Course Information

This course is a basic introduction and overview of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures.  Students will learn about key figures and events as well as use some tools for Biblical analysis, exploration, and learning. We will approach the Bible as a faith text which reflects the various authors' theologies.  In the fall semester, we will study Hebrew Scriptures and in the spring, the Christian Testament.  

Enduring Understandings & Essential Questions

The following ideas serve as the foundation of all the material studied in the course:

•The Scriptures mirror our human experiences – our hopes, fears, joys, and questions.

⇒How do you see yourself in the stories of the Bible?

⇒What can we learn about ourselves and humanity through the Scriptures?

•God makes a covenant with all creation and humanity

⇒How did people in scripture understand their relationship with God and with others?

⇒What are the implication of this in for out time?

•God chooses the last, the least, and the lowly. 

⇒Who were the least in the time of the Scriptures?

⇒Why are the last, the least, and the lowly important?

•The canon of Scriptures took shape and evolved over many generations and centuries.

⇒How did the Bible come about?

⇒How does culture and history affect our reading and interpretation of Scripture?

⇒How do we interpret Scripture?

Required Materials

Fall:  Written on our Hearts  by Mary Reed Newland

Spring:  Jesus of History, Christ of Faith by Thomas Zanzig

New Revised Standard Bible (Catholic Youth Bible - Saint Mary’s Press)

Dedicated 3-ring binder with three sections:  Notes/handouts, returned assignments and

homework, and journal/reflection

Course Skills & Values:

Students will be able to. . . 

• list and identify major characters and events in the Bible. (knowledge)

• explain the stages of the formation of the canon of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures.

(knowledge, comprehension)

• select, summarize, and explain major themes within the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures

(comprehension, analysis)

• demonstrate how lessons learned in the Bible apply to their own lives.

(application, evaluation, synthesis)

• propose ways to show how God has worked in human history and continues to work

presently. (application, evaluation, synthesis)

Course Methodology

• interactive lectures and note-taking

• frequent quizzes & unit tests

• reading (silent and oral)

• large and small group work

• use of multimedia resources