Welcome and Introduction
Welcome! You are starting your study of the world’s most wonderful book, the Bible. Welcome into the ever-widening circle of people who are earnestly seeking a fuller understanding of God’s Word. This may well be one of the most important decisions of your life.
AN ATTRACTIVE AND IMPRESSIVE certificate of completion is waiting for you when you finish the five lessons. For best results complete at least one lesson per week. Each lesson will mean more if you will first read the full color booklet through leisurely, then study it more in detail. Bible references follow many of the paragraphs you may read the truths of the Bible for yourself. Each lesson is concluded with 100 review questions. Each question is followed by a reference showing where the answer may be found.
PART ONE of the Visualized Bible Study Series is entitled “The Patriarchal Age.” During this first period of Bible history God ruled men through family and tribal heads called “Patriarchs.” Beginning with the Creation this Bible age reaches all the way to the time of Moses and the Exodus of God’s people from the land of Egypt.
FOR MANY YEARS FAMILIES have realized the importance of God’s written word. (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14, 15). The Bible contains the greatest message of the ages. God’s word is the most important book on earth because it is God’s only written revelation to man. Reading and studying the Bible daily is extremely important. When Jesus comes again, each of us will be judged by the Bible (Revelation 20:12).
THE BIBLE TELLS US that we will live forever even after death.1 The Bible is the only book that reveals where man came from, his purpose on earth and what he is to believe and do to live with God eternally.2 As you read the Bible you can be perfectly confident that every event and every person referred to in the Bible is in perfect harmony with all known secular history. Even topographical and geographical references to rivers, lakes, physical terrain, and distances, are absolutely correct. Give yourself a chance to know this Book of Life.
1John 5:28, 29. 2 2 Timothy 3:15-17.
PICTURES PAINTED BY skilled professional artists are used throughout this series to help acquaint you with the world’s only divinely inspired book, the Bible. Although about forty different men of varying backgrounds, castes, and cultures had a part in writing the Bible over a period of sixteen hundred years, it contains a remarkable unity of message and harmony of purpose. This harmony is no accident. These writers were guided by Divine Wisdom.1 Therefore, the Bible is the mind of God in human language. The apostle Peter said, “. . . for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).
1Galatians 1:11, 12.
THIS CHART SHOWS that the Bible is actually a library of sixty-six books. The top 3 shelves represent the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament. The bottom shelf represents the twenty-seven books of the New Testament. Both testaments are very important to the Christian, but the New Testament books are the Christian’s guide for today.1 For example, when a person desires to become a Christian, he can read the New Testament Book of Acts in which examples of conversions are recorded.2
1Hebrews 1:1, 2. 2Acts 2, 8, 16.
THREE PERIODS OF BIBLE HISTORY are implied in Romans 5:12-21: Adam to Moses, Moses to Jesus Christ, and from Jesus Christ on. These three eras are known as The Patriarchal Age, The Mosaic Age and the Christian Age. Notice at the bottom of the charts that during the first period God spoke to the fathers. In the second period He gave His law by Moses. In the third period, in which we now live, the gospel came by Jesus Christ.1 Once a person sees the overall picture of the Bible, he is able to understand, appreciate and study it more intelligently.
1John 1:17; Hebrews 1:1, 2; Romans 5:12-15.