Welcome to the Bible Survey class.

This class examines the major events in the Bible. It's the big picture view of Scripture. There are three parts to this class. The first part is reading the text for the class. Displayed in an easy to read format, it was authored by Lawrence O. Richards, who has written over 200 books. 
...find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.  — Ecclesiastes 3:11 ESV
The second part is an examination of three charts that provide an overview of the Bible as whole, and then the Old and New Testaments respectively. This concepts in this chart are used a guidline for layout of major events in this class. 

The third part consists of examining some of the major events of Scripture.

Unless a lesson is defined by a specific reading assignment or activity, try to spend two hours to complete each lesson. Some of them will not take that long. 

Don't forget to join the Modesto Bible College (MBC) Group so you can have your paper reviewed and review others.
A few comments before proceeding.

First, the flow of events is aligned with the three themes of Scripture outlined in the Bible Summary chart. They are: our Great Creator, our Gracious Redeemer and our Glorious King.

Second, while there are lists of events in Scripture (eg. Acts 7), the Bible does not say there is a definitive list of events. Therefore every list is subjective. This list is no exception. It was very hard to keep to 22 lessons and not eliminate some very important events. Some significant events were left out entirely (the Tower of Babel and the Davidic Covenant) while others were combined (articles on the Rapture appear under the Tribulation). 

​Third, read the listed verses before reading the assigned articles for each lesson. Ask yourself the same question as you read both, "Why is this event important?" This will be the basis of your summary papers.

Fourth, write a summary paper listing at least five reasons why the event under study is important to know. Include Scripture in each answer. 
Text Book
The Smart Guide to the Bible, by Larry Richards. 
"The Bible is the best-selling book in history, but it can also be hard to understand. The Smart Guide to the Bible guides you through all 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, so you can see both the big picture and the Divine details that support and carry forth God's master plan. From "In the beginning" to the final "Amen" you will gain the knowledge, confidence, and clarifications you've always wanted about God's words to you." Source: Amazon
Lesson 1
  1. Read chapters 1-8 in The Smart Guide to the Bible. 

  2. Write a Summary Paper. 

  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at the MBC Group. 
Lesson 2
  1. Read chapters 9-16 in The Smart Guide to the Bible. 

  2. Write a Summary Paper. 

  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at the MBC Group. 
Lesson 3
  1. Read chapters 17-24 in The Smart Guide to the Bible. 

  2. Write a Summary Paper. 

  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at the MBC Group. 
Lessons 4
  1. Examine the three Bible summary charts below. They are also found on GreatCommission.com in the Foundation Studies section. Look up all the listed verses. 
    1. Overview of the entire Bible (The three major concepts in this chart serve as a guide to the following lessons). 
    2. Overview of the Old Testament 
    3. Overview of the New Testament​
      ​
  2. ​​Write a Summary Paper. What stood out to you as important to know?
    ​
  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at the MBC Group. 
I. Our Great Creator
Lesson 5
​​Creation

  1. Read the following verses and articles. 

    1. Genesis 1-2, 5:1-2, Psalm 33:6, 89:11, 103:22, 119:73,90, 148:5, Isaiah 40:26, 45:12, John 1:3, Acts 17:26, Romans 1:20-25, 1 Corinthians 6:8, Ephesians 2:10, Revelation 4:11.
    2. What does it mean that God is the Creator?
    3. Why is Biblical creationism so important?
    4. Is God distinct from creation?

  2. Write a Summary Paper. List several reasons why this event is important to know. 

  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at the MBC Group. 
II. Our Gracious Redeemer 
Lesson 6
​​The Fall

  1. Read the following verses and articles. 

    1. Genesis 3-4, Romans 3, 5, 8:22, Ephesians 2:1-3, 5:8, Psalm 51:1, Ecclesiastes 7:20, 1 John 1:8
    2. How did the Fall affect humanity?
    3. What is the sin nature?
    4. Did we all inherit sin from Adam and Eve?
    5. Why do I face the consequences of Adam’s sin when I did not eat the fruit?
    6. Are we punished for Adam’s sin?

  2. Write a Summary Paper. List several reasons why this event is important to know. 

  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at the MBC Group. 
Lessons 7
Genesis 3:15

  1. Read the following verses and articles. 
    ​
    1. Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 53, Romans 16:20, Galatians 3:16, 4:4-5, I Corinthians 15:55-57​, Hebrews 2:14-15, Revelation 20:1-3, 10. 
    2. What is the protoevangelium?(CARM)
    3. What is the protoevangelium?(GotQuestions.org) 
      ​
  2. Write a summary paper. List several reasons why this event is important to know. 

  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at MBC Group. 
Lesson 8
Picture
The Flood

  1. Read the following verses and articles. 

    1. ​​Genesis 6-9, Matthew 24:38-39, Luke 17:27, Hebrews 11:7, 1 Peter 3:20-21, 2 Peter 2:5, 3:5-7​
    2. The Purpose of the flood
    3. What were the reasons for the flood?
    4. How was flood in the time of Noah just? 
    5. Why did God send the flood when He knew sin would continue after the flood?
    6. Is the God of the Old Testament a merciless monster?

  2. Write a summary paper. List several reasons why this event is important to know. 

  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at MBC Group. 
Lesson 9
The Abrahamic Covenant

  1. Read the following verses and articles. 

    1. ​​​Genesis 12:1-3, 22:18, 26:4, 28:14, 1 Chronicles 16:15-18, Acts 3:25, Galatians 3:8,16, Romans 4:16​, Revelation 7:4
    2. What is the Abrahamic covenant? CARM​
    3. What is the Abrahamic covenant? GotQuestions.org 
    4. What are the different covenants in the Bible? 
    5. Why was Abraham promised land that belonged to others (Genesis 12)?
    6. What is premillennialism? 
      ​
  2. Write a summary paper. List several reasons why this event is important to know. 

  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at MBC Group. 
Lessons 10
The Mosiac Covenant

  1. Read the following verses and articles. 

    1. ​​Exodus 19-24, Matthew 5:17, Acts 13:39, verses about the Law in Romans, Galatians, 1 Corinthians 15:56, 1 Timothy 1:8-10, James 2:8-11.
    2. What is the Mosaic Covenant? 
    3. What is the purpose of the Mosaic Law? 
    4. What should Christians learn from the Mosaic Law? 
    5. What was the purpose of the Levitical Law? 
    6. What does it mean that Jesus fulfilled the Law, but did not abolish it? 

  2. ​​​Write a summary paper. List several reasons why this event is important to know. 
    ​
  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at MBC Group. 
Lessons 11
The New Covenant

  1. Read the following verses and articles.

    1. ​​​Jeremiah 31:31-34, Luke 22:20, Matthew 5:17, 1 Corinthians 11:25, 2 Corinthians 3:6, Hebrews 7:22, 8, 9:15, 12:24. ​
    2. What is a covenant? 
    3. What is the New Covenant? 
    4. What was the Old Covenant? 
    5. What is the Covenant of Grace? ​
    6. Covenant (defined)
       
  2. ​​​​​Write a summary paper. List several reasons why this event is important to know. ​

  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at MBC Group. 
Lessons 12
The Virgin Birth of Christ

  1. Read the following verses and articles. 
    ​
    1. Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:25, Isaiah 7:14, Hebrews 4:15, 7:26, 9:22, 10:4
    2. Why is the virgin birth of Jesus so important?(CARM)​​
    3. Why is the Virgin Birth so important?(GotQuestions.org) 
      ​
  2. Write a summary paper. List several reasons why this event is important to know. 

  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at the MBC Group. 
Lessons 13
The Life of Christ

  1. Read the following verses and articles.

    1. ​​​Matthew 3:13-17, 5-7, 14:15-21, 17:1-8, John 11:1-44, 12:12-19, 13:1-38, 19:17-44, 20:1-10, 1 Corinthians 15:6, Acts 1:9-12, Luke 7:18-23, John 21:25. 
    2. What were the key events in the life of Christ? (Part 1)
    3. What were the key events in the life of Jesus Christ? (Part 2)
    4. What were the key events in the life of Jesus Christ? (Part 3)

  2. ​​​​​Write a summary paper. List several reasons why this event is important to know. ​
     
  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at MBC Group. 
Lessons 14
The Death of Christ

  1. Read the following verses and articles. ​
    ​
    1. John 19:33, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 5:6, 10, 6:10, 14:9, 1 Peter 3:18, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 2:14, Colossians 1:20, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 1 Thessalonians 5:10, Hebrews 9:15, 13:12. 
    2. What is the concept of vicarious atonement?
    3. Why did Jesus have to die? 
    4. What is the doctrine of substitution?
    5. What does it mean that Jesus died for our sins?
    6. What is expiation?
    7. What is the doctrine of penal substitution? 

  2. ​​ ​​Write a summary paper. List several reasons why this event is important to know.

  3. ​Have your paper reviwwed and review another paper at the MBC Group. 
Lessons 15
The Resurrection of Christ

  1. Read the following verses and articles. ​

    1. Matthew 28:6, Romans 1:4, 4:24-25, 6:4-9. 8:11, 34, 10:9, 1 Corinthians 6:14, 15:3-4, 20-21, 2 Corinthians 14:4, 5:15, Colossians 2:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4:14, 1 Peter 1:3, 21.
    2. Why is the truth of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ so important?
    3. Why does it matter that Jesus rose from the dead? 
    4. Why should I believe in Christ’s resurrection? 
    5. What is the importance of the empty tomb? 

  2. ​​Write a summary paper. List several reasons why this event is important to know.

  3. ​Have your paper reviwwed and review another paper at the MBC Group. 
Lessons 16
The Body of Christ 

  1. Read the following verses and articles. 
    ​
    1. Matthew 16:18, Acts 2, Romans 9:17, Ephesians 1:23, 3:10, 4:12, 5:23, 30, 
    2. How is the Church the Body of Christ?
    3. What is the Church? (GotQuestions.org)
    4. What is the Church? (CARM)
    5. What is the purpose of the Church? GotQuestions.org​ ​
    6. What is the purpose of the Church? CARM​​
    7. What is the Church Age?
    8. What should be the mission of the church?
    9. Church (defined)
      ​
  2. Write a Summary Paper. List several reasons this event is important. 

  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at the MBC Group. 
Lessons 17
The Tribulation 

  1. Read the following verse and articles. 
    ​
    1. Revelation 4-19
    2. What is the rapture?
    3. When is the Rapture going to occur in relation to the Tribulation?
    4. What is the Great Tribulation?
    5. What is the Tribulation?
    6. What is the time of Jacob's Trouble? 

  2. ​​Write a summary paper. List several reasons why this event is important. 

  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at the MBC Group. 
III. Our Glorious King
Lessons 18
The Judgment Seat of Christ (the Bema seat)
  1. Read the following verses and articles. 
    ​
    1. 2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10-12
    2. What are all the different judgments in the Bible? 
    3. What is the Judgment Seat of Christ/ Bema seat of Christ?
    4. What is the purpose of [there being] rewards in heaven? ​
    5. What does the Bible say about when God will judge us? 
    6. What is paradise? 
      ​
  2. Write a Summary Paper. List several reasons this is an important event. 

  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper in the MBC Group. 
Lessons 19
The Return of Christ

  1. Read the following verse and articles. 
    ​
    1. Revelation 19, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, 
    2. What is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming?
    3. ​​What is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? (GotQuestions.org)
    4. What is the Second Coming of Christ? (CARM)
    5. What is the blessed hope?
    6. Is it possible to know when Jesus is coming back? 
      ​
  2. Write a Summary Paper. List several reasons why this even is important. 

  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at the MBC Group. 
Lessons 20
The Rule of Christ (The Millennium)

  1. Read the following verses and articles. ​
    ​
    1. Revelation 20:1-6
    2. What is the Millennial Kingdom, and should it be understood literally?
    3. What is the purpose of the thousand-year reign of Christ? 
    4. What is dispensational premillennialism/premillennial dispensationalism?
    5. Millennium (defined) 
    6. Premillennialism (defined) 

  2. ​​Write a summary paper. List several reasons why this event is important. 

  3. ​Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at the MBC Group. 
Lessons 21
The Great White Throne

  1. Read the verses and articles.

    1. ​​Revelation 20:11-15, Hebrews 9:27, Matthew 25:26, Daniel 12:2, Romans 2:5, 16, Hebrews 4:13, Acts 10:42
    2. What happens at the final judgment
    3. ​What is the Great While Throne judgment?
    4. What is Judgment Day? 
    5. What is the Day of Judgment? 
    6. Are there different levels of hell and degrees of sin? 
    7. What is Hell? 
    8. Is Hell eternal? 
    9. How is​ eternity in Hell a fair punishment for sin? 
    10. How is an eternity in Hell a just punishment for only a lifetime of human sin?
      ​
  2. Write a Summary Paper. List several reasons this is an important event. 
    ​
  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at the MBC Group. 
Lessons 22
The Reign of Christ (Eternity)

  1. Read the following verse and articles.
    ​
    1. Revelation 21, 22, Psalm 17:15, Job 19:25-27
    2. What is Eternal Life? 
    3. What is heaven like? 
    4. ​Heaven (defined)
    5. What happens to us when we die? 
    6. Is Heaven real? 
    7. What are the New Heavens and New Earth? 
    8. What is the New Jerusalem?
      ​
  2. Write a Summary Paper. Lists several reasons this is an important event. 

  3. Have your paper reviewed and review another paper at the MBC Group. 
Feedback
Congratulations! You finished the class. We hope this has been a rich experience. You may print the certificate of completion for this class. Once you have completed all the lessons for all the classes you may print your diploma. 

Feel free to contact us and let us know about your experience. We would be encouraged to know how you may have been blessed as well as how you think this class might be improved.