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Faith Living

SESSION 1 - Prophetic Integrity
FIrst Three Books
You All May Prophesy by Steve Thompson
Sit, Walk, Stand by Watchman Nee
Snakes in the Lobby by Scott McLeod
For each book, please write a critical analysis answering the following:

• What is the main purpose of the book?
• What is the most important take away for you?
• What can you dispute? Offer good evidence from scripture, history, science or first hand experience.
• How are the author's biases evident?
• How did your own biases impact your reading of the book?
• How are the author's ideas supported?
• How can you extend the teaching beyond what is presented in the book?
• What is your reaction or opinion of the material?

​​Session 2 - Understanding Allegory
Second 3 Books

• Hinds Feet in High Places by Hannah Hurnard
• Mountain of Spices by Hannah Hurnard
• There Were Two Trees in the Garden by Rick Joyner. 

The assignment for these books is simply a reaction paper for each. Write as though you are telling someone about it who hasn't read the book. Please include insights that you gained about the Lord and your relationship with Him.

Old Testament Survey

Two Books required: 

• Israel's History by Leon J. Wood
• The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures 2nd Edition By Michael Coogan

​Optional Supplemental Materials:

•  Feasts of the Bible pamphlet (Feasts and Holidays of the Bible pamphlet)
• ​ Tabernacle pamphlet: Symbolism in the Tabernacle by Rose Publishing.

Assignments:
As you go through the Coogan book, you will see that there are vocabulary words and some questions for each of the chapters.
Please be sure you understand the vocabulary words, and answer two questions from each chapter.
Write a reflection for each unit on your thoughts, what you have learned, what you think the value of the material in that unit may be for a Christian leader.  Units are several chapters so I do not want a reflection for each chapter. Please write about what you disagree with and want to challenge in the material as well, but be sure to support your arguments.
None of this work is meant to be a burden. It is an opportunity to think about what you have read. Papers do not need to be long. They just need to fully express your ideas.
 
For Leon Wood's book, if you love the Old Testament, it will be an easy read. This book is meant to be read critically. There are three assignments for this text. 
- You will note Wood's assumptions and biases, just as you may have noticed Coogan's.  This author takes some interpretive liberty in his exposition of the meaning of certain events and archaeological findings throughout the text. Choose a point or two points made by the author that you disagree with and write a persuasive essay for your argument. Be sure to support your position thoroughly.​Please support your argument.
- Do an expository essay on the typology of Christ (or a Christian interpretation of) either in the tabernacle or  one of the Jewish Feasts. This paper should be researched, and sources should be cited. Again, it does not have to be long, but your claims should be supported.
- The Hebrew Bible contains the scriptures of the Jewish tradition. It is not incomplete or obsolete for them. The treatment of these texts as the "Old Testament" by Christianity has many implications, such as ignoring the Jewish socio-historical context, anti-Jewish stereotyping and bias, and co-opting of Jewish tradition. Choose one of these or another that you notice, and write a reflection.

Hopefully, some of the material in Coogan's book informed your reading of Wood. The final for the course will be a summarizing reflection that brings these two texts into conversation around an aspect of the nature or character of God as revealed in the Old Testament. Be sure to expound on scripture references that demonstrate this particular characteristic, and on at least one prayer from the Old Testament where the person praying is looking to this aspect or dimension of God's nature.
It is expected that you would read the Old Testament along with the Survey as you go through this course. 

Alternative Assignment:
 You may use the following assignment for an alternative to any of the writing assignments in this course:
 - Do a biographical essay on the life of one of the Old Testament prophets. Include historical background, political events and personalities both in the Israel and Judah, and also in the surrounding nations, and archaeological evidence if available. This does not need to be more than three or four pages long. Just tell the prophets story.
 

Christian Living

Five Books:
​Breaking Intimidation by John Bevere
​Bait of Satan by John Bevere
Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyers
Grace Amazing by Steve McVey
Life Together by Dietrich Boenhoffer 
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​For each of these books give a thorough answer to each of the following questions:
1. What was the most significant thing take away for you from the text? Please explain.
2. What were five main points from this text that you will apply to your own life?
​3. What if anything would you debate in the text?
4. Prepare a sermon or teaching based upon the text in your own words and from your perspective.
5. Finally, write a short compare and contrast essay on two books of your choice showing similarities and difference in the authors worldviews, perspectives, God-concepts, and teachings.

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