Bi 101 Old Testament Survey

1. Textbooks for this course will be the King James Version of the Old Testament, The Heart of Hebrew History by H. I. Hester, The Bible in Eight Ages by L. D. Foreman. Supplemental reading: Which Bible? edited by David Otis Fuller.

Note: This is a survey course, an introduction to the Old Testament. We are not asking you to memorize it all at this time. Rather, to look at all, a synthetic look at how all the entire component parts form a homogenous whole. A survey summary; that is, a bird's eye view is sufficient for now. A well-written paragraph or two will suffice on the message of each book.

Assignment #1: A. Study chapters 1-4 of Hester. B. Write a summary of your impression as to the importance of understanding this material as an introduction.

Assignment #2: A. Study chapters 5 & 6 of Hester. B. Read the book of Genesis. C. Write a brief answer to the question: If Moses, the penman of the book Genesis, lived almost 2,600 years after the creation, what is the proof of the accuracy of his account? D. Develop an outline of Genesis from the following main points: I. The Beginnings: A. Creation B. Fall C. Flood D. Tower of Babel II. The Patriarchs: A. Abraham B. Isaac C. Jacob D. Joseph (include the main thoughts with references).

Assignment #3: A. Read chapter 7 of Hester. B. Read Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. C. Using the Sections 1-5 of Hester's outline as a guide, discuss the content of each book's message and importance.

Assignment #4: A. Read chapter 8 of Hester. B. Read Joshua, Judges and Ruth. C. Using the Sections 1-3 of Hester's outline as a guide, discuss the content of each book's message and importance.

Assignment #5: A. Read chapter 9 of Hester. B. Read I and II Samuel, I Kings 1-11, I Chronicles 10-29, and II Chronicles 1-9. C. Using the sections 1-4 of Hester's outline as guide, discuss the content of each book's message and importance.

Assignment #6: A. Read chapter 10 of Hester. B. Read I Kings 11-22 and II Kings 1-17. C. Using the sections 1-3 of Hester's outline as a guide, discuss the content of each book's message and importance.

Assignment #7: A. Read chapter 11 of Hester. B. Review I Kings 11-22 and II Kings 1-17, adding chapters 18-25, and II Chronicles 10-36. C. Using the sections 1&2 of Hester's outline as a guide, discuss the content of each book's message and importance.

Assignment #8: A. Read chapter 12 of Hester. B. Read Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. C. Using the sections 1&2 of Hester's outline as a guide, discuss the content of each book's message and importance.

Assignment #9: A. Read chapter 13 of Hester. B. Read Joel, Jonah, Amos, Isaiah, Micah, Zephaniah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Obadiah. C. Using the sections 1-6 of Hester's outline as a guide, discuss the content of each book's message and importance.

Assignment #10: A. Read chapter 14 of Hester. B. Read Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and Lamentations. C. Using the sections 1-5 of Hester's outline as a guide, discuss the content of each book's message and importance.

Assignment #11: A. Read chapter 15 of Hester. B. Using the sections 1-3 of Hester's outline as a guide, discuss the content of this chapter's message and importance in understanding the changes that occur between the close of Malachi and the opening of Matthew.

Assignment #12: A. Read chapters 1-6 (Age one: Pre-Adamic) of Foreman. B. Submit a survey outline of these chapters.

Assignment #13: A. Read chapters 7-8 (Age two: Adamic) of Foreman B. Submit a survey outline of these chapters.

Assignment #14: A. Read chapters 9-10 (Age three: Flood) of Foreman. B. Submit a survey outline of these chapters.

Assignment #15: A. Read chapters 11-14 (Age four: Abrahamic) of Foreman. B. Submit a survey outline of these chapters.

Assignment #16: A. Read chapters 15-18 (Age five: Law) of Foreman. B. Submit a survey outline of these chapters.

Assignment #17: A. Read "Which Bible" B. Submit a brief discussion of your conclusion concerning the use or non-use of the King James Version of the Bible.

Note: When considering the total work involved, remember that a little extra time spent laying an excellent foundation usually yields a stronger and more enduring base for the building which is erected upon it.