Welcome to the New Testament Bible Survey at the WoodsEdge Institute — a ten-week journey through all 27 books of the New Testament. This page gathers the class materials in one place: start with the pre-work below to build your foundation, then follow along week by week. Our companion text is The New Testament in Antiquity (2nd ed.) by Burge & Green, and the weekly readings reference its chapters.
Before the Class: Pre-Work
These resources build a larger foundation for our study, and they’re worth reviewing before the class begins.
- The Intertestamental Period — a six-part podcast with slides on the era between the Testaments, which had a huge effect on the New Testament world.
- Second Temple Judaism — a fuller picture of first-century Judaism, correcting the common view of it as a “works-based” religion. (Coming soon.)
- The Land and the Bible — a two-session class on how the land of Israel itself shapes interpretation, including building your own map.
- Major Ancient Literary Sources — definitions of the extra-biblical literature we’ll reference through the course.
- Additional Course Reading — further reading at introductory, experienced, and advanced levels.
The Ten Weeks
Week 1 — Introduction, OT/NT Review & Critical Issues
Session 1 — Introduction to the New Testament. The big-picture story of the Bible, how the New Testament fits together, and the three questions we bring to every text.
Before class
Optional but recommended — review the Foundations & Background resources in the study library.
- New Testament Diagnostic Test — a short self-check to take before the first session
In class
- Week 1 Presentation — slides (link pending upload)
- Session 1 Handout — fill-in-the-blank notes
Watch / listen
Session 1 recording — audio, about 80 minutes (link pending upload)
Preparation Options for Week 2
Optional Reading: Mark, Matthew, and Luke · The New Testament in Antiquity (Burge/Green), chs. 8–10.
Write a half-page, single-spaced “Theological Ditty” on the question, “What is theology?”
- Sample Theological Ditty — an example to model yours on
Week 2 — The Gospels
Session 2 — The Gospels, Part I. Mark and Matthew — the earliest Gospel’s central question, “Who is Jesus?”, and Matthew’s portrait of Jesus as the fulfillment of Torah.
In class
- Session 2 Handout — fill-in-the-blank notes
Study aids & background
- At a Glance: The Synoptic Gospels — Mark, Matthew, and Luke side by side
- The Parable of the Mustard Seed — the same parable across Matthew, Mark, and Luke
- Titles of Jesus in the New Testament — Messiah, Son of Man, Suffering Servant, Son of David, Son of God
- Matthew 23 Breakdown — the seven woes and the coming judgment on Jerusalem
- Resurrection & Appearances of Jesus in the Gospels — a Gospel-by-Gospel comparison
- History of the Sadducees, Pharisees & Essenes — a timeline of the intertestamental groups
- Praxis & Social Stratification in First-Century Judaism — acculturation, assimilation, and accommodation (after Barclay)
Watch / listen
Session 2 recording — audio (link pending upload)
Preparation Options for Week 3
Optional Reading: Luke and John · The New Testament in Antiquity (Burge/Green), chs. 10–11.
Week 3 — The Gospels of Luke & John
Session 3 — The Gospels, Part II. Luke’s orderly account for the nations, and John’s distinctive portrait of Jesus as the divine Word.
In class
- Session 3 Handout — fill-in-the-blank notes
Study aids & background
- At a Glance: The Gospel of Luke
- At a Glance: The Gospel of John
- Formation of the Gospel of John
- The I AM Statements of John
- The Doctrine of the Trinity & Christology
- Literary Breakdown of John 18
- Literary Breakdown of John 19
Watch / listen
Session 3 recording — audio (link pending upload)
Preparation Options for Week 4
Optional Reading: Acts · The New Testament in Antiquity (Burge/Green), ch. 12.
Week 4 — Acts of the Apostles
Session 4 — Acts of the Apostles. Luke’s second volume: the gospel spreading from Jerusalem to Rome through the work of the Spirit.
In class
- Session 4 Handout — fill-in-the-blank notes
Study aids & background
Watch / listen
Session 4 recording — audio (link pending upload)
Preparation Options for Week 5
Optional Reading: Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians · The New Testament in Antiquity (Burge/Green), chs. 14, 19.
Week 5 — Letters to the Churches, Part I
Session 5 — Letters to the Churches, Part I. Paul on grace, the law, and life in Christ across Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians.
In class
- Session 5 Handout — fill-in-the-blank notes
Study aids & background
Watch / listen
Session 5 recording — audio (link pending upload)
Preparation Options for Week 6
Optional Reading: Philippians, 1 & 2 Corinthians, and 1 & 2 Thessalonians · The New Testament in Antiquity (Burge/Green), chs. 15, 16, 17, 20.
Week 6 — Letters to the Churches, Part II
Session 6 — Letters to the Churches, Part II. Paul’s correspondence with Philippi, Corinth, and Thessalonica — joy, conflict, and hope for the Lord’s return.
In class
- Session 6 Handout — fill-in-the-blank notes
Study aids & background
Watch / listen
Session 6 recording — audio (link pending upload)
Preparation Options for Week 7
Optional Reading: Romans, Hebrews, and James · The New Testament in Antiquity (Burge/Green), chs. 18, 22, 23.
Week 7 — Romans, Hebrews & James
Session 7 — Romans, Hebrews & James. The gospel Paul preached in Romans, the supremacy of Christ in Hebrews, and faith that works in James.
In class
- Session 7 Handout — fill-in-the-blank notes
Study aids & background
Watch / listen
Session 7 recording — audio (link pending upload)
Preparation Options for Week 8
Optional Reading: 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon · The New Testament in Antiquity (Burge/Green), chs. 20–21.
Week 8 — Pastoral Epistles
Session 8 — The Pastoral Epistles. Leadership, sound teaching, and guarding the gospel — with the question of authorship — plus the personal letter to Philemon.
In class
- Session 8 Handout — fill-in-the-blank notes
Study aids & background
Watch / listen
Session 8 recording — audio (link pending upload)
Preparation Options for Week 9
Optional Reading: 1 & 2 Peter, 1–3 John, and Jude · The New Testament in Antiquity (Burge/Green), chs. 24–25.
Week 9 — Apostolic Writings
Session 9 — The Apostolic Writings. Peter, John, and Jude on holiness, false teaching, and staying faithful under pressure.
In class
- Session 9 Handout — fill-in-the-blank notes
Study aids & background
- At a Glance: The Apostolic Letters
- 2 Peter & Jude: Literary Dependence
- Pseudonymous Letters in the New Testament
- Christological Heresies
Watch / listen
Session 9 recording — audio (link pending upload)
Preparation Options for Week 10
Optional Reading: Revelation · The New Testament in Antiquity (Burge/Green), ch. 26.
Week 10 — Revelation
Session 10 — Revelation. John’s apocalypse: its symbols, its churches, and its vision of the victory of the Lamb.
In class
- Session 10 Handout — fill-in-the-blank notes
Study aids & background
- Literary Breakdown of Revelation
- The 7 Signs Cycle of Revelation
- Analysis of the 7 Churches of Revelation
- Colors & Numbers in Revelation
- The Theology of the Book of Revelation
- The Figure of Elijah in Second Temple Judaism & the NT
Watch / listen
Session 10 recording — audio (link pending upload)