Discover the Bible’s various authors, continuity, its various styles of literature, its historical background and time periods, and the relationship between the two testaments.

Our textbook is the Bible. Our emphasis is on the English text (or the text in the native tongue of the nation where the school is held). You will be reading the text and not books about the Bible. We want you to know the text.

The Inductive Approach

Lay aside any preconceived ideas and let the scripture speak for itself. Reach conclusions based on what you have observed, interpreted and applied.

Steps of the Inductive approach:

Read the entire book through, aloud in one sitting (first reading).

Read the entire book through asking specific questions (second reading).

Read through the entire book giving a paragraph title for each paragraph (third reading).

Using the paragraph titles, draw up a rough Horizontal Chart of the book. A Horizontal Chart is an overview of the entire book (this may require another reading).

Make Vertical Charts for each small segment in the Horizontal Chart. This is the where the student looks in detail at the passages (this is either the fourth or fifth reading).

Polishing of the rough Horizontal Chart (the student may do the fifth reading here).

(In this process the student completes at least five readings of the book.)

The three basic steps of Bible Study are stressed.

They are done in the following order:

Observation: What does the text say? Observation is stressed in the first two readings of the book, in doing paragraph titles and in the Horizontal and Vertical Charts.

Interpretation: (Exegesis) – What does the text mean? What did it mean to the original hearers/readers? This requires a study of historical background.

Application: (Hermeneutics) – How does the truth of this passage or book apply to my life in the 21st Century? A written application is required for each book.

Ten Methods of Bible Study are taught in the School of Biblical Studies.

Nine of the methods or combinations of these methods are employed in the study of each book.

Survey Method

Analytical Method

Synthetic Method

Critical Method

Historical Method

Comparative Method

Topical Method

Rhetorical Method (not required but usually used)

Devotional Method

Levels of structure are taught and applied in doing the charts.

Ruskin’s Laws of Composition are taught and used in the study of each book.

In the School of Biblical Studies the student is taught:

Basic Hermeneutical principles

How to do a word study

The types of literature used in the Bible

The chronology of events in the Old and New Testaments

Significant historical background

How to use maps, the concordance, Bible Dictionary, interlinear, etc.

How to think Epistemologically

How to find answers for themselves.

Why Charts?

They force the students to be systematic in their study.

They teach the students to observe first, then interpret and then move into application.

They teach the students to organize their research.

They provide a suitable method for the storage of information, which can be used for reference, review, teaching and further study.

Charts are more visual and thus easier to remember.

Charts require the students to see an overview of the book as well as a detailed look at passages.

Charts give the students the satisfaction of doing their own work. They leave with concrete evidence of their labor.

Independent Study with Staff Supervision:

The main emphasis is on the student’s independent study of the Scriptures. This means six to eight hours of study each working day. This system of study enables each student to progress and develop at whatever academic level they desire. The students are free to explore different views, however, the staff guide them so that they are within the range of historic Orthodox belief.

The staff give oversight of the students’ progress in each book. Each book is graded and there are several tests each quarter with an oral test on the whole New Testament and a comprehensive test at the end of the year.

There are nine hours of class time each week. This class time can take the form of lectures, workshops, or discussions. The staff or guest speaker prepares the class time. Outlines or handouts are often given as a supplement to the classroom presentation. Aside from the classroom situation the staff are always available for assistance in answering questions or giving whatever assistance is needed.

Other benefits of the School of Biblical Studies:

The school teaches students time management and personal discipline. Each book has a due date but it is up to the students to manage their time and plot out their schedule.

The school teaches endurance. It requires nine months to finish the course.

A constant diet of the Word renews the mind and major changes occur in the students’ lives as they increase in their understanding of God.

The school develops reading and communication skills.

The school teaches the students to evaluate their lives, their preaching and their teaching by asking, “Is this Biblical?”