Bible Curricula - General Letters & Revelation – 3rd Quarter (13 weeks/13 lessons)
Objective: To challenge teacher(s) and students to have a working knowledge of Hebrews - Revelation
CHOOSE 1 CURRICULUM idea (out of 3) on how to teach Heb. – Rev. in 13 weeks/13 lessons:
1st Curriculum:
Spend 13 weeks on summarizing and discussing one NT book each week (8 letters in 8 weeks, Heb. – Jude; then 5 weeks in Revelation). Goal: discuss author, date, theme, purpose, background, and characteristics of each letter and go into greater detail with Revelation.
1. Hebrews (possibly written between A.D. 64-68 before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70)
2. James (possibly written between A.D. 45-49 before the A.D. 49 meeting of Acts 15:1-9)
3. 1 Peter (possibly written between A.D. 63-64 before persecution by Nero in A.D. 64)
4. 2 Peter (possibly written between A.D. 64-66 before Peter’s estimated death in A.D. 64-66)
5. 1 John (possibly written between A.D. 80-95 before persecution by Domitian in A.D. 95)
6. 2 John (possibly written between A.D. 80-95 before persecution by Domitian in A.D. 95)
7. 3 John (possibly written between A.D. 80-95 before persecution by Domitian in A.D. 95)
8. Jude (possibly written between A.D. 66-80 after 2 Peter, before Jude’s death in A.D. 80)
9. Revelation 1 (possibly written between A.D. 95-96 during persecution by Domitian in A.D. 95-96)
10. Revelation Chapters 2-3
11. Revelation Chapters 4-11
12. Revelation Chapters 12:1-20:6
13. Revelation Chapters 20:7-22:21
2nd Curriculum:
Spend 13 weeks on VERSE-BY-VERSE (approx. 87 verses per week)
[Everyone read/study these verses a week prior to the following schedule]:
1. Hebrews Chapters 1-5
2. Hebrews Chapter 6-9
3. Hebrews Chapters 10-11
4. Hebrews Chapters 12-13 & James Chapter 1
5. James Chapters 2-5
6. 1 Peter Chapters 1-5
7. 2 Peter Chapters 1-3 & 1 John Chapter 1
8. 1 John Chapters 2-5
9. 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation Chapters 1-3
10. Revelation Chapters 4-8
11. Revelation Chapters 9-13
12. Revelation Chapters 14-18
13. Revelation Chapters 19-22
3rd Curriculum:
Spend 13 weeks on 13 topics from the General Letters and Revelation
1. Hebrews (1:1-3; 2:2; 4:2, 6, 12; 5:8-14; 11:8; 13:17) God’s Word & Obedience
2. Hebrews (2:1-3; 3:12; 4:1, 11; 6:1-8; 10:24-31; 12:15) Drifting Christians
3. Hebrews (11:1-13) Faith that Pleases God
4. James (1:2-27) Trials & Temptations
5. James (2:14-26) Works that Justify
6. James (3:1-12) Controlling the Tongue
7. 1 Peter (1:13 – 2:12) Be Holy
8. 1 Peter (3:8 – 4:19) Christian Suffering
9. 2 Peter (1:1-21 ) Christian Growth
10. 2 Peter (3:1-18) The Day of the Lord
11. 1 John (2:5, 15; 3:1, 11, 14, 16-18, 23; 4:7-12, 16-21; 5:2-3) Christian Love
12. 2 John (7-11), 3 John (9-11), Jude (3-4, 8, 10-13, 16-23) False Teachers
13. Revelation (21:1 – 22:5) Heaven
MEMORY WORK
Memorizing VERSES of Paul’s Letters for the Quarter:
1. Hebrews 10:25, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
2. James 2:24, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.”
3. 1 Peter 5:7, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
4. 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Optional Shortened Memory Verses for younger students:
1. Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
2. 2 Peter 3:18, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord”
3. 1 John 5:17, “All unrighteousness is sin”
4. Revelation 2:10, “Be faithful until death”
Memorizing the major themes of each of the General Letters and Revelation for the Quarter:
(On our website, go to “Study Aids” then “Study Guides” then “Theming the New Testament”)
1. Hebrews Better (is the New Testament than the Old)
2. James Be Doers of God’s Word
3. 1 Peter Rejoice in Suffering
4. 2 Peter Guard against False Teachers
5. 1 John Be Confident in the Son of God
6. 2 John Do not Support False Teachers
7. 3 John Be Hospitable (especially to Gospel Preachers)
8. Jude Contend for the Faith (against False Teachers)
9. Revelation Be Faithful (unto Death)
Memorizing all books of the Bible by the end of the Quarter (add about 5 books per week):
1. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
2. Gen., Exod., Lev., Num., Deut., Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel
3. Gen., Exod., Lev., Num., Deut., Josh., Judg., Ruth, 1 & 2 Sam., 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra
4. Gen., Exod., Lev., Num., Deut., Josh., Judg., Ruth, 1 & 2 Sam., 1 & 2 Kgs., 1 & 2 Chr., Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms
5. Gen., Exod., Lev., Num., Deut., Josh., Judg., Ruth, 1 & 2 Sam., 1 & 2 Kgs., 1 & 2 Chr., Ezra, Neh., Est., Job, Psa., Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah
6. Gen., Exod., Lev., Num., Deut., Josh., Judg., Ruth, 1 & 2 Sam., 1 & 2 Kgs., 1 & 2 Chr., Ezra, Neh., Est., Job, Psa., Prov., Eccl., Song, Isa., Jer., Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos
7. Gen., Exod., Lev., Num., Deut., Josh., Judg., Ruth, 1 & 2 Sam., 1 & 2 Kgs., 1 & 2 Chr., Ezra, Neh., Est., Job, Psa., Prov., Eccl., Song, Isa., Jer., Lam., Ezek., Dan., Hos., Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk
8. Gen., Exod., Lev., Num., Deut., Josh., Judg., Ruth, 1 & 2 Sam., 1 & 2 Kgs., 1 & 2 Chr., Ezra, Neh., Est., Job, Psa., Prov., Eccl., Song, Isa., Jer., Lam., Ezek., Dan., Hos., Joel, Amos, Obad., Jon., Mic., Nah., Hab., Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah, Malachi
9. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts
10. Matt., Mark, Luke, John, Ac., Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians
11. Matt., Mark, Luke, John, Ac., Rom., 1 & 2 Cor., Gal., Eph., Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy
12. Matt., Mark, Luke, John, Ac., Rom., 1 & 2 Cor., Gal., Eph., Phil., Col., 1 & 2 Th., 1 & 2 Tim., Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter
13. Matt., Mark, Luke, John, Ac., Rom., 1 & 2 Cor., Gal., Eph., Phil., Col., 1 & 2 Th., 1 & 2 Tim., Tit., Phm., Heb., Jam., 1 & 2 Pet., 1 & 2 & 3 John, Jude, Revelation
QUESTIONS on General Letters & Revelation for…
Week 1: Hebrews (Chapters 1, 4, 5, 8, 11)
1. In what days are we living?
2. Jesus was tempted in all points as we are, yet without what?
3. Jesus became the author of eternal life to all who do what?
4. Under the New Testament, what will God not remember?
5. It is impossible to please God without what?
Week 2: James (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
1. We should be swift/quick to hear and slow to do what?
2. When the body is without the spirit, what is it?
3. What is a fire, a world of iniquity/sin?
4. What is it to a person who knows to do good but does not do it?
5. What should we do when we are happy?
Week 3: 1 Peter (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
1. Christians purified their souls when they did what?
2. Whom are we commanded to love?
3. Noah and his family were saved by water. What is the antitype that now saves us?
4. The saved are called righteous. What are the lost called?
5. Elders are to be examples to the flock instead of what?
Week 4: 2 Peter (Chapters 1, 1, 2, 2, 3)
1. A Christian who fails to grow is short-sighted and has forgotten what?
2. No prophecy of Scripture is of what?
3. Why did God cast angels down to hell (Tartarus) to be reserved for judgment?
4. What will the latter end be for the child of God who becomes unfaithful and gets entangled again in the pollutions of this world?
5. Why has God been longsuffering all these years and has not yet sent His Son a second time?
Week 5: 1 John (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
1. A child of God who says he has not sinned is a what?
2. We know we know God if we do what?
3. What does the Bible call a child of God who hates his brother in Christ?
4. How can we determine whether someone is a false teacher or not?
5. God hears our prayers if we ask according to what?
Week 6: 2 John
1. What abides in us and will be with us forever?
2. To love is walk according to what?
3. The many deceivers who have gone out into the world have not confessed what?
4. If a person does not abide in the doctrine/teaching of Jesus, he does not have whom?
5. If we support a false teacher, we share in his what?
Week 7: 3 John
1. John prays that Christians prosper in all things including what?
2. John has no greater joy than to hear about what?
3. Who was known for taking care of brethren, strangers and especially gospel preachers?
4. Who loved to dominate the church, did not receive the apostles and put Christians out who wanted to receive brethren?
5. Who has a good testimony from all and from the truth itself?
Week 8: Jude
1. What has once and for all time been delivered to the Christians?
2. Some people try to turn the grace of God into what?
3. What did the angels who are now in everlasting chains leave that was their own?
4. Sodom and Gomorrah are suffering the vengeance of what?
5. Why do some people flatter others?
Week 9: Revelation (Chapter 1)
1. Who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler over the kings of the earth?
2. While John was persecuted on Patmos island, he considered himself a brother in tribulation, patience and what else?
3. Who walked in the middle of the seven lampstands?
4. What are the seven stars in Revelation?
5. What are the seven lampstands?
Week 10: Revelation (Chapters 2, 3)
1. Which church left their first love?
2. Which church was holding fast to the doctrine of Balaam and the Nicolaitans?
3. Which church was dead?
4. Which church was lukewarm?
5. How did the Holy Spirit speak to the churches of Asia Minor in Revelation?
Week 11: Revelation (Chapters 4, 5, 6, 10, 11)
1. All thing that God created exists by what?
2. No one in heaven or on earth was able to open up the scroll except whom?
3. Who said, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”?
4. What was sweet as honey in John’s mouth but became bitter in his stomach?
5. When the temple of God was opened in heaven, what was seen in it?
Week 12: Revelation (Chapters 12, 13, 14, 16, 19)
1. Who was the great dragon?
2. The number of the beast (666) in the number of a what?
3. Those who die in the Lord are what?
4. Great Babylon was a great what?
5. What does the fine linen of the Lamb’s wife represent?
Week 13: Revelation (Chapters 20, 21, 22)
1. The dead will be judged according to their what?
2. Anyone not found in the Book of Life will be cast into what?
3. What is the second death?
4. What will be the light of the New Jerusalem?
5. If anyone takes away from the words of Revelation, God will do what to him?
An Introduction to the General Letter of the New Testament (Worksheet 1-9)
Hebrews - Jude
Fill in the blanks. Give chapter and verse to each answer. Write/type notes in your Bible.
[Make 9 copies per student/teacher.]
Name of Letter ____________________________________________________
Author ____________________________________________________
The writer of the above letter (if known)
Audience ____________________________________________________
To whom the letter was initially written
Place 1. _________________________ 2. _______________________
Where author is when he writes Where audience is
Time ____________________________________________________
When letter was written
Purpose ____________________________________________________
Why letter was written
Theme ____________________________________________________
The main idea(s) of the letter
Characteristics ____________________________________________________
Unique or emphasized ideas, features, etc. of the letter
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
An Introduction to Revelation (Worksheet 10)
Fill in the blanks. Give chapter and verse to each answer. Write/type notes in your Bible.
Author ____________________________________________________
The writer of Revelation
Audience ____________________________________________________
To whom the letter was initially written
Place 1. _________________________ 2. _______________________
Where author is when he writes Where audience is
Time ____________________________________________________
When letter was written
Purpose ____________________________________________________
Why letter was written
Theme ____________________________________________________
The main idea(s) of the letter
Characteristics ____________________________________________________
Unique or emphasized ideas, features, etc. of the letter
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
REVELATION: A BRIEF INTRODUCTION
by David Ray Fanning I
The word “Revelation” means “a revealing, unveiling or uncovering.” Therefore, the book of Revelation is meant to be understood by the common Christian - and not hidden from him (Revelation 1:1). It is a book of prophecy in which those who read and heed will be blessed (Revelation 1:3; 22:7). It is a revelation of Jesus Christ that concerns events which were to “shortly take place” (primarily in the first century A.D.). Hence, most of the prophecies of Revelation have already taken place (read Revelation 1:1, 3; 2:16; 3:11; 22:6, 7, 12, 20 and note that 20:7-22:5 is yet to take place). Revelation was written by John the apostle while he was exiled on the island of Patmos near the end of the reign of Roman emperor Domitian around A.D. 95 (Revelation 1:1, 4, 9; 22:8; Domitian was the first emperor to demand that the Roman people worship him while he was still alive; he was also the first emperor to lead an empire-wide persecution against Christians, described in Revelation 13).
The prophecy of Revelation was signified to John by an angel of God (Revelation 1:1). It was written to the seven churches which were located in the Roman province of Asia (Minor; read Revelation 1:9-11). The Christians of the seven churches, as well as John, were undergoing heavy persecution due to the anti-Christian policies of the Roman government (Revelation 1:9-11; 2:10, 13; note: “Babylon” is another name for Rome described in Revelation 14:8; 17:5; 18:2, 10, 21; 1 Peter 5:13). Therefore, John was inspired to write this last book of the New Testament to encourage the Christians to remain faithful (loyal) to Christ even if it meant that they must die for Him (Revelation 2:10). Furthermore, he wanted to assure the Christians that God was in ultimate control and that He would punish Rome and reward His faithful children. The book of Revelation completed the final, inspired revelations of God and is not to be added to nor subtracted from (Revelation 22:18-19). There are no more latter-day revelations (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Jude 1:3).
The word “signify” means “to set forth in signs or symbols” (Revelation 1:1). The following are some of the symbols and their usual meanings:
- Numbers (and their multiples):
- 2 = something strengthened
- 3 = the divine name
- 4 = the world men inhabit
- 6 = imperfection or evil (example: 666 = the imperfect, evil man Domitian)
- 7 = perfection (example: 7 Spirits = The perfect Holy Spirit)
- 10 = human completeness (example: 1000 years = the complete time Satan’s powers are limited, that is, the Period between the Apostolic Age and the Second Coming)
- 12 = organized religion (example: 144,000 – organized religion of the Old and New Testaments, namely, all of God’s faithful children of all the ages)
- Colors
- White = purity or victory
- Red = blood
- Black = death
For a brief commentary on “Revelation” go to our website under “Study Aids” then “Study Guides” then “Revelation: A Brief Introduction” (also in the same section see Ben’s outline of Revelation)
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