Bible Study Course

Lesson 1 • Overview of the Bible's Structure

Covers the division of the Bible into Old and New Testaments, genres, and book order. Establishes the map students use throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • How the Bible Was Transmitted

Traces the process from oral tradition to written manuscripts and printed editions. Students understand why textual variants exist.

Lesson 3 • Setting Up a Study Practice

Introduces tools, schedules, and habits that sustain consistent Bible engagement. Prepares students for structured work in later chapters.

Lesson 4 • Navigating Bible Translations

Compares major translation philosophies and editions to help students choose appropriate versions. Directly supports daily study practice.

Lesson 1 • Context as the Key to Meaning

Demonstrates how immediate, book-level, and canonical context shape a passage's meaning. Students practice multi-level contextual reading.

Lesson 2 • Interpreting Different Literary Genres

Applies genre-specific rules to narrative, poetry, prophecy, and epistles. Prevents misreading caused by applying wrong genre conventions.

Lesson 3 • The Grammatical-Historical Method

Teaches students to determine meaning through grammar, syntax, and historical setting. This is the primary method applied throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Avoiding Common Interpretive Pitfalls

Identifies frequent errors such as proof-texting, allegorizing, and anachronism. Students develop self-correction habits for responsible study.

Lesson 1 • The Pentateuch: Law and Origins

Covers Genesis through Deuteronomy, focusing on creation, covenant, and the Mosaic law. Establishes the theological foundation for the entire Old Testament.

Lesson 2 • Historical Books: Israel's Story

Traces Israel's history from conquest through the monarchy and exile. Students identify recurring patterns of faithfulness and failure.

Lesson 3 • Minor Prophets: Themes and Relevance

Introduces the twelve minor prophets and their core messages of justice, repentance, and hope. Students connect these themes to the New Testament.

Lesson 4 • Wisdom Literature and Psalms

Examines Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon for their theological and practical content. Connects wisdom themes to daily life.

Lesson 1 • The Gospels: Life and Teaching of Jesus

Compares Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John for their unique perspectives on Jesus. Students identify each Gospel's audience and theological emphasis.

Lesson 2 • Revelation: Apocalyptic Literature

Introduces Revelation's genre, structure, and major interpretive approaches. Students apply apocalyptic reading rules from Chapter 2 to this book.

Lesson 3 • General Epistles and Hebrews

Covers Hebrews, James, Peter, John, and Jude for their distinct theological contributions. Students identify the pastoral concerns each letter addresses.

Lesson 4 • Paul's Letters: Theology and Practice

Surveys the Pauline epistles for their doctrinal content and practical instruction. Students connect Paul's theology to the communities he addressed.

Lesson 1 • The Kingdom of God

Examines the kingdom of God as a central biblical theme from Genesis to Revelation. Students trace its presence, promise, and future fulfillment.

Lesson 2 • Salvation, Grace, and Faith

Traces the doctrines of salvation, grace, and faith across both Testaments. Students articulate a biblically grounded soteriology.

Lesson 3 • Covenant Theology Across the Bible

Traces the major biblical covenants and their progressive fulfillment. Students see how each covenant advances God's redemptive plan.

Lesson 4 • Messianic Prophecy and Fulfillment

Identifies key messianic prophecies and their New Testament fulfillment in Jesus. Students practice typological and predictive prophecy analysis.

Lesson 1 • Word Studies and Semantic Range

Teaches proper word study methodology using lexicons and concordances. Students avoid the word-study fallacies common in popular Bible teaching.

Lesson 2 • Selecting and Bounding a Passage

Teaches how to identify natural textual units and set appropriate passage boundaries. Prevents the common error of isolating verses from their unit.

Lesson 3 • Synthesizing Exegetical Findings

Combines word study, grammar, and context findings into a unified interpretation. Students write a complete exegetical summary of a chosen passage.

Lesson 4 • Textual and Translation Analysis

Guides students through comparing translations and noting significant textual variants. Builds confidence in working with the biblical text critically.

Lesson 1 • Principles of Biblical Application

Distinguishes timeless principles from culturally specific commands and explains how to bridge both. Prevents misapplication through cultural confusion.

Lesson 2 • Building a Lifelong Application Habit

Establishes sustainable practices for ongoing Scripture application beyond the course. Students design a personal application system.

Lesson 3 • Personal Application Methods

Provides structured frameworks for applying Scripture to individual beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Students practice self-examination through the text.

Lesson 4 • Communal and Corporate Application

Extends application to group, church, and community contexts. Students learn to facilitate group reflection on a shared passage.

Lesson 1 • From Exegesis to Exposition

Converts exegetical findings into a structured expository lesson or sermon. Connects the interpretive work of Chapter 6 to public communication.

Lesson 2 • Delivering and Evaluating a Bible Lesson

Students prepare, deliver, and receive feedback on a complete Bible lesson. Integrates all course competencies into a capstone performance task.

Lesson 3 • Crafting Effective Illustrations

Teaches how to select and use illustrations that clarify rather than distract from the text. Students practice matching illustrations to biblical content.

Lesson 4 • Audience Analysis and Contextualization

Adapts biblical content for different audiences without compromising textual accuracy. Students practice contextualizing a passage for a specific group.