Introduction and Course Guide
Welcome
to the Multi-media version of the “Learn to Read
the Bible Effectively” course. This course has
been developed from a series of evening classes. As
the title implies, it is designed to help you
read your Bible more effectively.
We
know that your time is valuable, so the material is
structured to enable you to make the best use of the
time you spend on this course. From comments received
from those who attended the seminar evenings, we know
it will prove to be both useful and enjoyable.
More
information and help
In
the section giving more information and help, you have
a number of options for getting in contact with us.
Feel free to do this at any time.
We
will always be willing to discuss any Bible-related
topic, so do not hesitate to contact us.
Course
Guide
What
is the aim of the course?
The
Distance Learning Course is designed to help you to
read your Bible effectively. By this we mean :
- To
help and encourage you to open it and read
it for yourself
- To
do so in a more organised way so that it is easier
to understand and to remember what you read
We
want to help you discover the real Bible message for
yourself. Regardless of how much (or how little) you
know about the Bible, we hope that this course will
give you the ability to decide what the Bible really
means.
How
is the course arranged?
The
course is divided into twelve easily managed sessions,
each consisting of two sections. Each section would take
less than an hour at an evening class, but you will of
course be able to spend as much time as you like on each
one.
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To
help you start reading your Bible effectively,
we have included activities in most sections.
Most of these activities involve looking up
verses in the Bible. These activities will all
have a Bible icon and be enclosed in a box like
the one that surrounds this paragraph.
Where
you are invited to read a Bible text, we would
encourage you to look it up in your own Bible.
However, if you don't have access to a Bible,
clicking on the Bible icon will bring up a small
browser window displaying the text for you (this
doesn't work with all browsers). Try it now!
Please remember to observe the instructions
about closing the window.
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There
are several assignments which are entirely voluntary.
These are meant to assist your learning and your understanding
by giving you something to explore in more depth if
you so wish. Exploring a subject for yourself is one
of the best ways of learning. If you wish to e-mail
an assignment to us, we can arrange e-mail discussion
with a tutor.
Using
the “Bible” button you have access to a
summary of the books of the Bible.
We
would encourage you not to take our word about what
any section of the Bible means, but always look at it
for yourself. We can arrange e-mail discussion if you have any problems. If you do not
have access to a Bible, we may be able to send one to
you.
Topics
covered
|
Session
|
Section
1 |
Section
2 |
|
1
|
Background
to the Bible |
The
Bible Interprets itself |
|
2
|
Overview
of the Books of the Bible - Part 1 |
The
Old Testament the foundation of the New Testament |
|
3
|
God's
Covenants |
The
Role of Prophecy |
|
4
|
Effective
Bible Reading |
Overview
of the Books of the Bible - Part 2 |
|
5
|
Study
Tools - Part 1 |
Terminology
- Part 1 |
|
6
|
Overview
of the Books of the Bible - Part 3 |
Terminology
- Part 2 |
|
7
|
Cross
References |
A
Law Ahead of its time |
|
8
|
The
Purpose of God Revealed |
Overview
of the Books of the Bible - Part 4 |
|
9
|
Study
Tools - Part 2 |
Terminology
- Part 3 |
|
10
|
The
Place of the Jews in God's Plan |
The
Balance of Grace and Truth |
|
11
|
Motivation
in Reading the Bible |
Overview
of the Books of the Bible - Part 5 |
|
12
|
Terminology
- Part 4 |
The
Problem of Suffering |
Why
are we offering this course?
We
assume from your interest so far that you believe there
is something special about the Bible. You may already
believe that it is the inspired Word of God, or you
may not yet be totally convinced of this. We also assume
that, since you are taking this course, you wish to
improve your understanding of the Bible. There are many
reasons why people ask for help, including not knowing
where to start, confusion, and a sense of being overwhelmed
by the size of the task. We hope we can provide you
with keys and tips to overcome such problems.
Our
motive is to encourage respect for, familiarity with,
and understanding of, the Word of God.
It
is not our role to convert you to our way of thinking
in this course. We may come to agreement on matters
or we may not. If not, your conscience and ours must
be satisfied independently. For this reason we will
avoid a debate on doctrine. It is our aim to help you
to read your Bible effectively, and from this we hope
that God's message will be made plain to you.
Now
you can start the course by clicking on the “Session
1a” button in the left hand menu.
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