Old Testament Survey Class Information Class Name: Old Testament Survey Meets: Monday, 1pm-2pm EST Duration: 15 Weeks, Fall Semester Class Description Prerequisites: None Class Description: We will discover many of the riches that are in God s Word with a balance of academic study and spiritual growth. Students will grow in their faith through spiritual journaling, prayer, and being transformed by applying the Biblical message. Our aims are to become familiar with the story of the whole Bible, to develop a greater appreciation and love for God s living Word, and to learn how to read and apply the Bible to everyday life. We will also study hermeneutics (Bible interpretation) in order to understand the Bible in its original context. Our primary text will be the Bible. Each week students will read selected portions of the Bible and bring their questions and insights to the following class. Teacher Information Teacher: Dr. Chris Smith Email: armorofgodclasses@gmail.com Phone: (281) 713-8690 Required Course Materials A Bible (in a modern translation, such as: ESV, CSB, NAS, NIV, NKJV, NLT, NRS, TNIV); The Divine Mentor: Growing Your Faith as You Sit at the Feet of the Savior by Wayne Cordeiro. "Concise Old Testament Survey" which can be downloaded on the class Haiku page. Technical Information Students will need internet access to participate in the live online classes and to access the class pages online. A headset is preferred (and is required for some classes so please check on that), but students will need working audio at a minimum for classes. Attendance Policy This online course is delivered entirely online using Zoom for our live class meetings and Power School Learning (previously Haiku) for all other course interaction. This class contains synchronous (live) and asynchronous (anytime) components. Synchronous: Classes will meet live for one weekly, 90-minute online session to include lecture, discussion, and assignments, and individual and collaborative activities in real time with the teacher and with classmates. While class attendance is not required, there will be assignments, activities, and quizzes held during class that failure to participate in could impact the final grade. Class participation and the opportunity to ask questions and interact with classmates is a significant part of ensuring that students get the most out of the virtual learning experience. Asynchronous: From the personal Power School Learning login created for each family upon enrollment, students may access all class resources. Class pages may be accessed anytime and will include summary information and recordings from live sessions for students who miss class or who would simply like to review a session. Students will also find announcements, links, assignments and grades, class calendar, enrichment content, ongoing conversation via discussion boards and collaborative spaces, study helps and self-assessments, and other tools and information on class pages to facilitate class interaction and ease of use.
The Internet may be used in the class to supplement course content and may be accessed by the teacher during live class lectures or by the student outside of live class meetings for general research or for additional information from such government, organizational, individual, or commercial sites that may be beneficial to learning. Class Conduct Students should conduct themselves in a worthy and appropriate manner, which includes behaving respectfully and politely to each other and the teacher. In both live and asynchronous class activities, students should strive to stay on task and on topic, to use appropriate language, and to be gracious in speech and conduct toward others. Students should use the same guidelines for civil in-person behavior. Students should strive for proper grammar and spelling in discussion boards and assignments, but the speedy and spontaneous nature of live class chat demands that these conventions may be loosened to facilitate more relaxed, informal communication. Students who are unable to adhere to this type of conduct may be separated from the class, removed from the session if it continues to occur during a live class session, and will eventually result in parent notification if the behavior is disrupting the class. Class Schedule and Topical Agenda FALL SEMESTER (For Informational Purposes Only Assignments are subject to change at the discretion of the teacher) Week 1: Today's Subject: Introduction and Overview. Basic Biblical Hermeneutics. Homework for next week: Read The Divine Mentor introduction and chapters 1-2. Write at least two posts (2-3 sentences long) on the Haiku discussion forum. Discuss your takeaways from the Divine Mentor book and dialogue with other students about their insights. Week 2: Today's Subject: Basic Biblical Hermeneutics. Divine Mentor takeaways. Assignment Due Today: Write at least two posts (2-3 sentences long) on the Haiku discussion forum. Discuss your takeaways from the Divine Mentor book (chapters 1-2) and dialogue with other students about their insights. Homework for next week: Read The Divine Mentor introduction and chapters 3-4. Write at least two posts (2-3 sentences long) on the Haiku discussion forum. Discuss your takeaways from the Divine Mentor book and dialogue with other students about their insights. Be prepared to share your 3 min. testimony. Week 3: Today's Subject: Introduction to the Old Testament. Share your personal testimony in 3 min. Divine Mentor takeaways. Assignment Due Today: Write at least two posts (2-3 sentences long) on the Haiku discussion forum. Discuss your takeaways from the Divine Mentor book (chapters 3-4) and dialogue with other students about their insights. Homework for next week: Read The Divine Mentor chapters 5-6. Write at least two posts on the Haiku discussion forum. Discuss your takeaways from the Divine Mentor book and dialogue with other students about their insights. Week 4: Today's Subject: Torah (The Law): Genesis. Divine Mentor takeaways. Assignment Due Today: Write at least two posts (2-3 sentences long) on the Haiku discussion forum. Discuss your takeaways from the Divine Mentor book (chapters 5-6) and dialogue with other students about their insights. Homework for next week: Read Concise OT Survey pages 1-6. Read these key chapters (and do a Spiritual Journal entry): Gen. 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-9. Since the call of Abraham and the promises of blessing to the nations through his seed is the prominent message of Genesis, the key chapters are those relating to the Abrahamic covenant and its reiteration. Exodus 12-14 record the redemption of Israel from slavery in fulfillment of God s promises; delivered from slavery by blood (the Passover lamb) and by power (the parting of the Red Sea). Page 2
Week 5: Today's Subject: Torah (The Law): Exodus Assignment Due Today: Spiritual Journal Week (Genesis; Exodus). Homework for next week: Read Concise OT Survey pages 6-12. Read the Deuteronomy 6:4-9 paper written by Chris Smith found on the class Haiku page. Write at least two posts (2-3 sentences long) on the Haiku discussion forum. Discuss your takeaways from the Deuteronomy 6:4-9 paper and dialogue with other students about their insights. Read these key chapters: Leviticus 16 deals with the Day of Atonement, which became the most important day in the Hebrew calendar because it was the only day the high priest was allowed to enter into the Holy of Holies in order to make atonement for the people. for it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you; you shall be clean from all your sins before the LORD (16:30). Numbers 13-14 stand as the key chapters because these chapters record a critical turning point for the nation. Here, at Kadesh- Barnea (32:8), after receiving the evil report from 10 of the 12 spies whom Moses sent to spy out the land, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb Israel focused on the giants in the land, failed to believe God, and refused to enter to possess and conquer the land, a Land that flowed with milk and honey. Week 6: Today's Subject: Torah (The Law): Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Discuss Deuteronomy paper. Assignment Due Today: Write at least two posts (2-3 sentences long) on the Haiku discussion forum. Discuss your takeaways from the Deuteronomy 6:4-9 paper and dialogue with other students about their insights. Homework for next week: Read The Divine Mentor chapters 7-8. Write at least two posts on the Haiku discussion forum. Discuss your takeaways from the Divine Mentor book and dialogue with other students about their insights. Read Concise OT Survey pages 13-23. Read these key chapters: Joshua 1-4 record the change of leadership from Moses to Joshua and God s personal promises and words of encouragement to Joshua in his new commission from the Lord, the crossing of the Jordan by the power of God, the commemoration of the crossing followed by the statement, On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; so that they revered him, just as they had revered Moses all the days of his life. Joshua 24. In keeping with the crucial nature of changes in leadership, chapter 24 is likewise an important chapter. Here Joshua reminds the people of God s faithfulness from the time of Abraham through their deliverance out of Egypt, the crossing of the Jordan and victory over the Canaanites. Then he calls on them to remember the necessity of their faithfulness or they would be consumed by the Lord. Fall Break - No Classes. Week 7: Today's Subject: Historical Books: Joshua to 2nd Samuel. Assignment Due Today: Write at least two posts (2-3 sentences long) on the Haiku discussion forum. Discuss your takeaways from the Divine Mentor book (chapters 7-8) and dialogue with other students about their insights. Homework for next week: Read The Divine Mentor chapters 9-10. Write at least two posts on the Haiku discussion forum. Discuss your takeaways from the Divine Mentor book and dialogue with other students about their insights. Read Concise OT Survey pages 23-38. Read this key chapter: 1 Chronicles 17. Because of the importance of God s covenant with David to all of Scripture and its fulfillment in the person of Christ, this chapter is the pivotal and key chapter since it unfolds the Davidic Covenant as does 1 Samuel 7. Week 8: Today's Subject: Historical Books: 1st Kings to Esther. Assignment Due Today: Write at least two posts (2-3 sentences long) on the Haiku discussion forum. Discuss your takeaways from the Divine Mentor book (chapters 9-10) and dialogue with other students about their insights. Homework for week 9 (after Fall Break): Read Concise OT Survey pages 39-51. Read these key chapters (and do a Spiritual Journal entry): Job 40-42. While chapters 3-37 record the counsel of Job s friends who raise the question, Does God allow the innocent to suffer? the next key chapters are chapters 38-41, God s speech and silencing of Job, followed by Job s repentance and restoration, chapter 42. Psalm 1. Psalm 100 beautifully unites to central themes of praise and worship. Week 9: Today's Subject: Poetic Books: Job and Psalms. Assignment Due Today: Spiritual Journal (Job; Psalms). Homework for next week: Read The Divine Mentor chapters 11-12. Write at least two posts on the Page 3
Haiku discussion forum. Discuss your takeaways from the Divine Mentor book and dialogue with other students about their insights. Read Concise OT Survey pages 51-58. Read these key chapters: Proverbs 1:20-33 where wisdom is personified as a woman inviting all to come to her and learn and Proverbs 31. Ecclesiastes 12 resolves the book s extensive inquiry into the meaning of life with the single conclusion, Fear God and Keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man (12:13). Week 10: Today's Subject: Poetic Books: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. Assignment Due Today: Write at least two posts (2-3 sentences long) on the Haiku discussion forum. Discuss your takeaways from the Divine Mentor book (chapters 11-12) and dialogue with other students about their insights. Homework for next week: Read Concise OT Survey pages 59-69. Read these key chapters (and do a Spiritual Journal entry): Isaiah 53 points to the Messiah as a suffering Savior who must die for our sin and is one of the most remarkable and key chapters of the Old Testament. Jeremiah 1 records the call of the prophet. Jeremiah 31-32 are key in that they speak of restoration, the New Covenant when the Lord will Put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; (31:33). Lamentations 3 stands as a pinnacle in the midst of the other chapters of ruin and destruction for here the author expresses his faith and hope in God s mercy who will not reject His people forever. Week 11: Today's Subject: Prophetic Books: Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations. Assignment Due Today: Spiritual Journal Week (Isaiah, Jer., Lam.). Homework for next week: Read Concise OT Survey pages 70-74. Read these key chapters (and do a Spiritual Journal entry): Ezekiel 36-37 speak of the blessings that will come to the mountains of Israel followed by the hope of restoration of Israel in the vision of the valley of dry bones, which outlines the clear process of restoration of Israel s future. Daniel 9 is one of the greatest prophetic chapters in the Bible, the prophecy of the seventy weeks determined for Israel (9:24-27). These verses give us the chronological frame for the nation of Israel and her Messiah from the time Daniel to the establishment of Messiah s kingdom on earth. Week 12: Today s Subject: Prophetic Books: Major Prophets: Ezekiel and Daniel. Assignment Due Today: Spiritual Journal (Ezekiel, Daniel). Homework for next week: Read Concise OT Survey pages 75-81. Read these key chapters (and do a Spiritual Journal entry): Hosea 4 shows how in following the ways of idolatry, Israel left the knowledge of God s truth and became rejected as priest. Joel 2 promises that God will relent of the judgment to be poured out on Israel if she will only return to the Lord (vss. 13-14). This is then followed by the promise of the future deliverance of the nation through the outpouring of the Spirit of God, the display of wonders in the sky and on the earth, the coming of the day of the Lord, and the calling on the name of the Lord (vss. 28-32). 11/21/16 Thanksgiving Break - No Classes Week 13: Today s Subject: Prophetic Books: Minor Prophets, Part 1. Assignment Due Today: Spiritual Journal (Hosea, Joel) Homework for next week: Read Concise OT Survey pages 82-90. Read these key chapters (and do a Spiritual Journal entry): Amos 9 is a key chapter because of its focus on the restoration of Israel. Jonah 3 stands out in that it records one of the greatest revivals of history. Micah 6-7. The closing section of Micah describes a court-room scene. God has a controversy against His people, and He calls the mountains and hills together to form the jury as He sets forth His case. The people have replaced heartfelt worship with empty ritual, thinking that this is all God demands. They have divorced God s standards of justice from their daily dealings in order to cover their unscrupulous practices. They have failed to realize what the Lord requires of man. There can only be one verdict: guilty. Week 14: Today s Subject: Prophetic Books: Minor Prophets, Part 2. Assignment Due Today: Spiritual Journal (Amos, Jonah, Micah). Homework for next week: Read Concise OT Survey pages 90-99. Read these key chapters (and do a Spiritual Journal entry): Habakkuk 3 is one of the most majestic of all Scripture and records the glory of God in past history and in future history (prophecy). Zephaniah 3 clearly records these two distinct Page 4
aspects of judgment followed by blessing. After Israel repents and returns to the Lord, they will be restored under the righteous rule of Messiah. Haggai 2 shows the Messianic nature with its prophecy regarding the future glory of the temple. Week 15: Today s Subject: Prophetic Books: Minor Prophets, Part 3. Assignment Due Today: Spiritual Journal (Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai); Extra Credit Due. **Note: All of the brief chapter summaries above are taken from the "OT Concise Survey" source. Grade Scale and Grading Policy Ongoing Assignments/Assessments: 60 % Bible Readings/Spiritual Journals. Weekly Bible Readings (these will be in red in the class schedule below): Read the "key chapters" for each book listed in the "Concise OT Survey" and write a one page devotional entry using the SOAP method from the Divine Mentor book. You will select one to four verses from the scripture readings and write one spiritual journal entry with these headings: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer. Also read the "Concise OT Survey" pages for class discussion. 40 % Discussion Posts. The Divine Mentor book Discussion Forum Posts. Each post should be 2-3 sentences long as you read and interact with the insights from other students. Biblical Passage Discussion Forum Posts on Deuteronomy 6:4-9. All late assignments will result in a deduction of 10 points per day late. Your lowest grade from each category (Journals and Posts) will be dropped. Extra Credit: Watch the video Storying Through the Bible with your Family and write a four page double spaced response paper summarizing the contents of the video, discussing how you can apply the principles presented, and writing out a Bible story in your own words. The paper is due on Week 15 and can add up to 4 points to your final grade. You will get 5 points added onto your first assignment for doing the getting to know you wiki. Class Break Down The 90 minute class will generally have the following structure: 1. Talk about class assignments/answer questions. 2. Discuss spiritual journal entries. 3. Discuss the main topics of the day using PowerPoints. 4. Discuss key passages within the books of the Bible covered. Grading Scale (in percent): A 100-90 B 89-80 C 79-70 D 69-60 F 59 and Below Assignment Submission: All assignments are specified in the class pages and on the class calendar, and are to be submitted through the Drop Box on students class web pages before midnight on the date they are due. Assignments are returned with feedback and grades in the same dropbox location within 7 days after the due date (unless work is submitted late). Format specifications may vary for each assignment. These are discussed at the time of the assignment and will appear on the weekly page for this class. Make-up/Late Assignment Policy: Assignments are late if they are submitted to the dropbox after the due date. Late assignments will still be accepted up to 5 days after the due date, but late assignments (except in cases of emergency or prior arrangement with the teacher) will result in a deduction of 10 points per day late. Please take deadlines seriously. Page 5
Tips for Student Success Students who are fully present, work diligently, actively participate, and consistently communicate will be the most successful. Presence: Students are strongly encouraged to attend live classes, but are not required to attend live classes. However, students who do miss a class, for whatever reason, will be responsible for viewing the class recording and completing assignments. Recordings of each class are usually available within 24 hours of the class meeting and may then be accessed 24/7 from the course class pages. Students may also review recorded classes at any time. Participation: Active participation is essential for maintaining the best learning environment. It is also a fun part of learning. Students are not required to attend classes live, but students who do are expected to engage with the teacher and with each other. Outside of live sessions, students are expected to log on and visit the class pages to see and contribute to new content, activities, or assignments. There, students may review class material, will keep up-to-date on announcements and assignments, and verify that there have not been any chances to the class calendar and/or agenda. Weekly assignments will be posted the Saturday before class for easy planning. Communication: Students who are unable to find something, are unable to remember instructions, are having trouble understanding, or are otherwise having difficulty engaging in the class should take every opportunity to communicate with the teacher. It is important to ask questions and keep an open line of communication about all class related activities for the best learning experience. Academic Honor and Integrity Colleges and universities, and indeed every professional and educational environment, take issues of academic honesty very seriously. Research shows that plagiarism, what most people automatically think of when hearing the phrase academic honesty, is most often committed when students are pressed for time, care very little about the assignment, or are unaware of what plagiarism is. These issues may be addressed by planning, attitude adjustment, and careful instruction, and these areas of concern may be visited as needed in this class. However, academic honesty is also much more. It is a matter of integrity. Being a student or professional of integrity includes submitting your own work, working in a timely manner, and demonstrating effort and diligence. If I suspect plagiarism has occurred, I will notify you, your parents and the director of faculty. The resulting grade for the plagiarized assignment or assessment will be a zero. If plagiarism occurs again, action will be taken which could include dismissal from the course. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Page 6