Introduction
1. Arrange these Bible characters in their proper order: Peter (5), Elisha (2), Jeremiah (4), Noah (1), and Hezekiah (3).
a. Arrange these Bible books in chronological order: Song of Solomon (2), Galatians (4), Ezra (3), and Job (1).
b. Arrange these Bible events in order: Captivity (3), Exodus (2), Paul’s Journeys (4), and the Flood (1).
2. Have you ever used a filing system for important information in paper or digital versions?
a. You probably created directories for main headings, sub-directories, and specific files for each component.
b. What if you could organize your Bible knowledge in a similar way so the data isn’t lost or jumbled?
3. I am indebted to Bob Waldron for putting together the Seventeen Bible Time Periods.
a. This method of organizing your Bible knowledge is the most helpful I have ever seen or used.
b. It allows the student to place Bible books, characters, and events in their proper place within the story.
4. Brother Waldron put a lot of thought into the creation of these periods; they are not haphazardly arranged.
a. Some have suggested modifications to better define the periods, but I still use them as I originally learned.
b. One modification I do make: since not every heading is a time period, I call them the 17 Bible periods.
5. The Seventeen Bible Periods capture the major headings in the Bible story; these are our main directories.
a. Within each period, we add sub-directories such as books of the Bible, major characters, and main events.
b. Within each sub-directory, we add details such as the corresponding references, places, and minor events.
6. The Seventeen Periods enable the Bible student to “file” his knowledge for efficient and effective retrieval.
a. It is similar to having a timeline in your head that permits you to see the Bible story as a whole.
b. By organizing the information inside your head, you can recall Bible facts in their historical context.
7. Let me make a few suggestions for learning the Seventeen Bible Periods.
a. First, and most important, learn the Bible Periods as a story, not as a list.
b. Second, learn in cycles working from general to specific: Periods, Books, Characters, Events, etc.
c. Third, file new Bible knowledge within the proper period(s) as you learn it in study and/or classes.
b. Summary: This period covers everything before the flood
c. Contents: Creation, the Fall, the First Murder, the Rise of Sin; Genesis 1-5
b. Summary: God sent a flood to destroy everything on earth, but he saved Noah’s family in the ark.
c. Contents: Events of the Flood and Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth; Genesis 6-9/10
c. Contents: Tower of Babel and a man named Peleg; Genesis 10-11
a. Link: Shem’s family stayed mainly in Mesopotamia; one of his descendants was Abram.
a. Link: Jacob had a son named Joseph who brought his family into Egypt, where they became slaves.
a. Link: After the people left Egypt, they refused to obey God and enter Canaan.
a. Link: The Israelites did not wander forever. Eventually they returned to Canaan to possess it.
a. Link: After Joshua died, a generation arose that did not know God, so the Lord punished them.
a. Link: When Samuel was old, the people demanded a king to rule them like the other nations.
a. Link: Because of Solomon’s unfaithfulness, the united kingdom divided.
a. Link: Because of their persistent sin, God took away the northern kingdom of Israel leaving Judah alone.
a. Link: Because of their sin, Judah was eventually punished by God as well.
a. Link: God’s people did not remain captives forever. Some of the people finally returned to the land.
a. Link: Between the end of the OT scriptures and the NT scriptures, there is a gap.
a. Link: The silence was finally broken by a prophet in the wilderness: “Prepare the way for the Lord!”
a. Link: While on earth, Jesus promised that He would one day build His church.
a. Link: During the early church, the apostles and inspired men wrote letters to instruct Christians.
Conclusion: Can you say the Seventeen Bible Periods? Can you say them backwards? Review daily this week.