ASIA PACIFIC CAMPUSES

BIBLE SURVEY
COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the end of the course, the Bible students are expected to:

1. It introduces the basic procedure involved in surveying the books of the

Bible.

2. To guide the Bible Students of Piedmont in seeing how the message of

every book of the Bible is organized structurally.

3. At the end of the course, the Bible Student of Piedmont is expected to

identify for himself the great themes, background, and doctrinal content of
every book of the Bible.

BIBLE SURVEY 2
 REVIEW

BIBLE SU RVEY - A study of basic roots, background, description & doctrinal content of every book
of the Bible. It does concern with a telescopic view of the book.

The Them e of the whole Bible is the LORD JESU S CHRIST

M a t t . 5 : 1 7 , Re v. 1 9 : 1 0 , Lu . 2 4 : 2 5 - 2 7 ; 4 4 - 4 7 , J n . 5 : 3 9 - 4 0

Bible” is defined as “The Book by way of eminence, -- that is, the book which is made up of
the writings accepted by Christians as of divine origin and authority.

INSPIRATION
We believe that the ultimate author of the Bible is God Himself
although human writers penned the words. The process that
makes this possible is known as “inspiration”.

PRESERVATION Psalms 12:6-7

The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a
furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them,
O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

BIBLE SURVEY 3
 PENTATEUCH

C. LEVITICU S
LEVITICUS: GOD OF PURITY – INSTRUCTION
Author – Moses
Title - means “from Levi”
Date - ~1451 B.C.
Time covered - 1491 B.C.
Subject - Worship and regulation of the Jewish people
Key Verses - 19:2

OU TLIN E
I. Regulation of Worship - Chapters 1-16
II. Regulation of Life - Chapters 17-27
Events to Rem em ber –
• Day of Atonem ent - Chapter 16

BIBLE SURVEY 4
 PENTATEUCH

D. N U M BERS NUMBERS: GOD OF PERSEVERANCE – JOURNEYS

Author – Moses
Title - from two censuses in the book (Chapters 1 and 26)
Date - 1451 B.C.
Time covered - 1491-1451 B.C.
Subject - The Wilderness Journey of Israel
Key Verses - 14:22-23

OUTLINE
I. Wrapping up at Sinai - 1:1-10:10
II. Wandering in the Wilderness - 10:11-21:35
III. Preparing to enter the Promised Land - Chapters 22-36
Events to Remember
• First Census - Chapters 1-2
• The Twelve Spies - Chapters 13-14

BIBLE SURVEY • Second Census - Chapter 26 5

PENTATEUCH

E. D EU TERON OM Y DEUTERONOMY: GOD OF PREPARATION – OBEDIENCE

Author – Moses
Title - means “second law ”, retelling of the Mosaic Law
Date - 1451 B.C.
Time covered - 1451 B.C.
Subject - Review of histor y of Israelʼs redemption and their Law
Key Verses - 6:4-7

OUTLINE
I. Reviewing the Journey - Chapters 1-4
II. Restating the Law - Chapters 5-26
III. Message for the Future - Chapters 27-30
IV. Mosesʼ Last Days - Chapters 31-34
Events to Remember –
• Ten Commandments - Chapter 5
BIBLE SURVEY • Death of Moses - Chapter 34
6
 PENTATEUCH

The f ir st f ive books of the Bible ar e sometimes called the Pentateuch (meaning “f ive scr olls”) or the
Torah (meaning “the Law ”). These books are traditionally attributed to Moses. The primar y theme of
these books is the establishment of the nation of Israel.

God of Promise - Beginnings

Genesis: Records the beginning of the universe, man, the Sabbath, marriage, sin, sacrif ice, nations,
and government. Also records the stories of key men of God: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.

God to Mt.of
SinaiPower
where the law- of Deliverance
Exodus: Details how Israel became a nation with Moses as leader. Israel is delivered from bondage
in Egypt and journeys God is given.
Leviticus: This book was a manual of worship for Israel. It provides instruction to the religious
God of Purity - Instruction
leaders and explains how a sinful people can approach a righteous God. It points also to the coming
of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Numbers: Records Israel's 40 years of wandering in the wilderness as a result of disobedience to
God of Perseverance - Journeys
God. The title of the book is from two "numberings" or population census taken during the long
journey.
God of Preparation - Obedience
Deuteronomy: Records the close of Moses' life and reviews the laws given in Exodus and Leviticus.

7
B I B L E S U RV E Y
 OVERVIEW OF THE BIBLE

THE BIBLE IS DIVIDED INTO 8 SECTIONS

1. Law – foundation for Christ. Heb. TORAH Grk. PENTATEUCH meaning “fivefold vessel”
2. History – preparation From the close of the Old Testament (Malachi) to the
3. Poetry – aspiration birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew), over 400 years
4. Prophecy – expectation of Christ transpired. These years are called the “SILENT
YEARS”
5. Gospel – story of the coming of the long-anticipated Savior/person. Work – in 4 accounts
(manifestation – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)
6. Acts – propagation by the Acts of the Spirit thru the Apostle.
7. Epistle – explanation & application (full significance & work of Christ, implications in our
lives; God demands the WALK of Christians)
8. Revelation – consummation Christ will reign eternally.

BIBLE SURVEY 8
 HISTORICAL BOOKS

These tw elve books cover over nine hundred years o f histo r y. M ost of the
rem aining books of the O ld Testam ent were written during the events covered in
these books.

BIBLE SURVEY 9
 I. JOSHUA

AUTHOR: Joshua
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: Record the histor y of the conquest of Canaan.
KEY VERSE: Joshua 24:15
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: No moral or spiritual victories are won without battles.
MAIN CHARACTERS: Joshua, Rahab, Caleb, Achan, Balaam, Eleazar

OU TLIN E A. He reminds them of God's goodness: 23:3-10

B. He warns them concerning disobedience: 23:11-13
I. Entering the land: 1:1-5:15 C. He reviews this history: 24:1-13
II. Possessing the land: 6:1-12:24 D. He challenges them to serve God: 24:14-18
E. He completes the book that bears his name: 24:26-28
III. Occupying the land: 13:1-22:34 F. He dies and departs for Heaven: 24:29-33
IV. Joshua's farewell address and death:
23:1-24:33 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve;
whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or
the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will
serve the LORD.
10
BIBLE SURVEY
 I. JOSHUA

The book of Joshua can be co ntrasted to the book of Exodus. In Exodus, God
par ted the waters of the Red Sea to bring His people o ut of the land of bondage in
Egypt. In Joshua, God par ted the waters of the Jordan River to bring His people
into Canaan, the land of blessing.

M oses sum m arized both books in Deuteronomy 6:23:

"And He brought us out...that He might bring us in."

23 A nd he brought us out from thence, that he m ight bring us in, to give us the land
which he sware unto our father s.

BIBLE SURVEY 11
 II. JUDGES

AU THOR: Sam uel

TO W HOM : Israel.
PU RPOSE: Historical record of the rule of the judges which occurred af ter the close
of the book of Joshua.
KEY VERSE: Judges 17:6
LIFE A N D M IN ISTRY PRIN CIPLE: There is a divine pattern of chastisem ent
designed to turn God's people from sin to salvation.
M A IN CHA RACTERS: The Judges
OU TLIN E
I. Introduction to the period of the Judges: 1:1-2:5
II. The period of the Judges: 2:6-16:31
A. Sum m ar y of religious conditions of the entire period: 2:6-3:6
B. List of the Judges: 3:7-16:31
III. Historical appendix: 17:1-21:25
A . The idolatr y of M icah and the Danites: 17:1-18:31
B. The crim e of Benjam in at Gibeah and its punishm ent: 19:1-21:25

BIBLE SURVEY 12
 II. JUDGES

1. The book of Judges is a direct contrast to the book of Joshua.

- Joshua tells of victor y, freedom, faith, progress, obedience, spiritual vision, joy,
strength, and unity among the tribes with strong leadership.
- Judges describes defeat, slaver y, unbelief, division, disobedience, ear thly emphasis,
sorrow, weakness, and disunity among the tribes.

2. Galatians provides an excellent summar y of the books of Joshua and Judges. Galatians 5:22-26
describes Joshua, and 5:17-21 describes Judges.

3. Judges is a classic example of Hosea 8:7 and Galatians 6:7.

4. Judges 17:6 summarizes the conditions which existed in Israel during the period of the Judges.

5. The stor y of the strongest man in histor y is found in Judges 15.

6. Read the stor y of an army which was put to death for mispronouncing a word: Judges 12.

13
BIBLE SURVEY
 III. RUTH

AUTHOR: Unknown
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: Written as par t of the historical record of Israel to illustrate the concern of God for
all people. It also illustrates the kinsman-redeemer relationship of Jesus Christ.
KEY VERSES: Ruth 1:16-17
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: God can turn bitterness to blessing.
MAIN CHARACTERS: Naomi (Mara), Elimelech, Mahlon, Chilion, Orpha, Ruth, Boaz, an unnamed
kinsman.

OUTLINE
I. Moab: 1:1-5 (Journey & Tragedy)
IV. Ruth in the fields of Boaz: 2:1-17
II. Return to Bethlehem: 1:6-18 V. A special plan: 3:1-18
III. Arrival in Bethlehem: 1:19-22 VI. The redemption: 4:1-13
VII. The genealogy of David: 4:17-22

BIBLE SURVEY 14
III. RUTH
1. Ruth was one of four women mentioned in the genealogy of Christ in Matthew l. The others are
Ta m a r M a t t h e w 1 : 3 ; Ra h a b, 1 : 5 ; a n d B a t h s h e b a , 1 : 6 .

2. The obligations of the near kinsman relationship are outlined in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. The property
laws with which the unnamed kinsman was concerned are given in Leviticus 25:23.
The kinsman who was able to redeem had to meet certain requirements:
-He must be a near kinsman.
-He must be willing to redeem.
-He must have the ability to redeem.
- H e m u s t b e f r e e h i m s e l f.
-He must have the price of redemption.
B O A Z M ET A L L O F T H E S E R E Q U I R E M E N T S F O R R U T H . J E S U S M ET A L L T H E S E R E Q U I R E M E N T S A S T H E
R E D E E M E R O F S I N F U L H U M A N I T Y.

3 . S t u d y t h e c h a ra c t e r o f R u t h : L o v i n g , c o m m i t t e d : 1 : 1 6 - 1 7 ; S t e a d f a s t : 1 : 1 8 ; - H u m b l e : 2 : 2 :
Te m p e ra t e : 2 : 1 4 ; A c c o u n t a b l e : 2 : 1 8 - 1 9 ; Fa i t h f u l : 2 : 2 3 ; O b e d i e n t : 3 : 5 ; - S u b m i s s i v e : 3 : 1 0 ; Fo c u s o n
e t e r n a l va l u e s : 3 : 1 0 ; C o n c e r n e d a b o u t a p p e a ra n c e o f e v i l : 3 : 1 4 ; Pa t i e n t : 3 : 1 8
15
B I B L E S U RV E Y
IV. I AND II SAMUEL

AUTHOR: Samuel
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: Continued record of God's dealing with His people / Continue the historical record of
God's dealing with His people.
KEY VERSES: I Samuel 15:22-23 / II Samuel 7:22-23
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Obedience to God is more impor tant than sacrif ice. / God
carries out His plan through those obedient to Him in spite of their human frailties.
MAIN CHARACTERS: Samuel, Elkanah, Hannah, Eli, David, Goliath, Saul, Jonathan, Michal,
Abigail / David, Uriah, Bathsheba, Nathan, Absalom, Abner, Isbosheth, Joab

OUTLINE: 1 SAMUEL
OUTLINE: 2 SAMUEL
I. Samuel: The last of the judges: 1:1-7:17 I. The triumphs of David: 1:1-10:19
II. Saul: The f irst of the kings: 8:1-15:35 II. The troubles of David: 11:1-24:25
III. Saul and David: 16:1-31:13

BIBLE SURVEY 16
IV. I AND II SAMUEL

1. I Samuel records a transition in Israel from a theocracy (where God ruled directly through
priests and military leaders) to a monarchy (the rule by various kings).

2. I Samuel 15:22-23 is one of the greatest passages on obedience.

3. I Samuel 16:7 is one of the greatest passages on true human worth.

4. I Samuel 17:4 describes the world's tallest man.

5. I Samuel 18:1 records of one of the most beautiful friendships recorded in the Bible.

6. I Samuel records the first of several conversations of people who had previously lef t this
earth in death. I Samuel 28; Luke 16:23-31; Revelation 6:9-10 and 7:9-10.

7. Samuel started the first Bible schools recorded in Scripture. These were located at Gilgal,
Jericho, and Bethel. I Samuel 10:10; I Kings 18:13; II Kings 2:3,5; 6:1-2.

8. II Samuel records an important law of sowing and reaping in the spiritual world.

9. Another important principle is taught in II Samuel. It is the principle of doing God's will
Godʼs way.

BIBLE SURVEY 17
V. I AND II KINGS

AUTHOR: Unknown. Possibly Jeremiah.

TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: Continue the record of God's dealings with His people, Israel.
KEY VERSE: I Kings 19:18 / II Kings 2:9-10
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Compromise may seem easy but it is always costly
later. / Kingdoms of this world are temporal: They rise and fall under God's control.
MAIN CHARACTERS: David, Solomon, kings of Judah and Israel, Nabath, Ahab, Elijah, Elisha

OUTLINE: 1 KINGS
I. The reign of King Solomon: 1:1-11:43
I I . T h e r e i g n s o f t h e k i n g s o f J u d a h a n d Is ra e l : 1 2 : 1 - 2 2 : 5 3 ; a l s o c o n t i n u e s i n t o I I K i n g s .
OUTLINE: 2 KINGS
I . M i n i s t r y o f E l i s h a a n d c o n t i n u i n g r e c o r d o f t h e k i n g s o f Is ra e l : 1 : 1 - 1 0 : 3 6
I I . Re c o r d o f t h e k i n g s o f Is ra e l a n d J u d a h : 1 1 : 1 - 1 7 : 4 1 . C o n t i n u e d f r o m t h e I K i n g s r e c o r d .
I I I . Re i g n s o f J u d a h ' s k i n g s : H e z e k i a h t o Ze d e k i a h : 1 8 : 1 - 2 5 : 3 0 ( S e e c h a r t o f t h e k i n g s .)

18
B I B L E S U RV E Y
V. I AND II KINGS

1.Kings 1&2 record the disintegration of Israel's 12 tribes.

Revelation 7 describes the future uniting of these tribes.

2.King Solomon, a main character in the book of I Kings, wrote

Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon.

3.The following charts of the kings of Israel and Judah will assist
you as you study the books of the Kings and Chronicles.

BIBLE SURVEY 19
V. I AND II KINGS

BIBLE SURVEY 20
VI. I AND II CHRONICLES

AUTHOR: Unknown. Possibly Ezra.

TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: Record of the religious histor y of Judah.
KEY VERSE: I Chronicles 29:11 / 2 Chronicles 7:14
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: When God is exalted His people are blessed. / God's blessing
comes through humbling ourselves and seeking Him.
MAIN CHARACTERS: King David, Solomon / King Solomon and his successors from Rehoboam to
Zedekiah.

OUTLINE: I CHRONICLES
I. Genealogies from Adam to David: 1:1-9:44
II. Histor y of King David: 10:1-29:30
OUTLINE: 2 CHRONICLES
I. Histor y of King Solomon: 1:1-9:31
II. Histor y of the kings of Judah: 10:1-36:23
BIBLE SURVEY 21
VI. I AND II CHRONICLES

Although there is much similar material in the books of II Samuel, the Kings, and the
Chronicles, each book is written to accomplish a specif ic purpose.
For example, II Samuel and I and II Kings present the political histor y of both Israel and
Judah. In I and II Chronicles a detailed religious histor y of Judah only is presented.
II Samuel and I and II Kings focus on the rulers and prophets of the period. I and II
Chronicles focus on the priests and the temple.
As you study these books in detail, look for the dif fering emphasis of the material which is
repeated.

2. II Chronicles is a book of revivals. Great revivals occurred under:

-Asa: II Chronicles 15
-Jehosaphat: II Chronicles 20
-Joash: II Chronicles 23-24
-Hezekiah: II Chronicles 29-31
-Josiah: II Chronicles 35

BIBLE SURVEY 22
VII. EZRA

AUTHOR: Ezra
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: Records the return of Israel from exile and rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple.
KEY VERSE: Ezra 6:16
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Return and restoration are basic principles of repentance.
MAIN CHARACTERS: Ezra, Jeshua, Zerubbabel, Cyrus, Haggai, Zechariah, Artaxerxes

OUTLINE
I. Restoration under Zerubbabel: 1:1-6:22
A. First return of exiles: 1:1-2:70
B. Restoration of public worship : 3:1-6:22
II. Reforms under Ezra: 7:1-10:44
A. Second Return of Exiles 7:1-8:36
B. Correction of social evils: 9:1-10:44

BIBLE SURVEY 23
VII. EZRA

1. Read Psalms 137. This chapter records the sorrow of God's people as they made the trip from
Jerusalem to captivity in Babylon. Read Psalms 126 which describes the joy of the return to
Jerusalem from captivity.
2. The divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah were both taken captive by enemies. Israel was
taken captive by Assyria in 721 B.C. Judah was taken captive by Babylon in 606 B.C.
3. There were three trips into Babylonian bondage. In Ezra, there are three journeys back to the
Promised Land.

Three trips into Babylon:

-In the days of Daniel: 606 B.C.
-In the days of Ezekiel: 597 B.C.
-In the days of King Zedekiah: 586 B.C.

Three trips into freedom:

-Led by Zerubbabel and Joshua: 538 B.C.
-Led by Ezra: 456 B.C.
-Led by Nehemiah: 446 B.C.
BIBLE SURVEY 24
VIII. NEHEMIAH

AU THOR: Nehem iah

TO W HOM : Israel
PU RPOSE: Continuation of the histor y of Israel. Record of the rebuilding of the
walls of Jerusalem .
KEY VERSE: Nehem iah 6:3
LIFE A N D M IN ISTRY PRIN CIPLE: There is no oppor tunity without opposition.
Faith without works is dead.
M A IN CHA RACTERS: Nehem iah, Sanballat, Geshem , Gashm u, Shem iah, Tobiah,
Hananiah, Ezra, Ar taxer xes

OU TLIN E
I. Introduction: 1:1-11
II. Preparation for the task: 2:1-20
III. Restoration of the walls: 3:1-6:19
IV. Control and census: 7:1-73
V. Religious reform s by Ezra and Nehem iah: 8:1-13:31

BIBLE SURVEY 25
VIII. NEHEMIAH

NEHEMIAHʼS TEN INSPIRATIONAL SLOGANS:

-The good hand of my God upon me: 2:8
-Let us rise up and build: 2:18
-The God of Heaven will prosper us: 2:20
-The people had a mind to work: 4:6
-Remember the Lord and fight: 4:14
-God shall fight for us: 4:20
-O God, strengthen my hands: 6:9
-This work was wrought of our God: 6:16
-The joy of the Lord is our strength: 8:10
-Remember, O My God: 13:29,31
BIBLE SURVEY 26
VIII. NEHEMIAH

1. A work for God will always be met by human and Satanic opposition both internal and external.
As you study the book of Nehemiah, make a list of the various attacks of the enemy designed to
stop the work of God.

2. The gates in the wall around Jerusalem are a type of the Christian life. That means although
they were actual gates, they were also symbols of spiritual truth:

BIBLE SURVEY 27
IX. ESTHER

AUTHOR: Unknown
TO WHOM: The Jews scattered throughout Persia.
PURPOSE: Continuation of histor y of Israel. Also to recount the providential care of God for His
people.
KEY VERSE: Esther 4:14
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: God meets the crises of life with human vessels which He has
prepared.
MAIN CHARACTERS: Esther, Vashti, Haman, Mordecai, Ahasuerus

OU TLIN E
I. Introduction: 1:1-22
II. A new queen: 2:1-21
II. A new queen: 2:1-21
IV. Despair and deliverance: 4:1-7:10
V. The new kingdom order: 8:1-10:3
BIBLE SURVEY 28
IX. ESTHER

1. The longest verse in the Bible is Esther 8:9. It contains 90 words in the King
Jam es version.

2. Note the contrasts between the books of Ruth and Esther:

-Ruth was a Gentile who lived am ong Jews.
-Esther was a Jew who lived am ong Gentiles.
-Ruth m arried a Jew.
-Esther m arried a Gentile.
The outcom e of both stories was determ ined through a m idnight m eeting:
-Ruth talked with Boaz: Ruth 3:8-13
-Ham an talked with the king: Esther 6:1-10

BIBLE SURVEY 29
CONCLUSION

HISTORY IS THE RECORD OF AN ENCOUNTER

BETWEEN CHARACTER AND CIRCUMSTANCE.

Moreover He said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall
speak unto thee receive in thine heart and hear with thine ears.
(Ezekiel 3:10)

BIBLE SURVEY 30