Taking the course

For consistency and convenience, we have included the Bible verses referenced under the questions within the lesson. However, it is encouraged that you have your own Bible and use this as an opportunity to get use to using it.  If you do not have a hard copy of the Bible, a Christian or church will surely lend you one.

You can study with other people, but the work you turn in MUST BE YOUR OWN. As you work through the lesson questions you may ask questions, but you should not rely on anyone else to give you the answers. Most people can pass this course if they study and read carefully, so it is not necessary to share answers. There is a printed study guide that can be downloaded and should be referred to while taking the tests end of each module and at the end of the course.

Structure of the courses

The courses are made up of modules, that are comprised of lessons.  Each lesson has an introductory section that gives and overview of the content in the lesson, then a section called “Lesson Quiz” that is made up of a series of Bible verses, explanations and questions and answers on those verses. When you finish working through the quiz, you will get the answer sheet showing what you got correct and what you missed. If your answer is incorrect, there may be an explanation for what the correct answer is.  Be sure to read over the answer sheet when it comes up.  You can take these quizzes as many times as you need to pass.  But the quiz over the modules and the final quiz, you will only have three tries to get a 70 or better. After you finish with a passing grade on the entire course you will receive an electronic certificate of completion.

For example in the Good News Bible Series Basic course, there is a total of five modules – About God, About Jesus Christ, About Sin, About Faith and Repentance and About Obedience and Holiness. The first module is made up of 15 lessons, etc.

This course is not like some Bible correspondence courses. It will take time and study, especially if you are new to Bible study. Take your time. Be sure you read the Bible verse and all written work included before trying to answer the questions. All questions asked can be answered from the explanation or the Bible verses. Answer each question carefully. Most questions have multiple choice answers. Be sure you pick the best answer when asked for only ONE answer. You will not be able to go to the next lesson until you pass the one you are working on.

Using a hard copy of the Bible

Most printed versions of the Holy Bible (Catholic or Protestant) can be used. (Do not use The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. It contains errors.) The Bible you use must contain the Old and New Testaments. Since more people have the King James Version Bible, we have written this course with that in mind and quote from the New King James Version which is a more modern translation.

If you are new to using the Bible, ask a Christian friend to show you how to use it. It is very simple.  In the lessons you will see “Read Genesis 1:1.” Genesis is the first book in the Bible. You can find it by locating its page number from the list in the front of your Bible. “1:1” means chapter 1, verse 1. In most Bibles, chapter numbers appear at the top of each page and verse numbers are found in the Bible text. When you are asked to “Read Psalm 148:2-5” this means the book of Psalms, chapter 148, verses 2 through 5. Next is the book of Hebrews, chapter 11, verse 3.

Since you are taking this course online you can also access a Bible App and use that on your computer, tablet or phone. Here are instructions to a good one to have and is free.

Using a virtual Bible

Go to – https://www.bible.com/bible/1/GEN.1.kjv – and see the icon at the bottom of the page to download the app to a phone or tablet.

In most virtual Bibles there are tabs that will allow you to click and find the Book and Chapter you need (see example below highlighting Genesis 1.  Click on that chapter and it will take you directly to that location in the Bible.

VirtualBible

If you don’t find the books remember to use the scroll bar to move up and down the list until you see the book of the bible you need.  Also, there are some books that have more than one book, such as 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, 1 and 2 Peter and 1, 2, and 3 John. So be sure you are in the correct book as referenced.