If you are not already convinced of the value of Bible study, think about these statements:
It is the only book that speaks to every human situation.Top^
What are the advantages of home study?
The advantages of home study over group study are many!
What is distinctive about the Gilead Programme?
Most people's knowledge (if any!) of the Bible is "bitsy". The preacher in church may speak on a Psalm one week, from a letter of Paul's the next week, then on one of Christ's parables - and so it goes on. At home, one may read a bit of Joshua, some well-worn favourite passages, something here, something there...After some years of this approach the mind is a vast dump of bits and pieces of Bible knowledge, with little thought of any one piece relating to any other. Imagine someone reading a textbook or a long novel by dipping into Ch.8, then reading a bit of Ch.5, then jumping ahead to Ch.42, then back to Ch.18. He throws it aside, saying "I can't understand this book. It doesn't make sense". That's why many Christians can make neither head nor tail of the Bible.
Pieces of a jigsaw puzzle still sitting in the box mean very little. Only when they are put together does the picture emerge.
Without seeing clearly how the various parts of the Bible interlock, we cannot fully appreciate God's love for us. By relating all the parts together, this Programme not only lets you see the whole picture, but also shows the development of divine truth over the centuries that the Bible covers. For many people the Old Testament is a closed book. But it is extremely important as being God's preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. In it, God gives us a model, a blueprint, a "shadow" of the "reality" that was to come: salvation through Christ. The Programme traces this "Shadow-Reality" principle through the Old Testament, showing how the two Testaments link together. Doing this can make the whole Bible come alive for you. You may have no Bible knowledge at all. No problem. You will have fewer hangups to overcome!Top^
How long will the Programme take me?
This is an "overview" or "panoramic" course, and later studies frequently refer to earlier ones. Therefore, to get the maximum benefit from the Gilead Programme, you should plan to complete it within about two years. This will help to keep the main principles of the Programme fresh in your mind. you should make allowance for unforeseen circumstances, and if you are a parent you may wish to structure your study around the schools calendar.
Individuals differ in their learning capacities, but we suggest that you initially set aside three hours weekly for study. To complete the 26 studies in each year you should aim at completing five studies every two months. You can work out your own individual schedule within these guidelines. Top^
What books are required for the Programme?
Essential:
Strongly recommended
One of the above Bibles with a good concordance at the back, together with one of the Lion books, will give you a good start on the Programme.
You will soon find that some of these Bibles and Bible study books are expensive, but they are an investment that will last a lifetime. One enthusiastic lady made a list of "37 Reasons Why I Love My Lion Handbook"!
(Many Bible study resources are available on the internet, but very few include the detail that a good study book will give you). Top^
Would my Pastor approve of this Programme?
I asked my pastor whether I should take this Programme. He said that I should first find out what its "theological stance" is. Do you know what he means? Yes, we know exactly what he means. You can tell him that the Gilead Programme is conservative, evangelical, and non-dispensational. (He will know what all that means!) You should also tell him that alternate evangelical views are also briefly discussed, without dogmatism.Top^
Would this Programme be too advanced for me?
No! The Programme was specifically designed
for people who have little or no knowledge of the
Bible (although many with considerable Bible knowledge
have found it helpful).Top^
What exactly does the programme cover?
(Each book is designed to take 6 months)
BOOK 1: THE MARRED IMAGE (STUDIES 1-12)
The Bible the Christian's guide book. Steps in God's chain-of-communication to us: revelation, inspiration, illumination. Nature of biblical inspiration. The Bible illumined to each reader by the Holy Spirit. The Bible's authority. Proofs of Bible inspiration: its own testimony, Christ's testimony, its unity, freedom from error, fulfilled prophecy.
Importance of overall view of Bible. The Bible a unity. Simple overview. God in action the main theme. Summary outline of contents. Basic principle of interpretation. Shadow and Reality. Two crucial New Testament passages. Functions of the Old Testament. Christ the focal point of history. The Bible "Salvation history". Examples of shadow and reality. Further principles of interpretation. Context, genre, figures of speech, historical setting, Eastern thought-forms. The two Testaments.
Genesis 1-11 an introduction to the Bible. Backdrop to the divine drama. Presents the foundations of human existence: God, creation, humankind, society, sin, judgment, salvation (each developed in this and subsequent studies). Introduction to Genesis. God: his existence, nature and character. Creation of the universe. Its nature. Meditations on God; creation and the creative word; the testimony of creation to God. Outline for Genesis 1-11.
Genesis 1-2. Names of God in Scripture. Humankind. Origin. Eden. Man's nature and original glory; the divine image; purpose of human life; relationships; God's care for his creatures. Society. Marriage, male and female, nature of marriage. Growth towards God.Top^
Genesis 3. Satan. Sin: its nature, the first sin, its results and consequences for the human race. God's response: promise, sacrifice, judgment. Significant Old Testament chapters. The "Fall's" effect on us. A seeking God.
Genesis 4-11. Outline from Adam to Abraham: events, the course of sin, rise of humanism, changes in human life. Family records. The flood. The covenant with Noah. The nature of covenant in Scripture. Tower of Babel, and dispersion of the people. Aspects of salvation: God acting, God's holiness, God's ways. Summary of Genesis 1-11.
Genesis 12-25. Sketch of Abraham's life and background. Canaan: its peoples and religion. Abraham's separated life. Time line of Old Testament history. Abraham's place in Scripture. Father of all believers. God's saving plan starts with Abraham. The covenant (extended treatment). Purposes of the nation Israel: to demonstrate human sin and principles of salvation, God's witness, custodian of Scripture, the Deliverer. Shadows pointing to the reality of Christ and the Church. The Land. Salvation: obedience and faith. Progressive revelation re sacrificial system; family life, slavery, human sacrifice. Patterns of salvation in Abraham's life. Culture and faith.
Genesis 26-50. Sketch of Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. The promises transferred. Birthright and blessing. Tribes of Israel. The angel of Yahweh. God can use anyone. Jacob in God's plan. His choice of Jacob. Election (extended treatment). Separation without isolation (Example: Abraham and Lot). Circumcision. Joseph's role. Chosen family in Egypt.Top^
Exodus 1-18. Survey of Israel's slavery and deliverance from Egypt. Introduction to Exodus. "I AM". Route of the Exodus. The Exodus the Old Testament "showpiece" of salvation. Pre-enactment of Christ's work. 7 aspects of God's work in the Exodus: rooted in God's covenant promises, supreme Old Testament demonstration of God's power, rooted in suffering, demonstrated God's superiority over all his enemies, achieved by means of sacrifice, a complete accomplishment, supreme demonstration of God's love.
Exodus 19-Numbers 9. Israel at Mt Sinai. God's 3-fold revelation of himself. The Ten Commandments. The Law: moral, ceremonial, civil. Mass of detail, overwhelming demands underline human inadequacy. A blessed people. God their king, binding himself to them. They are holy, wealthy. Functions of the Law. Christians and the Law (extended treatment).
Exodus through Deuteronomy. The tabernacle. The priesthood. Offerings and sacrifice. The Day of Atonement. Atonement in Scripture. The festivals. The wilderness wanderings. The new generation (Moses’ last addresses). The Exodus-wilderness experience a shadow of the Christian life (extended treatment). The tabernacle and Christ. The festivals and the Christian.Top^
Survey of book of Joshua. Joshua the man. The divine commander. The Promised Land. Canaanite cities. Extermination of the Canaanites. Achan's sin. Joshua's death. Israel's incomplete obedience, God's faithfulness. Moses and Joshua. The Land and the Christian (extended treatment).
BOOK 2: THE DESOLATE VINEYARD (STUDIES 13-26)
Judges and Ruth. Israel's descent into chaos. The judges (table). Their role. Political organisation. Baalism. Failure to take the whole land: reasons, results. Cycle of failure. A desolate vineyard. Crisis of lordship. Moral problems of Judges. God can use anybody. Patterns of salvation.Top^
1 Samuel. Summary. Role of prophets in Israel. Crisis of kingship. Samuel's importance. Failure of leadership. The Philistines. God at work. The shell or the nut. Separating or conforming. Man's king and God's king.
2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles. Saul and David. David king of Israel. Two historical records. Jerusalem, city of God. National census. Large numbers in Scripture. David's significance. An everlasting kingdom. The everlasting King. Zion's significance then and now.Top^
The Psalms. Biblical assessment. Analysis of themes. Hebrew poetry. Cursing psalms. Personal use of psalms. Messianic psalms.
1 Kings 1-12, 2 Chronicles 1-10. Surbey of Solomon's life. Israel's Golden Age. Solomon's decline. Division of the kingdom. The temple. Wisdom or shrewdness? Jeroboam and Rehoboam. Roots of division. King of Peace. Significance of the Tempe (extended treatment). God's control of events.Top^
Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. Wisdom literature. Survey of each book. Wisdom books and James. True wisdom. Job's testing. Human and divine love.
1 Kings 12-2 Kings 17. Judah and Israel contrasted. Survey of Israel's history. Old Testament history reveals God's salvation. OT prophets and prophecy (extended treatment). Prophetic themes. Interpretation of prophecy. Israel's decline from God. God's hand seen throughout. Ahab, Jezebel, Elijah.Top^
2 Chronicles 11-36, 2 Kings 18-25. Survey of Judah's history. Revivals. Judgment deferred. Assyria and Babylon. Cosmic struggle behind the scenes. Patterns of salvation.
Amos, Hosea, Isaiah 1-39, Micah. Prophecy becomes written. "Classical prophets". Survey of each book. "Minor prophets". How to study prophecy (example). The coming one. Interpreting Old Testament prophecy (continued from Study 19). Pitfalls in studying prophecy.Top^
Zephaniah, Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk. The silent years. New era of prophecy. Assyrian conquests. Survey of each book. The Day of the Lord (extended treatment). Salvation is for all. The sign of Jonah. "The righteous shall live by faith" (extended treatment).
Jeremiah. Judah's last days. Stages of the Captivity. Jerusalem destroyed. Exile. Jeremiah's ministry. Reading Jeremiah. God's everlasting love. The new covenant (extended treatment).Top^
The Exile, Lamentations, Obadiah, Psalm 137. Historical overview (chart). Lament for Jerusalem. Edom's treachery. Life in exile. Business, politics, language, religion. Synagogues. The new name. "Sunset in the Ancient Orient". Israel tried by suffering. National cleansing. The one true God. A new outlook.
Ezekiel, Daniel, Esther. Visions in exile. The polluted city. Judgment and restoration. The glorious future. Daniel in the royal court. Future of the nations. Hidden truths, mysterious numbers. Queen Esther. God in his temple. The son of man.Top^
Isaiah 40-55. Prophet of salvation. The servant of Yahweh. God's anointed one. The second exodus. The Holy One of Israel. The one and only God. The giver of life. A beloved people. The new city.
Ezra, Nehemiah, Isaiah 55-66. Return from exile. Free at last. God's remnant. Rebuilding the temple. Fierce opposition. The scribe from Babylon. Desperation in Jerusalem. A community of the Law. Israel's future glory. The lavish God.
Haggai, Zechariah, Joel, Malachi. Survey of each book. God shakes the nations. God desires his people. The glorious church. Visions of the future. Outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament closes in disillusionment.
Survey of key points in grasping the Old Testament.Top^
Period between the Testaments. Historical summary. The fullness of time. God's zero hour. Divine preparation. Roman power. Cultural preparation. Religious preparation. Mystery religions. Judaism. Literature. New Testament's four great themes. New Testament structure. Time chart.
Introducing the Gospels. Good news. Historical accuracy. Fourfold portrait of God's King. Characteristics of each Gospel. The land of Jesus. Brief overview of Jesus' life.Top^
Christ's deity and humanity. We have to decide. Two Israelites ponder. The Son of God (many Scriptures). The divine I AM. The Spirit-filled man. What Jesus' miracles prove. The Lord Jesus Christ: God and man. Further evidences. The Holy Spirit.
Matthew's gospel. Links with the Old Testament. The new order. King of Israel. Jesus and the Law (extended treatment). The Law restated and fulfilled. Matthew the man. Fuller overview of Jesus' life, death, resurrection. Five great teaching passages.
Mark's gospel. The man Mark. Gospel of action. The Kingdom of God (extended treatment). Confrontation with demonic powers. Demonstrations of authority. The unpardonable sin.Top^
Luke's gospel. A doctor's record. Jesus the universal man. Concern for underpriveleged. Rich tapestry of characters. The master teacher. Words and deeds interlock. Jesus' the teacher: methods, themes (extended treatment). Divine fatherhood.
John's gospel. Old age reminiscences. Key words of John. The eternal Son. Evidences of deity (extended treatment). Jesus the I AM. Significance of the "sign" miracles. In the upper room. Jesus' date with destiny. The Spirit of truth.
Christ's death, resurrection, ascension. Not a victim. God's salvation: its need, its accomplishment through Christ, its nature, its obtaining (extended treatment). Salvation past, present and future. Christ's resurrection: the fact, its significance, its daily experience (extended treatment). Christ's return to the Father.
Acts 1-12. Luke's Volume 2. Historical background. Key chapters. Overview. The new era. Coming of the Holy Spirit. The church: a living organism. Features of early church life (extended treatment). Critical breakthroughs by the Holy Spirit. The Antioch church. Saul's conversion. Spreading the Gospel.Top^
Acts 13-28. Paul's place in God's plan. Overview of events. The break with Judaism. Principles of church expansion (extended treatment). Receiving the Spirit (extended treatment). Living in the Spirit.
Romans. Letters to the churches. Order of Paul's letters. Importance of Romans. Reasons behind the letter. Overview. Key theme: God's righteousness. Human sin. Atonement through Christ. Justification (extended treatment). Freedom from the law. Freedom living. Israel and the divine promises. Holy living.
Philippians. A joyful letter. A Roman `colony'. Paul's work in Philippi. Survey of book. Be like Christ. Jesus is Lord! Paul's heart longings. Sold out to God. Christian growth in Christ (extended treatment). Three types of persons. Four illustrations of growth. Models of Christian progress. Crisis and growth.Top^
Galatians, James. Literature of protest. Problems with legalism. The Galatian crisis. A hard-hitting letter. Survey of book. A false gospel. Abraham's faith. Slavery or liberty. Living by faith. James, the Lord's brother. Letter to a scattered church. Wisdom from above. Meeting daily trials. Practical Christianity. Faith and works. Watch your tongue! Prayer and healing.
2 Corinthians, Philemon, 2 & 3 John. The Corinthian letters. City of sin. Survey of 2 Corinthians. Paul's self-defence. Motives in service. Sacrificial giving. Paul's sufferings for Christ. Philemon, the slave-master. Paul's tactfulness. John, the apostle of love. Warnings against false teaching.Top^
1 & 2 Thessalonians. A strategic city. Survey of Thessalonians. Dominated by Christ's second coming. The `blessed hope'. Signs of the times. When will he return? The second coming (extended treatment). The lawless one. Personal prospects for the future (extended treatment). Risen and glorified. Day of judgment. Incentives to holy living.
Ephesians. Letter of spiritual riches. God's view of the Church. Survey of Ephesians. Paul's two mighty prayers for the Church. Chosen from eternity. Living in the heavenly realms. What we were...what we are. God's grace. One Church. The mystery revealed. Living as God's children. Relationships: husband/wife, parent/child, employer/employee. Christian conflict. Reflections on the nature of the Church (extended treatment).
1 & 2 Timothy, Titus. Letters to young pastors. From the prison cell. Survey. Encouragement. Resist false teaching. Preach the Word. Encourage prayer. Guardians of God's Church. Widows, the elderly. Qualifications of elders and deacons. Prosperity theology. Paul's last charge to Timothy. Contend for the faith. Scriptural patterns of leadership. Shepherds of the flock. Advice for all Christian leaders.Top^
1 Corinthians. Mixed-up Christians. Divisions in the church. Immorality. Marriage problems. Liberty or license? `Strong' and `weak' believers. Public worship. Sexual degradation. The love feast. Gifts of the Spirit (extended treatment). Love is greatest. Christ is risen!.
1 Peter. The emperor's scapegoats. A sure hope. Salvation revealed. Outworkings of salvation: holiness, growth, submission, suffering, witness. Christ's suffering. Fellow-sufferers with him.Top^
Colossians, 2 Peter, 1 John, Jude. The Church's Trojan horse. Attack from within. Survey of each book. Colossians: Christ is pre-eminent. The creator. Errors: angel worship, extreme self-denial. Living in God's presence. Positive Christian values. 2 Peter & Jude similar. Errors: immorality, rebellion, denying Christ's second coming. John, the apostle of love, attacks Gnosticism. Christ is real. Sin is real. Love one another. God is love. Test the spirits.
Hebrews. Crunch time for Jewish Christians. The fateful choice. Christ is `better' than any feature of the old revelation through Moses. Old Testament rituals `shadows' of the `reality' (Christ). Better prophet, better, law- giver, better `rest', better priest, better sacrifice. A new order has come. Heroes of faith. The new Jerusalem. Solemn warnings. Can a Christian be lost? Differing views (extended treatment). Falling away.
Revelation 1-11. Panorama of redemption. A book to be read. A message for all time. Apocalyptic writing. Different views on its interpretation. Preferred view.Top^
Interpreting prophecy. Parallel visions. The visions compared. Outline of Revelation. Interpreting symbols. A book of principles rather than events. Christ in the midst of the churches. Letters to the seven churches. God reigns, Christ directs. God active in history. Eternal security. The 144,000. Warning judgments. Cultural devastation. The two witnesses. Book references.
Revelation 12-22. Conflict behind the scenes. Satan's fall. The two beasts. 666. The church preserved. Final judgments. Armageddon. Babylon the great. The millenium. The work of Christ. Reign of the saints. The final conflict. The great white throne. Satan and his powers destroyed. The new age. The earth renewed by fire. The new Jerusalem. Life in the city. Paradise regained. All potentialities realised, all holy desires fulfilled. Jesus is coming. Come, Lord Jesus!
All studies contain assignments, and most include points for
further meditation or study, and resource references.Top^