Jog Through the Bible
Key facts about Bible:
Oldest surviving text approx. 1,000 yrs. old (in Alexandria, Egypt)
Divided into two major sections
Old Testament (original language: Hebrew)
divided into four sections
the Law (aka the Pentateuch Genesis-Deuteronomy)
books of history (Joshua-Esther)
songs, wisdom and poetry (Job-Song of Solomon)
books of prophecy (Isaiah-Malachi)
emphasis
God’s relationship with the nation
law & obedience
(looks forward to coming of Messiah)
divided into four sections
the gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)
a book of history (Acts; originally 1 book w. Luke)
the epistles (letters, mostly of Paul; Romans-Jude)
a book of prophecy (Revelation)
emphasis
God’s relationship with the individual
faith & redemption
(looks back to Messiah & forward to his return)
THE OLD TESTAMENT (Prehistory, History of Israel ca. 1950-400 BC)
Genesis 1-11 (Prehistory)
Key Stories/Themes
Creation: God is Spirit
The Garden of Eden: freedom/disobedience; role of the “devil”
Cain & Abel
Noah & the Flood: “The Flood Rule”; the covenant
The Tower of Babel
Genesis 12-50: The Patriarchs (ca. 1950; the Middle Bronze Age)
Key People: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph
Key Incidents & Themes
Covenant w. Abraham, present day significance
Sodom & Gomorrah (19), The Flood Rule
The Sacrifice of Isaac (22): preview of Good Friday
Jacob’s Ladder (28): omnipresence of God
Jacob Wrestles with the Angel (32), Israel, a hard relationship
The Life and Dreams of Joseph (37-50)
Moses and the Law (Exodus, Leviticus, Number, Deuteronomy)
Key Incidents/Themes
The Burning Bush: repentance/revelation/obedience
The Plagues of Egypt and the Passover: divine persuasion
The Wilderness Experience: testing & purification
The Law and Obedience
The Golden Calf Rule, a.k.a. The Flood Rule
Water, Quails and Manna: reliance on God
The Spies in Canaan: The David & Goliath Rule
Joshua & Judges: The “U” Pattern
Era of the Great Kings (I Samuel-I Kings 11)
The Great Kings: Saul, David, Solomon
Key Incidents/Themes
Choice of Saul & His Shortcomings: image vs. substance
The David & Goliath Rule, the eternal opposites: faith/fear
The Ark of the Covenant: God’s transmitter?
David & Bathsheba: even the most righteous stumble
The Wealth and Wisdom of Solomon: the most precious gift
Age of the Prophets (I Kings 12-2 Chronicles)
Elijah & Elisha
Contest on Mt. Carmel
The “Still Small Voice”
Naaman, the Syrian General
The Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel
The Minor Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Micah, Zephaniah, Malachi
The Prophetic Voice: basic themes
Prediction of God’s Judgment and Why
Promise of God’s Love and Restoration
The Messianic Hope
The Exile and Restoration: Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel, Zechariah
THE NEW TESTAMENT (ca 6 BC – ca 100 AD)
The Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)
Dominant Themes
God’s Unconditional Love and Forgiveness
The Transcendent Power of Spirit over Matter
The Human Model, Perfect Blend of God and Man
The Promise of Eternal Life and Reunion Day
The Wedding Feast, Today and Future
Key Chapters in the Ministry of Jesus Christ
The Temptation (Matthew 4)
Passion Week
The Resurrection
The Names of Christ
The Miracles of Christ
The Parables of Christ
The History of the Christian Church Begins (Acts – Jude)
Early Church History (The Acts of the Apostles)
The Ascension of Jesus Christ (Acts 1)
Pentecost (Acts 2)
The Epistles of Paul (Romans – Philemon, Hebrews poss.)
Romans 8:18-39; 12
! Corinthians 12, 13
II Corinthians 516-17
Philippians 4:4-9
The Letters of James, Peter and John
A Book of Prophecy (Revelation)