Module:
Course:
INTRODUCTION
The many references to the Old Testament by Jesus during His earthly ministry illustrate the
importance He placed on knowing the content of the Scriptures. Because Jesus stressed the
importance of God's Word to the men He trained, Harvestime International Institute presents this
course, "Basic Bible Survey," as part of its training program to equip men and women to reach
their nations with God's message.
Volume One of "Basic Bible Survey" introduces the Bible and discusses its translations and
various versions. It presents an overview of Biblical history, geography, and life in Bible times.
It also teaches outlining skills and presents an outline for each book in the Old Testament.
This manual, Volume Two, continues the study with an outline for each book in the New
Testament. Information presented on each Bible book includes the author, the people to whom
the book was written, the purpose of the book, the key verse, a list of main characters, and an
outline of the content.
A Life and Ministry Principle is also stated for each book. These principles are basic truths vital
to Christian maturity and ministry which you should seek to incorporate into your own life.
Helpful charts, maps, and time lines summarizing important facts in condensed form are also
included in both volumes of "Basic Bible Survey."
"Basic Bible Survey" is a companion course of "Creative Bible Study Methods" which teaches
various ways to study the Bible. Both courses are designed to enrich your personal study of God's
Word.
1
, COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course you will be able to:
Create and expand outlines of books of the New Testament.
For each New Testament book, state the following:
-Author
-To whom the book was written
-When it was written
-Purpose of the book
-Key Verse
-Life and Ministry Principle
Continue with a more detailed study of God's Word upon completion of this course.
2
, INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPELS
The first four books in the New Testament are the Gospels. These books 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. The
book opens with the royal genealogy and closes with the King commissioning His disciples.
Mark: Emphasizes Jesus Christ as the Servant of God and was directed to the Romans. No
genealogy is given since Jesus is portrayed as a servant and no one is interested in the pedigree of
a servant. The book closes with the Lord "working with them," laboring as a servant with His
disciples.
Luke: Presents Jesus Christ as the "Son of Man," the perfect man and Savior of imperfect men.
Luke 3 traces the human genealogy of Jesus back to Adam. Luke ends with this perfect man,
Jesus, ascending back up to Heaven to His Father.
John: Stresses Jesus in His position as the Son of God. The book opens with Jesus the Word
revealed as God. The closing verse of John indicates that the world could not contain all Jesus
did during His earthly ministry. This is further evidence He was truly the Son of God.
JEWISH SECTS
The Jews of New Testament times belonged to different sects or groups. The following groups
are mentioned in the Gospels:
Pharisees: Their religion centered on obedience to the law which they interpreted, extended,
followed, and enforced. They followed not only the written law but also oral tradition which had
been passed from generation to generation. They were the largest group of Jews and the most
influential. They believed in resurrection after death.
Sadducees: They were the governing group. They did not believe in the resurrection. They
accepted only the teaching written in the law and not what had been handed down orally. They
were aligned politically with the Romans who ruled Israel at the time of Christ.
Essences: These were strict legalists who looked for two messiahs to come. They lived in
segregated communities.
Zealots: These were fanatical nationalists who advocated violence as a means of liberation
from Roman rule.
3
, CHAPTER ONE
MATTHEW
OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:
Name the author of the book of Matthew.
Identify to whom the book of Matthew was written.
State the purpose for the book of Matthew.
Write the Key Verses of the book of Matthew from memory.
State the Life and Ministry Principle for the book of Matthew.
INTRODUCTION
AUTHOR: Matthew
TO WHOM: To all believers, although the first intended audience was the Jews to whom he
presented Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of David.
PURPOSE: To present the ministry of Jesus, stressing His role as King of the Jews.
KEY VERSES: Matthew 28:19-20
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: The final command of Jesus to His followers was to
go to all nations with the Gospel.
MAIN CHARACTERS: Jesus, the twelve disciples
OUTLINE
Part One: The Genealogy Of The King 1:1-17
I. Introduction: 1:1
II. People in the genealogy: 1:2-16
III. The plan of the genealogy: 1:17
4
Course:
INTRODUCTION
The many references to the Old Testament by Jesus during His earthly ministry illustrate the
importance He placed on knowing the content of the Scriptures. Because Jesus stressed the
importance of God's Word to the men He trained, Harvestime International Institute presents this
course, "Basic Bible Survey," as part of its training program to equip men and women to reach
their nations with God's message.
Volume One of "Basic Bible Survey" introduces the Bible and discusses its translations and
various versions. It presents an overview of Biblical history, geography, and life in Bible times.
It also teaches outlining skills and presents an outline for each book in the Old Testament.
This manual, Volume Two, continues the study with an outline for each book in the New
Testament. Information presented on each Bible book includes the author, the people to whom
the book was written, the purpose of the book, the key verse, a list of main characters, and an
outline of the content.
A Life and Ministry Principle is also stated for each book. These principles are basic truths vital
to Christian maturity and ministry which you should seek to incorporate into your own life.
Helpful charts, maps, and time lines summarizing important facts in condensed form are also
included in both volumes of "Basic Bible Survey."
"Basic Bible Survey" is a companion course of "Creative Bible Study Methods" which teaches
various ways to study the Bible. Both courses are designed to enrich your personal study of God's
Word.
1
, COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course you will be able to:
Create and expand outlines of books of the New Testament.
For each New Testament book, state the following:
-Author
-To whom the book was written
-When it was written
-Purpose of the book
-Key Verse
-Life and Ministry Principle
Continue with a more detailed study of God's Word upon completion of this course.
2
, INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPELS
The first four books in the New Testament are the Gospels. These books 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. The
book opens with the royal genealogy and closes with the King commissioning His disciples.
Mark: Emphasizes Jesus Christ as the Servant of God and was directed to the Romans. No
genealogy is given since Jesus is portrayed as a servant and no one is interested in the pedigree of
a servant. The book closes with the Lord "working with them," laboring as a servant with His
disciples.
Luke: Presents Jesus Christ as the "Son of Man," the perfect man and Savior of imperfect men.
Luke 3 traces the human genealogy of Jesus back to Adam. Luke ends with this perfect man,
Jesus, ascending back up to Heaven to His Father.
John: Stresses Jesus in His position as the Son of God. The book opens with Jesus the Word
revealed as God. The closing verse of John indicates that the world could not contain all Jesus
did during His earthly ministry. This is further evidence He was truly the Son of God.
JEWISH SECTS
The Jews of New Testament times belonged to different sects or groups. The following groups
are mentioned in the Gospels:
Pharisees: Their religion centered on obedience to the law which they interpreted, extended,
followed, and enforced. They followed not only the written law but also oral tradition which had
been passed from generation to generation. They were the largest group of Jews and the most
influential. They believed in resurrection after death.
Sadducees: They were the governing group. They did not believe in the resurrection. They
accepted only the teaching written in the law and not what had been handed down orally. They
were aligned politically with the Romans who ruled Israel at the time of Christ.
Essences: These were strict legalists who looked for two messiahs to come. They lived in
segregated communities.
Zealots: These were fanatical nationalists who advocated violence as a means of liberation
from Roman rule.
3
, CHAPTER ONE
MATTHEW
OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:
Name the author of the book of Matthew.
Identify to whom the book of Matthew was written.
State the purpose for the book of Matthew.
Write the Key Verses of the book of Matthew from memory.
State the Life and Ministry Principle for the book of Matthew.
INTRODUCTION
AUTHOR: Matthew
TO WHOM: To all believers, although the first intended audience was the Jews to whom he
presented Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of David.
PURPOSE: To present the ministry of Jesus, stressing His role as King of the Jews.
KEY VERSES: Matthew 28:19-20
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: The final command of Jesus to His followers was to
go to all nations with the Gospel.
MAIN CHARACTERS: Jesus, the twelve disciples
OUTLINE
Part One: The Genealogy Of The King 1:1-17
I. Introduction: 1:1
II. People in the genealogy: 1:2-16
III. The plan of the genealogy: 1:17
4
