The other method, simpler and easier, is to let the student have a copy of the book, to expect the lesson to be prepared by the class, and to have it recited, either individually or in concert. Let each student gain all the information that he can upon the subjects of the lesson; let each bring his knowledge to the possession of all; let all talk freely, and all will be the gainers.
It would be a good plan to have papers read from time to time upon the subjects suggested by the course and parallel with it.
Some teachers and classes may regard the contents of this book as too extensive and may prefer a shorter course. The aim of the author has been to include in the course only those subjects that are essential to an understanding of the New Testament, and the entire series of lessons is recommended; but if a shorter course be deemed absolutely necessary, two plans are suggested:
1. There are three subjects which under necessity might be omitted: Second Study, The People of Palestine; Third Study, General View of the Life of Christ; Twelfth Study, The Synagogue. This will leave fifteen studies, or twenty-two lessons.
2. Another plan might be undertaken: to take up as a course the studies on the life of Christ, or even omitting, as above, the second and third studies, making eight; and to leave the eight studies in the early church--a most interesting and valuable subject--to a later period.
For the convenience of teachers and classes, the eighteen studies of this course are divided into twenty-five lessons, as follows:
Lesson 1. The Land of Palestine. First Study. " 2. The People of Palestine. Second Study. " 3. The Life of Christ--General View. Third Study. " 4. The Thirty Years of Preparation. Fourth Study. " 5. The Year of Obscurity. Fifth Study. " 6. The Year of Popularity. Sixth Study. Part One. " 7. The Year of Popularity. Sixth Study. Part Two. " 8. The Year of Opposition. Seventh Study. Part One. " 9. The Year of Opposition. Seventh Study. Part Two. " 10. The Week of the Passion. Eighth Study. " 11. The Day of the Crucifixion. Ninth Study. " 12. The Forty Days of Resurrection. Tenth Study. " 13. The New Testament World. Eleventh Study. " 14. The Synagogue. Twelfth Study. " 15. The Church in Judea. Thirteenth Study. Part One. " 16. The Church in Judea. Thirteenth Study. Part Two. " 17. The Church in Transition. Fourteenth Study. " 18. The Church Twenty Years after the Ascension. Fifteenth Study. " 19. The Preparation of Paul for his Work. Sixteenth Study. Part One. " 20. The Preparation of Paul for his Work. Sixteenth Study. Part Two. " 21. The Church among the Gentiles. Seventeenth Study. Part One. " 22. The Church among the Gentiles. Seventeenth Study. Part Two. " 23. The Church among the Gentiles. Seventeenth Study. Part Three. " 24. The End of the Age. Eighteenth Study. Part One. " 25. The End of the Age. Eighteenth Study. Part Two.