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The Torah

UNDERSTANDING THE 5 BOOKS OF MOSES (A 2 PART SERIES)
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In 1995, with about 5 billion copies sold, Guinness World Records declared The Bible the bestselling book of all time

Since 1995, so many copies of The Bible have been sold, the church has recorded the greatest harvest yet. However, the most common question asked by millions of people is "How do I study the Bible?"

Haverim Institute was initiated by the Haverim: Bible Study Buddy community as an answer to this need. While we believe God's word is accessible to all, we also believe that one must submit themselves as students in order to understand the full potential of the book.

Although, the Bible is one of the most accessible books to exist in our time, we still experience barriers that have led some of us to varying points of frustration and potential fear of abandoning the culture of studying the Bible.

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Bible opened to the book on GenesisBible studyBible study
"The Torah has seventy faces, turn it around and around, for everything is in it" - The Sages

The first five books of the Bible, known as the "Torah" in Jewish tradition and the "Pentateuch" in Christian tradition, include some of the most renowned biblical narratives, characters, regulations, and precepts that molded Jewish and Christian core values of piety.

These texts shaped views about God, man, creation, ethics, and history while also permeating Western culture, literature, philosophy, and art. As a result, the vigorous study of them opens the door to a more in-depth comprehension, reverence, and vision of the words we have come to revere as sacred Scripture.

Strangely enough, our familiarity with the stories from the books may have contributed to our ignorance of or misunderstanding of the essence that the stories aim to communicate.

But, to an individual who commits himself/herself as a devout student, these works can act as crucial keys to the doors that will give insight into the heart and mind of God for creation, offering an unbiased introduction to the nature of God and tearing down ideas that have been managed to develop through misinterpretations.

So, in the next 20 weeks, Esther will serve as a guide through the Torah. The sessions, which are designed to be interactive, will focus on selected themes from these books, presenting an invitation to probe the meaning and relevance of the texts through incisive and thought-provoking conversations.

The lectures will provide intriguing perspectives on how to approach the Torah theologically and spiritually, while assessing the role of the Hebrew language, culture, context, and translation.

In understanding the Torah, you'll not only be equipped to see the Bible in a new light, but you'll also learn to draw the essence of the stories that will encourage you to lead a life of devotion and true worship to God.
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Benefits and features:

  • Explore key biblical events and personalities
  • Thought-provoking questions on how to understand enigmatic Torah verses and accounts
  • Suggestions for integrating the teachings into everyday life
  • Be exposed to classical biblical commentaries

Course overview

Schedule (20 Weeks)

  • 20 Friday evenings
  • Part A: April 21st - June 23rd 2023
  • Break: June 30th - July 7th 2023
  • Part B: July 14th - September 15th 2023

Time

  • 7pm - 10pm
  • 5/6 hours weekly including live sessions and group discussions.

Course work

  • 5 units
  • 20 Exercises
  • 4 Projects
  • 1 Thesis
  • 10 Tests

Course Format

  • 23 weeks of course duration with 20 weeks for course, 1 week for orientation and 2 weeks for break
  • All lectures and supplemental readings provided online
  • Written assignments, exercises, tests and thesis required
  • Facilitator-moderated chat sessions with participants in course.

Participation Requirements

  • Attend at least 18 live sessions
  • Participate in group exercises, projects, and discussions
  • Complete tests, assignments and thesis
  • Read assigned texts; keep notes, questions, and comments for class discussion
  • Participate in at least 4 scheduled chat sessions throughout the course
  • Complete the course evaluation
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Syllabus overview

With every session, our hope is that Christ will not be taught but, be seen and in the same way, stir our hearts to be drawn to Him. We envision that upon the conclusion of this course, our homes, relationships and communities will be flowing with the milk and honey of the truth of The word. A certificate of completion awarding 35 contact hours will be sent upon completion of all course requirements.

Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Unit 5
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Testimonies

Here are a few testimonies from those who were a part of the Bible Study Foundational course which took place last year

Overall, the experience has been enlightening and exciting! It has changed my perspective and ideology of the bible. Never ever did I see the study of the bible on a deeper level. I'm really glad for this clear understanding as it it'll foster my Bible study.

The first Biblical Foundations I was exposed to were not from what we were taught in the course, but from the excellence exemplified by Esther Ideh. Through the teachings, I learnt that the Bible is living wisdom. Through Esther, I learnt that it is possible to live in and reflect the wisdom encoded in scripture.

The presentation of the study materials was impressive and excellent. The colour combination worked with their theme, there were minimal to none grammatical errors, the choice of content (including stories) was always relevant to the topic of the week and the overall presentation was laudable.

I attended this course when I just gave birth to my first child. I was dealing with everything good and bad about postpartum and every Saturday except one I showed up. This course changed my life. Even my physical attitudes and the way I relate with people has changed. I can't thank God enough. Honestly, I can't.

This course has helped me to see the Bible as a loving Being that I need to establish a cordial relationship with. I mean I'm getting to no longer see the Bible as a go to for prayer points or sermon notes or an incantation to fight demons. This also calls me to be more intentional and diligent in studying the Bible. 

For me, I have never thought to read the Bible in its original language or in any language asides English. I learnt that reading the Bible in Hebrew - the original language would help studying it better because the English translations might not capture the essence of some words used.

Quite a refreshing, rejuvenating and inspiring experience. There is this calming atmosphere I felt throughout the sessions and my soul is forever changed. Many thanks to Esther and the entire crew. More of God's blessings.

I am thankful for the sacrifice that has enabled this course to be birthed. I am grateful that God, and His son Jesus and The Holy Spirit sent me your way Esther. I pray that God blesses you! Just 2 years, and yet I never thought I would know Jesus in this way.

Scriptures are not only opening up to me but are becoming practical in ways I can live them. For instance I would never read books like Leviticus but now I am reading it and enjoying it. With each verse I read, my biases are also being dismantled as the foundation they stood upon have no roof anymore.

It's been an exciting, eye opening and also surreal moment for me that is beyond words to even articulate. The materials given are things that I  keep going back to because it makes me sharpen and understand the bible more and more.

My first testimony is the fact that I attended all (ALL) the sessions. It's interesting how I have transformed from one who once believed the bible was a book of different peoples experiences to understanding that it is God's witness to us on earth, revealing God's character, his ways and his intentions to us. Bible study is a lot better, I see things unfold these days but it most times feels like a lot of work.

My testimony is when I study the Bible now it's amazing how other texts drop into my heart and how the Holy Spirit helps me weave them together to see in a better light what I am studying.

3 months flew by and in that time I have been brought face to face with the state of my heart, and with the heart of God. Hidden things have been revealed, and silently burning questions answered. I feel I have been put on a new path and will never be the same.

It helped fortify, put me in remembrance and reveal new truths in the Bible. Thank you so much Esther. God bless you.

I truly believe this was a life changing period for me. I learnt so much, and I hope to study in depth and apply the word

I had my mind renewed in the process and I saw things I lacked as a believer which I need to work on.

About BSB

Inspiring Friendships, Building Families, and Equipping the Church.

Haverim is a Bible Study and Research community that seeks to discover the truth of scriptures and learn the heart of the Father through His word.

We believe that studying the Bible goes beyond a routine, an act of self-righteousness or amassment of knowledge but, that which influences the lives we live helping us to illuminate the paths of those around us through the lives we live.

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