Module 3: Historical Books

Hi everyone, and welcome to the third module for the Old Testament survey course. In this section, we'll be working through the Historical Books of the Old Testament.

Below you will find links to all the study material for this module.

Module
3

Introduction

Module Objectives & Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, the student will:

  • Place the Major OT people, events and books of the Historical Books in a general chronology
  • Explain the main message(s), organization, theme(s), and/or character(s) of the Historical Books.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the character of God as revealed through His revelation in the history and literature of the Historical Books.
  • Consider how God’s revelation through the Historical Books applies in the student’s life and ministry.

Instruction Documents

In this section, you'll find links to the instruction documents for this module. There is an instruction document for an individual student studying on their own. And there is an instruction document for students working through this material with a group. Click the links below to access those documents.

Below is a link to the Reading Schedule for the entire module in one document. The same material, broken down into individual readings for each section, can be found included with each section below. The student can decide whether to do ALL the reading for the entire module before the other material, or read only those portions for each section along with the other material for that section.

Module
3-17

Historical Books Intro

Lecture Video

In this section, you will find the video lecture for the Intro to the Historical Books section. Before the video, there is a link to a study guide for the lecture and a link to blank, fill-in notes for the lecture. Click the banner to open access to the video. There is also a link with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface. In addition, there is a link to download the audio from the presentation for offline review. And after the lecture, there is a link to a review quiz for that lecture. Click each link or banner to access those documents or activities.

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17: Intro to the Historical Books
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Textbook Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the list and study guide for the required textbook reading for this section. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and to help you test your comprehension of the material. Use these questions to prepare you for what to look for in you reading. And then think through the content of the reading in light of these questions. And they will help you understand and engage with the readings.

Click the link below to access this document.

Module
3-18

Joshua

Bible Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the list of required Bible reading for this section. This document also contains a study guide for the assigned reading. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and to help you test your comprehension of the material. Use these questions to prepare you for what to look for in your reading. And then think through the content of the reading in light of these questions. And they will help you understand and engage with the readings.

Click the link below to access this document.

Lecture Video

In this section, you will find the video lecture for the Joshua section. Before the video, there is a link to a study guide for the lecture and a link to blank, fill-in notes for the lecture. Click the banner to open access to the video. There is also a link with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface. In addition, there is a link to download the audio from the presentation for offline review. And after the lecture, there is a link to a review quiz for that lecture. Click each link or banner to access those documents or activities.

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18: Joshua
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Textbook Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the list and study guide for the required textbook reading for this section. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and to help you test your comprehension of the material. Use these questions to prepare you for what to look for in you reading. And then think through the content of the reading in light of these questions. And they will help you understand and engage with the readings.

Click the link below to access this document.

Joshua Documents

Below are links to the Summary sheet and the detailed outline for the book of Joshua. Click each link to view these documents.

Module
3-19

Judges

Bible Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the list of required Bible reading for this section. This document also contains a study guide for the assigned reading. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and to help you test your comprehension of the material. Use these questions to prepare you for what to look for in your reading. And then think through the content of the reading in light of these questions. And they will help you understand and engage with the readings.

Click the link below to access this document.

Lecture Video

In this section, you will find the video lecture for the Judges section. Before the video, there is a link to a study guide for the lecture and a link to blank, fill-in notes for the lecture. Click the banner to open access to the video. There is also a link with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface. In addition, there is a link to download the audio from the presentation for offline review. And after the lecture, there is a link to a review quiz for that lecture. Click each link or banner to access those documents or activities.

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19: Judges
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Textbook Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the list and study guide for the required textbook reading for this section. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and to help you test your comprehension of the material. Use these questions to prepare you for what to look for in you reading. And then think through the content of the reading in light of these questions. And they will help you understand and engage with the readings.

Click the link below to access this document.

Judges Documents

Below are links to the Summary sheet and the detailed outline for the book of Judges. Click each link to view these documents.

Module
3-20

Ruth

Bible Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the list of required Bible reading for this section. This document also contains a study guide for the assigned reading. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and to help you test your comprehension of the material. Use these questions to prepare you for what to look for in your reading. And then think through the content of the reading in light of these questions. And they will help you understand and engage with the readings.

Click the link below to access this document.

Lecture Video

In this section, you will find the video lecture for the Ruth section. Before the video, there is a link to a study guide for the lecture and a link to blank, fill-in notes for the lecture. Click the banner to open access to the video. There is also a link with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface. In addition, there is a link to download the audio from the presentation for offline review. And after the lecture, there is a link to a review quiz for that lecture. Click each link or banner to access those documents or activities.

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20: Ruth
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Textbook Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the list and study guide for the required textbook reading for this section. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and to help you test your comprehension of the material. Use these questions to prepare you for what to look for in you reading. And then think through the content of the reading in light of these questions. And they will help you understand and engage with the readings.

Click the link below to access this document.

Genesis Documents

Below are links to the Summary sheet and the detailed outline for the book of Ruth. Click each link to view these documents.

Module
3-21

First Samuel

Bible Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the list of required Bible reading for this section. This document also contains a study guide for the assigned reading. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and to help you test your comprehension of the material. Use these questions to prepare you for what to look for in your reading. And then think through the content of the reading in light of these questions. And they will help you understand and engage with the readings.

Click the link below to access this document.

Lecture Video

In this section, you will find the video lecture for the First Samuel section. Before the video, there is a link to a study guide for the lecture and a link to blank, fill-in notes for the lecture. Click the banner to open access to the video. There is also a link with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface. In addition, there is a link to download the audio from the presentation for offline review. And after the lecture, there is a link to a review quiz for that lecture. Click each link or banner to access those documents or activities.

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21: First Samuel
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Textbook Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the list and study guide for the required textbook reading for this section. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and to help you test your comprehension of the material. Use these questions to prepare you for what to look for in you reading. And then think through the content of the reading in light of these questions. And they will help you understand and engage with the readings.

Click the link below to access this document.

First Samuel Documents

Below are links to the Summary sheet and the detailed outline for the book of First Samuel. Click each link to view these documents.

Module
3-22

Second Samuel

Bible Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the list of required Bible reading for this section. This document also contains a study guide for the assigned reading. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and to help you test your comprehension of the material. Use these questions to prepare you for what to look for in your reading. And then think through the content of the reading in light of these questions. And they will help you understand and engage with the readings.

Click the link below to access this document.

Lecture Video

In this section, you will find the video lecture for the Second Samuel section. Before the video, there is a link to a study guide for the lecture and a link to blank, fill-in notes for the lecture. Click the banner to open access to the video. There is also a link with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface. In addition, there is a link to download the audio from the presentation for offline review. And after the lecture, there is a link to a review quiz for that lecture. Click each link or banner to access those documents or activities.

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22: Second Samuel
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Textbook Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the list and study guide for the required textbook reading for this section. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and to help you test your comprehension of the material. Use these questions to prepare you for what to look for in you reading. And then think through the content of the reading in light of these questions. And they will help you understand and engage with the readings.

Click the link below to access this document.

Second Samuel Documents

Below are links to the Summary sheet and the detailed outline for the book of Second Samuel. Click each link to view these documents.

Module
3-23

1 & 2 Kings

Bible Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the list of required Bible reading for this section. This document also contains a study guide for the assigned reading. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and to help you test your comprehension of the material. Use these questions to prepare you for what to look for in your reading. And then think through the content of the reading in light of these questions. And they will help you understand and engage with the readings.

Click the link below to access this document.

Lecture Video

In this section, you will find the video lecture for the 1 & 2 Kings section. Before the video, there is a link to a study guide for the lecture and a link to blank, fill-in notes for the lecture. Click the banner to open access to the video. There is also a link with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface. In addition, there is a link to download the audio from the presentation for offline review. And after the lecture, there is a link to a review quiz for that lecture. Click each link or banner to access those documents or activities.

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23: 1 & 2 Kings
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Textbook Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the list and study guide for the required textbook reading for this section. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and to help you test your comprehension of the material. Use these questions to prepare you for what to look for in you reading. And then think through the content of the reading in light of these questions. And they will help you understand and engage with the readings.

Click the link below to access this document.

1 & 2 Kings Documents

Below are links to the Summary sheet and the detailed outline for the books of 1 & 2 Kings. Click each link to view these documents.

Module
3-24

1 & 2 Chronicles

Bible Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the list of required Bible reading for this section. This document also contains a study guide for the assigned reading. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and to help you test your comprehension of the material. Use these questions to prepare you for what to look for in your reading. And then think through the content of the reading in light of these questions. And they will help you understand and engage with the readings.

Click the link below to access this document.

Lecture Video

In this section, you will find the video lecture for the 1 & 2 Chronicles section. Before the video, there is a link to a study guide for the lecture and a link to blank, fill-in notes for the lecture. Click the banner to open access to the video. There is also a link with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface. In addition, there is a link to download the audio from the presentation for offline review. And after the lecture, there is a link to a review quiz for that lecture. Click each link or banner to access those documents or activities.

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24: 1 & 2 Chronicles
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Textbook Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the list and study guide for the required textbook reading for this section. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and to help you test your comprehension of the material. Use these questions to prepare you for what to look for in you reading. And then think through the content of the reading in light of these questions. And they will help you understand and engage with the readings.

Click the link below to access this document.

1 & 2 Chronicles Documents

Below are links to the Summary sheet and the detailed outline for the books of 1 & 2 Chronicles. Click each link to view these documents.

Module
3-25

Ezra & Nehemiah

Bible Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the list of required Bible reading for this section. This document also contains a study guide for the assigned reading. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and to help you test your comprehension of the material. Use these questions to prepare you for what to look for in your reading. And then think through the content of the reading in light of these questions. And they will help you understand and engage with the readings.

Click the link below to access this document.

Lecture Video

In this section, you will find the video lecture for the Ezra & Nehemiah section. Before the video, there is a link to a study guide for the lecture and a link to blank, fill-in notes for the lecture. Click the banner to open access to the video. There is also a link with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface. In addition, there is a link to download the audio from the presentation for offline review. And after the lecture, there is a link to a review quiz for that lecture. Click each link or banner to access those documents or activities.

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25: Ezra & Nehemiah
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Textbook Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the list and study guide for the required textbook reading for this section. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and to help you test your comprehension of the material. Use these questions to prepare you for what to look for in you reading. And then think through the content of the reading in light of these questions. And they will help you understand and engage with the readings.

Click the link below to access this document.

Ezra & Nehemiah Documents

Below are links to the Summary sheet and the detailed outline for the books of Ezra & Nehemiah. Click each link to view these documents.

Module
3-26

Esther

Bible Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the list of required Bible reading for this section. This document also contains a study guide for the assigned reading. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and to help you test your comprehension of the material. Use these questions to prepare you for what to look for in your reading. And then think through the content of the reading in light of these questions. And they will help you understand and engage with the readings.

Click the link below to access this document.

Lecture Video

In this section, you will find the video lecture for the Esther section. Before the video, there is a link to a study guide for the lecture and a link to blank, fill-in notes for the lecture. Click the banner to open access to the video. There is also a link with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface. In addition, there is a link to download the audio from the presentation for offline review. And after the lecture, there is a link to a review quiz for that lecture. Click each link or banner to access those documents or activities.

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26: Esther
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Textbook Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the list and study guide for the required textbook reading for this section. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and to help you test your comprehension of the material. Use these questions to prepare you for what to look for in you reading. And then think through the content of the reading in light of these questions. And they will help you understand and engage with the readings.

Click the link below to access this document.

Esther Documents

Below are links to the Summary sheet and the detailed outline for the book of Esther. Click each link to view these documents.

Module
3

Activities

Bible Response Reflection Journal/Discussion

The student will choose one or more portions from the assigned Bible reading for this module and write a journal and/or discuss with their group based on that Bible passage. As you read from the Old Testament, let it be a devotional experience. Detailed instructions for this activity are given below. Click the link to see the instructions for individual journaling or the instructions for group discussion.

Reviews

In this section, you will find the review slides from the course lectures for module 3. This is a convenient way to view and review the summaries for each lecture. Click the banner to begin the slide show.

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Review Slideshow
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Click the prev. and next buttons (bottom right of the slide) to move through the slides. You can also click on any thumbnail to go directly to that slide.

It is highly recommended that the student recite these reviews out loud as an aid to memory. Some memory aids and tricks were mentioned in the Lectures for some of the summaries (e.g. SCRuB). The student should also brainstorm any shorthand memory aids to help them commit these review summaries to memory. The student should not just attempt to memorize the summaries, but also to use the summaries as a framework to understand and retain the nature and content of the Old Testament.

Course Material Response Reflection

The Student will choose one or more items from either the Video Lectures or the Course Textbook which stood out as personally significant to them. The student will then reflect and write on the item(s); how it/they challenged or added to their current understanding, and how their worldview, life, and/or ministry should be affected by their new understanding.

Detailed instructions for this activity can be found by clicking the link below:

Timeline - Step Three

The student will research and present an Old Testament Timeline in seven steps over the course of all seven modules.

Step Three of the Timeline should include the following information:

  • The events, characters, and Bible books for each of the Historical Books.
  • These should be appropriately placed in the historical epochs as displayed in the first step of this project.

If you are working through this material in a group, the group leader may choose for the Timeline to be constructed as a group activity during the group meeting time.

Detailed instructions for this activity can be found by clicking the link below:

Review Quiz

This section contains a review quiz to test your understanding of the objective material for Module 3. By clicking the banner, you will reveal a series of questions, in random order. Answer each question and then push the Submit button to check your answers. Every question must be answered before you can submit the quiz. At the end, you will be shown your score for the entire quiz. The quiz will be different each time, so feel free to take it more than once. Click the banner to begin the quiz.

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Quiz for Module 3
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Review Quiz for Module 3

Here is a review quiz for the material covered in this module's lectures. Click the button next to the best answer for each question, or drag each term to its best definition. Then press the button at the bottom to see if your answers are correct.


Drag each king of Judah to the best description, according to Chronicles
Jehoshaphat
Solomon
Hezekiah
Manasseh
Josiah
Ahaz
David

Led in revival and national repentance after the Law was found in the temple

Evil king who was punished by God. Chronicles notes that he repented, humbled himself and received grace

Wicked king who actually shut the temple and promoted idolatry in every town

Made preparations for the temple and its ministry, but did not build the temple.

Good king who led in revival, including purifying the temple and celebrating the Passover. Invited the faithful from the northern kingdom to return to the Lord. Led the nation when Assyria invaded and God destroyed the Assyrians

Built and dedicated the temple

Led the people back to the Lord, including sending out Levites to teach and appointing good judges to judge justly. Also known for sending musicians to battle before the soldiers

After the death of Saul, David immediately became king over all of Israel.

True

Sorry, see Lecture 22

False

Good Job
The events of Ezra and Nehemiah were likely influenced by the outcome of the Esther story.

True

Correct

False

Sorry, see Lecture 26
One of the first things done by the returning exiles is to rebuild the altar and make sacrifices to God.

True

Correct

False

Sorry, see Lecture 25
Which of these is NOT a major section of Second Samuel?

David's Positive Reign

Sorry, see Lecture 22

David's Troubled Reign

Sorry, see Lecture 22

David's Negative Reign

Correct
David's sin had no enduring consequences because he was forgiven by God

True

Sorry, see Lecture 22

False

Good Job
In Joshua, the Promised Land is divided among the tribes by lot.

True

Well Done

False

Sorry, see Lecture 18
Who was the leader of the first return from Babylon?

Zerubbabel

Excellent

Ezra

Sorry, see Lecture 25

Nehemiah

Sorry, see Lecture 25
The author of Ruth claims that Ruth's success is the result of luck in random events.

True

Sorry, the author shows that God was the cause of these seemingly random events, see Lecture 20

False

Good Job
Unlike Saul, David's reign was completely pleasing to the Lord

True

Sorry, see Lecture 22

False

Good Job
The Books of Ezra/Nehemiah are organized around three returns from Babylon.

True

Correct

False

Sorry, see Lecture 25
Who is the hero of the book of Esther

God

Mostly correct, but incomplete, see Lecture 26

Primarily God, but also Mordecai and Esther

Well Done

Haman

Sorry, see Lecture 26

Mordecai

Partly correct, but incomplete, see Lecture 26

Esther

Partly correct, but incomplete, see Lecture 26
All of the Northern Kingdom's kings were rated as 'bad' by the author of Kings.

True

Well Done

False

Sorry, see Lecture 23
Who was the leader of the third return from Babylon?

Ezra

Sorry, see Lecture 25

Zerubbabel

Sorry, see Lecture 25

Nehemiah

Well Done
The Book of Esther emphasizes that God exercises poetic justice.

True

Correct

False

Sorry, see Lecture 26
The Lecture argues that the book of Joshua is historically trustworthy

True

Well Done

False

Sorry, see Lecture 18
Chronicles only tells the good stories of the good kings of Judah and completely ignores the bad kings and bad times

True

Sorry, see Lecture 24

False

Good Job
Chronicles describes the temple musicians as being well organized according to the design given by David

True

Correct

False

Sorry, see Lecture 24
Joshua defeated every city the Israelites encountered.

True

Sorry, they did not conquer Gibeah, because of the Gibeonite deception, see Lecture 18

False

Well done
Which is NOT a major section in the Book of Joshua?

Divide

Sorry, see Lecture 18

Dwell

Sorry, see Lecture 18

Introduction

Sorry, see Lecture 18

Disobedience

Great Job

Conquer

Sorry, see Lecture 18
The conquest of the Promised Land was completed by Joshua.

True

Sorry, see Lecture 18

False

Well Done
Which of these is true?

Assyria conquered Judah in 721BC

Sorry, see Lecture 23

Bablyon conquered Israel in 721BC

Sorry, see Lecture 23

Babylon conquered Israel in 586BC

Sorry, see Lecture 23

Babylon conquered Judah in 721BC

Sorry, see Lecture 23

Assyria conquered Israel in 586BC

Sorry, see Lecture 23

Assyria conquered Israel in 721BC

Well Done
The Book of Esther is organized around a problem, then a solution.

True

Excellent

False

Sorry, see Lecture 26
Which best describes the experience of the exiles who returned to the land?

They were ambushed by Cherokees and never made it back to the land

Sorry, see Lecture 25

There was much success, mixed with crushing of their hopes

Good Job

It was a complete success

Sorry, see Lecture 25

It was a complete failure

Sorry, see Lecture 25
The Books of Chronicles narrates epochs 4-5, but also summarize epochs 1-3 in the genealogies.

True

Well Done

False

Sorry, see Lecture 24
Which of these is NOT a main character in First Samuel?

Solomon

Well Done

Samuel

Sorry, see Lecture 21

Saul

Sorry, see Lecture 21

Jonathan

Sorry, see Lecture 21

David

Sorry, see Lecture 21
The Books of Chronicles emphasize the ministry of the temple as central to the life of God's people.

True

Excellent

False

Sorry, see Lecture 24
Which historical epoch is described in the books of Kings?

Patriarchs

Sorry, see Lecture 23

Exodus/Conquest

Sorry, see Lecture 23

Monarchy

Good Job

Prehistory

Sorry, see Lecture 23

Exile/Return

Sorry, see Lecture 23
According to the Book of Joshua, how may of God's promises to Abraham had failed to be fulfilled?

Not a single one

Correct

Zero

Correct

Zilch

Correct

None

Correct

Nil

Correct
In which book does it narrate the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem?

Nehemiah

Well Done

Ezra

Sorry, see Lecture 25

Discussion/Reflection/Essay Questions

This section contains some questions for further thought and discussion from Module 3. These questions can also be used as essay questions in a classroom setting exam. It is recommended that you take time to think through these issues in order to thoroughly grasp the significance and explore the application of the material you are learning. These questions are generated from a larger group of possible questions, so they will likely be different every time you open this banner. You may reopen this banner to see different questions. Click the banner to view the questions.

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Discussion/Application Questions
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The following questions are for your thoughtful consideration and discussion:

  1. Why do you think things went so bad in the Book of Judges? What could have been done better? What lessons from this can you apply to your own life?
  2. What is the "Davidic Covenant" and how is it fulfilled? How does this help you to understand and apply the New Testament?
  3. What is "Contrast Faithfulness" and how is it shown in the Book of Ruth? How does this concept inform other parts of the Bible?
  4. Describe the issues dealt with in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. What did you learn from these things that are relevant for Christian life today? How do they apply?

Module Completed!

Congratulations, you have reached the end of the third module. I hope that you have found it rewarding and have noticed personal growth.

I encourage you to continue on to the next module as soon as is convenience. The button below will take you to Module 4.