The Barton-Veerman Co. - Bible Travel Guide for Students

Welcome to the Bible Travel Guide for Students! This guide will help lead you through the sometimes confusing world of Gods Word. It will serve as your atlas to the Bible. But remember, looking at a map can be interesting but not nearly as exciting as visiting the actual place. Checking your route and finding out what you may discover are good ways to prepare for a journey, but they shouldnt replace the journey itself. Opening, reading, and studying your Bible will transport you into the adventure. Take the Bible Travel Guide for Students with you as you explore Gods Word!

You have probably picked up this book for one of two reasons:

1. You would like to be able to read and understand the Bible on your own. Whether your Bible is old and dusty or new and shiny, you want to start owning it. You have decided you dont just want other peoples comments about Gods Word. You want to check it out for yourself.
2. You are teaching others about the Bible and want a helpful source of basic information.

In either case you will find this guide useful. It will keep the big picture in front of you as you read Gods Word.

The material in the Bible Travel Guide for Students is organized in biblical order. Each book in the Bible has a fascinating individual history. Part of understanding and applying the Bible involves becoming familiar with that background. You will find the following essential features packed here to guide you through each Bible book.

• Snapshot This easy-to-read section will inform you about the impact and importance of each Bible book. Each Snapshot will help you see how the message of a given book is relevant to your own needs and concerns. This feature also gives you the following information about each Bible book:
  • Purpose answers the question, Why was this book originally written?
  • Author identifies the human author when possible.
  • To Whom Written identifies the original audience of the book.
  • Date Written/Date of Events locates the book on the timeline of history.
  • Setting notes important historical events that impacted the writer and original audience.
  • Key People highlights the people who stand out most in the book.
  • Key Places points out where the events recorded in the book occurred or where the audience of the book lived.
  • Special Features notes unusual facts that will help you get a sense of each books uniqueness.
• Itinerary This section gives a narrated outline of each Bible book.
• Notebook This section describes the major themes in each Bible book and supplies several questions to help you dig into each theme, whether in the context of personal or group study.
• Postcard This section concludes each books summary by challenging you to personally apply the important lessons from that portion of Gods Word.

Each of these features will facilitate your study whether you are pursuing it alone or with a group. At first you may find that you have a lot of knowledge gaps to fill. Every insight will seem crucial. As you become familiar with the territory, certain features will stand out for you as particularly helpful. When preparing a study for a group, the questions in the Notebook sections will provide a starting point. Both the Snapshots and Itinerary will give you an overview of the book that you can share with others or simply absorb as you begin to read that part of Gods Word. Consider all the features as part of the baggage you are taking as you explore the world of the Bible. Some of the items you will naturally use more than others.

This guide also includes a suggested reading plan and a special index that will act as experienced companions during your Bible explorations. This unique Bible reading plan will give you a guided overview of all of Scripture. You wont read the entire Bible the first time through, but you will visit all the major events, stories, and lessons in Gods Word. When following the reading plan, use the provocative question included with each reading to help you make a personal application of Gods Word to your life. You will also find the Where to Find It Index, which tells you where to locate key stories and events in the Bible and then specifically in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Have an exciting, lifelong adventure in Gods Word. The journey leads to an eternity with your heavenly Father. As for this guide? Dont leave home without it!