READING • PSALM 19
Welcome to the course
The Christadelphian Bible Postal Course is designed to help you understand the Bible, which is the Word of God. The Bible, sometimes called “the Scriptures”, is the only book which reliably tells us about God and about His plans for the earth and the people on it. It promises a blessing for everyone who reads it with a sincere desire to understand it.
You will need your own Bible
It is a privilege to possess a copy of the Word of God. To follow this Course you will need to have your own copy of the whole Bible (not just the New Testament). If you do not already have one, you can buy a copy quite cheaply at a branch of the Bible Society. There is one in almost every country. But if that is impossible for you, please tell your tutor immediately. He or she may be able to assist you in getting a second-hand one.
How the course is delivered
This Postal Course consists of 60 weekly papers. If your tutor (that is, the person sending the lessons to you) lives a long way from you, it is probable that you will receive several lessons and a Question Sheet together once a month.
Your tutor is
Your reference number is
Please use this number on all correspondence, answer papers, etc. Please send all your answers (and any questions) back to your tutor. It would help if you wrote only to your tutor, even though you may see other addresses on our literature.
Bible versions
The Bible quotations in this Course are taken from the English Authorised Version of the Bible. There are also very good modern versions, such as the Revised Standard Version (RSV) and the New International Version (NIV), but they may not be available in some countries. You may find that the text of Bibles available in your country is slightly different. Whichever of these versions you use, it will not alter the meaning or affect your study of the Bible.
This Bible Course is free
The only cost to you will be your airmail letter to your tutor once a month. Our aim is to help you enjoy reading the Scriptures and to discover the wonderful message of salvation through Jesus Christ. We do not provide certificates or testimonials for taking the Course, but at the end of the 60 lessons we would like to assist you in continuing your Bible study.
Bible references
When a reference from the Bible is given, it will be written like this:
Genesis 1
the Book of Genesis, chapter 1
Genesis 1:1–7
the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verses 1 to 7 inclusive
How to study the lessons
Make a practice of doing one lesson each week. We suggest that you ensure you understand one paper before going on to the next. You may find it helpful to read each lesson three times:
1
First reading: Read the lesson to gain a general idea of what it is about.
2
Second reading: Look up the quotations in your own Bible and make a note of any difficulties or questions.
3
Third reading: Read the lesson right through again, together with the recommended reading at the beginning of each paper.
At the end of each lesson you will find other useful verses to look up in your Bible, and one Scripture which we strongly urge you to learn by heart. These verses will remain in your memory and will help you throughout your life.
Bible Reading Planner and Notebook
With your first papers we also include a BIBLE READING PLANNER. This provides a method of reading one chapter of the Bible every day. If you are willing to do this, you will quickly become familiar with different parts of the Bible. You might like to keep your Bible Reading Planner inside your Bible for daily use. After your tutor has received your answers to Question Paper No. 1, he or she will send you a free copy of a little book called your BIBLE READING NOTEBOOK. This contains short comments on the daily readings. It is also a useful Bible reference book, with many small maps and diagrams to help you in your study.
Answering the questions
We ask you to send your answers every month to your tutor (by airmail, please). You should answer the questions in your own words. Do not simply copy what the lessons have said. Try to say what you believe to be the truth. If you disagree with anything in the lessons, or have any questions, please say so. This is very important. Remember, we can help you much more if we know what you think. If for any reason you are not able to send the answers, then just send a note to say you are still interested and wish to continue receiving the papers.
Time well spent
Of course, studying these papers will take some of your time—perhaps 15 minutes each day for Bible reading and about an hour each week for studying the lesson. You will also need time to answer the question papers. But you will find the Scriptures so interesting that you will want to spend more and more time with them.
15 minutes
Bible reading each day
1 hour
Lesson study each week
Time well spent
You will also need time to answer the question papers.
Read your Bible prayerfully
Begin each session of Bible reading or study with a prayer to God, asking for His help in your understanding. Here is a prayer from the Book of Psalms:
“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”
Psalm 119:18
If we ask Him, God will open our eyes and help us to understand His book, the Bible.
If we do not hear from you
We are sure that you will understand that there are many people around the world who wish to receive this Bible Course. If we do not hear from you—for example, by receiving your completed question papers—we will assume that you no longer wish to receive the Course. We will then stop sending the lessons.
Having difficulty replying?
If you have any difficulties in replying or sending complete question papers, please contact your tutor and explain. We will then be pleased to continue sending you the Course—we just need to know that the lessons are being received and used to assist you in your study of God’s Word.
The complete Bible Course
The following pages list the titles of all 60 lessons. Each group is followed by the Question Paper that should be completed and returned to your tutor.
60
weekly lessons
14
numbered question papers
1
final question paper
THE COMPLETE BIBLE COURSE
Lessons 1–31
LESSONS 1–4 QUESTION PAPER NO. 1
1 How to Use This Bible Course
2 Who Are the Christadelphians?
3 The Bible: Our Guide
4 The Gospel
LESSONS 5–8 QUESTION PAPER NO. 2
5 God and Creation
6 God So Loved the World
7 The Return of Jesus to the Earth
8 Signs of the Coming of Jesus
LESSONS 9–11 QUESTION PAPER NO. 3
9 Thy Kingdom Come
10 God’s View of History
11 The Kingdom of God—Peace on Earth
LESSONS 12–15 QUESTION PAPER NO. 4
12 God’s Promises to Abraham
13 The Jews in History—Part I
14 The Jews in History—Part II
15 God’s Promises to David
LESSONS 16–19 QUESTION PAPER NO. 5
16 The Father and the Son
17 The Life of Jesus
18 The Death of Jesus
19 The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ
LESSONS 20–23 QUESTION PAPER NO. 6
20 God’s Holy Spirit
21 Holy Spirit Gifts
22 Sin and Its Consequences—Part I
23 Sin and Its Consequences—Part II
LESSONS 24–27 QUESTION PAPER NO. 7
24 By Grace Are Ye Saved
25 The Resurrection of the Dead
26 The Judgement
27 Everlasting Life
LESSONS 28–31 QUESTION PAPER NO. 8
28 Angels
29 Devils (Demons) and Satan
30 The Devil and Sin
31 Baptism
THE COMPLETE BIBLE COURSE
Lessons 32–60
LESSONS 32–36 QUESTION PAPER NO. 9
32 Christian Marriage
33 Problems in Marriage
34 Our Duty to the State
35 Prayer
36 Walking in Newness of Life
LESSONS 37–40 QUESTION PAPER NO. 10
37 Daily Bible Reading
38 Fellowship with Those of the Same Faith
39 The Power of the Tongue
40 The Breaking of Bread
LESSONS 41–44 QUESTION PAPER NO. 11
41 Family Life in Jesus’ Service
42 The Problem of Sin
43 The Word of God in Our Everyday Lives
44 The Ecclesia of God
LESSONS 45–48 QUESTION PAPER NO. 12
45 How We Think of Other People Is Important to God
46 Loving Your Neighbour
47 The Bible Teaching on Suffering
48 Living in Fear
LESSONS 49–52 QUESTION PAPER NO. 13
49 Is It Right to Be Ambitious?
50 Honesty Before God and His Son Jesus Christ
51 The Use and Control of Anger
52 The Disciple and the State
LESSONS 53–56 QUESTION PAPER NO. 14
53 Sexuality, a Gift from God
54 Choosing a Partner
55 Some Facts About Judgement and the Kingdom
56 The Priceless Gift of Hope in Your Life
LESSONS 57–60 FINAL QUESTION PAPER
57 ‘Faith’ and Putting Christianity to Work
58 The Grace of God
59 A Summary of Bible Doctrines
60 The Next Step
Christadelphian Bible Mission
Box CBM, 404 Shaftmoor Lane, Birmingham B28 8SZ, England
CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE MISSION • 5
CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE MISSION • 5