Word Studies: Bible Survey

 Class: Bible Survey

Week#: This course spans the entire academic year.
Professor: Mr. Jonathan Ward

Jonathan and Melissa Ward blog. facebook. wol.

Assignments: Read through each book of the Bible by the assigned class period. Write one chapter title, a sentence of 3-10 words, for every chapter in each book (except for 1 and 2 Chronicles and Proverbs). Write one research paper and one reflection paper per semester. Complete five maps for both the Old Testament and the New Testament.


Jonathan is a graduate of New Brunswick Bible Institute and a former Word of Life Impact Team member (1997-99), and Melissa is a graduate of Lancaster Bible College. Together, they coordinated Word of Life Canada's Impact Team ministry from 2001-2006, with Jonathan training and discipling the Team members and hundreds of speaking opportunities each year. Jonathan now serves as the Dean of Men and is Professor of Bible Survey at the Owen Sound Campus of the Word of Life Bible Institute.

The primary purpose of Bible Survey is to introduce the student to the major people, places, events and teachings contained in both the Old and New Testaments. This course is designed to provide a framework for understanding the rest of biblical truth as well as identify the unique characteristics of each book of the Bible.

Fall Semester

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

2 Timothy 3:16 

As it states in the above scripture, the Old Testament is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Every book was divinely inspired, or God-breathed, even books like Numbers and Leviticus and life application and lessons can be gleaned from their pages. Mr. Ward seeks to make this truth a reality for each and every student. The class is taught everything about the book. Themes, outlines, distinctives and surveys of every book are explained in detail as well as specific and unique attributes.

"Bible Survey has consistently stretched me when it comes to studying the all 66 books of Bible. The amount of knowledge we can learn from studying these books is immense. I really like learning about the history of the books of the bible and digging a little deeper into each one after reading it."
- Kyle, Kitchener

Spring Semester

In New Testament Survey, the students learn about the theme, outlines, and the surveys just like Old Testament Survey; however, Mr. Ward begins the New Testament differently. First, he takes the students through a series of lessons on the historicity of the Bible. After that he teaches through the gospels, expounding on the four pictures of the Son of God presented. As they make their way through the epistles and ending in Revelation, Mr. Ward shows how Christ is the theme of all 29 books. By the time the class has reached completion, the students will look back at what they have covered in the past nine months and be amazed.

"Bible Survey has been a great class. At the beginning of the course, I was unsure about it because history wasn't one of my best subjects. I have learned so much about the importance of context and true interpretation. Having studied the Old Testament in the Fall Semester, I find it is so much easier to understand the New Testament now that I know the basis it's built on!"
- Sarah, Midland

Want to check out Bible Survey for yourself? Come to Campus Days!

Word Studies: Galatians

Class: Galatians

Week #5: February 27 - March 2
Professor: Pastor Ken Fillmore


Assignments: Read a portion of Galatians corresponding with the lessons every day starting on Monday.

Pastor Fillmore is a graduate of New Brunswick Bible Institute and has been a pastor for 24 years. Pastor Fillmore is currently serving as Senior Pastor at Peoples Church in Truro, Nova Scotia.

"The teacher was amazingly engaging and he brought life to the book of Galatians."
- John, Mount Forest

"Pastor Fillmore gave me a whole new understanding of Galatians. This class helped me understand the application that can be found in this amazing letter."
- Whitney,  Proton Station

Pastor Fillmore loves God, loves people and loves teaching. He wants the students to personally apply the text to each of their lives and to be different people at the end of the week for the glory of God. Galatians is Paul's treatise on the freedom we have in Christ. Paul begins the book with an interrogation of sorts of the churches in Galatia. He asks them why they have departed from what he himself taught them when he first preached the gospel to them. The Galatians had begun to pervert the gospel into a works-based salvation instead of the grace-based salvation Paul had originally taught. The core doctrine taught in Galatians is justification. The definition of justification is the following: the act of God whereby He declares the believing sinner to be righteous in Jesus Christ. God does this out of His infinite love towards us and because of His amazing grace. The Galatians were trying to achieve righteousness by their own merit and works. Paul says, "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain"(Gal. 2:21). If the believer lives by his own works and not by the grace of God, he is throwing away Christ's sacrifice. As Paul states, this is foolishness (Gal. 3:3). Pastor Fillmore does not just teach the facts of the doctrine, he also teaches the effects this doctrine has on the believer's life. His purpose in teaching the class is for each student is to be able to live out the truths found in this portion of God's Word.

"It was a great week of getting deeper into the book of Galatians with Pastor Fillmore. I learned that its so important to remember that it is not by works like the Judaizers but of faith alone we are saved. What a promise and what a Saviour we have!"
- Lucas, Wyoming



Want to learn how to apply the Word of God?  Why not come to Campus Days here at the Bible Institute? Check out some classes and meet this year's students. Find out if the Word of Life Bible Institute is your next step.


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Word Studies: Philippians

Class: Philippians

Week #4: February 20-24
Professor: Mr. Ric Garland


Assignments: Read the book of Philippians four times by the morning of the exam.


Ric Garland is the Vice President of Word of Life Local Church Ministries. He has served with WOL for thirty years; twenty-five of those years have been spent with Local Church Ministries and five years as the Vice President of the Word of Life Bible Institute. He is passionate and purposed in helping others to live biblically-principled lives. His ministry includes speaking and teaching around the world, discipling, leading, and developing. Ric is married to Ellen, his partner in ministry and the love of his life. He has three amazing children, Nicole, Eric and Shannon.

In this epistle to the church in Philippi, one can easily discover Paul's joy, love and passion in ministry. His joy in all situations. His love for the church. His passion for Christ.



Awaiting trial, Paul writes this letter from prison in Rome. Paul writes about joy and contentment while chained to a soldier night and day. His own example of joy in suffering speaks volumes without even writing one word. But Paul knew it was necessary to communicate these truths through this letter. His purpose in writing was not only to teach the church about joy, but he also wanted to thank them for labouring with him in the work of the gospel. The generosity of the Philippians displayed their willingness to give whatever was needed for ministry. Paul's gratitude flows throughout the letter and his love spills from its pages. Lastly, Paul, as in all his epistles, puts forth the attitude that each believer should have. Through word and deed, Paul teaches passion for the Saviour.

"I love how Philipians 2 shows Christ's servanthood.

It reminds me how much He has done for me,

which displays what I need to be doing for others,

so ultimately He can receive the honor and glory."

- Sarah, Alberta

Sacrifice becomes easy when the church's focus is eternal rather than temporal. Paul says that Christ needs to be our everything. The things of this world become nothing in light of Jesus and what He has done for each person. Two men, Epaphroditus and Timothy, are given as examples of self-sacrificing and Christ-centered lives. If only each believer gave up self and sought Christ, the world would be radically changed for glory of God and it starts with you.

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"- Philippians 1:16


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