Learning
Experiences for Old Testament Survey
Please read through this entire
section thoroughly. It contains important information on assignments as well as
submission instructions. Please note: all learning experiences must be
completed before a final grade can be issued.
Required Textbooks
A Bible of your choice (I recommend
reading from a study Bible of some type for help on answering questions)
* you are expected
to read the entire Old Testament during the scope of the class.I am not
assigning a schedule for this. I recommend that you read through the Old
Testament carefully, but not for tight recall (something between skimming and
memorizing).I recommend you read Baylis FIRST (see below for this textbook),
and then go back and read your Old Testament to the point where the section in
Baylis ended.This way you can also concentrate your closest reading to chapters
actually discussed by Baylis.
Albert Baylis, From Creation to the Cross:
Understanding the First Half of the Bible (Zond, 377 pp.)
John Sailhamer, Old Testament History (Zond,
96 pp.)
Recommended
Methodology for Learning Experiences:
As a way to assist you in
getting the most out of the learning experiences below, I suggest you do the
following:
For the questions from the end
of each chapter in Baylis:
Read Baylis thoroughly (I expect you to read the footnotes
– at least the ones where he discusses points made in the text).Do only the
assigned questions in Baylis (see the listing below; the numbers refer to the
"For interaction and Discussion" sections at the end of each of
Baylis's chapters).Please answer these questions on separate sheets of paper
according to these directions:
Baylis
lessons are
to be TYPED and at least 1.5 spaced (double spacing is best), with fonts no
larger than 12 point, and margins no larger than one inch. If you do not have access to a
word-processor, assignments may be hand written, but will be returned if they
are illegible. Staple the pages together, and put your name on the assignment! Type
out the question first, and then the answer below it.
Individual lesson grades
are maintained by the instructor, not Taylor University.Keep accurate records
for yourself. You should keep photocopies of all materials turned in for
grading.
Assignment # 1 -
Preliminary Reading Assignment– Read Sailhamer through completely to get a feel for
the flow of OT history. Write down each period in the table of contents on a
piece of paper and below each of these "headings" list important
persons and events pertinent to that section. Write no more than on both sides
(i.e., you should put all this down on one sheet of paper using both sides). Mail
me a copy of what you produce (be sure to keep a copy for yourself to study
from later).This will help you as a quick visual reference as you progress
through the OT, and for the final exam. The preliminary assignment is worth 25
pts.
Assignment # 2 – Course Long
Assignment -By
the end of the course, you must turn in (typed) a book-by-book listing of all
the books in the Old Testament with the following information for each:(1) Who
wrote the book – along with a brief overview of the evidence that is used for
this conclusion; (2) Approximately when the book is believed to have been
written – again, along with a brief overview of the evidence that is used for
this conclusion.
My advice is to use a good study Bible
for this assignment, but you may use any other helpful books or internet sites.
Other Assignments - Written
Assignments from Baylis' book
Each assignment based on the
chapters in Baylis is worth 50 pts.
Questions to be answered from Baylis:
Pt. 1
Genesis 1-11: Basics for Understanding Life
The God
of Creation (Genesis 1); Q's 4 through 6
The
Story of Human Relationships (Genesis 2-3); Q's
3 through 7
The
Effects of Sin: Loss of Order and Balance (Genesis 3-11); Q's 1 through 4
Pt. 2 Genesis
12-Deuteronomy: God's Plan for Reversal
A New
Beginning (Genesis 12-50); Q's 2
through 4, 6 and 7
A
Redeemed People (Exodus); Q's 3
through 7, 11 and 12
A New
Nation: The Law (Exodus-Numbers); Q's
1, 4 through 9
Living
the Life: The Challenge of Deuteronomy; Q's 2 through 6
Pt. 3 Joshua-2
Kings: Struggle for Consistency
Living
by Faith (Joshua, Judges, and Ruth); Q's
1-2, 4, 7-8
Modification to Monarchy (Samuel); Q's 1-2, 4 through 6
Nation
Heading for Judgment (Kings); Q's 1
through 3, 6-7
Pt. 4 Life in the
Land
Praise
and Petition (The Psalms); Q's 1, 3
through 6
Prudent
Living (Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs); Q's 1 through 5, 9
The
Prophets of the Divided Kingdom; Q's
1-2, 5-6
The
Prophets of Judah and Exile; Q's 1
through 3, 5
Pt. 5 Restoration
and Hope
A Peg
in the Holy Place (Ezra-Nehemiah, Chronicles, Esther); Q's 1 through 4, 8
The
Second Temple (Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi); Q's 1 through 3, 6
Themes
for the Future: New Testament Update; Q's
1 through 6
Final Assignment (Final Exam)
Upon completion of all the
assignments above, I will mail the student the Final Exam. The exam must be
proctored by either someone in Christian leadership (like your pastor), or an
adult outside your family. You must provide (on the exam) the proctor's name,
telephone number, and email address.
The exam will cover the above four
"Learning Results." You will have to be able to trace OT history
(I'll give you major periods out of order, and you will be required to put them
in order and discuss each).You will also have to list (write) the books of the
OT in order in under ten minutes (your exam proctor will certify your ability
to do this). I will also give you either chapters or themes on the exam, and
you will be required to give me the corresponding content or chapter number
(these will be drawn primarily – but not exclusively – from Baylis).Lastly, I
will ask you broad questions that you may answer with the assistance of a Bible
(drawn primarily – but again not exclusively – from Baylis).I am assuming (for
questions outside immediate comments from Baylis) that, during the course of
the class, you have been reading important chapters from the Old Testament for
understanding, and not just skimming them.
