A Guide to Bible Study

By J. W. McGarvey

Chapter 18

Numbers within [ ] indicates original page numbers

 

QUESTIONS.



      CHAPTER I. Define, as to origin and use, the words Bible, Testament, Scriptures, Oracles.

      CHAPTER II. What are the names and number of books in the Pentateuch? the historical group? the poetic or wisdom group? the prophetic division?

      CHAPTER III.

1. In what language was the most of the Old Testament written?

2. What was the earliest means of multiplying the Scriptures?

3. How might mistakes occur?

4. What method was employed to prevent this?

5. What change was effected by printing?

6. What proof that we have the genuine books of the Old Testament?

      CHAPTER IV.

      (a) Genesis.

1. How did the first Old Testament book receive its present name?

2. With what do the first eleven chapters deal?

3. What single character is next described?

4. Why is Abraham important in the history?

5. What promises were made to Abraham?

6. What descendants of Abraham are described in the remaining part of Genesis?

7. How long a period is covered by the events of this book?

      (b) Exodus.

1. What was the condition of Israel in Egypt?

2. What gives the book its title?

3. How and by whom were they delivered?

4. Describe the giving of the law and the building of the Tabernacle? [140]

      (c) Leviticus.

1. To what subject is this book devoted?

2. How did it receive its name?

3. What kinds of sacrifices are enumerated in it?

      (d) Numbers.

1. How is this title appropriate to the book?

2. How long and at what places were the people in the wilderness?

3. What nations were conquered?

4. What is recorded of Balaam?

      (e) Deuteronomy.

1. Meaning of the title?

2. Why given?

3. Where is the scene laid?

4. What were the cities of refuge?

5. What is the substance of the blessings and curses?

6. What events were connected with the death of Moses?

      Make a list of the qualities of God's nature which were most impressively revealed by the experiences of this period.

      CHAPTER V.

       (a) Joshua.

1. Why is this book so named?

2. What is the theme of the book?

3. Make a list of the battles recorded.

4. A list of the miracles.

5. Compare the character of Joshua with that of Moses in five particulars.

      (b) Judges.

1. From what does the book take its name?

2. What was the condition of the country as to (a) government, (b) relation of the Israelites to the Canaanites, (c) morals and religion?

3. How many Judges are described?

4. From what tribes do they come?

5. What did they accomplish?

6. How long a period is covered by this book?

      (c) Ruth.

1. With what book is this closely connected and yet in striking contrast?

2. What are the leading features of the narrative?

3. What were its purposes?

      (d) First Samuel.

1. Describe Samuel's parentage, early life, call and the prophecy regarding Eli's house.

2. What events led to Eli's death?

3. How was the first king chosen?

4. What were the leading [141] elements in his character?

5. Describe the decline of Saul and the rise of David. 6. Analyze Samuel's character and influence in seven particulars.

      (e) Second Samuel.

1. Did Samuel write these books?

2. Who are the leading characters in this book?

3. What were the leading events in David's life?

4. What were the consequences of David's great sin?

5. What literary activity was begun during this period?

6. What prophets are mentioned?

      CHAPTER VI.

1. How was Solomon seated on the throne?

2. What was his choice?

3. What was the chief event of his reign?

4. What were the characteristics of Solomon's reign as to (1) prosperity, (2) extent of dominion, (3) commerce, (4) court splendor, (5) taxation, (6) literary activity?

5. What was the sin of Solomon's later years?

6. What was the cause of the division of the kingdom?

      CHAPTER VII.

1. What two kingdoms followed the united kingdom of Solomon?

2. In what books is this part of the history recorded?

3. What false worship did Jeroboam establish?

4. Name the kings of the Northern Kingdom (Israel).

5. Those of the Southern (Judah).

6. What great prophet arose?

7. What marriage reconciled the two kingdoms?

8. Describe the characteristics of (1) Ahab, (2) Jezebel, (3) Jehoshaphat, (4) Athaliah, (5) Jehu, (6) Elijah, (7) Elisha.

9. What heathen worship prevailed in the Northern Kingdom?

10. What descendant of Jehu enjoyed the most prosperous reign?

11. What foreign wars were waged during all this time?

12. What prophets lived in the time of Jeroboam II?

13. Describe the decline and fall of Israel.

14. In what year and by whom was it overthrown?

      CHAPTER VIII.

1. In what books is the story of the surviving kingdom of Judah told?

2. What was [142] the character of the reign of (1) Jotham, (2) Ahaz, (3) Hezekiah, (4) Manasseh, (5) Josiah?

3. What may be said of the date and prophetic work of (1) Isaiah, (2) Jeremiah?

4. What were the occasion and character of the reformation under Josiah?

5. What was its success?

      CHAPTER IX.

1. What was the date of Micah? (See list of prophets in appendix).

2. What were the subjects on which he spoke?

3. Against what city did Nahum speak?

4. Date and theme of Habakkuk's prophecy?

5. The subject of his prayer?

6. Date of Zephaniah and his relation to the reformation of Josiah?

7. Against what people did Obadiah speak, and for what crime?

8. Where and when did Ezekiel live?

9. Name some of symbols and visions of this book.

10. With what especially does the closing part deal?

11. What kind of a scourge does Joel describe?

12. What beautiful prophecy does he record?

      CHAPTER X.

      (a) Job.

1. How are the so-called prophetical books to be classified?

2. What is the theme of the book of Job?

3. What are its characters?

4. Name some of its most striking descriptions.

5. Is the book to be regarded as (1) fiction, (2) literal history, or (3) poetic elaboration of a real experience?

      (b) Psalms.

1. How many books of Psalms are there?

2. Who was the author of many of these Psalms?

3. Do the Psalms come from one period of the history, or several?

4. What events in David's life may have been the occasion for Psalms?

5. What other authors are named in the book?

6. Of what are the Psalms the record?

      (c) Proverbs.

1. What is the character of the book of Proverbs?

2. What are its leading divisions?

3. What was Solomon relation to it?

4. What other [143] persons are named as authors or collectors?

5. What is the chief value of the book?

      (d) Ecclesiastes.

1. What is the meaning of the title?

2. Who is made the subject of the book?

3. What may be said of its authorship?

4. What is the purpose of the book?

      (e) Song of Songs.

1. What is the literary character of this book?

2. Who are the leading persons?

3. What different views may be given of its value and its right to a place in the Bible?

      CHAPTER XI.

1. What is meant by the exile?

2. Who was Daniel?

3. How did he come to be in Babylon?

4. What are the leading events recorded in the book?

5. What was the purpose of their narration?

6. With what events does the book of Esther deal?

7. What are its leading characters?

8. What was probably the purpose?

9. What other literary materials belong to the same period?

      CHAPTER XII.

       (a) Ezra.

1. Of what is this book the continuation?

2. What events does it record?

3. What great enterprise engaged the people after the return from exile?

4. What hindrances arose?

5. Under whose direction was the Temple completed?

6. How was the law enforced?

      (b) Nehemiah.

1. With what other writing was the book originally connected?

2. What were Nehemiah's office and experience in Persia?

3. What did he do after arrival in Jerusalem?

4. Describe his visit to Babylon and return.

      (c) Haggai.

1. What were the date and duration of this prophet's work?

2. To what enterprise did he encourage the people?

3. What did he say were the results of their failure in this duty?

      (d) Zechariah.

1. How was the work of this prophet related to that of Haggai?

2. With what [144] other themes than the rebuilding of the Temple is the book concerned?

      (e) Malachi.

1. What is the date of this prophet?

2. What sins does he rebuke?

3. What promises and predictions does he make?

      What are the Apocryphal books of the Old Testament? (See list in Appendix). What is their value? With what period do they deal?

      CHAPTER XIII.

1. What are the divisions of the New Testament?

2. How many books in each? (See introduction.)

3. What are the characteristics of (1) the Gospels, (2) Acts, (3) the Epistles, (4) the Apocalypse?

      CHAPTER XIV.

      (a) Matthew.

1. What is known of the author?

2. How does he introduce Jesus?

3. Why does he make use of the Old Testament?

4. With what part of Jesus' work does the book largely deal?

5. What are the general divisions of the book?

6. Make a list of its (1) discourses, (2) parables, (3) miracles.

7. To whom was it especially addressed?

      (b) Mark.

1. What is known of Mark?

2. From what apostle is it probable he received directions in the preparation of the book?

3. How is this indicated?

4. What is the purpose of the book?

5. Which element in Jesus' work is largely recorded?

6. To what type of mind would the book specially commend itself?

7. Compare the list of miracles with Matthew's.

      (c) Luke.

1. How account for the similarities found in these three Gospels?

2. The differences?

3. Where do all these Gospels lay the scene of most of Jesus' work?

4. What are the divisions of Luke's Gospel?

5. What do we know of the author?

6. To whom is the book addressed?

7. Compare the parables and discourses with those in Matthew.

8. What [145] is the probable date of its composition? (See table in appendix).

      (d) John.

1. By what name are the first three Gospels known?

2. Why?

3. How does John's differ from them?

4. What data are given by John, but omitted by the others?

5. What are the characteristics of John's Gospel?

6. What is its value among the books of the New Testament?

      (e) Acts.

1. Who is its author?

2. Probable date? (See table in appendix).

3. What forms the theme of the book?

4. Give an outline of its leading events.

5. With what apostle's work is the first part concerned?

6. The second part?

7. Make a list of its (1) leading persons, (2) discourses, (3) miracles, (4) places. 8. What were the requirements for membership in the church as disclosed by this book?

      CHAPTER XV.

1. In what particulars did Paul surpass the other apostles?

2. What was the relation which Paul bore to Christ and Christianity?

3. What determined the order of the Epistles?

      (a) Romans.

1. How many chapters in this book?

2. At what period in Paul's life was it written? (See outline in appendix).

3. What is the great subject of this epistle?

4. What gave rise to the necessity for such an epistle?

5. In what chapters of the book are to be found (1) a terrible sketch of the sin of heathenism, (2) the grounds of Justification by Faith, (3) the confidence of Paul, (4) the great lessons of practical Christian life?

      (b) First Corinthians.

1. What were the date and place at which this book was written?

2. What were the facts regarding the founding of the church at Corinth?

3. What is shown to have been the condition of the church in the matter of (1) divisions, (2) disorders at the Lord's Supper, (3) other [146] troubles in the church?

4. What is the most beautiful chapter in the book, perhaps in the Bible?

      (c) Second Corinthians.

1. How long after the first letter to Corinth was this sent?

2. What may be learned from it regarding Paul's opposers?

3. In what respect is this the most personal epistle Paul ever sent? 4. Were there other epistles to the church at Corinth now lost?

      (d) Galatians.

1. Where were the Galatian churches?

2. What may be said as to the date and place of this writing?

3. For what does Paul reprove the Galatians?

4. How is salvation to be secured?

      (e) Ephesians.

1. What doubts may be thrown on the title of this book?

2. When was the book written?

3. What is the general theme?

4. In what chapter is found (1) the statement as to the means of progress in the Christian life, (2) the model prayer, (3) the description of the Christian armor?

      (f) Philippians.

1. Where is the account of the planting of this church?

2. Where was Paul at the time of writing?

3. What was the occasion of its being written?

4. What persons was Paul going to send to Philippi?

5. Where is the passage regarding (1) the humiliation of Christ, (2) Paul's thoughts of life and death, (3) the model discipline?

      (g) Colossians.

1. What were the four epistles of the first imprisonment of Paul?

2. Where was Colosse?

3. What are some of the leading characters of this epistle?

      (h) First Thessalonians.

1. How does this epistle stand in the order of Paul's writings?

2. What events had transpired at Thessalonica?

3. What had occurred to trouble some of the disciples there?

4. What is the teaching of Paul on the subject of the resurrection? [147]

      (i) Second Thessalonians.

1. What are the indications as to time?

2. What theme is uppermost in the epistle?

3. What are the practical instructions?

      (j) First Timothy.

1. Who was Timothy?

2. Where is he mentioned in Acts?

3. When was this epistle written?

4. What was the work of Timothy?

5. What workers in the church may especially profit by the teachings of this epistle?

      (k) Second Timothy.

1. What is Paul's condition at this writing?

2. How does this epistle stand in the order of Paul's letters?

3. What does the Apostle say regarding his approaching death?

4. What request did he make of Timothy?

      (l) Titus.

1. What is known of Titus?

2. In what duties does the epistle instruct him?

      (m) Philemon.

1. To which group of Paul's epistles does this belong?

2. What persons are mentioned?

3. What is the request made of Philemon?

      (n) Hebrews.

1. Is this regarded as an epistle of Paul?

2. Who have been suggested as possible authors?

3. What is the probable date?

4. How does it represent the relation of Christianity to Judaism?

5. Where in it is to be found (1) the comparison of Aaron's priesthood with that of Christ, (2) the statement regarding Melchizedek, (3) the roll call of the heroes of the faith?

      CHAPTER XVI.

1. What is meant by Catholic epistles? 2. How many are there? 3. Why are II John and III John included in this list?

      (a) James.

1. Which James was the author of this book?

2. To whom is the book addressed?

3. What was the probable date of its composition?

4. What was the purpose?

5. What does it say regarding (1) the tongue, (2) pure religion, (3) faith and works? [148]

      (b) First Peter.

1. Where did the Christians addressed in this epistle live?

2. What does the apostle say regarding (1) the Word of God, (2) the corner stone, (3) baptism, (4) probability of persecution?

      (c) Second Peter.

1. What does the writer say of things to be "added?"

2. Of the transfiguration of Christ?

3. What warnings are uttered?

      (d) First John.

1. What is the order of John's writings. (See table in the appendix).

2. What is the chief duty set forth in this epistle?

3. How does John address his readers?

4. Enumerate five points in the teachings of this epistle?

      (e) Second John.

1. To whom was this letter addressed?

2. For what purpose?

      (f) Third John.

1. What kind of a man does the epistle show Gaius to have been?

2. What is the value of these two brief letters?

      (g) Jude.

1. Who was the author of this writing?

2. What was the object of the epistle?

3. Why was this needed?

      (h) The Apocalypse.

1. What is the meaning of this word?

2. In what place among John's writings does the book probably come?

3. Where was the author?

4. What seems to have been the purpose of the book?

5. What relation do the scenes and visions of the book bear to the events of the time; such as the persecution of the Christians by Nero and the destruction of Jerusalem?

6. What is John's confidence as to the final issue of the struggle between the forces of evil and the church?

      CHAPTER XVII.

1. What characterized the patriarchal age?

2. The Mosaic age?

3. The Christian age?

4. What is the right division of the Scriptures?

5. What is the purpose of (1) the Gospels, (2) Acts, (3) the Epistles, (4) the Apocalypse? [149]