ENRICH "YOUR UNDERSTANDING CAPACITY BY DOING BIBLE SURVEYING!!"

Shalom all my readers!

I am glad we all fine and we keep pacing for higher marks in building the Kingdom of God!

Bible is sole book that contains summary of everything that a a person need to know from the creation of this world to its end, it is referred as micro-library  for it has many books!

Many written in formations in the Bible are written in a summary form, that is why you need to understand first the environment, history and life realities of those times in scriptures, moreover you need Holly Spirit to understand everything well!

The Bible is among very complicated books if you try to read it as a story book but very interesting if you read it as it suppose to be red!

I wish now you take your time and read this very careful what i call BIBLE SurveySURVeY, so that when you will be reading any portion of scriptures you will quickly understand what it suppose to mean!

Many Christians are lacking basic knowledge of the Bible that is why they minder in churches and ministries finding what are always within themselves.

I TOOK THIS SUBJECT JUST AS HOW IT WAS PRESENTED TO

DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING SEMINAR ( DTS 2010)

TOPIC:BIBLE SURVEY

By Joan Wanjiru, TAFES TANZANIA

Introduction.

What is Bible Survey?

Why the Bible Survey?

Facts about the Bible

A brief overview of the entire the bible.

Old testament Survey.

New testament Survey.

Conclusion.

INTRODUCTION

One of the biggest mistake we have been making is taking the literal meaning of statements, writings or words without finding out why or to who or when was it/were they written or said. No wonder the saying goes like “Never judge a book by its cover”

In an attempt to bring out the harmony of the bible and understand the bible more clearly I have found out the only way is through studying the arrangement of events as they happened, depicting the major themes and connecting all these to the ultimate purpose of God which is redemption.

In this lesson I have tried to prepare the major events and the themes as they happened in a summarised way. What we would say arrange by date modified in computer language or biologically a microscopic view and in geography a panoramic view of the bible.

WHAT IS BIBLE SURVEY?

SURVEY- Look carefully and thoroughly at. Examine and record the area and features of (an area of land) so as to construct a map, plan, or description.

CHRONOLOGICAL (adjective of chronology)- The study of records to establish the dates of past events. The arrangement of events or dates in the order of their occurrence.

1. This is a representation of the events, author and the dates of the books of the bible as they happened following one another.
2. A chronological arrangement of the Bible.

WHY BIBLE SURVEY

1. Helps us get a mastery of the factual content of the bible.
2. Enables us recognise the unity of the bible, noting the relationships of the various books to one another and to the bible as a whole. (How the bible has been interwoven and the outstanding harmony of each book).
3. Through it we are able to see the Lord Jesus in all the scriptures and portray his centrality.
4. Helps every Christian have a clear understanding of the bible, the history of redemption and the connections of God’s plan on the mankind as outline from Genesis through Revelation.

FACTS ABOUT THE BIBLE

1. Contains 66 books 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.
2. Was written by over 40 authors at a period of 1600 years.
3. Breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
4. It’s a story of redemption and main theme is salvation of mankind through Jesus Christ.
5. It is the travellers map, pilot’s compass, soldier’s sword and Christian’s character.

2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE BIBLE.

1. Creation and the fall of man.[Genesis]
2. Early human ends but Noah finds favour.[Genesis]
3. The chosen family, Hebrew race founded.[Genesis, Job]
4. The Hebrews becomes a nation.
5. Hebrews becomes slaves in Egypt.
6. Moses delivers them, walks in the wilderness, and wanders for 40years.[Exodus,Leviticus,Numbers and Deuteronomy].
7. Joshua leads them into conquering and settling in Canaan.[Joshua]
8. Judges arise.[Judges and Ruth]
9. Theo centric rule[Samuel]
10. Monarchical rule-United and Divided Kingdom[Kings, Chronicles,Jeremiah,Isaiah]
11. The captivity-Assyria and Babylon[Esther, Daniel and Ezekiel]
12. Return and Restoration [Ezra,Nehemiah,Zechariah, Haggai and Malachi].
13. The Silence-400 years of Intertestamental silence.
14. Birth, growth, ministry, crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ [Gospels].
15. The church age-birth, growth and persecution [Acts and all the epistles].
16. The consummation [Revelation].

OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE SURVEY

EVENTS, THEME AND REFLECTIONS

This will comprise of only the major events and the themes depicted in a summarised way since there are so many of them if one used the analytical approach.

Below are the eight major events that took place in the Old Testament in line with the books they were found and their connectivity.

1. CREATION AND FALL-(Genesis)

The book of Genesis is the book of all beginnings except God who has no beginnings. In a summary it’s the beginning of

• Universe…. 1
• Human race….1 & 2
• Sin in the World….3
• Promise of Redemption….3
• Family life….4
• Man and civilisation….4-9
• Nations of the World….10&11
• Hebrew Race….12-50

One of the key events is the story of the fall of Adam and Eve, sin entering in the world and man becoming a sinner by nature.

We also see the promise of redemption beginning here in (Gen3:15)

The spread of sin is also evident and at some point God regrets why He made man but Noah was found righteous and survives the flood by faith.

Ref: Sin is punishable but Grace is sufficient to those by faith who believe and obey God. Adam and Eve are sent out of Eden, Cain is punished, Noah finds favour and by faith builds the ark and urges people to get into it too.

2. THE PATRIARCHS (Genesis 12-50, Job)

Job is believed to one of the earliest patriarch hence among the first book to be written.

Others are Abraham who by faith is called from known to unknown and his obedience is reckoned as righteousness. Often referred to as the father of faith, at a very advanced age God fulfils His promise by giving them a son Isaac.

Isaac, Jacob "Israel” and Joseph makes the lineage from which God formed the nation.

Reflection: God’s promises can never be broken and by faith we wait for their fulfilment. Abraham not only was he made righteous by faith but received God’s promise at an extra ordinary moment of his life.

3. EXODUS

(Exodus, Leviticus [law of worship, service}], Numbers {wilderness and wanderings} and Deuteronomy {repeated law})

This is coverage of the history of God’s people-Bondage, Deliverance, Judgements, Passover, Red sea, Law, Tabernacle and Priesthood.

The Passover marks the climax of God’s continuous work of redemption. God makes a covenant relationship at Mount Sinai. It’s interesting how God’s own people kept forgetting his deliverance and would complain till God had to wipe out the whole generation that left Egypt.

Reflection: The past that is not dealt with becomes bondage. Paul tells Corinthians that if anyone is in Christ He is a New Creation the Old is one. It took 40years….to get Egypt out of the Israelites mind and hearts.

3. THE CONQUEST [Joshua]

Joshua is the book of conquest or the battlefield of the Canaan heritage. The children of Israelites led by Joshua conquered Jericho, Ai while learning several hard lessons of obedience and total dependence on God.

The first half of Joshua 1-13 describes the seven year conquest of the land, and the second half gives details of division and settlement of the land.

God leads Israel into the Promised Land as he had told their fore fathers in Genesis victoriously. Having conquered and defeated thirty one kings they learn that God’s victory comes not in the mighty armies or numbers but obedience and faith.

Reflection: Our victory depends not in reinforcement but dependence on God, ability to discern the signs of time and total obedience.

3. THE JUDGES [Judges, Ruth and 1 Samuel 1-9]

Judges were military leaders who rose at the time of need to save and restore the children of Israel from oppression. They were also administrative.

The books cover a period after the death of Joshua till the rise of Saul. During this period the Israelites had no earthly king God was their King.

Its interesting during this time the Israelites life was a cyclic-

(Sin-slavery-supplication-salvation-silence- sin).

Cycles of their life

• Sin – they disobeyed God by worshipping idols
• Slavery – God would send a foreign army to punish them
• Supplication – then they would cry to God for mercy
• Salvation – God would hear them and send them a deliverer.
• Silence-Rest and peace.

NB: The book of Ruth was written in the times of the Judges having come from Moabites.

Samuel was the last judge of Israel and the first prophet.

Below is a table showing the Judges of Israel.

Name	Tribe	Identification	Enemy	Years of oppression	Years of peace	Ref:
1.Othniel	Judah	Nephew of Caleb	Mesopotamians ( king Chushan)	8	40	3:9-11
2.Ehud	Benjamin	Left-handed assassin	Moabites (king Eglon)	18	80	3:12-30
3.Shamgar	Naphtali	Used ox goad	Philistines	?	?	3:31
4.Deborah	Ephraim	Only woman judge	Canaanites (King Jabin)	20	40	4:4 -5:31
5.Gideon	Manasseh	Of obscure family Sought a sign	Midianites	7	40	6:11-8:35
6.Tola	Issachar				23	10:1-2
7.Jair	Gilead	30 sons 30cities			22	10:3-5
8.Jephthah	Gilead	Made a rash vow	Ammonites	18	6	11:1-!2:7
9.Ibsan	Bethlehem	30 sons 30 daughters			7	12:8-10
10.Elon	Zebulun				10	12:11-12
11.Abdon	Ephraem				8	12:13-15
12.Samson	Dan	Nazarite	Philistines	40	20	132-16:31

• Reflection: What cycles can our lives be defined by? Are we temporal Christians? Only by the grace of God and total dependence can we be sure of victory after victory anything else becomes wanting.

6. THE MONARCHY {1and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles}

Before the Israelites got an earthly king God (theoretical) was their king but they eventually demanded one and so came Saul, David and Solomon among others .each of them ruled for 40 years giving the first three kings these titles-Disobedient Saul, Repentant David and Pleasure Seeking Solomon. During these three regimes the Kingdom was united.

Samuel was the bridge between the judges and the kings.

Reflection: God calls and ordains leaders He promises to be with them to the end but He expects us as leaders to obey Him to the end. The greatest challenges of leadership today are fame, pleasure, money among other. How are we prepared to tackle these challenges?

7. THE DIVIDED KINGDOM

The kingdom became divided into two after the reign of Solomon.

The Northern Kingdom under the leadership of Jeroboam

Composed of10 tribes at Samaria, Lasted for 224 years (945-721), Had 19 rulers who were unrighteous. They did not return from captivity and the temple was destroyed.

The Southern Kingdom under the leadership of Rehoboam who were 2 tribes at Jerusalem.

Lasted for 359 years (945-586), Had 8 righteous rulers and 12 unrighteous one. They returned from captivity in three groups.

Below is a list of kings in the both kingdoms

NORTHERN KINGDOM- ISRAEL				SOUTHERN KINGDOM- JUDAH
KING	TRAIT	Years of reign	REF: 1Kings	KING	TRAIT	Years of reign	REF: 1 Kings
Jeroboam 1	Bad	22	12:19	Rehoboam	Bad	17	12:1
Nadab	Bad	2	15:25	Abijah	Bad	3	15:1
Baasha	Bad	24	15:27	Asa	Good	41	15:9
Elah	Bad	2	16:8	Jehoshaphat	Good	25	22:41
Zimri	Bad	7 days	16:9	Jehoram	Bad	8	22:50
Omri	Bad	12	1617	Ahaziah	Bad	1	2Kings 8:24
Ahab	Bad	22	16:29	Athaliah			11:1
Ahaziah	Bad	2	22:40	Jehoash(Joash)	Good	40	11:4
Jehoram	Bad	12	2Kings 3:1	Amaziah	Good	29	14:1
Jehu	Bad	28	9:2	Uzziah (Azariah)	Good	52	15:1
Jehoahaz	Bad	17	13:1	Jotham	Good	16	15:32
Jehoash(Joash)	Bad	16	2King 13:10	Ahaz	Bad	16	15:38
Jeroboam 2	Bad	41	2King 14:16	Hezekiah	Good	29	18:1
Zacharia	Bad	6mth	2King 14:29	Manasseh	Bad	55	21:1
Shallum	Bad	1mth	2King 15:10	Amon	Bad	2	21:19
Menahem	Bad	10	2King 15:14	Josiah	Good	31	22:1
Pekahiah	Bad	2	2King 15:10	Jehoahaz	Bad	3mnth	23:31
Pekah	Bad	20	2King 15:25	Jehoiakim	Bad	11	23:36
Hoshea	Bad	9	2King 15:30	Jehoiachin	Bad	3mnth	24:6
Assyrian Captivity				Zedekiah	Bad	11	24:17
				Babylonian Captivity

During this time many prophets prophesied as listed below. They are referred to as Pre-Exilic Prophets

Prophet(s)	Kings reigning at the time of the prophecy
Isaiah/Micah	Uzziah,Jothan,Ahaz,Hezekiah
Jeremiah	Josiah,Jehoahaz,Jehoiakim,Zedekiah,Jehoiachin
Hosea	Jeroboam 2,Hoshea
Joel	Joash,Uzziah
Amos	Uzziah
Obadiah	Not known
Jonah	Jeroboam 2
Nahum	Jeroboam 2
Zephaniah	Manasseh.

The prophets that mainly prophesied in-

• ISRAEL-Amos,Hosea,Jonah,Nahum,Nineveh,Obadiah

• Judah-Joel,Isaiah,Micah,Zephaniah,Jeremiah and Habakkuk

Lamentation was written at this time too.

NB-The main two purposes of prophets was to forth tell and foretelling.

7B.THE EXILE

Having been warned by God about their disobedience the Israelites were finally taken to captivity as a punishment for disobedience.

The Northern Kingdom was taken up by the Assyrian in 724 BC.

The Southern Kingdom was taken up by the Babylonians 587 BC.

The books of Esther (Babylon), Daniel (Babylon) and Ezekiel were written in exile. The prophets foretold of the restoration hope and judgement on the kings who had taken them captive.

Reflection: It is also interesting to realise the power of GOD being manifested in the book of Esther despite the fact that His Name has not been mentioned at all. Faith without action is dead Paul says so. A challenge to us “Is the Lord we profess and confess made manifest in and through our lives more and more?”

8. RESTORATION

Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi are the prophets and their books were written after exile. Also referred to as Post Exilic prophets.

Nehemiah and Ezra were written at this time too.

The Jews returned from Babylonian captivity in three main groups as follows

1. 1^st group led by Zerrubabel who concentrated on the rebuilding of the temple.
2. 2^nd group led by Ezra concentrated on the restoration/rebuilding of the law.
3. 3^rd group led by Nehemiah, he concentrated on the rebuilding of the wall.

N: B The northern kingdom never returned from captivity.

Reflection: The Lord has always been labouring to restore mankind to Himself every time he fell of and actually the words in Lamentation says that his mercy and steadfast love endures forever and forever. Though we should not keep on sinning because the grace of God has been made available.

• The Book of Psalms is a collection of Journals written by Israelites at different times as early as times of Moses.
• Proverbs and Ecclesiastes were written by King Solomon during his reign.

NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.

1) Birth, growth, ministry, crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ [Gospels].

2) The church age-birth, growth and persecution of the church as the gospel was being spread. [Acts and all the epistles].

3) The consummation [Revelation].

EVENTS, THEME AND REFLECTIONS

This will comprise of only the major events and the themes depicted in a summarised way since there are so many of them if one used the analytical approach.

The New Testament can be divided into three major parts as we shall closely look at.

1. Birth, Growth, Ministry, Crucifixion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Christ.

- All these accounts are well recorded in the four Gospels-Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

They narrate the same story but differently- they are testimonies/reports of eye

Witness and not just biographies.

- Mark, Matthew and John are synoptic gospels.

Synoptic means relating to or denoting the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke

which describe events from a similar point of view as contrasted with that of John.

The table below shows the dates the gospels were written their main theme about Christ and the audience.

	Mathew	Mark	Luke	John
Date (Earliest)	AD 58	AD 55	AD 60	AD 80
Place	Syria a Antioch	Rome	Rome/Grace	Ephesus
Audience	Jews	Roman	Greek	Universal
Theme	Messiah - King	Servant-leader	Perfect man	Son of God

- Matthew narrates the story of the birth of Jesus from Joseph’s view while Luke through Mary’s eye.

- John goes way far beyond and shares into His past existence and His eternity (In the Beginning was…)

- Mark though being the earliest book goes directly into sharing Christ’s public ministry with his forerunner John the Baptist.

Jesus is described to have been born in lowliness but was worshipped since his birth by the wise men. His life with his parents is only shared once when he was left behind in the temple by Luke in 2:41-51.

Jesus grows in wisdom, stature and in favour with men and God. All through he kept his humble character and a hard-line on sinful habits and rituals as well as dining with sinners, rebuking boldly, and teaching even on Sabbath.

1. At some point we see Jesus being tempted despite being God though he overcame clearly described by Matthew.
2. Luke also points out his first public appearance as he reads a section of Isaiah on the temple. His ministry involved Preaching, Teaching, Healing, and Performing Miracles among others.
3. His human nature is also not left un mentioned (weeping and being hungry).

Jesus disclosed to his disciples about his suffering, his death and victory over it and keeps reminding them of the future of the gospel and their role too. He promises them of a helper after he leaves whom John has explained so well.

The triumphal entry in Jerusalem climax theological and political controversy about who he was.

• Jesus knew that the hour had come and his spent his find hour of liberty with the twelve over a Passover meal.
• Trial – Pontius Pilate wanted to please the Jews and release Jesus at the same time.
• Crucifixion was a horrible form of execution. It was shameful to the Romans and only reserved it for slaves and worst criminals.
• Consider the seven words of the cross.
• A significant thing happens at the cross where one of the thieves believes in him and is justified right there and then. (Reminds me of how Jesus kept telling them the purpose and the cost of the cross in this walk).
• Resurrection and his ascension gave the final and concrete evidence of the authenticity and completeness of the work of Christ on the cross.

Reflection: Jesus became a man though God endured pain, shame, rejection, died on the cross to reconcile us back to the father. He also called the twelve, discipled them and assigned them the task of spreading this gospel. How far have we gone into fulfilling this great commission? Are we discipling them into Christ likeness?

2. The church age-birth, growth and persecution of the church as the gospel was being spread. [Acts and all the epistles].

1. The Acts of the Apostles shows -

 Birth of the church in Jerusalem,2-5

 Beginning of persecution(first martyr Stephen),6-9

 Spread of Christianity to the gentiles,9-12

 First missionary journey- Paul and Barnabas,13-15

 Second Missionary journey-Paul and Silas,16-18

 Third Missionary Journey-Ephesus,18-20

 A prisoner in Jerusalem,Caeserea and Rome 20-28

- The disciples waited for 10 days for the promise of the Holy Spirit to be fulfilled as John had written and Joel had prophesied.

- The effect of the Holy Spirit is boldness, Spread of the gospel and the birth of church. Peter the fearful, denier, doubter and shaky is too bold to be quiet again.

- All the apostles goes out to share the gospel, the first Christians are named in Antioch.

- Stephen becomes the first Christian Martyr having been stoned. All the apostles are also martyred except John. Before their death they are beaten, imprisoned though the fire was too much to be quenched.

2. Paul the church persecutor gets an encounter with the Lord and His life is wholly transformed .He marks another beginning of great work of the spread of the gospel especially to the gentiles. He makes three major missionary journeys to

1) Antioch – Cyprus – Pisidia – Lystra

2) Antioch – Troas – Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth, Jerusalem

3) Like the second one but passing through Ephesus and he ended in Jerusalem.

3. The Epistles which are divided into three parts are as a result of the works of the apostles in different places, different times and different themes. Below is brief overview of what they contain-

The Church Epistles

1. Righteousness of God well explained in the book of Romans.
2. The Corinthian City received two letters from Paul.
3. First Corinthians which addressed divisions on leadership
4. Second Corinthians highlights on-nature of Christian ministry
5. Though Titus falls in the category of Pastoral Epistles this is the period when it was written.
6. Gentile Church in Galatia. The letter mainly condemned false teaching. Sometimes referred to as the fighting letter.
7. Letter to the Thessalonians in Paul’s second missionary journey. Major highlights were an encouragement to Holy living and the second coming of the Lord Jesus.
8. Letters from the Prison in Rome are to Ephesians,Phillipians and Colossians

- The Ephesians were reminded what the church is, how she should live and the enemies she is fighting hence the weapon of warfare.

- The letter to Philippians can be traced in Acts 16 written to Greek and few Romans and Jews. Philippians, a thank you letter to the Philippians for the gift they had sent to him. Outlined contentment in Christ at His unwavering provision(4:13,19).Featured who provides joy and happiness(4:4-18,2:2,3:1)

- Colossians majored in outlining the doctrine of Christ and Holy life in Him.

Pastoral Epistles (Leadership letter)

1. 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus are Paul’s mentoring letter to his sons in faith.
2. Titus outlines-Qualifications for church officials and Regulation for Christian behaviour.

General Epistles

1. Philemon a short letter was written together with Colossians in prison. A brief model of courtesy, discretion and loving concern for the forgiveness of Onesimus.
2. Hebrews focuses on three areas of Christ –The superiority of Christ’s person [over angels, prophets and over Moses](1:1-4:13),The superiority of Christ’s work[priesthood, covenant and sanctuary and sacrifice](4:14-10:18) and the superiority of Christian’s walk of faith[assurance, endurance and exhortation](10:19-13:25).
3. A simple title of the book of James is Faith.
4. Letter to the suffering Christians as depicted in 1^st Peter focusing on external opposition. Second Peter addresses Christian response to internal opposition like false teachings.
5. The three letters by Apostle John tackled-Fellowship with God (1^st 1and 2 John) and dealing with false teaching through abiding in God’s commandments (2^nd).
6. Jude has again addressed the challenge of false teachings, describing their characteristics and the defense against them from believers.

Reflection: The power of the Holy Spirit is so evident and brings transformation in cities after cities through the spread of the Gospel. We see the apostles serving with boldness to the point of death and they never gave up. The Lord calls us, empowers us, gives us grace to endure till He has accomplished his plan in our lives and of the people he is sending us to.

3. The consummation [Revelation].

Revelation; the book of consummation. Reveals the divine programme of redemption. Focuses on things already seen, which are and which will take place.

 The lord who has conquered, seven churches.

 The judge and tribulation, second coming, millennium the wedding and eternal state.

It shows us the new creation, Perfection, New life, the final judgement of Satan and wedding with lamb of the church.

Reflection: After all is said and done we shall finally enter into our final reunion and rest but only if our names will be in the book of life. The devil will finally be judged, death will be powerless foerver.The question is how prepared are we for His second coming? Will we part of the reunion? Challenge: Check ups regularly.

Four Biblical realities (Framework of biblical revelation)

• Creation – God’s creation – reality of good.
• Fall – man’s sin and disobedience – reality of evil.
• Redemption – the fact of Jesus Christ and the new community- reality of the new.
• Consummation – Christ coming again and the new creation.- reality of the perfect.

Conclusion.

(Final Truths)

1. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
2. Psa 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
3. Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; Psa 19:8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

References:

1. A paper on Bible Survey 2006 written by Amani Kyala(unpublished).
2. Survey of the Old Testament written by Alfred Martin.
3. Jensen I.L., Jensen’s Survey of The Old Testament, Chicago: Moody Press, 1985.
4. The New open bible king James Version
5. The compact Survey of the Bible by John Bal chin.
6. Introduction to the Old and New Testament manual by the Presbyterian College.
7. Understanding the Bible by John Stott.

I AM SURE YOU HAVE LEARNED AND DISCOVERED NEW THINGS THAT YOU HAVE NEVER KNEW THEM BEFORE!

NOW I ALLOW YOU TO READ AGAIN AND AGAIN AND SHARE WITH OTHERS THE GOOD NEWS!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY,AMEN!!