TBCI Syllabus: The Story of the Bible - Creation to Israel (6-8wks)

The Story of the Bible - Creation to Israel

Time and Place - The Choys (41 Grandview St Apt 1205) - Saturdays 10:30am-12pm

Begins on Apr 13th - June 1st

Course Overview: An six week course exploring the first two books of the bible to understand the plot line of the story of the Bible, God’s purpose, and how it relates to us.

Course Description: Many of us have grown up learning the stories of the Old Testament without understanding their purpose of the Bible until we get to Jesus. The goal of this study is to challenge and teach you about God’s overarching plan for creation and what that means for you, for us, and for the redemption of the world. These first 5 books set up the foundations for the rest of the story of the Bible.

Course Format: We will meet on Saturdays from 10:30-12:00pm from Apr 13th – June 1st for teaching and discussion.

Recommended Reading: From Paradise to the Promised Land: An Introduction to the Pentateuch

Course Schedule:

Week 1: Creation, Fall, & God’s Purpose April 13, 2019

We will go through to understand the purpose of creation, the Fall, and the theme of the book of Genesis. We will study how creation was disordered, the meaning of being made in the image of God, and how God plans to redeem creation.

Week 2/3: Two Paths & God’s Covenants April 27, 2019

Following the creation accounts we will trace the two paths that Genesis outlines, covering the stories of Cain & Abel, The Flood, the Tower of Babel, Abraham, Isaac, and God’s covenants to humanity. We will look at what life living in and outside of the blessing of God looks like and begin to unpack God’s plan for redemption.

Recommendations for next time: Possibly Split between Flood, Babel, and the “early world” and then Abraham/Isaac stories.

Week 4/5: Jacob, Joseph, & Judah May 4, 2019

We will continue look at the lineage of Abraham and do an overview of the story of Jacob, Joseph and Judah. We will look specifically at the story of Jacob and Esau, Joseph and Egypt, and Judah and Tamar. Through these stories we will learn about God’s sovereign plan & blessing, faithfulness, and repentance as He creates a people of Abraham.

Recommendations for next time: Possibly focus more on the story of Jacob + Esau, Laban and then have a second one for Joseph and Judah

Week 6: Moses, Pharaoh, and the Israelites May 11, 2019

As the Israelites multiply and are enslaved by Pharaoh, we will look at the story of Moses, Pharaoh and his hardness of heart, and the exodus and creation of the Israelites. Through this narrative we will look at the power and graciousness of God and His demand for obedience as he liberates the nation of Israel.

Week 7: The Sinai Covenant, the Law, and the heart of God May 25 2019

After the Exodus, we will look at establishment of the covenant between God and the Israelites. We will study how the Israelites react, what the law of God shows about His character, and read stories of the Israelites struggles wandering in the dessert.

Week 8: Holiness, Cleanliness & The Purpose of the Sacrificial System June 1 2019

Often when we read Deuteronomy and Leviticus, we are thrown off by the intricate details, repetitive nature, and seemingly insensible excessive practices of cleansing and sacrifices. We will look at different themes of these laws and apply them to the context of Jesus to better understand the significance of his ministry to the unclean and his role as the sacrificial lamb.