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: Hebrews

Class: Hebrews


Week #13: December 5- 9
Professor: Pastor Paul Harbourne

Pastor Paul Harbourne

Assignments: Read through Hebrews twice and the textbook, Everyman's Bible Commentary: the Epistle to the Hebrews by Charles F. Pfeiffer, before the final exam.

Pastor Harbourne was born and raised in Toronto. After working in the computer industry for over decade, Pastor Harbourne and his wife, Kim, decided to attend Word of Life Bible Institute in 1993. After graduation in 1994, he obeyed God’s call to come to Owen Sound and minister with WOL Canada. Later, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Prairie Bible College. In July 2008, Pastor Harbourne accepted the call to be pastor of the Fellowship Baptist Church in Collingwood, ON. He and Kim live in Collingwood with their three children, Tyler, Lindsay and Brendan.

"I loved his fatherly approach to teaching and his willingness for us to make sure we could understand everything. Under his teaching, Hebrews became not only understandable, but also applicable."
- Monica, Stratford

The Epistle to the Hebrews is an interesting book from the New Testament. Not much is known about the origin of this letter. Who wrote it, where it came from and was it written to any specific church are questions that remain unanswered. However, because of the many Old Testament references, Hebrews was mostly likely written to a primarily Jewish audience.
The superiority of Christ is the theme of Hebrews. The author, through heavy doctrine, proves that Christ is better than any Old Testament tenets, such as the sacrificial system and the priesthood. But this epistle is not just for Israel. The message of Hebrews is that Christ is enough. Christians need to realize that He is all they need. Not only does the author prove that Christ is better, but the author also presents to believers several warnings about falling away. When looking at the letter as a whole, one will discover that over-all, it is an extremely encouraging book, and some of the last few verses display this encouragement.


"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly."
- Hebrews 13:20-22

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