BI 101 – Old Testament Survey
Fall 2014 Syllabus
J. Michael Lester
I.
Course Description
This class will give each student an overview of the Old Testament. We will walk through each book,
learning its significance, key words, key verses, and key truths for New Testament believers.
As this is a “survey,” it is merely introductory in nature. There are great truths that deserve to be
studied in greater detail. That duty falls to you as you study to show yourself approved…
II.
Course Objectives
As a result of taking this class, each student should be:
1. Equipped with a basic understanding of the Old Testament Scriptures.
2. Able to highlight the portraits of Christ given in the Old Testament.
3. Able to demonstrate that God’s plan for the Jewish people was one of redemption, promised in
Genesis 3:15 and culminating at the Cross.
4. Prepared with background information on each book. Background information would include
geography, authorship, date, and contemporary books / prophets corresponding to that time.
5. Developing an appreciation for both halves of our Bible.
6. Able to list the basic theme of each book.
7. Able to list each key phrase and key verse from each book.
8. Able to distinguish the kings and prophets of each kingdom.
9. Able to chronologically list the kings of Judah and Israel.
10. Able to successfully pass a final examination at the end of this semester.
III. Course Requirements
1. Read the Old Testament Section from the textbook (Exploring the Scriptures, John Phillips) one
time. You will type out a 1-page summary of the book.
a. This is to be double-spaced, with Times New Roman size 12 font, due Wednesday,
December 3.
b. Project must be submitted by email to lesterprojects@wcbc.edu by 5pm on the date due.
c. Project should include a title page.
d. Project should be submitted as one attachment in PDF or Word format. The title page should
be included with your paper and not as a separate attachment.
e. No late projects will be accepted.
2.
Read through the entire Old Testament by the end of the semester. There will be weekly reading
quizzes to ensure progress. We will follow the calendar at the end of the syllabus.
a. Reading quizzes will follow this schedule:
1. September 17
Read through Exodus 32
2. September 24
Read through Numbers 15
3. October 1
Read through Joshua 4
4. October 15
Read through I Kings 22
5. October 29
Read through Esther 10
1
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
November 5
November 12
November 19
December 3
December 8
Read through Psalms 38
Read through Psalm 125
Read through Isaiah 13
Read through Ezekiel 37
Read through Malachi 4
NOTE: The combined weight of your reading for this class is 35%. It is recommended that
you do not fall behind.
3. You will create a list that shows the chronological development of the kings of Judah starting with
Saul, due November 17.
4. You will also create a list that shows the chronological development of the kings of Israel starting
with Saul, due November 17.
a. For both #3 and 4, creativity and layout will better the grade.
b. It may be just a simple list or a colored time-line.
c. The “spirit” of this assignment is for you to have a tool to help you navigate through 1-2
Samuel, 1-2 Kings, and 1-2 Chronicles. The more time you spend on developing this tool, the
better you will be able to understand all of the different kings of Israel and Judah.
d. Projects must be submitted by email to lesterprojects@wcbc.edu by 5pm on the date due.
e. Projects should include a title page.
f. Projects should be submitted as one attachment in PDF or Word format. The title page should
be included with your paper and not as a separate attachment.
g. No late projects will be accepted.
5. Learn the following Bible verses:
a. Genesis 3:15
b. Deuteronomy 6:4
c. Psalm 23
d. Proverbs 3:5-6
e. Ecclesiastes 12:1-2
f. Isaiah 7:14
g. Micah 6:8
h. Daniel 1:8
Memory verses are to be learned verbatim with correct spelling. You will be tested over these verses
on November 24.
IV.
Spiritual and Academic Integrity
Classroom Behavior
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.
Attendance Policy
2
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.
If you are absent on a quiz or test day, it is your responsibility to know what you have missed. Each
student will have 48 hours (excluding weekends) from the end of class to make up his missed test or
quiz. If these are not made up within that time frame, they will be recorded as a 0. Make-up tests
may be more difficult and comprehensive than the test given in class.
Late Testing times are 6:45am Tuesday through Friday and 1:00pm Monday through Friday. For
AM late testing, forms must be turned in the day prior by 5 pm. For PM late testing, forms must be
turned in the day of by 10:30 am.
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.
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.
V.
Grading
a.
b.
c.
d.
VI.
Old Testament Reading Quizzes
Projects
Quizzes/Tests
Exams
35%
15%
30%
20%
Contact Info
I am looking forward to teaching this class and prayerfully asking God to use this class to equip you
in preparation for your ministry through the mighty working of the Holy Spirit, both in your life and
mine. If there is any way I can be of assistance, please email me or stop by my office on the second
floor of the North Building.
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 via email. I WANT TO
TALK TO YOU! Don’t 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!
1. Personal Email
2. Assignment Submission
3. Cell
4. Office Hours
mike.lester@wcbc.edu
lesterprojects@wcbc.edu
661.466.3429
In office every day until 5
3
5. Additional Resources
http://lester.wcbc.edu
Old Testament Survey Fall 2014
Assignments
Reading Quiz #1 - Exodus 32
Quiz #1
Reading Quiz #2 - Numbers 15
Reading Quiz #3 - Joshua 4
Reading Quiz #4 - I Kings 22
Quiz #2
Midterm Exam
Reading Quiz #5 - Esther 10
Reading Quiz #6 - Psalms 38
Quiz #3
Reading Quiz #7 - Psalm 125
Kings of Judah
Kings of Israel
Reading Quiz #8 - Isaiah 13
Verse Test
Quiz #4
Reading Quiz #9 - Ezekiel 37
Exploring the Scriptures Summary
Quiz #5
Reading Quiz #10 - Malachi 4
Final Review
Final Exam
Total
Date
17-Sep
24-Sep
24-Sep
1-Oct
15-Oct
15-Oct
22-Oct
29-Oct
5-Nov
12-Nov
12-Nov
17-Nov
17-Nov
19-Nov
24-Nov
24-Nov
3-Dec
3-Dec
3-Dec
8-Dec
8-Dec
10&12-Dec
%
3.5
3
3.5
3.5
3.5
3
10
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
5
5
3.5
6
3.5
3.5
5
3
3.5
8
10
100
4
1 inch margins
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WEST COAST BAPTIST COLLEGE
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PROJECT TITLE
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A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO
BROTHER MIKE LESTER
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE
BI 101
OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY
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BY
JOHN DOE
BOX #
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LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA
7 FEBRUARY 2012
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