Module:
Course:
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
"Basic Bible Survey" as part of its training program to equip men and women to reach their
nations with God's message.
"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. The course provides
an outline for each book of the Bible and teaches outlining skills for expanding these basic
outlines into more detailed studies of God's Word.
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 this course.
The course is divided into two parts:
Part One: Provides introductory material on the Bible and outlines for the books of the Old
Testament.
Part Two: Provides outlines for the books of the New Testament.
"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.*
____________________
* Since each Harvestime International Institute course is designed to be complete in itself, it was necessary to repeat
some introductory material from "Creative Bible Study Methods." Three of the introductory chapters are similar in
both courses.
6
, COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course you will be able to:
Identify basic divisions of the Bible.
Explain the difference between versions, translations, and paraphrased editions of the
Bible.
Describe everyday life in Bible times.
Summarize the chronology of the Bible.
Create and expand outlines.
For each book in the Bible 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.
7
,PART ONE: INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE
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 3:16-17)
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.
8
, 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:
9
Course:
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
"Basic Bible Survey" as part of its training program to equip men and women to reach their
nations with God's message.
"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. The course provides
an outline for each book of the Bible and teaches outlining skills for expanding these basic
outlines into more detailed studies of God's Word.
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 this course.
The course is divided into two parts:
Part One: Provides introductory material on the Bible and outlines for the books of the Old
Testament.
Part Two: Provides outlines for the books of the New Testament.
"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.*
____________________
* Since each Harvestime International Institute course is designed to be complete in itself, it was necessary to repeat
some introductory material from "Creative Bible Study Methods." Three of the introductory chapters are similar in
both courses.
6
, COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course you will be able to:
Identify basic divisions of the Bible.
Explain the difference between versions, translations, and paraphrased editions of the
Bible.
Describe everyday life in Bible times.
Summarize the chronology of the Bible.
Create and expand outlines.
For each book in the Bible 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.
7
,PART ONE: INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE
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 3:16-17)
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.
8
, 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:
9
