . . . . . . 17

3. Versions Of The Bible . . . . . . . . 37

PART TWO: PREPARATION FOR STUDY

4. Before You Begin . . . . . . . . 43

5. Bible Study Tools . . . . . . . . 55

6. Principles Of Interpretation . . . . . . . 65

7. Bible Background . . . . . . . . 73

8. Outlining, Marking, And Charting . . . . . . 88

PART THREE: CREATIVE BIBLE STUDY

9. Studying The Bible By The Bible . . . . . . 96

10. Devotional Bible Study . . . . . . . . 109

11. Book Study . . . . . . . . . 119

12. Chapter Study . . . . . . . . . 126

13. Paragraph Study . . . . . . . . . 137

14. Verse Study . . . . . . . . . 149

15. Word Study . . . . . . . . . 155

16. Topical Bible Study . . . . . . . . 167

17. Biographical Study . . . . . . . . 173

18. The Theological Method . . . . . . . 182

19. Studying Bible Poetry . . . . . . . . 195

20. Studying Bible Prophecy . . . . . . . 202

21. The Typological Method . . . . . . . 219

Appendix. . . . . . . . . . . 229

Answers To Self-Tests. . . . . . . . . 233

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL

MANUAL FORMAT

Each lesson consists of:

Objectives: These are the goals you should achieve by studying the chapter. Read them before starting the lesson.

Key Verse: This verse emphasizes the main concept of the chapter. Memorize it.

Chapter Content: Study each section. Use your Bible to look up any references not printed in the manual.

Self-Test: Take this test after you finish studying the chapter. Try to answer the questions without using your Bible or this manual. When you have concluded the Self-Test, check your answers in the answer section provided at the end of the book.

For Further Study: This section will help you continue your study of the Word of God, improve your study skills, and apply what you have learned to your life and ministry.

Final Examination: If you are enrolled in this course for credit, you received a final examination along with this course. Upon conclusion of this course, you should complete this examination and return it for grading as instructed.

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS NEEDED

You will need a King James version of the Bible.

SUGGESTIONS FOR GROUP STUDY

FIRST MEETING

Opening: Open with prayer and introductions. Get acquainted and register the students.

Establish Group Procedures: Determine who will lead the meetings, the time, place, and dates for the sessions.

Praise And Worship: Invite the presence of the Holy Spirit into your training session.

Distribute Manuals To Students: Introduce the manual title, format, and course objectives provided in the first few pages of the manual.

Make The First Assignment: Students will read the chapters assigned and take the Self-Tests prior to the next meeting. The number of chapters you cover per meeting will depend on chapter length, content, and the abilities of your group.

SECOND AND FOLLOWING MEETINGS

Opening: Pray. Welcome and register any new students and give them a manual. Take attendance. Have a time of praise and worship.

Review: Present a brief summary of what you studied at the last meeting.

Lesson: Discuss each section of the chapter using the HEADINGS IN CAPITAL BOLD FACED LETTERS as a teaching outline. Ask students for questions or comments on what they have studied. Apply the lesson to the lives and ministries of your students.

Self-Test: Review the Self-Tests students have completed. (Note: If you do not want the students to have access to the answers to the Self-Tests, you may remove the answer pages from the back of each manual.)

For Further Study: You may do these projects on a group or individual basis.

Final Examination: If your group is enrolled in this course for credit, you received a final examination with this course. Reproduce a copy for each student and administer the exam upon conclusion of this course.

MODULE: Deputizing

COURSE: Creative Bible Study Methods

INTRODUCTION

The New Testament Prophet John the Baptist was known as a "voice crying in the wilderness" as he proclaimed the Word of God. His message was fresh, powerful, and relevant to the spiritual needs of his time.

Many people today have become echoes of spiritual truths they hear from those around them. They are not a voice through which God can reveal His message, but are only an echo of what they hear from others. They are like the prophets of whom God said,"steal my words every one from his neighbor" (Jeremiah 23:30).

In order to speak God's words you must first know what God has said. The purpose of this course is to equip you to understand God's Word. You will need only this manual, a Bible, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to learn these "Creative Bible Study Methods."

A method is an organized way to accomplish something. It is an orderly plan. Bible study methods are an organized plan to study God's written Word. The word "creative" means "having the ability to produce that which is new." This course teaches you how to study God's Word for yourself. You will not have to rely on the research of others because you will be able to create your own Bible studies based on your study of God's written Word.

By learning proper Bible study methods you will become a voice through which God can speak His truths to a spiritually hungry world. You will no longer only be an echo of what you hear from others.

"Creative Bible Study Methods" introduces the Bible as the written Word of the one true God. It explains divisions of the Bible, versions, translations, and paraphrases. First, the course guides you to discover what the Bible teaches about itself, then creative methods are explained and you are given the opportunity to use each method discussed.

The course also explains how to outline, make study notes, mark your Bible for easy reference, and reduce lengthy passages to simple charts. The course guides you to proper interpretation and application of God's Word. It directs attention to the greatest Teacher of all, the Holy Spirit. If you follow the guidelines presented, you will experience a new, creative spiritual life flow within you.

No method of Bible study can replace the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit. He is the spiritual force that endues a method with creative power. He whispers into the human spirit the truths of God's Word which result in a new spiritual life flow.

The study of methods is not an end in itself. It is not the final goal. The methods are only a means to accomplish the objective of studying God's Word. It is not enough to learn these methods. You must use what you learn to study God’s Word and apply its truths to your life and ministry.

Although you may complete the lessons in this manual, in reality you will never really complete this course. Your study of God's Word will never be finished because its rich spiritual truths can never be exhausted.

_________

Note: This course teaches Bible study methods, not Bible content. Harvestime International Institute offers another course entitled "Basic Bible Survey" which presents the general background of the Bible, an outline of each book, its author, time of writing, to whom it was written, purpose, key verse, important characters, maps, dates, and charts summarizing general Bible content. Because of the need for a general introduction to the Bible in both Bible study and Bible survey, the first three chapters of these courses are identical while the remaining content differs.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

∙ Explain how the Bible originated.

∙ Describe the organization of the Bible into testaments, major divisions, and books.

∙ Summarize basic history and chronology of the Bible.

∙ Explain the unity and diversity of the Bible.

∙ Explain how different Bible versions developed.

∙ Apply rules for proper interpretation of the Bible.

∙ Summarize what the Bible teaches about itself.

∙ Identify prerequisites for Bible study.

∙ Create outlines, charts, summaries, and text markings to help you retain content.

∙ Apply creative methods to your study of God's Word.

∙ Use Bible study tools.

PART ONE: THE SUBJECT OF STUDY

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCING THE BIBLE

OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:

∙ Write the Key Verse from memory.

∙ Define the word "Bible."

∙ Define the word "Scripture."

∙ Explain the origin of the Bible.

∙ Identify the major purposes of the Bible.

∙ Identify the Old and New Testaments as the two major divisions of the Bible.

∙ Name the four divisions of Old Testament books.

∙ Name the four divisions of New Testament books.

∙ Explain what is meant by the "unity and diversity" of the Bible.

∙ Identify the person upon whom the revelation of both testaments center.

KEY VERSES:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (II Timothy 4:16-17)

INTRODUCTION

This chapter introduces the Bible which is the written Word of the one true God. The word "Bible" means "the books." The Bible is one volume which consists of 66 separate books.

The word "Scripture" is also used to refer to God's Word. This word comes from a Latin word which means "writing." When the word "Scripture" is used with a capital "S" it means the sacred writings of the one true God. The word "Bible" is not used in the Bible. It is a word selected by men as a title for all of God's Words.

ORIGIN OF THE BIBLE

The Bible is the written Word of God. He inspired the words in the Bible and used approximately 40 different men to write down His words. These men wrote over a period of 1500 years. The perfect agreement of these writers is one proof that they were all guided by a single author. That author was God.

Some of the writers wrote down exactly what God said:

Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel . . . (Jeremiah 36:2)

Other writers wrote what they experienced or what God revealed concerning the future:

Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. (Revelation 1:19)

All of the writers wrote under God's inspiration the words of His message for us.

THE PURPOSE OF THE BIBLE

The Bible itself records its main purpose:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (II Timothy 3:16-17)

The Scriptures are to be used to teach doctrine, to reprove and correct from evil, and to teach righteousness. They will help you live right and equip you to work for God.

MAJOR DIVISIONS

The Bible is divided into two major sections called the Old Testament and the New Testament. The word "testament" means covenant. A covenant is an agreement. The Old Testament records God's original covenant or agreement with man. The New Testament records the new covenant made by God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

What was the subject of these two agreements? They both concerned restoring sinful man to right relationship with God. God made a law that sin can only be forgiven through the shedding of blood:

. . . without shedding of blood is no remission (forgiveness). (Hebrews 9:22)

Under God's agreement in the Old Testament, blood sacrifices of animals were made by man to obtain forgiveness for sin. This was a symbol of the blood sacrifice Jesus Christ would provide under the new agreement with God. Through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, a final sacrifice for sin was made:

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

And for this cause He is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9:11-15)

Both testaments are the Word of God and we must study both in order to understand God's message. The terms "old" and "new" testaments are used to distinguish between God's agreement with man before and after the death of Jesus Christ. We do not disregard the Old Testament simply because it is called "old."

FURTHER DIVISIONS

The Bible is further divided into 66 books. The Old Testament has 39 books. The New Testament contains 27 books. Each book is divided into chapters and verses. Although the content of each book is the Word of God, the division into chapters and verses was made by man. to make it easy to locate specific passages. It would be very difficult to find a passage if the books were all one long paragraph.

Here is a simple diagram that shows the basic divisions of the Bible:

THE BIBLE

❙

____________________

❙ ❙

Old Testament New Testament

39 Books 27 Books

UNITY OF THE BIBLE

When we speak of the unity of the Bible, we mean two things:

ONE: THE BIBLE IS UNITED IN CONTENT:

Even though the Bible was written by many writers over many years, there are no contradictions. One author does not contradict any of the others.

The Bible includes discussion of hundreds of controversial subjects. (A controversial subject is one that creates different opinions when mentioned). Yet the writers of the Bible spoke on such subjects with harmony from the first book of Genesis through the last book of Revelation. This was possible because there was really only one author: God. The writers only recorded the message under His direction and inspiration. For this reason, the content of the Bible is united.

TWO: THE BIBLE IS UNITED IN THEME:

Some people think the Bible is a collection of 66 separate books on different subjects. They do not realize that the Bible is united by a major theme. From beginning to end, the Bible reveals God's special purpose which is summarized in the book of Ephesians:

Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself;

That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him;

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will. (Ephesians 1:9-11)

The Bible reveals the mystery of God’s plan which is the unifying theme of the Bible. It is the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Savior of sinful mankind. Jesus explained how the Old Testament centered on Him:

And He said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms concerning me.

(Luke 24:44)

With this introduction, Jesus continued and . . .

. . . opened He their understanding that they might understand the scriptures.

(Luke 24:45)

What was the key Jesus gave them to understanding the Scriptures? The fact that its major theme focused on Him:

. . . Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day;

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And Ye are witnesses of these things. (Luke 24:46-4)

The Old and New Testaments both tell the story of Jesus. The Old Testament prepares us for its happening and the New Testament tells how it happened. This unites the Bible in one major theme. The people who looked forward to Jesus under the Old Testament were saved from their sins through faith in God's promise. Everyone who looks back to it as having been fulfilled in Jesus Christ is saved in the same way: Through faith that it happened just as God promised.

DIVERSITY OF THE BIBLE

When we speak of the "diversity" of the Bible we mean that the Bible has variety. It records different ways in which God dealt with people and the different ways in which they responded to Him.

The Bible is written in different moods. Some portions express joy while others reflect sorrow. The Bible includes different types of writing. It contains history, poetry, prophecy, letters, adventure, parables, miracles, and love stories. Because of its variety, the Bible has been further divided into major groups of books.

OLD TESTAMENT DIVISIONS

The books of the Old Testament are divided into four major groups: Law, history, poetry and prophecy.

THE BOOKS OF THE LAW:

There are five books of law. The names of these books are:

Genesis

Exodus

Leviticus

Numbers

Deuteronomy

These books record the creation of man and the world by God and the early history of man. They tell how God raised up the nation of Israel as a people through which He could reveal Himself to the nations of the world.

These books record the laws of God. The best known parts are the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17), the greatest of all commandments (Deuteronomy 6:5), and the second greatest commandment (Leviticus 19:18).

Open your Bible and locate the books of Law in the Old Testament. Locate the three verses mentioned in the preceding paragraph and read them. These are an example of the laws of God recorded in these books.

THE BOOKS OF HISTORY:

There are 12 books of history in the Old Testament. The names of the books of history are:

Joshua

Judges

Ruth

I and II Samuel

I and II Kings

I and II Chronicles

Ezra

Nehemiah

Esther

Locate these books in your Bible. They are found right after the books of law. The books of history cover a thousand year history of God's people, Israel. Naturally they do not tell everything that happened, but they record the major events and show the results of both following and ignoring God's law.

THE BOOKS OF POETRY:

There are five books of poetry. The names of the books of poetry are:

Job

Psalms

Proverbs

Ecclesiastes

Song of Solomon

These books are the worship books of God's people, Israel. They still are used in worship by believers today. Turn to Psalm 23 and read it. This is an example of the beautiful worship poetry contained in these books.

THE BOOKS OF PROPHECY:

The books of prophecy are the Old Testament are divided into two groups which are called Major and Minor prophetical books. This does not mean the Major Prophets are more important than the Minor Prophets. The title is simply used because the Major Prophets are longer books than the Minor Prophets. There are 17 books of prophecy in the Old Testament. The names of the books of prophecy are:

Major Prophets:

Isaiah

Jeremiah

Lamentations

Ezekiel

Daniel

Minor Prophets:

HoseaNahum

JoelHabakkuk

AmosZechariah

ObadiahHaggai

JonahZechariah

MicahMalachi

These books are prophetic messages from God to His people about future events. Many of the prophecies have already been fulfilled, but some remain to be fulfilled in the future. Find these prophetic books in your Bible. They are the last books in the Old Testament.

NEW TESTAMENT DIVISIONS

The New Testament has also been divided into four groups: Gospels, History, Letters, and Prophecy.

THE GOSPELS:

There are four books in the Gospels. The names of these books are:

Matthew Mark Luke John

These books tell about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Their purpose is to lead you to believe that He is the Christ, the Son of God. Find the Gospels in your Bible and then read John 20:31 which states this purpose.

THE BOOK OF HISTORY:

There is one book of history in the New Testament, the book of Acts. This book tells how the church began and fulfilled Christ's commission to spread the Gospel throughout the world. Locate this book in your Bible.

LETTERS:

There are 21 letters in the New Testament. The names of these letters are:

RomansTitus

I and II CorinthiansPhilemon

GalatiansHebrews

EphesiansJames

PhilippiansI and II Peter

ColossiansI, II, and III John

I and II ThessaloniansJude

I and II Timothy

The letters are addressed to all believers. Their purpose is to guide them in living and help them do what Jesus commanded. Romans 12 is a good example of their teaching. Turn to this chapter in your Bible and read it. The letters are also sometimes called "epistles" which means letters.

PROPHECY:

Revelation is the only book of prophecy in the New Testament. It tells of the final victory of Jesus and His people. Its purpose is to encourage you to keep living as a Christian should live until the end of time. Its message is summarized in Revelation 2:10.

SELF-TEST

1. Write the Key Verses from memory:

_______________________________________________________________________________

2. What does the word "Bible" mean?_____________________________________________

3. What does the word "Scripture" mean?_____________________________________________

4. What are the two major divisions of the Bible?

______________________________ _______________________________

5. How many books are there in the Bible?____________________________________________

6. Name the four major groups into which Old Testament books are divided:

______________________________ _______________________________

7. Name the four major groups into which New Testament books are divided:

______________________________ _______________________________

8. What is the meaning of the word "testament"?

_______________________________________________________________________________

9. What are four main purposes of the Bible? Give a Bible reference to support your answer.

_______________________________________________________________________________

10. What is meant by the "unity of the Bible"?

_______________________________________________________________________________

11. What is meant by the "diversity of the Bible"?

_______________________________________________________________________________

12. Read each statement. If the statement is TRUE put the letter T on the blank in front of it. If the statement is FALSE put the letter F on the blank in front of it:

a._____The Bible is the written Word of the one true God.

b._____Although God inspired the Bible, He used men to write down His words.

c._____Because there were many writers over a period of many years, the Bible contains a lot of contradictions.

d._____There is no united theme of the Bible. It is just a collection of books on different subjects.

e._____The Major Prophets of the Old Testament are more important than the Minor Prophets.

13. Who is the person on which the revelation of both testaments centers? Give a Bible

reference to support your answer.____________________Reference___________________

(Answers to tests are provided at the conclusion of the final chapter in this manual.)

FOR FURTHER STUDY

The bookmarks on the next page will help you learn the major divisions of the Bible. Cut out the bookmarks on the lines dividing them and place them in your Bible. If you have difficulty in locating the place to insert your bookmarks, use the Table of Contents in the front of your Bible. It lists the books in the order in which they appear in the Bible. It also provides the page number where each book begins.

OLD TESTAMENT

Place bookmark 1 at the beginning of the book of Genesis.

Place bookmark 2 at the beginning of the book of Joshua.

Place bookmark 3 at the beginning of the book of Job.

Place bookmark 4 at the beginning of the book of Isaiah.

NEW TESTAMENT

Place bookmark 5 at the beginning of the book of Matthew.

Place bookmark 6 at the beginning of the book of Acts.

Place bookmark 7 at the beginning of the book of Romans.

Place bookmark 8 at the beginning of the book of Revelation.

You have now located the major divisions of the Bible. Keep using the bookmarks until you can name and locate these divisions by memory.

OLD TESTAMENT OLD TESTAMENT OLD TESTAMENT

LAW (1) HISTORY (2) POETRY (3)

GENESIS JOSHUA JOB

EXODUS JUDGES PSALMS

LEVITICUS RUTH PROVERBS

NUMBERS I SAMUEL ECCLESIASTES

DEUTERONOMY II SAMUEL SONG OF SOLOMON

I KINGS

II KINGS

I CHRONICLES

II CHRONICLES

EZRA

NEHEMIAH

ESTHER

______________________________________________________________________________

OLD TESTAMENT

PROPHECY (4)

MAJOR PROPHETS:

ISAIAH

JEREMIAH

LAMENTATIONS

EZEKIEL

DANIEL

MINOR PROPHETS:

HOSEA OLD TESTAMENT BOOK MARKS

JOEL

AMOS

OBADIAH

JONAH

MICAH

NAHUM

HABAKKUK

ZECHARIAH

HAGGAI

ZECHARIAH

MALACHI

NEW TESTAMENT NEW TESTAMENT NEW TESTAMENT

GOSPELS (5) HISTORY (6) LETTERS (7)

MATTHEW ACTS ROMANS

MARK I CORINTHIANS

LUKE II CORINTHIANS

JOHN GALATIANS

EPHESIANS

PHILIPPIANS

COLOSSIANS

I THESSALONIANS

II THESSALONIANS

I TIMOTHY

II TIMOTHY

TITUS

PHILEMON

HEBREWS

JAMES

I PETER

II PETER

____________________ I JOHN

NEW TESTAMENT II JOHN

PROPHECY (8) III JOHN

JUDE

REVELATION ______________________

NEW TESTAMENT BOOK MARKS

CHAPTER TWO

THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:

∙ Write the Key Verse from memory.

∙ Identify the number of books in the Old Testament.

∙ Identify the number of books in the New Testament.

∙ Explain why it is important to have a systematic plan for reading the Bible.

∙ List four suggestions for successful Bible reading.

KEY VERSE:

Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord; give me understanding according to thy Word. (Psalms 119:169)

INTRODUCTION

In the previous chapter you learned that the Bible is the written Word of God. You learned it is divided into two major sections called the Old Testament and the New Testament. You learned the four divisions of the Old Testament books:

Law

History

Poetry

Prophecy

You also learned the four divisions of the New Testament books:

Gospels

History

Letters

Prophecy

The following chart summarizes what you have learned about the Bible so far:

THE BIBLE

❙

GOD'S WRITTEN WORD

❙

66 BOOKS

❙

__________________________

❙ ❙

OLD TESTAMENT DIVISIONS NEW TESTAMENT DIVISIONS

❙ ❙

Law Gospels

History History

Poetry Letters

Prophecy Prophecy

This chapter contains a summary of each of the 66 books of the Bible which make up the major divisions of the Old and New Testaments. It provides an introduction to the content of both testaments. Four suggestions for successful Bible reading are given and you will choose a systematic plan to start reading God's Word.

OLD TESTAMENT BOOKS

(39 Books)

BOOKS OF LAW:

Genesis: Records the beginning of the universe, man, the Sabbath, marriage, sin, sacrifice, nations, and government and key men of God like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.

Exodus: Details how Israel became a nation with Moses as leader. Israel is delivered from bondage in Egypt and travels to Mt. Sinai where the law of God is given.

Leviticus: This book was a manual of worship for Israel. It provides instruction to the religious leaders and explains how a sinful people can approach a righteous God. It relates to the coming of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Numbers: Records Israel's 40 years of wandering in the wilderness which was a result of disobedience to God. The title of the book is from two numberings (population censuses) taken during the long journey.

Deuteronomy: Records the final days of Moses' life and reviews the laws given in Exodus and Leviticus.

BOOKS OF HISTORY:

Joshua: Details how Joshua, the successor of Moses, led the people of Israel into the Promised Land of Canaan. It records the military campaigns and the division of the land among the people.

Judges: Israel turned away from God after Joshua's death. This book records the sad story of their repeated sins and the judges God raised up to deliver them from enemy forces.

Ruth: The story of Ruth, a woman of the Gentile nation of Moab, who chose to serve the God of Israel. She became the great grandmother of David.

I Samuel: This book centers on three persons: Samuel who was the last of the judges of Israel; Saul, the first king of Israel; and David who succeeded Saul as king.

II Samuel: The glorious 40 year reign of King David is recorded in this book.

I Kings: King Solomon's reign and the kings of the divided kingdom through the reigns of Ahab in the north and Jehoshaphat in the south are the subjects of this book.

II Kings: The final decline of Israel and Judah is recalled in this book. God's people fell into deep sin.

I Chronicles: The reign of David and preparations for building the temple are recorded here. The time of this book is the same as II Samuel.

II Chronicles: This book continues Israel's history through Solomon's reign with focus on the southern kingdom. It closes with the decree of Cyrus which permitted the return of the people from Babylon to Jerusalem.

Ezra: The return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity is detailed.

Nehemiah: The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under the direction of Nehemiah is recalled by this book. The project was begun about 14 years after Ezra's return with the people.

Esther: God's deliverance of the Jews through Esther and Mordecai is the subject of this book.

BOOKS OF POETRY:

Job: This book is the story of Job, a man who lived around the time of Abraham. The theme is the question of why righteous men suffer.

Psalms: The prayer and praise book of the Bible.

Proverbs: Divine wisdom for practical problems of everyday life.

Ecclesiastes: A discussion of the futility of life apart from God.

Song Of Solomon: The romance of Solomon and his Shulamite bride. The story represents God's love for Israel and of Christ for the church.

BOOKS OF PROPHECY:

Several of these books were written during a period when the nation of Israel was divided into two separate kingdoms: Israel and Judah.

Isaiah: Warns of coming judgment against Judah because of their sin against God.

Jeremiah: Written during the later decline and fall of Judah. Told of the coming judgment and urged surrender to Nebuchadnezzar.

Lamentations: Jeremiah's lament (expression of sorrow) over the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon.

Ezekiel: Warns first of Jerusalem's impending fall and then foretells its future restoration.

Daniel: The prophet Daniel was captured during the early siege of Judah and taken to Babylon. This book provides historic and prophetic teaching which is important in understanding Bible prophecy.

Hosea: Theme of this book is Israel's unfaithfulness, their punishment, and restoration by God.

Joel: Tells of the plagues which foreshadowed future judgment.

Amos: During a period of material prosperity but moral decay, Amos warned Israel and surrounding nations of God's future judgment on their sin.

Obadiah: God's judgment against Edom, an evil nation located south of the Dead Sea.

Jonah: The story of the prophet Jonah who preached repentance in Ninevah, capitol of the Assyrian empire. The book reveals God's love and plan of repentance for the Gentiles.

Micah: Another prophecy against Israel's sin. Foretells the birthplace of Jesus 700 years before the event happened.

Nahum: Tells of the impending destruction of Ninevah which had been spared some 150 years earlier through Jonah's preaching.

Habakkuk: Reveals God's plan to punish a sinful nation by an even more sinful one. Teaches that "the just shall live by faith."

Zephaniah: Judgment and restoration of Judah.

Haggai: Urges the Jews to rebuild the temple after a 15 year delay due to enemy resistance.

Zechariah: Further urging to complete the temple and renew spiritual commitment. Foretells Christ's first and second comings.

Malachi: Warns against spiritual shallowness and foretells the coming of John the Baptist and Jesus.

NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS

(27 Books)

THE GOSPELS:

The four books known as the Gospels record the birth, life, ministry, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The approach of each book differs:

Matthew: Emphasizes Jesus Christ as King and was directed especially to the Jews.

Mark: Emphasizes Jesus Christ as the Servant of God and was directed especially to the Romans.

Luke: Presents Jesus Christ as the "Son of Man," the perfect man and Savior of imperfect men.

John: Presents Jesus in His position as the Son of God.

BOOK OF HISTORY:

Acts: The one history book of the New Testament records the early growth of Christianity from the time of Christ's return to Heaven through Paul's imprisonment in Rome. The book covers about 33 years and emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit.

LETTERS:

Romans: A presentation of the Gospel which stresses salvation by faith alone.

I Corinthians: Written to correct errors of Christian conduct in the local church.

II Corinthians: Speaks of the true ministry of the Gospel, stewardship, and Paul's apostolic authority.

Galatians: Deals with the error of mixing law and faith. The theme is justification by faith alone.

Ephesians: Encourages believers regarding their position in Christ.

Philippians: Emphasizes the joy of the Christian unity.

Colossians: Deals with the error of "Gnosticism," a false teachings which denied Jesus was truly Son of God and Son of Man. The book also emphasizes Jesus as head of the Church.

I Thessalonians: Counsel in Christian living and emphasis on the return of Jesus.

II Thessalonians: Further instruction on the Lord's return and how knowledge of this should affect everyday life.

I Timothy: Stresses sound doctrine, orderly church government, and principles to guide the church in the years to come.

II Timothy: Describes the true servant of Jesus Christ. It also warns of the apostasy (spiritual decline) which had already started. It presents the Word of God as the remedy to correct all error.

Titus: Paul's letter to a young minister named Titus who was serving God on the island of Crete. Doctrine and a Godly life are stressed.

Philemon: Paul's intercession for a runaway slave of a wealthy Colossian Christian. It illustrates the intercession of Jesus on the behalf of believers who were once slaves to sin.

Hebrews: Explains the superiority of Christianity over Judaism. Presents Jesus as the Great High Priest and the mediator between God and man.

James: Teaches that true faith is evidenced by works, although salvation is by faith alone.

I Peter: A letter of comfort and encouragement to believers, especially those suffering spiritual attacks from outside the church through unbelievers.

II Peter: A warning against spiritual attacks from within. For example, false teachers who had already "crept" into the Church.

I John: Written to combat Gnosticism which denied Christ's position as Son of God and Son of Man. The book emphasizes fellowship and love among believers and assures true believers of eternal life.

II John: Warns against any compromise with doctrinal error and emphasizes that the truth must be guarded in love.

III John: Warns of the sin of refusing fellowship with those who are true believers.

Jude: Another warning against apostasy and false doctrine. The theme is similar to that of II Peter.

BOOK OF PROPHECY:

Revelation: This prophetic book tells of the final events of world history. It tells of the things which were, are, and which will be in the future plan of God (Revelation 4:22).

SUCCESSFUL BIBLE READING

You will learn much in this course about how to understand and interpret the Bible. You will also learn methods of creative Bible study. But the first step in understanding the Bible is to begin to read it. To help you start reading God's Word we have outlined several different reading plans. These include a plan for those just starting their study as well as a plan for those who are more advanced in the study of God's Word. First, here are four suggestions for successful Bible reading:

1. READ DAILY:

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. (Psalms 1:2)

God made your physical body so you must have food daily in order to remain healthy. In a similar manner, your spirit must be fed daily with the food of the Word of God if you are to be spiritually healthy:

. . . It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God. (Luke 4:4)

2. READ SELECTIVELY:

Start by reading the "milk" of the word. These are the simple truths of the Word of God:

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby. (I Peter 2:2)

Later you will mature spiritually to where you can eat "meat" of the Word of God. This means you will be able to understand more difficult teachings of the Bible:

For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:13-14)

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat; for hitherto ye were not able to bear it . . . (I Corinthians 3:2)

3. READ PRAYERFULLY:

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord. (Ezra 7:10)

Before you start to read, pray to God and ask Him to help you understand the message He has given you through His written Word. Let your prayer be as the Psalmist David prayed:

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. (Psalms 119:18)

4. READ SYSTEMATICALLY:

Some people do not understand God's Word because they do not have a systematic plan for reading. They read a chapter here and there and fail to understand how it all fits together. This is like reading a few pages here and there in a text book on medicine and then trying to set up a medical practice. The Bible tells us to "search the scriptures" (John 5:39). This means to study them carefully. The Bible is like a text book used in school. You must read it in an orderly way if you are to understand its content. Select one of the following reading schedules and begin reading your Bible daily.

FOR BEGINNERS

If you have never read the Bible before, start with the book of John in the New Testament. This book was written by one of the Disciples of Jesus Christ named John. He tells the story of Jesus in a simple way which is easy to understand.

Read one chapter in John each day in the order in which they are found in your Bible. Use the following chart to check off each chapter as you read it.

The Gospel Of John:

_____1 _____5 _____9 _____13 _____17

_____2 _____6 _____10 _____14 _____18

_____3 _____7 _____11 _____15 _____19

_____4 _____8 _____12 _____16 _____20

THE SHORT SCHEDULE

The short schedule of Bible reading is designed to provide a basic knowledge of the Bible through selected portions of Scripture. Read the selected portions in the order in which they are listed. Use the chart to check off each portion as you complete your reading.

THE NEW TESTAMENT:

_____John _____I Thessalonians _____Ephesians

_____Mark _____I Corinthians _____II Timothy

_____Luke _____Romans _____I Peter

_____Acts _____Philemon _____I John

_____Romans _____Philippians _____Revelation 1-5; 19:6-22:21

THE OLD TESTAMENT:

______Genesis _____Amos

______Exodus l-20 _____Isaiah l-12

______Numbers 10:11-21:35 _____Jeremiah l-25;39-33

______Deuteronomy l-ll _____Ruth

______Joshua l-12; 22-24 _____Jonah

______Judges l-3 _____Psalms l-23

______I Samuel l-3, 9-10,1 3,15-18,31 _____Job 1-14, 38-42

______II Samuel l _____Proverbs 1-9

______I Kings l-ll _____Daniel 1-6

______Nehemiah

THE LONGER SCHEDULE

This reading plan covers the Bible in greater depth than the Short Schedule, but it does not cover the entire Bible.

NEW TESTAMENT:

_____Mark _____Philippians

_____Matthew _____Ephesians

_____John _____II Timothy

_____Luke _____Titus

_____Acts _____I Timothy

_____I Thessalonians _____I Peter

_____II Thessalonians _____Hebrews

_____I Corinthians _____James

_____II Corinthians _____I John

_____Galatians _____II John

_____Romans _____III John

_____Philemon _____Jude

_____Colossians _____II Peter

_____Revelation 1-5 and 19:6-22:21

(The Longer Schedule Continued)

OLD TESTAMENT:

_____Genesis _____Jeremiah 1-25 and 30-33

_____Exodus (l-24) _____Nahum

_____Leviticus l-6:7 _____Habakkuk

_____Numbers 10:11-21:35 _____Ezekiel 1-24 and 33-39

_____Deuteronomy l-ll and 27-34 _____Obadiah

_____Joshua l-12 and 22-24 _____Lamentations

_____Judges l-16 _____Isaiah 40-66

_____I Samuel _____Zechariah 1-8

_____II Samuel _____Malachi

_____I Kings _____Joel

_____II Kings _____Ruth

_____I Chronicles _____Jonah

_____II Chronicles _____Psalms

_____Ezra _____Job

_____Nehemiah _____Proverbs 1-9

_____Amos _____Song of Solomon

_____Hosea _____Ecclesiastes

_____Micah _____Esther

_____Isaiah l-12 _____Daniel

_____Zephaniah

THE COMPLETE SCHEDULE

The complete Bible reading schedule takes you through the entire Bible in one year.

January February

_____1. Genesis l-2 _____1. Exodus 14-17

_____2. Genesis 3-5 _____2. Exodus 18-20

_____3. Genesis 6-9 _____3. Exodus 21-24

_____4. Genesis 10-11 _____4. Exodus 25-27

_____5. Genesis 12-15 _____5. Exodus 28-31

_____6. Genesis 16-19 _____6. Exodus 32-34

_____7. Genesis 20-22 _____7. Exodus 35-37

_____8. Genesis 23-26 _____8. Exodus 38-40

_____9. Genesis 27-29 _____9. Leviticus 1-4

_____10. Genesis 30-32 _____10. Leviticus 5-7

_____11. Genesis 33-36 _____11. Leviticus 8-10

_____12. Genesis 37-39 _____12. Leviticus 11-13

_____13. Genesis 40-42 _____13. Leviticus 14-16

_____14. Genesis 43-46 _____14. Leviticus 17-19

_____15. Genesis 47-50 _____15. Leviticus 20-23

_____16. Job 1-4 _____16. Leviticus 24-27

_____17. Job 5-7 _____17. Numbers 1-3

_____18. Job 8-10 _____18. Numbers 4-6

_____19. Job ll-13 _____19. Numbers 7-10

_____20. Job 14-17 _____20. Numbers 11-14

_____21. Job 18-20 _____21. Numbers 15-17

_____22. Job 21-24 _____22. Numbers 18-20

_____23. Job 25-27 _____23. Numbers 21-24

_____24. Job 28-31 _____24. Numbers 25-27

_____25. Job 32-34 _____25. Numbers 28-30

_____26. Job 35-37 _____26. Numbers 31-33

_____27. Job 38-42 _____27. Numbers 34-36

_____28. Exodus l-4 _____28. Deuteronomy 1-3

_____29. Exodus 5-7

_____30. Exodus 8-10

_____31. Exodus 11-13

(The Complete Schedule Continued)

March April

_____1. Deuteronomy 4-6 _____1. I Samuel 21-24

_____2. Deuteronomy 7-9 _____2. I Samuel 25-28

_____3. Deuteronomy 10-12 _____3. I Samuel 29-31

_____4. Deuteronomy 13-16 _____4. II Samuel 1-4

_____5. Deuteronomy 17-19 _____5. II Samuel 5-8

_____6. Deuteronomy 20-22 _____6. II Samuel 9-12

_____7. Deuteronomy 23-25 _____7. II Samuel 13-15

_____8. Deuteronomy 26-28 _____8. II Samuel 16-18

_____9. Deuteronomy 29-31 _____9. II Samuel 19-21

_____10. Deuteronomy 32-34 _____10. II Samuel 22-24

_____11. Joshua 1-3 _____11. Psalms l-3

_____12. Joshua 4-6 _____12. Psalms 4-6

_____13. Joshua 7-9 _____13. Psalms 7-9

_____14. Joshua 10-12 _____14. Psalms 10-12

_____15. Joshua 13-15 _____15. Psalms 13-15

_____16. Joshua 16-18 _____16. Psalms 16-18

_____17. Joshua 19-21 _____17. Psalms 19-21

_____18. Joshua 22-24 _____18. Psalms 22-24

_____19. Judges 1-4 _____19. Psalms 25-27

_____20. Judges 5-8 _____20. Psalms 28-30

_____21. Judges 9-12 _____21. Psalms 31-33

_____22. Judges 13-15 _____22. Psalms 34-36

_____23. Judges 16-18 _____23. Psalms 37-39

_____24. Judges 19-21 _____24. Psalms 40-42

_____25. Ruth 1-4 _____25. Psalms 43-45

_____26. I Samuel 1-3 _____26. Psalms 46-48

_____27. I Samuel 4-7 _____27. Psalms 49-51

_____28. I Samuel 8-10 _____28. Psalms 52-54

_____29. I Samuel ll-13 _____29. Psalms 55-57

_____30. I Samuel 14-16 _____30. Psalms 58-60

_____31. I Samuel 17-20

(The Complete Schedule Continued)

May June

_____1. Psalms 61-63 _____1. Proverbs 1-3

_____2. Psalms 64-66 _____2. Proverbs 4-7

_____3. Psalms 67-69 _____3. Proverbs 8-11

_____4. Psalms 70-72 _____4. Proverbs 12-14

_____5. Psalms 73-75 _____5. Proverbs 15-18

_____6. Psalms 76-78 _____6. Proverbs 19-21

_____7. Psalms 79-81 _____7. Proverbs 22-24

_____8. Psalms 82-84 _____8. Proverbs 25-28

_____9. Psalms 85-87 _____9. Proverbs 29-31

_____10. Psalms 88-90 _____10. Ecclesiastes 1-3

_____11. Psalms 91-93 _____11. Ecclesiastes 4-6

_____12. Psalms 94-96 _____12. Ecclesiastes 7-9

_____13. Psalms 97-99 _____13. Ecclesiastes 10-12

_____14. Psalms 100-102 _____14. Songs 1-4

_____15. Psalms 103-105 _____15. Songs 5-8

_____16. Psalms 106-108 _____16. I Kings 5-7

_____17. Psalms 109-111 _____17. I Kings 8-10

_____18. Psalms 112-114 _____18. I Kings 11-13

_____19. Psalms 115-118 _____19. I Kings 14-16

_____20. Psalms 119 _____20. I Kings 17-19

_____21. Psalms 120-123 _____21. I Kings 20-22

_____22. Psalms 124-126 _____22. II Kings 1-3

_____23. Psalms 127-129 _____23. II Kings 4-6

_____24. Psalms 130-132 _____24. II Kings 7-10

_____25. Psalms 133-135 _____25. II Kings 11-14:20

_____26. Psalms 136-138 _____26. Joel 1-3

_____27. Psalms 139-141 _____27. II Kings 14:21-25; Jonah 1-4

_____28. Psalms 142-144 _____28. II Kings 14:26-29; Amos 1-3

_____29. Psalms 145-147 _____29. Amos 4-6

_____30. Psalms 148-150 _____30. Amos 7-9

_____31. I Kings l-4

(The Complete Schedule Continued)

July August

_____1. II Kings 15-17 _____1. II Kings 20-21

_____2. Hosea l-4 _____2. Zephaniah l-3

_____3. Hosea 5-7 _____3. Habakkuk 1-3

_____4. Hosea 8-10 _____4. II Kings 22-25

_____5. Hosea ll-14 _____5. Obadiah/Jeremiah 1-2

_____6. II Kings 18-19 _____6. Jeremiah 3-5

_____7. Isaiah l-3 _____7. Jeremiah 6-8

_____8. Isaiah 4-6 _____8. Jeremiah 9-12

_____9. Isaiah 7-9 _____9. Jeremiah 13-16

_____10. Isaiah 10-12 _____10. Jeremiah 17-20

_____11. Isaiah 13-15 _____11. Jeremiah 21-23

_____12. Isaiah 16-18 _____12. Jeremiah 24-26

_____13. Isaiah 19-21 _____13. Jeremiah 27-29

_____14. Isaiah 22-24 _____14. Jeremiah 30-32

_____15. Isaiah 25-27 _____15. Jeremiah 33-36

_____16. Isaiah 28-30 _____16. Jeremiah 37-39

_____17. Isaiah 31-33 _____17. Jeremiah 40-42

_____18. Isaiah 34-36 _____18. Jeremiah 43-46

_____19. Isaiah 37-39 _____19. Jeremiah 47-49

_____20. Isaiah 40-42 _____20. Jeremiah 50-52

_____21. Isaiah 43-45 _____21. Lamentations 1-5

_____22. Isaiah 46-48 _____22. I Chronicles 1-3

_____23. Isaiah 49-51 _____23. I Chronicles 4-6

_____24. Isaiah 52-54 _____24. I Chronicles 7-9

_____25. Isaiah 55-57 _____25. I Chronicles 10-13

_____26. Isaiah 58-60 _____26. I Chronicles 14-16

_____27. Isaiah 61-63 _____27. I Chronicles 17-19

_____28. Isaiah 64-66 _____28. I Chronicles 20-23

_____29. Micah 1-4 _____29. I Chronicles 24-26

_____30. Micah 5-7 _____30. I Chronicles 27-29

_____31. Nahum 1-3 _____31. II Chronicles 1-3

(The Complete Schedule Continued)

September October

_____1. II Chronicles 4-6 _____1. Esther 4-7

_____2. II Chronicles 7-9 _____2. Esther 8-10

_____3. II Chronicles 10-13 _____3. Ezra 1-4

_____4. II Chronicles 14-16 _____4. Haggai 1-2/Zechariah 1-2

_____5. II Chronicles 17-19 _____5. Zechariah 1-2

_____6. II Chronicles 20-22 _____6. Zechariah 3-6

_____7. II Chronicles 23-25 _____7. Zechariah 7-10

_____8. II Chronicles 26-29 _____8. Ezra 5-7

_____9. II Chronicles 30-32 _____9. Ezra 8-10

_____10. II Chronicles 33-36 _____10. Nehemiah l-3

_____11. Ezekiel 1-3 _____11. Nehemiah 4-6

_____12. Ezekiel 4-7 _____12. Nehemiah 7-9

_____13. Ezekiel 8-11 _____13. Nehemiah 10-13

_____14. Ezekiel 12-14 _____14. Malachi l-4

_____15. Ezekiel 15-18 _____15. Matthew 1-4

_____16. Ezekiel 19-21 _____16. Matthew 5-7

_____17. Ezekiel 22-24 _____17. Matthew 8-11

_____18. Ezekiel 25-27 _____18. Matthew 12-15

_____19. Ezekiel 28-30 _____19. Matthew 16-19

_____20. Ezekiel 31-33 _____20. Matthew 20-22

_____21. Ezekiel 34-36 _____21. Matthew 23-25

_____22. Ezekiel 37-39 _____22. Matthew 26-28

_____23. Ezekiel 40-42 _____23. Mark l-3

_____24. Ezekiel 43-45 _____24. Mark 4-6

_____25. Ezekiel 46-48 _____25. Mark 7-10

_____26. Daniel 1-3 _____26. Mark ll-13

_____27. Daniel 4-6 _____27. Mark 14-16

_____28. Daniel 7-9 _____28. Luke l-3

_____29. Daniel 10-12 _____29. Luke 4-6

_____30. Esther l-3 _____30. Luke 7-9

_____31. Luke 10-13

(The Complete Schedule Continued)

November December

_____1. Luke 14-17 _____1. Romans 5-8

_____2. Luke 18-21 _____2. Romans 9-11

_____3. Luke 22-24 _____3. Romans 12-16

_____4. John 1-3 _____4. Acts 20:3-22

_____5. John 4-6 _____5. Acts 23-25

_____6. John 7-10 _____6. Acts 26-28

_____7. John 11-13 _____7. Ephesians 1-3

_____8. John 14-17 _____8. Ephesians 4-6

_____9. John 18-21 _____9. Philippians 1-4

_____10. Acts 1-2 _____10. Colossians 1-4

_____11. Acts 3-5 _____11. Hebrews 1-4

_____12. Acts 6-9 _____12. Hebrews 5-7

_____13. Acts 10-12 _____13. Hebrews 8-10

_____14. Acts 13-14 _____14. Hebrews 11-13

_____15. James 1-2 _____15. Philemon/I Peter 1-2

_____16. James 3-5 _____16. I Peter 3-5

_____17. Galatians l-3 _____17. II Peter 1-3

_____18. Galatians 4-6 _____18. I Timothy l-3

_____19. Acts 15-18:11 _____19. I Timothy 4-6

_____20. I Thessalonians l-5 _____20. Titus l-3

_____21. II Thessalonians l-3 _____21. II Timothy l-4

_____22. I Corinthians 1-4 _____22. I John l-2; Acts 18:12-19:10

_____23. I John 3-5 _____23. I Corinthians 5-8

_____24. II John, III John _____24. I Corinthians 9-12

_____25. Revelation 1-3, Jude _____25. I Corinthians 13-16

_____26. Revelation 4-6 _____26. Acts 19:11-20:1; II Corinthians 1-3

_____27. Revelation 7-9 _____27. II Corinthians 4-6

_____28. Revelation 10-12 _____28. II Corinthians 7-9

_____29. Revelation 13-15 _____29. II Corinthians 10-13

_____30. Revelation 16-18 _____30. Acts 20:2/Romans 1-4

_____31. Revelation 19-22

SELF-TEST

1. Write the Key Verse from memory.

______________________________________________________________________________

2. How many books are in the Old Testament?

______________________________________________________________________________

3. How many books are in the New Testament?

______________________________________________________________________________

4. Why is it important to have a systematic plan for reading the Bible?

______________________________________________________________________________

5. What were the four suggestions for successful Bible reading?

______________________________________________________________________________

(Answers to tests are provided at the conclusion of the final chapter in this manual.)

FOR FURTHER STUDY

-Review the descriptions of each book of the Bible given in this chapter.

-Write the name of each book of the Bible below.

-By the name of each book summarize its basic content in three or four words.

-The first two are done as examples for you to follow.

(By condensing material in this manner you will be able to develop a general knowledge of the content of the entire Bible.)

Name Of Book Content

Genesis Book of beginnings

______________________________________________________________________________

Exodus Exit from Egypt

______________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CHAPTER THREE

VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE

OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:

∙ Write the Key Verse from memory.

∙ Name the three languages in which the Bible was written.

∙ Define the word "version."

∙ Explain the difference between a translation and a paraphrase version of the Bible.

KEY VERSE:

The Lord gave the Word: great was the company of those that published it. (Psalms 68:11)

INTRODUCTION

This chapter identifies the original languages in which the Bible was written and explains how the Scriptures have been translated into other languages. You will learn the difference between a translation and a paraphrase version of the Bible. Examples from various versions of the Bible are provided.

THREE LANGUAGES

The Bible was originally written in three languages. Most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew except for parts of the books of Daniel and Nehemiah which were written in Aramaic. The New Testament was written in Greek.

None of the original manuscripts of the Bible are now in existence. Some good manuscripts exist which are copies of the original. Versions are translations of these copies of the original manuscripts. From early times men saw the necessity of translating the Bible so everyone could read it in their own language.

No translation is exact because no two languages are exactly alike. Some words used in the Bible do not even exist in different languages. For example, there is a tribe of Indians in Ecuador, South America, called the Auca Indians. When missionaries first contacted them, these Indians did not know how to read or write. There were no words in their language for "writing" or "book."

The Auca Indians did have a custom of carving identification marks on their property. Since there were no words in their language for scriptures, writing, or book, when the Bible was translated for them it was called "God's Carving." This identified it as something belonging to God. This is just one example of the difficulties in translating the Bible into various languages.

TRANSLATIONS AND PARAPHRASES

There are many different versions of the Bible. The word "version" means a Bible written in a language different from those in which God's Word was originally written. There are two main types of versions of the Bible: Translations and paraphrases.

TRANSLATION:

A translation is an effort to express what the Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic words actually say. It gives as nearly as possible a literal word by word translation. Extra words are inserted only when it is necessary in order for the reader to understand the meaning.

PARAPHRASE:

A paraphrase does not attempt to translate word for word. It translates thought by thought. A paraphrase is a restatement of the meaning of a passage. Paraphrase versions are easier to read and understand because they are written in modern vocabulary and grammar, but they are not an exact translation of God's Word.

The "For Further Study" section of this chapter provides examples from several English versions of the Bible for you to compare. These illustrate the differences in translation and paraphrase versions.

SELECTING A STUDY BIBLE

For purposes of this course and Bible study in general, we recommend use of the King James version of the Bible. There are several reasons for this:

FIRST:

The King James Bible is very accurate and a good translation for serious study. A paraphrase version does not contain the exact word-by-word translation of Scriptures.

SECOND:

There are more study tools available for the King James version. There are a large number of concordances, dictionaries, and commentaries written for the King James text.

THIRD:

The King James version is available in more languages than any other version. Since Harvestime International Institute courses are used throughout the world, we selected this version of the Bible because it is available in many languages. It is important to have a Bible in your native tongue because you think and understand best in your own language.

If you do not have a King James version of the Bible write to the American Bible Society at P.O. Box 5601, Grand Central Station, New York, New York 10164, U.S.A. They have a complete listing of all the languages in which the King James version of the Bible is available. If you find the King James Version is not available in your language or have difficulty in obtaining a Bible, write to the United Bible Societies, Bible House, P.O. Box 755, Stuttgart l, Germany. They maintain a list of "Scriptures of the World" which identifies all the languages in the world in which at least one book of the Bible has been published.

If you read English but have a limited vocabulary, you may be interested in obtaining the "Bible in Basic English." This is the entire Old and New Testament written in English using only a basic 1,000 word vocabulary. Write to Cambridge University Press, New York, New York, U.S.A. for further information.

RED LETTER EDITIONS

Several versions of the Bible come in what are called "red letter editions." In red letter editions of the Bible the words of Jesus are printed in red. The rest of the text of the Bible is printed in black ink.

If a red letter edition of the King James version is available in your language, we suggest you obtain it. What Jesus taught is one of the major focuses of Harvestime International Institute training and a red-letter edition emphasizes His teachings.

A SUMMARY

The following chart summarizes how the various versions of the Bible developed:

The Bible:

Inspired By God

❙

Revealed To Holy Men Who Wrote God's Words

In Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic

❙

Interpreted Into Various Languages

Resulting In

❙

Exact Translations And Paraphrase Versions Of The Bible

SELF-TEST

1. Write the Key Verse from memory.

_______________________________________________________________________________

2. What does the word "version" mean?

_____________________________________________________________________________

3. What is the difference between a translation and a paraphrase version of the Bible?

_____________________________________________________________________________

4. What version of the Bible is used in this course?

_____________________________________________________________________________

5. Why is no translation of the Bible exact?

_____________________________________________________________________________

6. What are the three languages in which the Bible was originally written?

_____________________________________________________________________________

(Answers to tests are provided at the conclusion of the final chapter in this manual.)

FOR FURTHER STUDY

We have selected the text of John 3:16 to illustrate the difference between the different versions of the Bible. The versions listed are the most popular English versions of the Bible.

King James Version: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

New King James Version: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Revised Standard Version: For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

Living Bible: For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

New American Standard Bible: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

New English Bible: God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, that everyone who has faith in Him may not die but have eternal life.

Amplified Version: For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He (even) gave up His only-begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish-come to destruction, be lost-but have eternal (everlasting) life.

Phillips: For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him should not be lost, but should have eternal life.

Wurst: For in such a manner did God love the world, insomuch that His Son, the uniquely-begotten One, He gave, in order that everyone who places his trust in Him may not perish but may be having life eternal.

Moffat: For God loved the world so dearly that He gave up His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life instead of perishing.

PART TWO: PREPARATION FOR STUDY

CHAPTER FOUR

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:

∙ Write the Key Verse from memory.

∙ Identify prerequisites to effective Bible study.

∙ Identify two ways God provided for studying His Word.

∙ Recognize the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit.

∙ Explain the difference between the milk and meat of the Word of God.

∙ Identify three steps for moving from the milk to the meat of the Word of God.

∙ List three practical suggestions for studying God's Word.

KEY VERSE:

He that is of God heareth God's words; ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. (John 8:47)

INTRODUCTION

Many people try to begin Bible study the same way they study any other book. They take their Bible, open it, and start to read. But often their study does not last long. They find it difficult to understand what they read. They do not recognize how the Bible relates to everyday living and may even think it is a rather dull book. The Bible explains that only certain people will be able to understand God's Word. People fail at Bible study because they are not spiritually prepared to study the Word of God.

The Bible is like a door which leads into the presence of God. Behind that door are great spiritual treasures. But you must have the key to unlock the door or you will never be able to enter in and explore these treasures. The Bible reveals how to understand God's Word. It provides the key to unlock the door to spiritual understanding.

PREREQUISITES TO BIBLE STUDY

A prerequisite is something you must do before you can do something else. The Bible is the Word of God. It is not like any other book and you cannot study it as you do other books. There are prerequisites--things you must do before you can begin--if you are to understand the deep spiritual things of God.

If you want to understand the Bible you must first know the Author of the Bible. Jesus said:

He that is of God heareth God's words; ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. (John 8:47)

You cannot understand God's Words without knowing God. How do you come to know God? Jesus told Nicodemus, who was a religious leader in the nation of Israel:

Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)

A man may be educated, learned, cultured, and even religious, but the understanding of Scripture will be hidden from him until his spiritual eyes have been opened by the new birth.

Nicodemus asked Jesus, "How can these things be?" He did not understand what Jesus meant. Jesus answered and said:

Art thou a master of Israel and knowest not these things? (John 3:10)

Nicodemus was a religious leader of Israel, yet he did not know about being born again. In fact, he asked . . .

How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb and be born? (John 3:4)

Jesus explained to Nicodemus that the new birth of which He was speaking was a spiritual birth. This new birth experience comes through faith in Jesus Christ. You must confess you are a sinner. You must believe Jesus died for your sins, ask forgiveness for your sins, and accept Him as your personal Savior.

The person who has not been born again cannot receive the truth of God's Words:

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him, neither does he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (I Corinthians 2:14)

The unsaved man may admire the Bible for its literary beauty and value. He may study it historically or geographically. But the spiritual truths of God's Word will remain hidden until he receives forgiveness of sin:

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (I Corinthians 1:18)

GOD'S PROVISIONS

From the moment you accept Jesus as your Savior and experience the new spiritual birth, your mind will begin to understand spiritual truths in God's Word. Just as a new born baby in the natural world needs physical nourishment from food, a person who is spiritually reborn needs nourishment. There food for this spiritual growth and development is the Word of God. There are two ways God has provided to help you study His Word:

TEACHERS:

God chooses certain believers as leaders in the Church. One of the special leadership positions is that of being a teacher of God's Word:

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers . . . (I Corinthians 12:28)

And He gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors, and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ;

Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13)

God provides teachers to explain God's Word and guide you to spiritual maturity.

A SPECIAL TEACHER:

God has a second way for you to learn His Word. He commands you to study it yourself:

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)

God has provided a special Teacher to help you when you study His Word. When Jesus was living on earth He personally taught His followers the truths of God. But Jesus knew that after His death and resurrection He would be returning to Heaven so He told His followers that a special Teacher would be sent to help them understand God's Word. That Teacher is the Holy Spirit:

But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)

Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear that shall He speak and He will shew you things to come. (John 16:13)

The coming of the Holy Spirit is recorded in Acts chapter 2. Read this chapter in your Bible. God wants you to experience this same infilling of the Holy Spirit.* Through the Holy Spirit you receive a special ability from God to understand His Word:

But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you; but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lie and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in Him. (I John 2:27)

The Holy Spirit is a creative power. It was the Spirit of God that breathed into man the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). It was that same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. (Romans 8:11). It is that creative power of the Holy Spirit that takes ordinary study and turns it into CREATIVE study of God's Word.

We said in the introduction to this course that to be creative is to produce something new. The teaching of the Holy Spirit produces a new flow of spiritual understanding. The Holy Spirit makes the Bible new, fresh, and relevant to your life.

GOD'S WORD: MILK AND MEAT

There are two levels of spiritual depth in God's Word. We call these the "milk" level and the "meat" levels. The "milk" of God's Word refers to simple truths that even a child can understand, such as the plan of salvation. The "meat" of God's Word refers to deeper spiritual truths which are not so easy to understand.

_________________

* If you have not received the infilling of the Holy Spirit, order the Harvestime International Institute course "Ministry Of The Holy Spirit.”

Some people have received Jesus as their Savior and been filled with the Holy Spirit, but they do not seem to grow in their understanding of God's Word. They are still feeding on the milk of the Word.

In the natural world there is nothing wrong with milk for a newborn baby. The same is true in the spiritual world. When you are first born again you should desire the milk of God's Word:

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. (I Peter 2:2)

But there comes a time in the natural world that a baby must start to eat solid foods if he is to mature physically. This is also true in the spiritual world. There is a time when you must move on from the milk of God's Word to the meat:

For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe.

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

(Hebrews 5:13-14)

Paul said that when it was time for believers to move from spiritual milk to meat, some were not ready:

For when for the time, ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat.

(Hebrews 5:12)

Why was this so? Why is it that some believers go deep into God's Word while others never get beyond a surface understanding of the Bible? Why are some people always hungering for "deeper things" in God's Word instead of experiencing them? Paul wrote:

And I brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

I have fed you with milk and not with meat; for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (I Corinthians 3:1-3)

They could not move from milk to meat because they were carnal Christians. This means they were spiritually immature. They had envy, strife, division, and other sins in their lives. When a Christian is carnal, he will not be able to understand the deeper truths of God's Word. He will remain on milk until he repents and grows up enough spiritually that he can digest meat.

It is God's desire that you move from the milk to the meat of His Word. This is how you increase your knowledge of God's Word:

Whom shall He teach knowledge? And who shall be made to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts. (Isaiah 28:9)

It is important that you move from the milk to the meat for it is upon spiritually mature believers that God pours out His Spirit:

Whom shall He teach knowledge? and whom shall He make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts.

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little;

For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people.

To whom He said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. (Isaiah 28:9-12)

God wanted to bless His people with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He wanted to revive them and give them spiritual rest, but they could not enter in because they had not heard His Words. They could not move on to spiritual meat because they were not weaned from the milk of the Word.

HOW TO MOVE FROM MILK TO MEAT

Now, the big question is . . . How does a newborn Christian move from the milk to the meat of God's Word?

DESIRE THE MILK:

First, you must desire the milk of the Word. You must gain an understanding of the basic principles of the Word of God:

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby. (I Peter 2:2)

You cannot start with spiritual meat. You must first desire and learn to digest spiritual milk.

BE OBEDIENT TO GOD'S WORD:

This is the most important step. Carnal Christians do not obey what they learn in the milk God's Word so they are not able to mature on to meat. The Bible teaches that it is not enough to hear His Word. You must be obedient. You must become a "doer" of the Word and not a "hearer" only:

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (James 1:22)

An increase in spiritual understanding comes through meditation on and obedience to God's Word. This is how we move from milk to meat. David wrote:

Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies. . . I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts . . .Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way . . .

(Portions of Psalms 119:99-104)

Because David kept God's precepts and was a doer of the Word, his understanding increased. God will not take you on to the deeper revelations if you have not acted upon what you have learned in the milk of the Word.

SEARCH FOR THE MEAT:

In the natural world, chewing meat requires more physical effort than drinking milk. The same is true in the spiritual world. Discovering the meat of God's Word requires more spiritual effort than living on the milk of the Word.

Proverbs chapter 2 tells how to search for the meat:

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

If you seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures:

Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:1-5)

These are the steps to discovering and understanding the knowledge of God:

1. Receive my words: You must be teachable.

2. Hide my commandments with thee: You must accept the Word and integrate it into your life and spirit. Do not try to change the Word to agree with your way of living.

3. Incline thine ear unto wisdom: Really listen to what God is saying to you through His Word. Listening requires changes in living where indicated.

4. Apply thine heart to understanding: Apply yourself diligently to understanding (interpreting) the Word.

5. Seek her as silver and search for her as for hid treasures: If someone told you there was a hidden treasure in property you own, what would you do? You would start digging. You would conduct a systematic search until you found the treasure. It would become a priority of your life.

When you make God's Word a priority and begin to systematically search for His wisdom, you will find it. But it must become a priority of life. You must approach it with as much excitement and dedication as if you were searching for treasure.

If you follow these guidelines and search for the meat of God`s Word, these are the results:

1. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord: Verse 5

2. And find the knowledge of God: Verse 5

3. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea every good path: Verse 9

4. It will be pleasant unto thy soul: (You will find satisfaction) Verse 10

5. Discretion shall preserve thee: Discretion is the ability to make sound judgment and

decisions. Verse ll

6. Understanding shall keep thee: Verse ll

7. You will be delivered from all evil: Verse 12

SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS

Here are some practical suggestions for Bible study.

SET A SPECIAL TIME:

Set a special time each day when you will study. The time you select will depend on your personal schedule or preference. Some prefer to study early in the morning when they are fresh and rested. Some find their best time to be late at night when everyone else in their household has retired. Whatever time you select, set it apart as a regular appointment time with God to study His Word.

SELECT A SPECIAL PLACE:

Select a place that is as free from noise and interruption as possible. Be sure to have good lighting to enable you to read without eye strain. If it is possible, select a place where you can leave your study materials, i.e., Bible, pencil, paper, and any Bible study books you may have. This way you do not have to spend time each day collecting these items before you start your study.

START A SPECIAL WAY:

Start each study session with prayer. Ask God to open your understanding so you will be able to receive His Word. The Psalmist David prayed:

Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord; give me understanding according to thy Word. (Psalm 119:169)

SELF-TEST

1. Write the Key Verse from memory.

_______________________________________________________________________________

2. Why do many people fail when they start studying the Bible?

_______________________________________________________________________________

3. What does the word "prerequisite" mean?

_______________________________________________________________________________

4. What is the key prerequisite for understanding the Bible?

_______________________________________________________________________________

5. List two ways God has provided for you to study His Word.

_______________________________________________________________________________

6. Who was the great Teacher sent from God after Jesus returned to Heaven?

_______________________________________________________________________________

7. What is meant by the "milk " of the Word of God?

_______________________________________________________________________________

8. What is meant by the "meat" of the Word of God?

_______________________________________________________________________________

9. List three steps that move a believer from the milk to the meat of the Word of God:

_______________________________________________________________________________

10. List three practical suggestions for Bible study which were discussed in this chapter:

_______________________________________________________________________________

(Answers to tests are provided at the conclusion of the final chapter in this manual.)

FOR FURTHER STUDY

1. Turn to I Corinthians 3:1-3 in your Bible. List three words Paul used to describe carnal Christians.

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2. From Proverbs 2: l-5, list five steps given for searching for the meat of God's Word.

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3. Study Proverbs 2:5-12. List seven results of applying these steps to the study of God's Word.

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CHAPTER FIVE

BIBLE STUDY TOOLS

OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:

∙ Write the Key Verses from memory.

∙ Explain three uses of a concordance.

∙ Use a concordance.

∙ Use a Bible dictionary.

∙ Use a Bible word study book.

∙ Use a topical textbook.

∙ Use a Bible encyclopedia.

∙ Use a Bible commentary.

∙ Use a Bible atlas.

∙ Use a Bible handbook.

KEY VERSES:

Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

(Psalms 119:98-100)

INTRODUCTION

Bible scholars have written special books that are helpful in studying the Bible. This chapter explains how to use these Bible study tools. It is not necessary to have these special books in order to study the Bible. Do not be concerned if you cannot afford or do not have access to them. This course teaches you how to study the Bible yourself. All that is necessary for you to have is a Bible.

If you do not have these tools at the present time, it is still important for you to know what study aids exist. This is why we have included this chapter on Bible study tools. If you do have access to Bible study tools, we want you to know how to use them because they will be helpful to you. There are several ways you might gain access to such books. Perhaps you can obtain them by purchasing them at a Christian bookstore or from the publisher. If you cannot afford to purchase these books, perhaps you can borrow them. If you live near a Christian Bible college, you might be able to use their library. Perhaps a minister or Christian friend living near you has some of these books and will let you use them.

Bible study tools are important, but they cannot substitute for studying the Bible itself. You should use these tools only after you have done your own study of the Word. Consulting a Bible study book before studying the Bible itself influences your mind with the comments of man before you have studied the words of God. Those who wrote Bible commentaries and other study tools obtained their material the way any student can get it: From the Bible itself.

It is not necessary to depend on the research of others. If Bible study tools are not available to you, do not despair. Within you dwells the creative power of the Holy Spirit. He is the special teacher sent by God who will guide you into all truth. That is better than all the Bible study tools provided by men. If these tools are available, learn to use them to supplement your own study of God's Word, but do not depend on them. Depend on the creative revelation of the Holy Spirit.

BIBLE CONCORDANCE

A Bible concordance provides an alphabetical listing of the main words in the Bible with the immediate context of each word. If you have limited funds with which to purchase materials, this is the most important tool for Bible study and should be your first choice.

Two good concordances are:

The Analytical Concordance to the Bible by Robert Young published by Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A.

Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible by James Strong published by Abingdon Press, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A. (Strong's is used for the following study explaining the use of a concordance.)

A concordance is helpful in three ways:

1. To Locate All The References To A Word:

For example, if you want to study about angels you can look up the words "angel" and "angels" in a concordance. You will find a complete listing of each place these words are used in the Bible. This will enable you to look up each reference on the subject. You can also look up names of Bible characters and do biographical studies using the concordance. For example, if you look up the name "Moses" it lists all of the Bible references to him.

Each reference to a word is represented by the first letter of the word. For example, look at the listing for the word "begotten":

BEGOTTEN

b Seth were eight hundred years Gen 5:4 3205

b of thy father, she is thy Lev 18:11 4138

have I b them that thou Num 11:12 3205

The children that are b of them Deut 23 8 3205

and then sons of his body b Judg 8:30 3318

or who hath b the drops of dew Job 38:28 3205

this day have I b thee Ps 2:7 3205

thine heart, Who hath b me these Is 49:21 3205

for they have b strange children Hos 5:7 3205

as of the only b of the Father Jn 1:13 3439

the only b Son, which is in the Jn 1:18 3439

that he gave his only b Son Jn 3:16 3439

the name of the only b Son of God Jn 3:18 3439

my Son, this day have I b thee Acts 13:33 1080

The word "begotten" is indicated by the initial "b" in each reference listed. Abbreviations are used for the books of the Bible rather than spelling out the name of each book.

2. To Locate A Specific Text:

Perhaps you remember just a word or two from a Bible verse and you want to find the verse in the Bible. Use the words you remember to locate the text. For example, if you remember the word "begotten" from the verse "For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son,” you can look up the word “begotten" in the concordance. There you will find all the references to "begotten" listed. Go down the list until you find the verse you are looking for . . . "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son ." By using the concordance you discovered that this verse is located in John 3:16. Now you can find the verse in your Bible.

3. To Find The Meaning Of A Word:

At the end of each listing under a word in the concordance you will find a number. In the back of the concordance there are two dictionaries. One dictionary is in Hebrew, the language in which the Old Testament was written. The other dictionary is in Greek, the language in which the New Testament was written. You do not need to know Hebrew or Greek to use these dictionaries. Use the number which is at the end of the listing in the concordance:

Jo 3:16 that he gave his only b son. . . 3439

Look up the number in the Hebrew dictionary if it is a word used in the Old Testament. Look up the number in the Greek dictionary if it is a word used in the New Testament. We are studying the word "begotten" as it is used in John 3:16. Since it is a New Testament word we will look up number 3439 in the Greek dictionary. This is how the listing in the Greek dictionary looks:

(1) (2) (3) (4)

3439 Hoyoyevhs monogenes, mon-og-en-ace’;

(5) (6)

from 3441 and 1096; only-born, i.e., sole-only begotten child.

The numbers in brackets ( ) do not appear in the dictionary. These are coded to the following explanations:

(1) This is the number by which you find the Greek word.

(2) This is the word written in Greek.

(3) This shows how the word is pronounced in Greek.

(4) This shows the division of the word into syllables (parts) and where the accent (emphasis) is placed when you say the word in Greek.

(5) This provides the numbers of the "root" words for the word "begotten". These are the original words from which the word "begotten" came. (You can look these up in the Greek dictionary too if you desire. Look them up by their numbers).

(6) This gives the meaning of the word "begotten."

When you do not understand the meaning of a word in the Bible this method of word study will help you. You will learn more about word study later in this course.

BIBLE DICTIONARY

A Bible dictionary lists words of the Bible in alphabetical order and explains the meaning of each word. A Bible dictionary is not the same as a regular word dictionary. A regular dictionary gives the meanings of words as they are now used. A Bible dictionary gives the definitions of Bible words as they were used in the original context of Scripture. Here is a sample listing from a Bible dictionary:

BEARD (berd), with Asiatics a badge of manly dignity in contrast to the Egyptians, who usually shaved the head and the face. As a sign of mourning, it was the custom to pluck it out or cut it off. The Israelites were forbidden to shave off the corners of the beards, probably because it was regarded as a heathenish sign (Lev. 19:27). To compel a man to cut off his beard was to inflict upon him a shameful disgrace (II Sam. 10:4)

The following are recommended Bible dictionaries:

Unger's Bible Dictionary by Merrill Unger. Published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary by Merrill C. Tenney published by Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A.

WORD STUDY BOOKS

Word study books go beyond the basic Bible dictionary in defining words used in the Bible. They provide the Greek or Hebrew word and various meanings given to the same word. A word study book also provides the references in a which word is used. Here is an example from a word study book:

AXE: From AXINE, an axe, kin to agumi, to break,

is found in Matthew 3:10 and Luke 3:9

This listing shows the Greek Word, tells it is related to another word ("agumi"), explains the meaning of the word, and tells where the word is used in the Bible.

The following word study books are suggested:

An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words and An Expository Dictionary of Old Testament words, both by W.E. Vine published by Fleming H. Revell Company, Old Tappan, New Jersey, U.S.A.

BIBLE ENCYCLOPEDIA

A Bible encyclopedia also lists various Bible subjects and words in alphabetical order and defines them. But it provides a more extensive discussion than a dictionary.

Here is an example from a Bible encyclopedia:

BEGOTTEN Heb. Yalad (Lev. 18:11; Job 38:28; Psalm 2:7; etc.); Gk. Yennao (Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; 5:5).; NEB also “sired), “become your father”, etc. In the RSV the term occurs mainly of God’s act in making Christ His Son: “You are my son; today I have begotten you” (Psalm 2:7), quoted in Acts 13:33 in reference to His resurrection (Rom 1:4). The same passage is cited in Heb 1:5 as proving Christ’s filial dignity, transcending the angels in that “the name he has obtained is more excellent then theirs,” i.e., the name of son; and again (5:5) of God’s conferring upon Christ the glory of the priestly office.

The following are recommended Bible Encyclopedias:

Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia by C.F. Pfeiffer, V.F. Vos, and John Rea; published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia, (five volumes) published by Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A.

BIBLE COMMENTARY

A commentary is a book that provides comments about Scriptures in the Bible. It comments on the Bible chapter by chapter and verse by verse. A commentary is helpful in explaining passages which are difficult to understand. But remember: This is one person's ideas as to what the Scriptures mean. Commentaries are only opinions of man. This is why it is important that you study the Bible for yourself and not depend only on the comments of others.

There are many different Bible commentaries. Some commentaries consist of one volume which covers the entire Bible. Other commentaries devote one book of comments to each book of the Bible. Suggested commentaries:

The Wycliff Bible Commentary by Charles F. Pfeiffer and Everett F. Harrison published in by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

Matthew Henry's Commentary of the Whole Bible published by Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A.

BIBLE ATLAS

A Bible atlas or geography contains maps and information on the lands of the Bible. It helps you locate and understand the geographical setting in which the incidents in the Bible happened. The following atlases are recommended:

Compact Bible Atlas with Gazetter published by Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A.

Hammond's Atlas of the Bible Lands by Harry T. Frank published by Scripture Press, Wheaton, Illinois, U.S.A.

Oxford Bible Atlas by Herbert G. May published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York, U.S.A.

The Macmillan Bible Atlas published by Macmillan Publishing Company, New York, New York, U.S.A.

TOPICAL TEXTBOOKS

A topical textbook is a book which organizes the Bible under major topical listings and gives the verses where these topics are discussed. Here is an example from a topical textbook:

GIDEON. Call of by an angel, Judg. 6:11,14. His excuses, Judg. 6:15. Promises of the Lord to, Judg. 6:16. Angel attests the call to, by miracle, Judg. 6:21-24. He destroys the altar of Baal, and builds one to the Lord, Judg. 6:25-27. His prayer tests, Judg. 6:36-40. Leads an army against and defeats the Midianites, Judg. 6:33-35; 7; 8:4-12. Ephriamites chide, for not inviting them to join in the campaign against Midianites, Judg. 8:1-3. Avenges himself upon the people of Succoth, Judg. 8:14-17. Israel desires to make him king, he refuses, Judg. 8;22-23. Makes an ephod which becomes a snare to the Israelites, Judg. 8:24-27. Had seventy sons, Judg. 8:30. Death of, Judge 8:32; Faith of, Heb. 11:32

The following are recommended topical books:

Nave's Topical Bible lists 20,000 topics with 100,000 Bible references. It was written by Orville J. Nave and published by Guardian Press, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A.

Zondervan Topical Bible lists 21,000 topics with over 100,000 Scripture references published by Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A.

BIBLE HANDBOOKS

A Bible handbook is usually a one volume summary of selected information about the Bible. It contains helpful maps and charts, definitions, information on Bible times, and summaries of the books of the Bible. A Bible handbook presents a general overview of the Bible.

The following are good Bible handbooks:

Unger's Bible Handbook, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

Eerdman's Handbook To The Bible, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A.

SELF-TEST

1. Write the Key Verses from memory.

_______________________________________________________________________________

2. What are the three main uses of a concordance?

________________________ ________________________ _________________________

3. Look at the words in List One, then look at the definitions in List Two. Write the number of the definition which best describes the word on the blank in front of it.

List One List Two

___Topical textbook 1. Provides comments on the Bible, verse by verse, chapter by chapter.

___Bible dictionary 2. Like a regular dictionary, but defines words as they are used

in the Bible rather than modern times.

___Bible encyclopedia 3. Provides maps and information on the geographical setting of the Bible.

___Commentary 4. Lists topics of the Bible and scriptural references for them.

___Bible atlas 5. Provides explanation for words in more detail than a Bible dictionary.

___Word study books 6. Provides general information on the Bible: Background, history, etc.

(Answers to tests are provided at the conclusion of the final chapter in this manual.)

FOR FURTHER STUDY

If you have access to Bible study tools, complete the following exercises:

1. Use a concordance to locate the following verse. Complete the verse and record the Bible reference:

“For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this

condemnation _________________________________________________________________”

Reference:_______________________

2. Use the concordance, a Bible dictionary, and a word study book to study the word "lasciviousness." Summarize its meaning:

_______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

3. Look up Jude 1:4 in a Bible commentary and see what comments are made about this verse. Summarize what you learn:

______________________________________________________________________________

CHAPTER SIX

PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION

OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:

∙ Write the Key Verse from memory.

∙ Explain what it means to "rightly divide" the Word of truth.

∙ List six rules for properly interpreting the Bible.

∙ Define each of these six rules.

∙ Define verbal and plenary inspiration.

KEY VERSE:

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)

INTRODUCTION

Read the Key Verse again. "Rightly dividing" as used here is taken from the rules for Old Testament sacrifices and means to "cut straight." In the Old Testament, when a person brought a sacrifice for sin, the animal was divided into three parts. One part was offered to God. Another part was given to the one who brought the offering. The third part went to the priest. From this practice the expression "rightly dividing" developed. It means to "give to each that which belongs to him."

In Bible study it is important to rightly divide the Word of God. This means you must understand what is being said to whom. You must also interpret and apply the meaning correctly.

There are three major groups to which the Word addresses itself. These are listed in I Corinthians 10:32:

Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God. (I Corinthians 10:32)

All Scriptures were given FOR us, but not all verses are directed TO us. For example, God told Noah to build an ark. The story is recorded as an example from which you are to learn spiritual truths but it does not mean YOU should build an ark. Some of the Bible is directed to the Jews. Portions are directed to the Gentiles (nations other than the Jews). Other portions are directed to the Church (all those who are true believers in Jesus Christ).

In order to find the correct meaning from the Bible you must learn to rightly divide it. Another word for this is "interpretation" which means to give something proper meaning. You must learn how to arrive at the proper meaning for each Scripture. Jesus pointed out to the religious leaders of His time:

. . . Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures or the power of God.

(Matthew 22:29)

Spiritual error results from not knowing God's Word. There are certain principles you must follow in order to properly interpret the Bible. There are six basic rules for interpreting the Bible which help to "rightly divide" the Word of God.

THE RULE OF DIVINE AUTHORITY

The rule of divine authority means that we accept the Bible as the final authority. We believe that all the Bible is inspired by God, from Genesis through Revelation:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

(II Timothy 3:16)

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (II Peter 1:19-21)

There are two different types of inspiration: Verbal and plenary inspiration.

By verbal inspiration we mean that every word in the original manuscripts was inspired by God. By plenary inspiration we mean full inspiration of all Scripture as opposed to partial inspiration. Every portion of the Bible is inspired.

When we accept the rule of divine authority, then there is no conflict between the Bible and history or science. If there is an apparent conflict it is because:

1. We have failed to understand science or history.

or else. . .

2. The current scientific knowledge is not accurate. When conflicts are apparent, the Bible is taken as the final authority because it is the divinely inspired Word of God. In the past, when apparent conflicts between the Bible and history or science arose, later investigations always proved the Bible to be correct.

THE RULE OF LITERAL INTERPRETATION

To interpret the Bible literally means to believe it means exactly what it says. Always interpret the Bible literally unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. When the Bible says Israel crossed the Jordan River on dry ground, accept it literally. When the Bible tells about the walls of Jericho falling down, accept it as it is recorded by the Holy Spirit.

The Bible does contain various "types." Certain persons, places, or events, while literal in themselves, also represent something that will happen in the future. Chapter Twenty-One of this course will help you recognize these.

Symbols are also used in the Bible. A symbol stands for a meaning in addition to its ordinary one. For example, in Mark 14:22 the wine is used as a symbol of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. (They were not drinking actual blood.) Symbols are often used in Bible prophecy. For example the great image of which Nebuchadnezzar dreamed in Daniel has symbolic significance. Each part of the image represented a future world kingdom (Daniel 2). The Bible usually explains symbols when they are used. For example, Daniel's interpretation of the symbolic image is recorded in Daniel 2:31-45.

Jesus often used parables when He taught. A parable is a story that is told for the purpose of illustrating a spiritual truth. Whenever Jesus used a parable it is always stated in the Bible. If it does not say it was a parable then the story should be accepted as an actual event.

THE RULE OF CONTEXTUAL CONSIDERATION

Every verse of the Bible should be studied in its context. This means it should be studied in relation to the verses which precede and follow it as well as in relation to the rest of the Bible. Many false doctrines and cults have been created because verses or parts of verses were taken out of their context.

For example, the Bible says there is no God. Did you know that? You will find this in Psalm 14:1. Right there it says "there is no God." But if we read all the passage then we have this:

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. (Psalms 14:1)

The complete verse in its context is quite different in meaning than the portion removed from the context.

To study a verse in its context ask yourself the following questions:

1. Who Is Speaking Or Writing?

Although all the Bible is God's Word, different men were used in writing and speaking it.

2. What Is Being Said?

Summarize the main points of what is being said by the speaker or writer.

3. To Whom Is It Being Said?

Israel? The Gentile nations? The Church? A specific individual?

4. Why Was It Said?

What is the purpose in the passage? The Bible itself states purposes for some books and passages:

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book:

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name. (John 20:30-31)

For other parts of Scripture the reason for writing is not so clearly stated. You must examine the context more closely to determine why the message was recorded.

5. When Was It Said?

The time and circumstances of some scriptures help us understand the meaning. For example, when there was confusion in church services at the church of Corinth Paul wrote a special passage of scripture. He told the women to keep silent in the Church. Did this mean women could not sing, pray, teach, or worship out loud in the Church?

To find the answer, we must examine when, why, and to whom this was said. In Jewish church services men were seated on one side of the building and women on the other. The Corinthian women were disrupting services by shouting questions to their husbands on the other side of the room. This was the occasion when Paul found it necessary to write:

Let your women keep silence in the churches; for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. (I Corinthians 14:34)

Interpreting a Scripture within its context helps explain the meaning of the passage. Taking a verse out of context can result in incorrect understanding. Often the context of a Scripture in the Bible gives the interpretation. A good example of this is the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1-9. If you continue to read the context, the parable is interpreted in verses 18-23. In many cases similar to this the Bible interprets itself within the context. This is why contextual consideration is important.

THE RULE OF FIRST MENTION

The rule of first mention is as follows: The first time a word, phrase, object, or incident is mentioned in the Bible, it gives the key to its meaning anywhere else it occurs.

For example, in Genesis 3 there is the first mention of fig leaves. Here, Adam used fig leaves to try to cover his own sin and nakedness by his own efforts. Fig leaves speak of self-righteousness, rejection of God's remedy, and an attempt to justify ones self before God.

This is the meaning of fig leaves wherever they are mentioned afterwards in the Bible. For example, the last time fig leaves are mentioned is by Jesus in Matthew 21 and Mark 11 and 13. Here we find a fig tree with leaves but no fruit. Jesus cursed it and it withered away. To understand this act we need to remember the law of first mention and go back to Genesis 3. Fig leaves represent man's rejection of God's remedy and a self-righteous attempt to justify himself. The fig tree represented the self-righteous nation of Israel who had rejected Jesus. They rejected Him as King and would not accept His plan of salvation from sin. They were trying to be righteous through their own self-efforts.

THE RULE OF REPETITION

All the Bible is divinely inspired. There are no unessential parts of the Bible. Each word is inspired and necessary. For this reason, when something is repeated in Scripture it is for special emphasis. It means that a truth is of such special importance that it needs to be repeated.

John 3 illustrates this rule of repetition. Jesus tells Nicodemus of the necessity of the new birth experience and repeats it three times:

Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

(John 3:3)

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)

Marvel not that I say unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:7)

Remember: Whenever the Bible repeats, it is the Holy Spirit's way of saying "Stop and really look at this."

THE RULE OF CUMULATIVE REVELATION

This rule is actually stated in the Bible:

Know this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of men; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (II Peter 1:20- 21)

The Schofield Bible gives this translation:

No prophecy of scripture is its own interpretation; That is, it is not isolated from all the that the Word has given elsewhere.

The rule of cumulative revelation is this: The full truth of God's Word on any subject must not be gathered from an isolated passage. The cumulative (total) revelation of all the Bible says regarding a truth must be considered. This is why it is called the rule of "cumulative" revelation.

You cannot base your doctrine, teaching, or beliefs on a few isolated verses about a subject. You must keep studying until your interpretation becomes consistent with the whole of the Scriptures.

SELF-TEST

1. Write the Key Verse from memory.

_______________________________________________________________________________

2. What does it mean to "rightly divide" the Word of truth?

_______________________________________________________________________________

3. What is meant by "verbal" inspiration of the Bible?

_______________________________________________________________________________

4. What is meant by "plenary" inspiration of the Bible?

_______________________________________________________________________________

5. List each rule for interpretation which was discussed in this chapter. After each rule explain briefly what it means:

Rule 1:______________________________What it means:________________________________

Rule 2:______________________________What it means:________________________________

Rule 3:______________________________What it means:________________________________

Rule 4:______________________________What it means:________________________________

Rule 5:______________________________What it means:________________________________

Rule 6:______________________________What it means:________________________________

(Answers to tests are provided at the conclusion of the final chapter in this manual.)

FOR FURTHER STUDY

There are several passages in the Bible which confirm the inspiration of the Word by God. Look up each passage in your Bible and summarize it:

Scripture Summary

Hebrews 1:1 ____________________________________________

____________________________________________

I Thessalonians 2:13 ____________________________________________

____________________________________________

II Timothy 3:16 ____________________________________________

____________________________________________

I Corinthians 14:37 ____________________________________________

____________________________________________

I Corinthians 2:7-13 ____________________________________________

____________________________________________

I Corinthians 11:23 ____________________________________________

____________________________________________

Galatians 1:11,12,16,20 ____________________________________________

____________________________________________

Ephesians 3:1-10

____________________________________________

I Peter 1:10,11,21 ____________________________________________

____________________________________________

II Peter 3:16 ____________________________________________

____________________________________________

CHAPTER SEVEN

BIBLE BACKGROUND

OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:

∙ Write the Key Verse from memory.

∙ Identify major historical periods of the Bible.

∙ Describe everyday life in Bible times.

∙ Define Biblical archaeology.

KEY VERSE:

Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever. (Psalms 119:152)

INTRODUCTION

Each part of the Bible occurred at a specific time in history and in a specific cultural context. Proper understanding of a passage often relates to these factors. This chapter gives a brief summary of the history of the Bible and explains details of everyday life in Bible days.

CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY

Chronological history tells when an event occurred in the past. "Chronological" means in order or sequence. Chronological history organizes events of the past in proper order.

In most of the world the dating of time is divided into two major periods. These two periods are shown by the use of initials after the number of the year:

B.C. Numbers marked with these initials mean an event happened before the birth of Christ.

A.D. Numbers marked with these initials mean an event happened after the time of the birth of Christ.

When we say something happened 250 B.C., it means it happened 250 years Before Christ. When we say an event happened 700 A.D., it means it happened 700 years after the birth of Christ. When a number has B.C. after it, the larger the number is the older the date is. When a number

has an A.D. after it, the larger number is the more recent date.

This chart will help you understand dating:

B.C. A.D.

______________________________________________

▼ ▼

500 B.C. 300 B.C. 100.B.C. 100 A.D. 300 A.D. 500 A.D.

↕ ↕

This date is older because it occurred This date is most recent because it occurred 500 years before Christ. 500 years after Christ.

There are several ways we are able to know the chronological history of Bible events:

1. The Bible itself provides the dates of some events.

2. Early records of historians provide dates.

3. Through archaeology, which is the study of ancient things. It is a science which gains knowledge of times past from the study of existing remains of their civilizations. Biblical archaeology is the study of remains found in Bible lands. Some of the historical record of the Bible has been gained by dating these remains.

CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE BIBLE

The chronological history of the Bible is most easily divided into twelve major periods. Chart One shows the major periods of Bible chronology. Look at Column Two on the chart. It shows the 12 periods of Bible history starting with "Creation to Abraham" and concluding with "Spread Of The Gospel."

Columns One and Three show when the books of the Bible were written. Note that between the Old and New Testament there was a period of 386 years during which no books were written. The brackets (which look like this { ) show the books which record a certain period of time. For example, the book of Genesis records periods l and 2.

Refer to this chronology as you study the Bible. It will help you determine when events happened:

Chart One Chronological History Of The Bible

One Two Three

GENESIS 1. Creation to Abraham

2. Abraham to Moses

EXODUS

LEVITICUS 3. The Exodus

NUMBERS

DEUTERONOMY

JOSHUA 4. The Conquest

JUDGES 5. The Judges

RUTH

6. The Kingdom JOB

PSALMS

PROVERBS

ECCLESIASTES

SONG OF SOLOMON

I SAMUEL ISAIAH

II SAMUEL JEREMIAH

LAMENTATIONS

I KINGS EZEKIEL

II KINGS DANIEL

HOSEA

JOEL

AMOS

I CHRONICLES7. Two kingdoms OBADIAH

II CHRONICLES8. Judah alone JONAH

MICAH

NAHUM

HABAKKUK

9. The captivity ZEPHANIAH

EZRA

NEHEMIAH HAGGAI

MALACHI 10. The Restoration ZECHARIAH

(Chart One, Continued)

Between The Testaments

One Two Three

MATTHEW

MARK 11. Life of Christ

LUKE

JOHN

ROMANS

I AND II CORINTHIANS

GALATIANS

EPHESIANS

PHILIPPIANS

COLOSSIANS

I AND II THESSALONIANS

ACTS 12. Spread of the Gospel II AND II TIMOTHY

PHILEMON

TITUS

HEBREWS

JAMES

I AND II PETER

I , II, AND III JOHN

JUDE

REVELATION

Now read the description of major events which occurred in these 13 periods of Bible history:

1. Creation to Abraham (From creation to 2000 B.C.):

The creation of the universe, the fall of man into sin, the murder of Abel by Cain, Noah and the flood, and the Tower of Babel are some of the major Bible events of this period.

2. Abraham to Moses (200-1500 B.C.):

This period covers approximately 500 years. The experiences of one man, Abraham, and his descendants are the focus of this period. From Abraham God raised up the nation of Israel through which He wanted to reveal Himself to the nations of the world. This period includes the stories of Isaac, the son of Abraham, and of Isaac's son, Jacob. The period climaxes with the story of Joseph, Jacob's son, who was sold into slavery in Egypt and became a great ruler. Jacob and his family later joined Joseph in Egypt.

3. The Exodus (1500-1460 B.C.):

Between the close of Genesis and the opening of Exodus approximately 100 years passed. The family of Jacob multiplied into the nation of Israel during this time. The Egyptians became fearful because of the rapid increase of the Israelites so they made them slaves. Moses was raised up and under his leadership the Israelites miraculously departed from Egypt. After spending a year at Mt. Sinai, they wandered for 38 years in the desert. This period closes with the death of Moses and the leadership of Israel being assumed by a man named Joshua.

4. The Conquest of Canaan (1460-1450 B.C.):

During this period Joshua led Israel into Canaan to possess the land God had promised them. When the ungodly people of this area were conquered militarily, the land was divided among the 12 tribes of Israel. This period of 10 years is recorded in the book of Joshua.

5. The Judges (1450-1102 B.C.):

This was a time during which God raised up judges to rule the people of Israel. It is a dark period of time in the story of Israel as it was a time of spiritual failure. This period lasted for 348 years.

6. The Kingdom (1102-982 B.C.):

Samuel, the last judge of Israel, established the Kingdom of Israel and anointed Saul to be king. Three kings, Saul, David, and Solomon each reigned about 40 years. During this time the nation of Israel attained the highest glory in their history. The government was firmly established and Israel's borders were expanded. The story of this period, as well as the three following periods, are recorded in I and II Samuel, I and II Kings, and I and II Chronicles. The kingdom period lasted for 120 years and then the kingdom was divided.

7. The Two Kingdoms (982-722 B.C.):

When the evil son of Solomon, Rehoboam, came to the throne, the Northern tribes revolted. They established a separate kingdom of Israel. The Kingdom in the south became known as the Kingdom of Judah. For about 259 years Israel was divided into these two kingdoms.

8. Judah alone (722-587 B.C.):

Israel, the Northern Kingdom, was conquered by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. The people were taken captive into Assyria. After the fall of Israel, the southern Kingdom of Judah lasted 135 years. Judah's kings had shown more loyalty to God and the people had not gone so deep into sin.

9. The Captivity (587-538 B.C.):

In spite of the warnings of the prophets, Judah finally went deeper into sin until God let them be conquered by Nebuchadnezzar and taken captive into Babylon. The city of Jerusalem was destroyed and the people of God, who a few hundred years before had miraculous crossed the Jordan River, now marched away in chains.

10. The Restoration (538-391 B.C.):

When a king by the name of Cyrus became leader of Babylon, he permitted God's people to return and rebuild Jerusalem and their temple of worship. Zerubbabel led the group who returned to reestablish themselves in the promised land. The records of this period are found in the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. This period of restoration lasted for 147 years.

Between the Testaments (391-5 B.C.)

The Old Testament closes with the reestablishment of God's people, Israel, in Canaan. Then came a period of about 400 years between the Old and New Testaments. There were no Bible books written during this period so information on the time comes from secular writings.

During this time Palestine was ruled by the Persians (536-333 B.C.), the Greeks (333-323 B.C.), the Egyptians (323-204 B.C.), the Syrians (204-165 B.C.), the Maccabeans (165-63 B.C.), and Rome (63 B.C.. through the time of Christ).

11. Life of Christ (5 B.C. to 28 A.D.):

After 400 years, John the Baptist was raised up by God to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus was to be the Savior of sinful mankind. The promise of this plan of salvation was first made in the garden of Eden when man originally sinned (Genesis 3:15). Jesus was miraculously born of a virgin, revealed Himself to Israel as the Messiah, was rejected, crucified for the sins of all mankind, and resurrected by the power of God. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John record this period of 33 years.

12. The spread Of The Gospel (28-100 A.D.):

This period covers the events after Christ’s return to Heaven following His resurrection. It records the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and throughout the world.

Chart Two: Judges Of Israel

The Old Testament refers to many events which happened when Israel was ruled by Judges. Judges ruled before Israel had kings. The stories of the judges are recorded in the book of Judges. Use this chart to help you identify when events occurred during the period of the judges:

Reference Name Dates B.C. Number of Years

Judges 3:7-11 Othniel 1400-1360 40

Judges 3:12-31 Ehud 1360-1280 80

Judges 3:12-31 Shamgar 1280 l

Judges 4-5 Deborah 1280-1240 40

Judges 6-8:32 Gideon 1240 -1200 40

Judges 9 Abimelech 1200-1197 3

Judges 10:1-2 Tola 1197-1174 23

Judges 10:3-5 Jair 1174-1152 22

Judges 10:6-12 Jephthah 1152-1146 6

Judges 10:6-12 Ibzan 1146-1138 8

Judges 10:6-12 Elon 1138-1128 10

Judges 10:6-12 Abdon 1128-1121 7

Judges 13-16 Sampson 1121-1101 20

Chart Three: Kings Of Israel And Judah

Many Old Testament events are mentioned as having occurred during the reigns of different kings of Israel and Judah. This chart will help you date these events:

Kings Of Israel:

Name Of King Length Of Dates B.C. Reference

Reign In Years

Jeroboam I 22 976-954 I Kings 11:26-14:20

Nadab 2 954-953 I Kings 15:25-28

Baasha 24 953-930 I Kings 15:27-16:7

Elah 2 930-929 I Kings 16:6-14

Zimri (7 days) 929 I Kings 16:9-20

Omri 12 929-918 I Kings 16:15-28

Ahab 21 918-898 I Kings 16:28-22:40

Ahaziah &#