BI 291 Methodical Bible Study
Spring 2013 Course Syllabus 5
BI 291 – Methodical Bible Study
Spring 2013
Course Instructor: Mike Lester
“Our Baptist forefathers shed their blood to give us the Bible! Now, what will you do with it?”
I. Course Description
This course will develop sound Bible methods of interpretation. It will operate on the premise that the interpretation of Scripture is best understood by other Scripture. Students will have opportunity to apply methods learned in class to Scripture passages as a part of the course.
II. Course Goals
A. To instruct students on how to methodically study the Bible.
B. To introduce principles to guide the student in the proper interpretation of the Bible.
C. To allow the student an opportunity to develop skills in Bible study by a hands-on approach to Bible study through the assignments and projects assigned throughout the course.
D. To train the student to be a careful observer of God’s Word.
E. To free the student from dependence upon others for the understanding of God’s Word.
F. To be able not only to interpret correctly the Scriptures, but also to apply them to one’s own life as well as real life situations.
G. To understand the importance of correlating passages of Scripture together to get the larger picture of a particular doctrine, command, pattern, promise, or exhortation.
H. To help the student realize he has been given an opportunity to study and get to know intimately the greatest Book of all time, a life changing Book, and one that he has freedom to read, study, memorize and meditate upon.
I. My prayer is that your hunger will cause you to take the window of opportunity to get all you can get from its pages.
III. Course Objectives
As a result of taking this class, the student should be able to:
1. Identify and label the Hermeneutical Cycle from memory
2. Evaluate personal presuppositions against the Bible
3. Perform an elementary word study with limited to no knowledge of the original languages
4. Recognize paragraphs, or blocks of thought, within an assigned text.
5. Properly analyze and determine primary meaning of an assigned parable.
6. Defend the normal interpretation of Scripture against an allegorical approach.
7. Differentiate between application and meaning.
8. Identify flawed methodologies in much of the “new hermeneutic” prevalent today.
IV. Course Requirements
A. Read Basic Bible Interpretation by Roy Zuck, based on the schedule below:
1. Chapter 1 with questions – February 5
2. Chapter 2 with questions – February 12
3. Chapter 3 with questions – February 19
4. Chapter 4 with questions – February 26
5. Chapter 5 with questions – March 5
6. Chapter 6 with questions – March 12
7. Chapter 7 with questions – March 26
8. Chapter 8 with questions – April 2
9. Chapter 9 with questions – April 9
10. Chapter 10 with questions – April 16
11. Chapter 11 with questions – April 23
12. Chapter 12 with questions – April 30
a. These weekly assignments are due by the beginning of class on the assigned date if turning in a hard copy. If emailing in the assignment, you have until midnight. Late work is penalized 5% for every day it is late. When the due date for the next assignment comes, then late work from the previous week will not be accepted and will be recorded as a 0.
b. When turning these assignments in, you are to write the question from the worksheet, answer the question, and then place the page number that the answer was found in parentheses. Make sure your name is on every assignment. These may be turned in early as well.
c. These questions may be downloaded at http://lester.wcbc.edu under the “1 Spring 2013 Syllabi folder.”
B. Class work
There will be days when an assignment is given out in class. These assignments are not busy work. They are intended to help reinforce lecture materials in the practical realm. These assignments will be graded and computed into the overall grade for the class.
C. Bible Study Projects:
There will be two Bible study projects assigned in the semester. These are a vital part of this course and not to complete them could result in failure in the course. Further details are given in each specific project paper. These projects are due according to the schedule below:
1. Project # 1 – WORD STUDY
a. Choose from one of the following words
i. Hesed, a Hebrew word sometimes translated as “mercy” (see Ps 136)
ii. Agape, a Greek word typically translated as “love” in the NT
iii. Love, an English word translated by various Hebrew and Greek words
b. Your task is to dig up as much information on one of these words.
i. What is its etymology?
ii. How many different ways is it translated?
iii. What is the primary meaning of the word?
iv. Where is this word found?
v. Does one writer use it more than any other?
vi. What observations did you make in this study?
vii. Finally, a 1-paragraph summary on the meaning /significance of this word.
viii. Include a bibliography page that shows how you researched your project. Passing grades will use at a minimum, five sources – three of which would be from a theological journal. (The Bible – and Wikipedia – do not count as a source.)
ix. This project is due February 14.
2. Project # 2 – HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
a. Choose from one of the following books:
i. Ruth
ii. Esther
iii. Galatians
iv. 1 Corinthians
v. Philemon
vi. Titus
vii. 1 Timothy
b. Some of the information you need to uncover will include:
i. Human author
ii. The purpose of the book
iii. Its theme
iv. To whom is it written
v. Are there any doctrinal issues that this book is resolving
vi. Is there any important geographical information
vii. Would a map be helpful
viii. What is happening in the rest of the world at this time
ix. Summary of the book
x. Bibliography page…
Passing grades will use at a minimum, five sources – three of which would be from a theological journal. (The Bible – and Wikipedia – do not count as a source.)
c. In essence, you are creating a backdrop for which a sermon series would be preached. You are setting the stage, finding all of the relevant data that creates interest in the minds of those who will listen to you teach/preach God’s Word.
d. This assignment is due March 5.
C. Quizzes and Exams:
1. Quizzes can be given each class period over the material covered in previous lectures. There will be a minimum of four quizzes. These may or may not be announced. SO BE READY!!!!
Note: Quizzes can also consist of take- home type quizzes, which would be due at the next class period.
2. Two exams will be administered, a mid-term and a final. Each will be cumulative in nature.
D. Bible Memorization: You will be required to memorize the following verses listed below. You will be tested on all five of these verses on March 14.
1. 2 Timothy 2:15
2. Deuteronomy 17:18-19
3. Joshua 1:8
4. 1 Corinthians 2:12-14
5. Acts 17:11
V. Summary of Assignment Due Date:
1. February 5 – Weekly textbook assignments begin
2. February 7 – Book check
3. February 14 – Bible Study Project 1
4. March 5 – Bible Study Project 2
5. March 12 – Midterm Examination
6. March 14 – Bible Memory Quiz
7. May 7 – Final Examination
VI. Spiritual and Academic Integrity
Classroom Behavior:
A. Classroom Civility:
As part of this class, you are an integral part of a learning community. Please be aware of your behavior and its effects on others. Talking, coming in late, leaving early, sleeping in class, and being discourteous can all diminish classmates’ learning experiences. Realize that everyone in this class might be in a position someday to recommend you professionally. Earn and keep their respect.
B. Extra Credit:
There will not be extra credit in this class. Please spend time working on the material assigned and reading your text books.
C. Attendance Policy
In your student portal, you are able to track your attendance. If you miss more than fifteen (15) percent of this class, you will be automatically dropped from the roster and receive an “F” for the course. The amount missed contains the accumulation of tardies, cuts, and any other absences.
D. Academic Honesty
Cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and any act designed to give an unfair advantage to the student (such as, but not limited to, submitting the same written assignment for two courses or providing false or misleading information in an effort to receive a postponement or an extension on a test, quiz, exam, or other assignment) is considered cheating and will not be tolerated.
E. Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is “the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own original work.” Common forms of plagiarism are copying words or ideas and not giving the author credit for them by providing proper reference. Another author’s specific words must be placed within quotation marks with an appropriate reference given. Another author’s ideas must include an appropriate reference. You may choose to use appropriate footnotes, endnotes, or parenthetical references.
Quick guidelines:
1. If you quote it, cite it.
2. If you get an idea, cite it.
3. Footnote everything.
4. If found plagiarizing, at the least you receive a 0 for the assignment.
5. Additionally, cheating will be reported to the Dean’s office for disciplinary measures.
G. Course Text Book:
· The textbook selected for this course was chosen because the instructor felt it would not only benefit you and would help build your personal library, but also because it is to be used for specific class projects assigned for this course.
· Therefore, all students are required to have their own copy of the textbook. There will be no exceptions. Furthermore, there will be a book check on Tuesday, September 11 This book check will count as a quiz grade.
VII. Course Grading:
A. Bible Study Projects 40%
B. Textbook work 24%
C. Bible Memory 6%
D. Exams, Quizzes and Class Work 30%
Total 100%
Encouragement Note:
A. Teacher -Student Relationship:
I hope you enjoy this course as much as I enjoy teaching it. If you are having problems, questions, or just want to talk, I encourage you to contact me in person, on the phone, or by email. I WANT TO TALK TO YOU! Do not let small problems during a semester grow to a crisis at the end. It is always easier to repair anticipated difficulties than to untangle a mess at the end of the semester that by then may be TOO LATE!!!
Contact points:
In person: Office hours are Monday – Friday, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Office: 946-4663, ext. 146
Cell: (661) 466-3429
E-mail:
Website: http://lester.wcbc.edu
B. Final Reminders:
• Your syllabus is one of the most important parts of your course. The success of your completing and passing this course will be determined by how much attention you give to this syllabus. My suggestion is to record all the assignments on a calendar or some time activation method or device that will help you complete the assignments on time.
• I have tried in every way to make clear the expectations in this syllabus and to supply you with detailed information in order to clarify any issues that could arise in this course. However, what may seem clear to me may not be totally clear to you. Please feel free to ask any questions now or throughout the semester if you need clarification.
• If you follow this syllabus, you will have a greater potential in passing this course and learning the truths presented in the lectures, projects, and reading assignments.
• Finally, do not wait to get started on your projects. I understand some may need further explanation in class, but get going on what you can do! The semester will be packed with many extra curricular activities so the sooner you start, the less pressure you will have at mid-terms and at finals!
BI 291 Methodical Bible Study
Spring 2013 Course Syllabus 5
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WEST COAST BAPTIST COLLEGE
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BIBLE WRITING
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A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO
BROTHER LESTER
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE
BI 291
METHODICAL BIBLE STUDY
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BY
JOHN DOE
BOX #
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LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA
14 FEBRUARY 2013