NYSB Course Descriptions

Personal Bible study can be a life-changing experience once you master the basic principles. The course goals are to help you develop your observational skills and to teach you how to survey, synthesize, and chart a book and to begin to analyze passages, words, and historical backgrounds.

Required for Preliminary Certificate.
Required for OT/NT Intensives.

The Bible was written in times, cultures, and languages very different from our own. The principles of interpretation and application taught in this course will help you better understand the meaning of the Bible for the original readers and for your life as well.

Fall II
Saturdays, 9 a.m. - Taylor
Thursdays, 6 p.m. - Taylor
Mondays, 6 p.m. - Gardner

The Bible is a book which is misused and misunderstood by many people. It is imperative that Christ's followers know how to accurately undesrtand God's revealed message. Building on the methods and skills learned in 101A and B, this course will introduce more hermeneutical principles to enable the student to better interpret the Scriptures.
Required for Advanced Certificate

The Bible is made u of literally hundreds of stories. Each of them easily stands alone, and yet they are all part of an overarching, larger plot. The goal of this course is to demonstrate how the entire Bible fits together by tracing its central message from beginning to end. The better we know the Bible's grand story, the more we will come to understand and appreciate how all the pieces come together.

Fall II
Mondays, 6 p.m. Blankley

The controversial verses--divorce, the Deity of Christ, spiritual gifts, doubting, the prayer of faith, wine, communion, . . .--will be analyzed. The approach is inductive and will help the student to get a handle on the various methodologies and techniques of Bible interpretation.

Spring I, Thursdays, 7:35 p.m. - Mann

Well meaning Christian often interpret and then apply the Bible in ways that would come as a complete surprise to the Biblical authors. They also have widely differing interpretations among themselves and, at times, make the Bible mean anything they want it to mean. To avoid this problem, we must be aware of the "seven deadly sins" of Bible study. A required course for serious minded students of Scripture.

Fall I
Mondays, 6 p.m. - Blankley

Did our Bible appear the same way that the Koran and Book of Mormon did, by specail dictation? Or was God more creative than that? Why do we have so many English translations? What are the differences--and why are they all so different?

Spring II
Mondays, 6 p.m. - Kraus

Students of the Bible are often apprehensive about studying the biblical languages. Acquiring proficiency to read these archaic languages takes years and is very expensive. This course, however, is a practical introduction to the basic principles of Hebrew and Greek. The ultimate goal of this course is to help the student become skilled at using lexical aides such as concordances and exegetical commentaries.

This six-course series introduces the grammar and vocabulary of Old Testament Hebrew. The goals are for you to acquire beginning ability to read the Hebrew Old Testament, to use Hebrew in a practical way in your study of God's Word, and to utilize the study aids available.

This course is a continuation of the elemental principles of Hebrew grammar and introduces adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, word structure, sentence syntax, and the basic noun and verb forms in the Hebrew language.
Required for Old Testament Hebrew Grammar.

Fall I / Spring I
Mondays, 7:35 p.m. - Hurt, Jr.

This course is a continuation of 111A to set the foundation for beginning the disciplined study of Hebrew grammar beginning in September.
Required for Old Testament Hebrew Grammar.

Fall II / Spring II
Mondays, 7:35 p.m. - Hurt, Jr.

This course is a more in-depth study of the basic Hebrew verb stems and forms of the perfect tense. Suffix form verbs are introduced and vocabulary is stressed. A more in-depth study of Hebrew nouns, both feminine and masculine, including the use of function of the construct-state, will also be addressed. You will acquire beginning ability to read the Hebrew Old Testament, to practically use Hebrew in your study of God's Word, and to utilize the tools available.

Fall I, 2012 - Hurt, Jr.

This course continues to develop a greater understanding of Hebrew verb stems and forms of the perfect tense, and utilizes the definite article, prepositions, conjunctions, adjectives, noun forms, and nouns in the construct-state in class and homework assignments. You will also begin the study of the Hebrew verb stems and forms of the imperfect tense.

Fall II, 2012 - Hurt, Jr.

This course continues an in-depth study of the basic Hebrew verb stems and forms of the imperfect tense. Prefix form verbs are introduced and as well as more words to build your vocabulary. You will also learn the function and use of the key verb forms for the Hebrew imperative, participle, infinitive, infinitive absolute, and infinitive construct. Extemporaneous reading in class will be practiced.

Spring I, 2013 - Hurt, Jr.

This course will introduce the student to the Lamedh Pe, Pe Nun, and Pe Waw verb forms. The stative verb will be addressed as well as irregular nouns and pronominal suffixes. In-class reading assignments will include biblical texts taken from the historical narratives found in Genesis, Joshua, 1 and 2 Samuel.

Spring II, 2013 - Hurt, Jr.

This course will be an in-depth reading seminar utlizing Hebrew grammar learned in OT Hebrew Grammar I-IV. The emphasis will be on biblical passages taken from the historical narratives found in Genesis, Joshua, 1 and 2 Samuel. Student swill be expected to read and translate homework assignments in class.

June
Mondays, 6 p.m. - Hurt

This course will be a continuation of 112A.

July
Mondays, 6 p.m. - Hurt

In a novel approach to learning the language of the New Testament, these courses show the value of knowing how biblical Greek works, without overwhelming the student with memory work. Foundations I and II introduce key differences between Greek and English grammar. The follow-up grammar courses are for students who wish to commit to an in-depth study of the language.

How to say and write the Greek alphabet. Greek/English twins. Difficulties faced by English Bible translations. Vocabulary games. Introduction to nouns and their declension, case, gender, and number. Overview of Greek Bible study tools. Homework is limited to memorizing the alphabet.

Required for New Testament Greek Grammar.

Fall I / Spring I
Mondays, 6 p.m. - Munoz

The Greek article. Further study of nouns and case. Introduction to verbs. How verbal aspect, mood, etc. affect theological interpretation. Participles and infinitives. Introduction to textual criticism. Homework is limited to memorizing the Greek article.

Required for New Testament Greek Grammar.

Fall II / Spring II
Mondays, 6 p.m. - Munoz

Noun declensions. Adjectives. Pronouns. The verb "to be". Translation exercises are directly from the New Testament.

Fall I, 2012 - Munoz

O-verbs and the concepts of person and tense. Adverbs and adjectives. More vocabulary. Translation of simple New Testament sentences.

Fall II, 2012 - Munoz

Verbs in the subjunctive and imperative moods. Participles. Infinitives.

Spring I, 2013 - Munoz

Unusual verb forms. New Testament reading.

Spring II, 2013 - Munoz

The key to understanding why God sent Jesus to be the Savior is found in the first five books
of the Bible (Genesis through Deuteronomy). Here lie the treasures lost by our culture which
give value and significance to life. Put on your sandals and get ready for a life-changing walk on the way to the Promised Land.
Required for NYSB certificate.

Dates and kings and maps and things are dry, dusty facts unless you are reliving the events of God’s chosen people. No other nation has so miraculously experienced God’s hand in its history. Triumph and tragedy are intersecting paths that direct Israel’s journey from the walls of Jericho (Joshua) to the courts of Persia (Esther). Great blessings await God’s people today who learn these lessons from long ago!

People are people. No other section of Scripture illustrates this better than the wisdom literature of the Hebrews (Job through Song of Solomon). With sublime artistry, Israel’s poets tell their stories of life and death, of love and hate, of hope and fear. Our lives are found in their lives. Their faith can become our faith.
Required for NYSB certificate.

Israel’s prophets were a fearless lot whose vision of justice and peace was inseparably bound to their message of the coming Messiah. Mired in societies filled with corrupted politicians and carnal-minded priests, and disheartened by conquering armies and cowardly citizens, these spokesmen for God courageously called His people to repentance and revival. Contained in these books (Isaiah through Malachi) are timely messages of judgment and hope. The Messiah is needed again!
Required for NYSB certificate.

This course covers the Bible text in Genesis.

This course covers the Biblical text in Exodus - Deuteronomy.

After the Israelites elave Egypt, God guides His covenant people toward nationhood. He gives them the Ten Commandments, the foundation for the Mosaic Law whereby the people are to conduct themselves individually and corporately. Incorporated in this code for living was the provision for atonement. For as Adam and Eve sinned, now all mankind are prone to rebel against God. But God provided access back to Himself through the blood sacrifice for His covenant people and for the "foreigner."

This course covers the Biblical text in Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel 1-9.

This course covers the Biblical text in 1 Samuel 10-31, 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles 9:35 -29:30, Psalms.

Israel's corporate rejection of God's rule brings about a regime change--God will now lead His people through kings. Saul proves that blessing is forfeited with disobedience. David, through not perfect, purposed to follow God and brought great blessing to Israel and to the nations. Through David's line, God begins His plan to introduce in time the King of Kings, the Messiah.

This course covers the Biblical text in 1 Kings 1-11, 2 Chronicles 1-9, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon.

After David establishes Israel as a kingdom, his son Solomon expands it. Israel for a time is a beacon of light to the nations. But because Solomon rejects God's rule in his life, Israel will soon be punished. Until then, Solomon learns that true wisdom is living in obedience to God.

Fall I, 2012

This course covers the Biblical text in 1 Kings 12-22, 2 Kings 1-17, 2 Chronicles 10-28, Obadiah, Joel, Jonah, Amos, Isaiah 1-28.

Israel is now divided kingdom. And the divided kingdom is divided further still because of divided loyalties. God blesses the kingdoms when its rulers follow after God, but punishes those who reject Him. God begins to bring His prophects to the people to continue to reveal His plan for redemption. Though Israel has failed to be the blessing it should be, God continues to reveal that His plan of redemption is for all mankind.

121K and 121L covers the Biblical text in 2 Kings 18-25, 2 Chronicles 29-36, Isaiah 29-66, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Micah, Nahum, Habbabbuk, Zephaniah, Ezekiel 1-31.

God forewarns His people of exile if they continue to refuse to follow Him. And they did refuse. The northern kingdom of Israel is taken away by the Assyrians. Judah will soon be taken by the Babylonians and suffer exile for 70 years.

This course will study the Biblical record listed above through to Lamentations.

Spring 1, 2013

121K and 121L covers the Biblical text in 2 Kings 18-25, 2 Chronicles 29-36, Isaiah 29-66, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Micah, Nahum, Habbabbuk, Zephaniah, Ezekiel 1-31.

This course will cover the Biblical record listed above from Micah to Ezekiel 31.

Spring II, 2013

121M and 121N covers the Biblical text in Ezekiel 32-48, Job, Daniel.

Judah is now in exile. Her life of rejection of God corporately brings punishment to all, the rebellious and righteous alike. Why must the righteous suffer as well? In the midst of exile though, god's plan of redemption begins to spread to all the world when His righteous people stand for God and testify of Him. Through the righteous who suffer in exile, God takes His blessing to the world.

This course will cover the Biblical record listed above through to Ezekiel 48.

121M and 121N covers the Biblical text in Ezekiel 32-48, Job, Daniel.

This course will cover the Biblical record listed above of Job and Daniel.

Fall II, 2013

121O and 121P covers the Biblical text in Ezra, Esther, Nehamiah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, 1 Chronicles 1-9:34.

God is merciful and brings Judah back into the land. It remains to be seen if Israel has learned her lesson to obey God and be the blessing she is to be to the world.

This course will cover the Biblical record listed above from Ezra to Nehemiah.

Spring I, 2014

121O and 121P covers the Biblical text of Ezra, Esther, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, 1 Chronicles 1-9:34.

This course will cover the Biblical record listed above from Haggai to 1 Chronicles 9:34.

Spring II, 2014

What are the purposes of each of the seven Old Testament Feasts of Israel . . . both then and now? How did Y’shua (Jesus) fulfill each feast and also give each one a larger meaning? How was Y’shua the Passover lamb? Why was Jesus called the first fruit? Did Jesus Himself celebrate any of the feasts? Understanding the seven Jewish festivals will add depth to your knowledge of Jesus the Messiah for each feast points to Him!

The ancient kingdom of Assyria, situated in northern Iraq today, was called the "rod of God's anger" (Isaiah 10:5). This class will discuss how God used this empire as an instrument to chasten His wayward people Israel and Judah. Select chapters from the Major and Minor Prophets will be examined to see how the history, archaeology, and geography of Assyria can illustrate and confirm the words of the prophets. A word of caution will be given on the misuse and misunderstanding of Assyria in the prophetic Scriptures by certain prophecy teachers.

The evidence of God’s mighty work in three different historical periods of Jewish history through Ruth, Jonah, and Nehe-miah will be the focus of this study. The three books confirm God’s blessings from a Gentile to many Jews, from a Jew to many Gentiles, and from many Gentiles to a Jew then to many Jews.
Fall I, 4 Thursdays, 6-9 pm - Kwan
September 23, 30; October 7, 21

The Psalms are perhaps the most familiar portion of the Old Testament, yet they are also among the most difficult to interpret. This course is designed to help us gain a better understanding and deeper appreciation of these ancient hymns by examining their historical background, their use in Israel's worship, and their different literary types (e.g., praise, lament, and thanksgiving).

While many Proverbs speak to us directly, the purpose of this course is to study the book of Proverbs as a whole. Our focus of attention will be upon the book's purpose and structure, as well as the nature and poetic style of the Proverbs in general. The goal is to better understand and apply the wisdom they offer to the everyday problems of life.

Eccleiastes is the book that either you rarely touch and have never read all the way through, or have shared the writer's apparent skeptical view of life. Is the writer a skeptic, an optimist, a grumpy old man, or a wise man who has observed that life does not always work out the way we think it ought to. Dig deeply into his mind and his heart to see why God put this strange book in His inerrant Word.

Spring I
Mondays, 7:35 p.m. - Kraus

The book of Daniel will help all of us see the big picture of God’s sovereignty over all of history and over all of our lives. Therefore, the central focus of our study will not be upon end-time speculations, but upon a life of submission to His sovereignty and obedience to His revealed will.
Fall I, Mondays, 7:35 pm - Blankley

Amos has been called the "Prophet Against Social Injustice". This slide-illustrated class will look at the historical-geographical context of this 8th-century B.C. prophet to the Northern Kingdom. The archaeology of the earthquake that Amos predicted will be examined. The spiritual lessons for the 21st-century Church will be set forth.

Although grouped as a Minor Prophet, Micah’s prophecies are major in scope. His discourses to the nations of Judah and Israel deal with their sins, coming captivity and exile, but also restoration, and Messiah to come. This slide-illustrated class will examine the historical, geographical, and cultural content of this prophetic word to Judah and Israel then and to us today.
Spring II, Mondays, 7:35 pm - Franz

The book of Zechariah is frequently quoted by New Testament authors. It is Christocentric, making a number of predictions about the Messiah. The language is difficult because of the book's apocalytic nature. Zechariah is replete with visions, oracles, and proclamations of judgements. Its descriptions of the Gentile world and of Israel are the dominant motifs in the prophetic book. This course will provide a chapter by chapter study of Zechariah, attempting to unravel its mysterious language.