Introduction to the Bible
Discover the story, structure, message, and purpose of the Bible. This introductory course helps students understand how the Old and New Testaments fit together, how Scripture points to Jesus Christ, and how to study God's Word faithfully.
Course Description
Course Description
**Introduction to the Bible** is a beginner-friendly course designed to help students understand the Bible, its structure, purpose, central message, and importance to Christian faith and life. Students will explore the 66 books of the Bible, the Old and New Testaments, how Scripture was written and preserved, and the major themes that connect the Bible together.
The course will also introduce students to practical principles for reading and studying Scripture. Through this study, students will discover how the Bible reveals God's character, humanity's need for salvation, and God's redemptive plan fulfilled through Jesus Christ.
Whether you are new to the Bible or want to strengthen your understanding of God's Word, this course provides a strong foundation for further Bible study and Christian growth.
What You Will Learn
This course will help you build a strong foundation for understanding and studying the Bible. By completing this course, you will learn:
Understand the structure of the Bible and its sixty-six books.
Recognize the major divisions of the Old Testament and New Testament.
Follow the biblical story from creation and the fall to redemption and restoration.
Understand the importance of God's covenants throughout Scripture.
Identify major biblical themes including creation, sin, covenant, sacrifice, kingdom, redemption, grace, and restoration.
Understand how the Old Testament and New Testament relate to one another.
Recognize different types of biblical literature, including history, law, poetry, wisdom, prophecy, the Gospels, letters, and apocalyptic literature.
Understand why historical and literary context matters when interpreting Scripture.
Recognize Jesus Christ as central to God's plan of redemption revealed throughout Scripture.
Develop practical habits for reading, studying, understanding, and applying God's Word.
Course Overview
Introduction to the Bible is a foundational course designed to help students understand the Bible as a unified story of God's creation, humanity's fall, God's work of redemption, and the restoration He brings through Jesus Christ.
The Bible contains sixty-six books written by different human authors across many generations. Together, these books reveal the unfolding story of God's purposes for humanity. Understanding how these books relate to one another helps students read individual passages within the larger biblical story.
This course introduces students to the Old Testament and New Testament, the major divisions of Scripture, important biblical themes, different types of biblical literature, and the historical settings surrounding significant biblical events.
Students will explore the biblical story beginning with creation and humanity's fall into sin. The course then follows God's covenant promises, the history of Israel, the Law, the kings, wisdom literature, the prophets, and the Old Testament expectation of the promised Messiah.
The New Testament portion introduces the four Gospels and the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Students will also explore the beginning of the early church in Acts, the teaching of the New Testament letters, and the Bible's concluding message of hope and God's final restoration.
The course also introduces essential principles for studying Scripture responsibly. Students will learn the importance of reading passages in context, recognizing different literary genres, comparing Scripture with Scripture, and seeking the intended meaning of a passage before applying it to everyday life.
Special attention is given to the central place of Jesus Christ in the biblical story. From God's promises in the Old Testament to their fulfillment in the New Testament, students will see how Scripture reveals God's plan of salvation and points to Christ.
By the end of the course, students should have a clearer framework for understanding where biblical books, people, events, teachings, and promises belong within the larger story of Scripture. This foundation will help students approach future Bible study with greater confidence and understanding.
This course is suitable for new Christians, Bible-study participants, ministry volunteers, and anyone who wants to develop a stronger foundation for reading and understanding God's Word.