Bible curriculum
GSCA Bible Curriculum
PURPOSE and SCOPE:
The Bible Department of Good Shepherd Christian Academy has been intentionally named. These classes have been and continue to be developed with a specific result in mind. The goal of these classes is students with both a broad and deep understanding of the Biblical narrative. The majority of study in theses classes will center on God's redemptive activity towards humanity that culminates in the person of Jesus Christ the Son of God and Man. The overarching theme of all GSCA Bible classes is Christology, that is, the study of the person and work of Jesus Christ whether pre-incarnate, incarnate, or exulted. Generally speaking, the lesser themes that will be examined and discussed are as follows:
Authorship
Characters
Chronology
Geography
Historicity
Inspiration
Setting
Tradition
Unity
SEQUENCE:
The Bible Department of Good Shepherd Christian Academy requires the following courses for the following academic years:
6th grade: Old Testament Survey I
7th grade: Old Testament Survey II
8th grade: New Testament Survey
9th grade: Synoptic Gospels
10th grade: Epistles of the Apostle Paul
11th grade: Writings of the Apostle John
12th grade 1st semester: Epistle To Hebrews
12th grade 2nd semester: Biblical Ethics and Apologetics
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
Old Testament Survey I:
In this year long course sixth graders will be exposed to the general chronology of the Old Testament as well as its main personalities. The course objective is to give the students the adequate knowledge so they can understand, appreciate and manage this vast amount of material; each student will gain added appreciation of the Old Testament. Students are required to memorize appropriate scriptures that emphasize Old Testament themes. This course is intended to give students a "big-picture" view of the Old Testament. Required Text(s): NIV version of the Old Testament
Old Testament Survey II:
This year long course will offer seventh grade students the opportunity to study the Books of the Old Testament in greater detail. Starting with the book of Genesis, this course teaches students to extract meaning from the narratives of the Old Testament. The focus of this course is Salvation History; students are required to memorize appropriate scriptures that emphasize this Old Testament theme. Both Old Testament Survey Courses are intended to give students an adequate background from which to effectively study the New Testament. Required Text(s): NIV version of the Old Testament
New Testament Survey:
In this course eighth graders will take a year long look at breadth of the New Testament. General chronology and geography and well as main personalities will be studied. The different genera of each New Testament book will be an added focus of New Testament Survey. The epistle of James will be focused on lightly. Students are required to memorize appropriate scriptures that emphasize New Testament themes. Required Text(s): NIV version of the New Testament
Writings of the Apostle John:
Beginning with John's gospel, ninth grade students will perform a close examination of the apostle's three epistles, gospel and the revelation. Students will examine how the different genre of these writings effects their interpretation and meaning. The main themes that will be looked at are John's use of the antithetical pairs. Some examples are light/darkness, belief/doubt, suffering/glory, truth/grace, etc. Students are required to memorize appropriate scriptures that emphasize these themes. Students will also be required to use their artistic ability to present the messages of these writings. Required Text(s): NIV version of the New Testament; The Jesus I Never New by Phillip Yancey
The Pauline Corpus:
Using the book of Acts as a backdrop, this course gives tenth grade students the opportunity to examine the thirteen epistles attributed to the apostle Paul. The canonical and chronological orders will be examined. The historical and geographical situation, as well as the main themes of each epistle will be a major focus of this course. Two other themes that students will extract from these epistles are the apostles Christology and his view on the Holy Spirit. Required Text: NIV version of the New Testament
The Synoptic Gospels:
This course will guide ninth grade students through an in-depth study of the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Similarities and differences between these three documents will be examined and discussed. The historical and geographical situation of these gospels will be studied and provide a backdrop for God's final revelation of himself in the person of Jesus Christ. Students will be introduced to the historical Jesus of Nazareth; his birth, life, teachings, miracles, passion and resurrection will be major focuses. Students will also be required to write one book review. Required Text: NIV version of the Synoptic Gospels; The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
Epistles of Peter (I & II) James and Hebrews:
Twelfth grade students, during their first semester, will embark on an in-depth study of the these four epistles origionally written for Jewish audiences. Students will be taught to wrestle with the questions of authorship, original destination and canonicity. Thematic studies will arise out of a verse-by-verse analysis of these epistles. The major themes that will be discussed are as follows: the unity of scripture, the superiority of Jesus our great High priest, the importance of both faith and works in times of trial. Students will also compare and contrast Hebrews to the the epistle of Barnabas. Required Text: NIV version of the Bible; Hebrews (Life Application Bible Commentary by B.B. Barton, D. Veerman, L.K. Taylor
Biblical Ethics and Apologetics
During their second semester, seniors will examine the biblical perspective on ethical behavior. Beginning in the book of Genesis and ending with the writings of the apostles students will observe the progression of ethical thought and behavior throughout scripture. The main question that students will have to wrestle with is how the transcendent person of Jesus fits into this discussion. Students will also be presented with a number of current issues facing the world and the church; from this point students will be required to develop and defend their own biblical world view. Required Text(s): NIV version of the Bible; The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis
Previous page: Mr. Stage
Next page: Mrs.Beierman