Nation of Israel (in a Semester)
As promised (and after way too much time spent on it - i.e. since the end of July), here's the plan for the fall Bible class I'm teaching at Wildwood Christian School. The class begins this afternoon. If you've got nothing better to do the next four months, why not study along with us?
Objectives The intent of Wildwood’s Bible class is to be a stand-alone study and support apologetic for Wildwood’s Humanities class, which this year is studying Antiquity - the development of civilization from the Flood to the Incarnation. By comparing various ancient civilizations, their structures, governments, arts, significant figures, and religious practices with those of ancient Israel, we will trace Israel's development from a loose confederation of tribes to a monarchy to a divided monarchy to the dispersion throughout Persia.
This study will include various internal and external historical touchstones (Mesopotamian leaders/events, Egyptian leaders/events), as well as key aspects of the Covenant and Israel’s growing (or declining) relationship with God, understanding why Israel was (and was to be) different from other civilizations. In addition, the class will have as its secondary purpose establishing some fundamentals of Bible study. We will briefly discuss the basics of hermeneutical methods, but will primarily achieve this goal through the practice and usage of methods and principles, honing our skills as well use them.
Introductions/Hermeneutics 1M, 8/28: Overview/Expectations/Syllabus/Q&A/Approaching the Scriptures 1W, 8/30: Understanding Literary/Historical Context; Analyzing Narrative; Developing Themes; Making Application Have read: “Observing What Is There” by Daniel M. Doriani (handout) Have skimmed: Genesis 12-25 Reflection Paper #1 Assigned
Origins and Exodus of Israel 2M, 9/4: No class – Labor Day 2W, 9/6: Patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph; Emancipation – Moses, Pharaoh, Passover, Sinai (Genesis-Exodus) Have read/skimmed: Genesis 26-50; Exodus 1-20:21 Reflection Paper #1 Due
Instruction of Israel 3M, 9/11: Quiz #1/Wanderings and Preparation Have read/skimmed: Exodus 23:20-24:18; 32-34; Numbers 1-14; 20:2-13; 27:12-23; 33:50-56 Have memorized: Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20:1-11) 3W, 9/13: Worship and Offerings Have read: Deuteronomy 1-18 Have skimmed: Leviticus 1-10
Instruction of Israel 4M, 9/18: Law and Justice Have read: Deuteronomy 19-26 Have skimmed: Leviticus 11-24 4W, 9/20: Covenant and Jubilee Have read: Deuteronomy 27-34 Have skimmed: Leviticus 25-27 Research Paper Assigned
Premonarchic Israel 5M, 9/25: Canaan Occupation Have read/skimmed: Joshua 5W, 9/27: Judges Have read/skimmed: Judges Reflection Paper #2 Assigned
United Monarchy 6M, 10/2: Quiz #2/Samuel, Saul, David Have read/skimmed: 1 Samuel 6W, 10/4: David Have read/skimmed: Ruth, 2 Samuel 1-1 Kings 2:12 Reflection Paper #2 Due
United Monarchy 7M, 10/9: No class – Columbus Day 7W, 10/11: Solomon Have read/skimmed: 1 Kings 2:13-11:43
Midterm 8M, 10/16: Review 8W, 10/18: Midterm
Division of the Monarchy/Kingdom 9M, 10/23: Jeroboam-Rehoboam Have read/skimmed: 1 Kings 11-14 9W: 10/25: Abijah-Ahab, Amos Have read/skimmed: 1 Kings 15-16:28; Amos
Kings and Prophets 10M, 10/30: Quiz #3/Ahab, Elijah Have read/skimmed: 1 Kings 16:29-22 10W, 11/1: Ahaziah, Elisha Have read/skimmed: 2 Kings 1-8 Research Paper Due
Kings and Prophets 11M, 11/6: Student Presentations/Jehu-Athalia Have read/skimmed: 2 Kings 9:16-11:20 11W, 11/8: Student Presentations/Joash-Hoshea Have read/skimmed: 2 Kings 11:21-17:41; Jonah; Micah
Kings and Prophets 11M, 11/13: Student Presentations/Hezekiah Have read/skimmed: 2 Kings 18-20; Isaiah 11W, 11/15: Student Presentations/Manasseh-Amon Have read/skimmed: 2 Kings 21; Hosea; Obadiah; Micah; Nahum
Fall 12M, 11/20: Student Presentations/Josiah-Zedekiah Have read/skimmed: 2 Kings 22-25; Zephaniah; Habakkuk 12W, 11/22: Student Presentations/Kings Review Have read/skimmed: None
Exile Among the Nations 13M, 11/27: Quiz #4/Babylon Have read/skimmed: Joel, Ezekiel 13W, 11/29: Persia Have read/skimmed: Daniel; Zechariah; Haggai; Malachi Reflection Paper #3 Assigned
Post-Exile 14M, 12/4: Glory Days Revisited Have read/skimmed: 1 Chronicles 14W, 12/6: Divided Days Revisited Have read/skimmed: 2 Chronicles; Jeremiah; Lamentations Reflection Paper #3 Due
Finals 15M, 12/11: Review 15W, 12/13: Final
Overall Workload • Four quizzes • Three 1-page reflection papers • One 5-page (11th-12th graders)/3-page (9th-10th graders) research paper/presentation • One written mid-term • One oral group final • Weekly Bible readings