Christian Training Center of Branch of the Lord Presents a vast study of the Bible and Christianity through the course materials provided in partnership with: 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 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. 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.
Basic Bible Survey One Old Testament 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." Thre e of the introductory chapters are similar in both courses. 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.
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOKS OF POETRY The five books of poetry show a progression of spiritual life. Job: Describes the death to the old life of self. Psalms: Illustrates the new life in God, expressing itself in praise, prayer, adoration, supplication, confession, and intercession. Psalms is the hymn book and worship manual of the Bible. Proverbs: Gives heavenly, yet practical, wisdom for life on earth. Ecclesiastes: Tells of the vanity of pursuing life "under the sun" apart from God. Song of Solomon: Provides an example of life with meaning by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Biblical poetry is different from most types of poetry because it is written in Hebrew poetic structure. Keys to understanding this structure are given in the Harvestime International Institute Course entitled "Creative Bible Study Methods."
LESSON TWENTY TWO: Basis Bible Survey One OLD TESTAMENT C1D1.22) Ecclesiastes #22: ECCLESIASTES INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOKS OF POETRY OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to: Name the author of the book of Ecclesiastes. Identify to whom the book of Ecclesiastes was written. State the purpose for the book of Ecclesiastes. Write the Key Verse of the book of Ecclesiastes from memory. State the Life and Ministry Principle for the book of Ecclesiastes. INTRODUCTION AUTHOR: Solomon TO WHOM: Israel and believers in general with a special emphasis towards youth. PURPOSE: A description of the quest for life apart from God. KEY VERSE: 12:13 LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Life apart from God is futile. MAIN CHARACTERS: Solomon. No other characters are mentioned by name. OUTLINE I. Searching by personal experimenting: 1:1-2:26 A. By wisdom: 1:12-18 B. By pleasure: 2:1-11 C. A comparison of the two: 2:12-23 D. The first tentative conclusion: 2:24-26 II. Searching by general observation: 3:1-5:20 A. Of natural order: 3:1-22 B. Of human society: 4:1-16 C. His advice in view of these two: 5:1-17 1. Regarding religion: 5:1-7 2. Regarding society: 5:8 3. Regarding riches: 5:9-17 D. The third tentative conclusion: 5:18-20 III. Searching by practical morality: 6:1-8:17 A. Economic level: 6:1-12 B. Reputation: 7:1-22
C. Education: 7:23-8:1 D. Social position: 8:2-14 E. The third tentative conclusion 8:15-17 IV. The search reviewed: 9:1-12:12. Solomon concludes the following about life apart from God (references relate back to his discussion of these facts): A. It is utterly futile: 2:11 B. It is filled with repetition: 3:1-8 C. It is filled with sorrow: 4:1 D. It is grievous and frustrating: 2:17 E. It is uncertain: 9:11-12 F. It is without purpose: 4:2,3; 8:15 G. It is incurable: 1:15 H. It is unjust: 7:15; 8:14; 9:11; 10:6-7 I. It is on the level of animal existence: 3:19 V. The search concluded; A final conclusion: 12:13-14 A. What we should do: 12:13 1. Fear God: 12:13 2. Keep His commandments: 12:13 B. Why we should do it: 12:13b-14 1. It is the whole duty of man: 12:13b 2. We will someday be judged: 12:14
SELF-TEST 1. Who was the author of the book of Ecclesiastes? 2. State the purpose for the book of Ecclesiastes. 3. To whom was the book of Ecclesiastes written? 4. State the Life and Ministry Principle of the book of Ecclesiastes. 5. Write the Key Verse of Ecclesiastes.
FOR FURTHER STUDY 1. Study the ten vanities: -Human wisdom: 2:15-16 -Human labor: 2:19-21 -Human purpose: 2:26 -Human rivalry: 4:4 -Human awareness: 4:7 -Human fame: 4:16 -Human dissatisfaction: 5:10 -Human coveting: 6:9 -Human frivolity: 7:6 -Human system of awards: 8:10,14 2. The word "heart" is used 40 times in Ecclesiastes. Read the book to discover what the book has to say about the heart. 3. Make a list of all of Solomon's possessions and experiences in chapter 2. Note in verse 10 that he had "whatever he desired." Observe the results in verse 11: All was vanity. Note the steps which made him realize this: He looked, he turned, he saw, he said in his heart. 4. Study the key word of Ecclesiastes "vanity" which is used 37 times. 5. Note the phrase "under the sun." This is life when spiritual values are ruled out and one dwells only on the world. This phrase occurs 25 times. As you study Ecclesiastes, list Solomon's conclusions about life apart from God (for example, 2:11). Compare this kind of life to the life found in Jesus Christ. 6. The Bible records that King Solomon tried all of the following things trying to give meaning to his life: -Human wisdom: Ecclesiastes 1:16-18 -Wealth: Ecclesiastes 2:7-8 -Alcohol: Ecclesiastes 2:3 -International reputation: I Kings 10:6-7 -Pleasure: Ecclesiastes 2:1-3 -Music: Ecclesiastes 2:8 -Building projects: Ecclesiastes 2:4 -Literature: I Kings 4:32 -Beautiful gardens and parks: Ecclesiastes 2:4-6 -Military power: I Kings 4:26 and 9:26 -Personal indulgences: Ecclesiastes 2:7 -Natural science: I Kings 4:33 -Sex: I Kings 11:3