I cannot argue nor deny that bible study tools can be very useful when studying the word of God. Its refreshing that this chapter points out how important to study it yourself first, relying solely on the Holy Spirit to teach you the word of God before venturing out and relying on…

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I’m Godwin Kwame Botchway, from Ghana and I’m here to learn

I’m very happy to be here

In the three part structure, it changes the narrative of the text. I found out that in the three part stucture arrangement more emphasis was given on the on…

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I have come to understand that with regards to the bible, some versions are translated and some are paraphrased in order to make understanding easier. In order to express the nuances of another language, additional words have to be inserted only when necessary. For me, it raised a…

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This chapter has helped me a lot. Sometimes questions arise regarding the word of God and it can become challenging knowing exactly where to start searching for the answers.

I am now in a position to know exactly where to start looking for answers for questions that I may have…

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we’re glad to update you on a recent change to the Bible Institute Menu. When you access the site, instead of the regular Sign-in button, you now have a Student Dashboard button. This is your new sign-in page, which takes you to your personal student dashboard.

Take advantage of this dashboard to monitor your progress per course,…

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Ratifying the covenant, or making it an active reality, is a solemn ritual. The people of Israel enter into the covenant with Yahweh voluntarily and eagerly. The blood of the covenant marks people as members of the covenant community.

It was interesting to see how the bible is broken down into different categories. This is what stood out for me in the lesson. Going forward, I will now be able to know exactly which part of God’s word I am interacting with when I read the word of God. This will help align my thinking and towards the book I will be reading at…

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Remember: Do Not use AI in your responses!

Also remember that we’re here to help. If you have any issues with a course, or have questions about something you’re studying, just send me a direct message and we will be glad to help you.

Have a great time!

Brain Tanko!

My name is Reinhard from Lagos, Nigeria. I am really glad to be in this Online Bible Institute community, to learn and grow in the knowledge of God along with everyone here.

Thank you all for the opportunity to be here. I look forward to learning from everyone in this community.

May God bless you all.

Best regards,

Reinhard Okokon.

Remember that YOU ARE REQUIRED to comment meaningfully on the posts of at least 2 other students for your work to be graded. For every post you make, you must comment on the posts of other students.

So, do not just make your post and go on to the next thing on your list. Your interaction with…

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I serve as a minister of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and i also work as a teacher under the Ministry of Education in Malawi.

I am very glad to be part of this ministry and i look…

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Chapter 1: The Alphabet

My learning started with a zeal to understand how to read and write and be conversant as reading and writing of A,B,Cs. l had to familiarize on the Hebrew chart where l memorized the Hebrew Alphabet from Alef, Bet, Gimmel, Dalet, Hey, Vav, Zayin, Chet, Tet, Yod, Kaf, Mem, Nun, Samech, Ayin, Pey, Tsade, Qof,…

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BIBLE BACKGROUND

This chapter generally talks about the chronological history of the Bible. The chronological history of the Bible organizes Bible events that happened in proper order. (In the order of how the events happened).

The history of the Bible has been divided into twelve major periods,…

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MODULE 3: SESSION 21: Defining the Conquest

God is the one who drives out the enemy. He tasks Israel with destroying the places of worship and eliminating any room for other gods in the land. The conquest is not ethnic cleansing. Rather, its goal is exclusive worship of Yahweh.

MODULE 3: SESSION 20: “Slavery” Laws

The goal of these slavery laws is to protect the vulnerable from exploitation by the powerful. The literary structure of the book connects labor laws, or laws regulating indentured servitude, to the Sabbath pattern, emphasizing necessary rest for humans and providing a check against…

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MODULE 3: SESSION19: Resting in God’s Provision

The Sabbath command is a blessing of God’s rest for every person and animal in the nation. Heads of the household are responsible for ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to rest. God himself rests on the seventh day of creation. He also destroys the oppression that forces…

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MODULE 6: SESSION 29: Reflecting on the Jacob Story

Yaaqov’s story is a mirror in which we can examine our motives and gain perspective on how God’s blessing shows up in our lives and in our world. What we choose to do with the blessings God pours out has serious consequences. Studying Scripture in community can powerfully unite people…

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MODULE 6: SESSION 28: Jacob and Esau Part Ways

The brothers, Yaaqov and Esau, cannot dwell together in unity because they have too much wealth, most of it obtained through deception. The genealogies in Genesis show us that the narrative is laser-focused on tracing the lineage of the hoped-for messianic king who will crush the snake. The…

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MODULE 3: SESSION 18: Bearing His Name

Israel bears Yahweh’s name and thereby represents Yahweh among the nations. The covenant formula “I will be your God and you will be my people” can be seen as a summary of these two commandments: worship no other gods and bear God’s name faithfully.

MODULE 3: SESSION 17: No Other Gods

The Ten Commandments are given in the context of God rescuing and restoring his people, which is about moving them into freedom. There are different traditions for numbering the Ten Commandments. The command that forbids making idols recalls the role humans have as the image of God.

MODULE 3: SESSION 16: Law as Mission

The Israelites were set free from oppression before they received the law. The law was not a means of earning God’s compassion or protection. The law was not a burden. The law was seen as a mark of God’s favor and a special distinction for the people of Israel. The law was likely given in…

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MODULE 6: SESSION 27: The Death of Rachel and Isaac

Rakhel’s difficult labor recalls both the promise of a victorious seed and the dire consequences for the woman in Genesis 3:15-16. Reuben’s sexual assault against Bilhah is another instance in a pattern of illicit sex used in a grab for power. The four burials in Genesis 35 each recall…

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MODULE 6: SESSION 26: Jacob Returns to Bethel

Yaaqov’s return to Bethel is a re-creation moment in the pattern of themes. He and his family are shedding the trappings of their Mesopotamian identity to be defined only by God’s promise. As precious liquids that come from garden plants, wine and oil are Eden images. And pouring them out to…

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MODULE 5: SESSION 25: Jacob’s Silence

In the aftermath of Shechem’s crime, Yaaqov’s silence and inaction creates a void that his sons fill with vengeful violence. The biblical authors tell the story of Yaaqov’s sons’ treachery with links to the flood narrative, but this is a nightmare version of God’s just judgment and reconciliation through covenant.

MODULE 5: SESSION 24: The Oppression of Dinah

Yaaqov’s sons begin to repeat his deceptive pattern whereby after hearing about the despicable behavior of the sons of the land violating their sister, they remained quiet as if nothing happened. To everyone’s surprise they later on arose and killed all the male from the family of Khamor as a…

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MODULE 5: SESSION 23: The Reunion of Jacob and Esau

After his wrestling match with God, Yaaqov, the wounded servant, sacrifices himself on behalf of everything he holds dear. Esau’s reaction to Yaaqov’s return, running to him and embracing him, points forward to Jesus’ parable of the loving father embracing his prodigal son. Yaaqov…

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Chapter Eight: Marking, Outlining and Charting.

In this chapter we learn importance of marking the word of God with different colours, for locating specific subjects each color representing a subject of study.

We also learn the importance of using outlines to organise study notes, there are many ways to use outlines,in…

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MODULE 5: SESSION 22: God Wrestles With Jacob

The letters of Yaaqov’s name are littered throughout the narrative where his name is changed. The judgment that Yaaqov faces, being wounded in his striving against God, comes to its ultimate fulfillment in the suffering of the Messiah on our behalf. The biblical authors depict the true-to-life…

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MODULE 7: SESSION 29: Reflecting on the Joseph Story

Every detail of the biblical text is thoughtfully crafted and divinely inspired. Taking time to consider why a certain story or narrative element has been included can reveal deep meaning and connection to the big picture of the whole Bible’s message. The story of Yoseph illustrates how…

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MODULE 7: Going Up to Canaan

SESSION 28: Joseph’s Future Hope

The pattern of migrations in Genesis, as Abraham and his descendants move up and down from Canaan, reflects the pattern of moving from blessing to exile to redemption woven throughout the Hebrew Bible. Yoseph’s request for his bones to be taken up to Canaan is a prophetic…

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MODULE 3: A Covenant at Mount Sinai

SESSION 15: Commissioning the Nation

At Sinai, God redefines Israel’s identity. As God’s segullah, or “treasured possession,” Israel is being called to fulfill a special purpose in representing God to the nations. Peter calls the New Testament Church, made up of Jewish and Gentile followers of…

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MODULE 2: SESSION 14: Burden of Leadership

Two conversations with Jethro frame Israel’s deliverance story (Exodus 4 and 18). Jethro represents the first of many nations who will acknowledge Yahweh’s greatness because of his victory over Pharaoh. It seems noble of Moses to shoulder the burden of all the people, but it’s unwise. We…

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MODULE 2: SESSION 13: Liminal Space

The wilderness narratives recount a liminal space for God to form Israel as a new nation. The wilderness narratives in Exodus 15-18 mirror the wilderness journey of Numbers 10-21 in a chiasm that frames the entire Torah. The people’s ingratitude and rebellion meets God’s gracious provision in…

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PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION

To interpret is to understand what is being said, to whom it is said, to give it a proper meaning and to apply the meaning correctly.

There are several rules that are used when interpreting the Bible. These rules include:

I. Rule of divine authority

II. Rule of literal interpretation…

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BIBLE STUDY TOOLS

Bible study tools are special books that are helpful in studying the Bible.

They include: Bible concordance, Bible dictionary, word study book, Bible topical textbook, Bible encyclopedia, Bible commentary, Bible atlas and Bible handbook.

The Bible study tool that stands out for me in…

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