THE BIBLE BOOK BY BOOK.
A MANUAL.
For the Outline Study of the Bible by Books.
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Chapter I.
Genesis.
The Name means beginning, origin, or creation. The leading thought,
therefore, is creation and we should study it with a view to finding
out everything, the beginning of which is recorded in it. Certainly we
have the record of: (1) The beginning of the world which God created.
(2) The beginning of man as the creature of God. (3) The beginning of
sin, which entered the world through the disobedience of man. (4) The
beginning of redemption, seen alike in the promises and types of the
book and in the chosen family. (5) The beginning of condemnation, seen
in the destruction and punishment of individuals, cities and the
world.
The Purpose. The chief purpose of the book is to write a religious
history, showing how, after man had fallen into sin, God began to give
him a religion and to unfold to him a plan of salvation. In doing this
God is revealed as Creator, Preserver, Law-Giver, Judge and Merciful
Sovereign.
The Importance of Genesis to Science. While the book does not attempt
to explain many matters which are left to investigation, it does set
out several facts which indicate the general plan of the universe and
furnish a basis for scientific research. Among the more important
things indicated are that: (1) There was a beginning of things. (2)
Things did not come by chance. (3) There is a Creator who continues to
take interest in and control the universe. (4) There was orderly
progress in creation from the less and more simple to the greater and
more complex. (5) Everything else was brought into existence for man
who is the crowning work of creation.
The Religious Importance of the Book. The germ of all truth which is
unfolded in the scripture is found in Genesis and to know well this
book is to know God’s plan for the blessing of man. Above all we learn
about the nature and work of God.
Analysis.
Note. In an ordinary academy class I would not tax the students with
the memory of more than the general divisions indicated by the Roman
notation, I, etc. But, in this, and all other outlines, drill the
class till these divisions, with the scripture included, are known
perfectly. I would also try to fix some event mentioned in each
section.
I. Creation, Chs. 1-2.
1. Creation in general, Ch. 1.
2. Creation of man in particular, Ch. 2.
II. Fall. Ch. 3.
1 Temptation, 1-5.
2. Fall, 6-8.
3. Lord’s appearance, 9-13.
4. Curse, 14-21. 5. Exclusion from the garden, 22-24.
III. Flood, Chs. 4-9.
1. Growth of sin through Cain, 4:1-24.
2. Genealogy of Noah, 4: 25-5 end,
3. Building of the Ark, Ch. 6.
4. Occupying the Ark, Ch. 7.
5. Departure from the Ark, Ch. 8.
6. Covenant with Noah, Ch. 9.
IV. Nations, 10:1-11:9.
1. Basis of Nations, Noah’s sons, Ch. 10. How?
2. Occasion of forming the nations, 11:1-9. Why?
V. Abraham, 11:10-25:18.
1. Genealogy of Abram from Shem, 11:10 end.
2. Call and promise, Ch. 12.
3. Abraham and Lot, Chs. 13-14.
4. Covenant, 15: 1-18: 15.
5. Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, 18:16-19 end.
6. Lives at Gerar, Ch. 20.
7. Birth of Isaac, Ch. 21.
8. Sacrifice of Isaac, Ch. 22.
9. Death of Sarah, Ch. 23.
10. Marriage of Isaac, Ch. 24.
11. Death of Abraham and Ishmael, 25:1-18.
VI. Isaac. 26:19-36 end.
1. His two sons, 25:19 end.
2. Divine covenant. Ch. 26.
3. Jacob’s deception, Ch. 27.
4. Jacob’s flight into Haran, Ch. 28.
5. Jacob’s marriage and prosperity, Chs. 20-30.
6. Jacob’s return to Canaan. Chs, 31-35.
7. Generations of Esau, Ch. 36.
VII. Jacob, including Joseph, Chs. 37-50.
1. Jacob and Joseph, Chs. 37-45.
2. Sojourn in Egypt, Chs. 46-48.
3. Death of Jacob and Joseph, Chs. 49-50.
For Study and Discussion. (1) All that we may learn from this book
concerning the nature and work of God. (2) The different things the
origin of which this book tells: (a) Inanimate things, (b) Plant life,
(c) Animal life, (d) Human life, (e) Devices for comfort and safety,
(f) Sin and its varied effects, (g) Various trades and manners of
life, (h) Redemption, (i) Condemnation. (3) Worship as it appears in
Genesis, its form and development. (4) The principal men of the book
and the elements of weakness and strength in the character of each.
The teacher may make a list and assign them for study to different
pupils. (5) List the disappointments, family troubles and sorrows of
Jacob, and study them in the light of his early deception and fraud.
(6) The over-ruling divine providence seen in the career of Joseph,
with the present day lessons from the incidents of his life. (7) The
fundamental value of faith in the life and destiny of men. (8) The
Messianic promises, types and symbols of the entire book. List and
classify them.
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