An example of a possible four year plan
This is an illustrative example of how a four year teaching program can be developed for a local church, based on the principles described in 'The teaching program of the local church in an age of Biblical illiteracy.' There is a more detailed description in 'About the four year plan' There is also a detailed outline of Paul's letter to the Romans, which models the approach of working down from Bible to book to individual message.
Morning |
Weeks |
Evening |
Weeks |
|
Year One |
||||
Term 1 |
Luke | 12 | Genesis 1-11 | 12 |
Term 2 |
Luke | 12 | Genesis 12-60 | 12 |
Term 3 |
Psalms | 12 | Galatians | 12 |
Summer |
Epistles in 30 minutes | 6 | Leviticus / Numbers / Deuteronomy | 6 |
Year Two |
||||
Term 1 |
Isaiah 1-39 | 12 | Acts | 12 |
Term 2 |
1 & 2 Thessalonians | 8 | Acts | 12 |
| Return of Jesus | 4 | |||
Term 3 |
Isaiah 40-66 | 12 | Ephesians | 12 |
Summer |
Gospel | 6 | Minor Prophets | 6 |
Year Three |
||||
Term 1 |
Exodus | 12 | John | 12 |
Term 2 |
Bible Overview | 12 | John | 12 |
Term 3 |
Exodus | 12 | Ecclesiastes | 12 |
Summer |
Esther | 6 | Letters of John | 6 |
Year Four |
||||
Term 1 |
Romans | 12 | 1 Chronicles | 12 |
Term 2 |
Romans | 12 | 2 Chronicles | 12 |
Term 3 |
Job | 12 | Revelation | 12 |
Summer |
The life of David | 6 | Gospel | 6 |
KeyBible Overview - 12 weeks Pentateuch - 54 weeks Old Testament history - 36 weeks Old Testament Wisdom literature - 36 weeks Old Testament Prophecy - 30 weeks New Testament Gospels & Acts - 84 weeks New Testament Epistles etc - 84 weeks There is a balance of time between Old Testament and New Testament |
One criticism that is sometimes leveled against this kind of long term planning is that the series (up to 24 or 25 messages on one book, in some cases) are far too long. It is argued that people today only want, or need, short series of four or five messages on any one subject or book. So what is wrong with short series?
A second criticism that is leveled against this kind of long term planning is that it is too academic. What people really need - we are told - is to meet with God. So is this program all head and no heart?