Equipping The Saints

Introduction -- Many people think of the Bible as an assortment of stories and fail to understand how they are all connected into one story. The story began with the creation of the world and how mankind was made to live in a relationship with God. It recounts man's rebellion resulting in separation from God. However, God reveals His plan to restore us to fellowship with Himself.

The survey presents the story on a 15 foot pictorial map which arranges every major event in the Bible chronologically. This allows the reader to see the story unfold and develop through thousands of years of recorded history. You will see how every story is related to the promise God gave to mankind in Genesis 3:15 and how the 66 books become an exciting historical account of God's love, grace, mercy and forgiveness resulting in God's redemptive plan for mankind.

Everywhere this survey is taught people say, "so that is what the Bible is all about! Why haven't we been taught this until now?" For most it is the first time anyone has put all the pieces of the puzzle together so they can understand God's dealing with mankind.

Lesson One -- This lesson presents an overview of the Old Testament from Genesis to Malachi. It deals with man's rebellion and the human dilemma. God's redemptive plan is outlined.

Lesson Two -- This lesson is an overview of the New Testament from Mathew to Revelation. It deals with the enactment of God's redemptive plan through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God. It deals also with Christian history as Christianity began to expand from Jerusalem to the uttermost parts of the earth. The first two lessons are a summary of the Old Testament and New Testament and give a skeleton outline of the Bible story using a 15 foot pictorial map. The first two chapters present the "summit view" before entering into a thorough examination of the detail surrounding the major events and promises in the Bible.

Lesson Three -- This lesson presents an examination of the problem of man's rebellion and God's promise for man's redemption. The key verse to understanding the Bible is presented; Genesis 3:15 tells how the woman, who Satan had deceived, would have a seed and would bring forth One who would crush the serpent, but in the process the serpent would bruise His heel. All of the rest of the Scriptures are a chronology of the events that culminate with the fulfillment of the promise in Genesis 3:15.

Lesson Four -- This lesson examines the promises to Abraham. One of Adam's descendents was Abraham who was the "Friend of God" and the "Father of Faith." Abraham was told that the promised seed in Genesis 3:15 would be one of his descendents. God told Abraham that all the nations of the world would be blessed by the seed of promise who was to come through him. God gave Abraham other promises for land and numerous descendents as well. The ramifications of these promises lead to an understanding of the Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East which has been a point of contention since God made these promises to Abraham 4000 years ago.

Lesson Five -- This lesson gives a historical overview of the development of the nation that came from Abraham. This lesson covers the story concerning the nation of Israel taking possession of the promised land, Canaan. The development of the children of Israel from a group of slaves to a sophisticated nation (first a theocracy and then a monarchy) is traced.

Lesson Six -- This lesson covers the story of one of Abraham's descendents 1000 years later, King David of Israel who is remembered as a "Man After God's Own Heart." David was told that the promised seed in Genesis 3:15 would sit on his throne and one day rule the world. 2 Samuel 7:12-16 is examined for the implications regarding the person who was qualified to fulfill the prophecies regarding the Messiah. The second coming of Christ is also discussed in this lesson.

Lesson Seven -- This lesson is an overview from David to the coming of Jesus Christ. It examines the years when the kingdom of Israel was united (under David and Solomon), divided (between the northern and southern kingdoms) and in captivity (the Babylonian and Assyrian captivity). Also discussed are the chronology of the ruling kings during this time (before and after the exile), the prophets and the restoration of Jerusalem.

Lesson Eight -- This lesson focuses on the New Covenant that God promised in Jeremiah 31:33. As a result of the failure of the Old Covenant, God promised to write his laws in their minds and bind it to their hearts. Thus, the New Covenant was fulfilled through the dispensing of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39). Jesus Christ's role as the mediator of the New Covenant and the foundation of the New Testament Church is examined.

Lesson Nine -- The promise made in Genesis 3:15 is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This lesson looks at the chronology of the life of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew. The major themes in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, His crucifixion and resurrection, and institution of the New Covenant are detailed.

Lesson Ten -- This lesson deals with the expansion of God's promise to the nation of Israel. This lesson deals with many of the key events in the beginning chapters of Acts as the Gospel went out to the world through the testimony of the Apostles. Pentecost, persecution of the early Church, the appointment of elders, Stephen's martyrdom, Saul's conversion, Cornelius' house and Peter's defense of the gentile Church are examined for their importance.

Lesson Eleven -- This lesson deals with the expansion of God's promise to the gentile nations. Paul's missionary journeys, his imprisonments and finally his trip to Rome are traced.

Lesson Twelve -- This lesson deals with God's promise fulfilled through prophecy. The second coming of Jesus Christ as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and related issues to His triumphal return are discussed. An outline of eschatology (the study of Christ's return) with the four classical views are explained and graphed for clarity. Jesus Christ own teaching concerning His second coming and the visions of Daniel are also discussed.

Lesson Thirteen -- This lesson teaches how we today can experience the reality of God's fulfilled promise. It also shows how a person can understand the facts about the Bible yet still not be spiritually alive! This lesson is designed to help people understand what God has done for them to enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ and how to develop it.

Bible Survey Description

Every believer should have a firm grasp of Scripture and understand the central message of the Bible. Unfortunately only a small percentage of Christians have ever read through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Those who have read the Bible from cover to cover often find it almost impossible to arrange the events they read about in any kind of logical sequence. For them the Bible becomes a book of assorted narratives that are related, but not in a fashion they can understand. With this effective tool, people can see every major event in Scripture chronologically arranged; they can see how each story in the Bible relates to every other story. The Bible survey uses a fifteen foot pictorial map and a simple to read and understand commentary to place every major event in the Bible in sequence and thereby, turns the 66 books of the Bible into ONE BOOK! The insightful commentary is divided into thirteen lessons. Lesson One and Two give an overview of Genesis to Revelation. The next eleven lessons go back over the chart amplifying major events and adding detail. David Dawson, veteran missionary, Bible teacher and Director of Equipping The Saints, spent 18 years learning how to put the Bible into chronological order. This book will put the Bible together in an exciting, easy-to-understand way for students or teachers. The Bible Survey is an excellent tool to use in any home school curriculum to teach the Bible in a fun and exciting way.