Bible Curriculum | The Dunham School, Baton Rouge, LA

Bible 5 is a survey approach to the study of the Bible through the study of a variety of topics from both the Old and New Testaments. The course begins with a discussion of the authority of God’s Word. Then, it transitions into a study of the Old Testament by focusing on events within the book of Genesis. In the second semester, the incorporation of the school’s seven biblical holdings continues by a study of the life and works of Jesus in the Gospel of John. The course is concluded by looking at how to live a life in Christ through the books of Philippians and James.

Bible 6 is an introduction to biblical ideas and worldview guided and shaped by the seven biblical of the Dunham School. Students will study portions of both the Old and New Testament and how both sections of Scripture specifically point to the doctrinal truths of the school’s holdings. The first semester will focus on various Old Testament stories beginning with Moses and ending with Joshua. In the second semester, students will study the Gospel of Mark and various other New Testament books.

Bible 7 is a more in-depth study of the school's biblical holdings and their application in biblical characters and Gospels. Throughout the year and through study of books from both the Old and New Testaments, students will uncover the scriptural foundations for each Holding.  Students will read, study, reflect upon, and discuss the origins of each holding and the biblical basis on which they are founded. In the first semester, students will also study events in the Old Testament from Joshua to King Saul as they see these holdings play out in the pages of scripture.  The second semester includes an examination of the Gospel of Luke and various other New Testament books and the holdings at work in the time of Christ and in early church times.  The course objective is not only to learn of the major events in the stories told, but also to explore their spiritual truths and how they apply to students’ lives today. 

Bible 8 continues the incorporation of the school’s biblical holdings in a formal study of both the Old and New Testament. The first semester will focus on various Old Testament stories beginning with Saul and ending with Nehemiah. In the second semester, study includes the Gospel of Matthew and various New Testament book studies. This course completes the development of a solid foundation for the rational understanding of a Christian worldview that incorporates basic biblical literacy and interdenominational biblical doctrine founded on the school’s seven biblical holdings.

Religion I is an introductory course that begins the high school biblical study for the student by laying an integral foundation of the seven biblical holdings of The Dunham School.  In the first semester, Religion I will be a study of the character of God and the nature of man in a study of Genesis in its entirety. In addition, time is spent in the first semester on “what is the Bible” and how it was created. In the second semester, students will study the Gospel of Mark, Galatians, 2 Timothy, and I Peter. The goal of this course is to allow students the opportunity to begin their understanding of a biblical worldview as it intersects with their daily lives (1 credit).

Religion II continues the emphasis of the seven biblical holdings as evidenced in both the Old and New Testament. In the first semester, Religion II will be a study of the character of God and the nature of man in the following books of the Old Testament: Exodus, Numbers, Psalms, and Job. In the second semester, students will study the Gospel of Luke, Acts, and Philippians in the same fashion. Time will also be spent on the positive reasons why sex is meant for the loving commitment of marriage through an examination of a biblical worldview on sex and the role of marriage (1 credit).

Religion III is a course that incorporates doctrinal truths of the Bible while continuing the emphasis of the seven biblical holdings through a focus on Joshua, I and 2 Samuel, the Psalms, and Jeremiah. In the second semester, students will examine the life of Christ and life in Christ in a study of the Gospel of Matthew, Ephesians, James, I Corinthians, and I John.  As Scripture is explored, students will be challenged with the authority of the Word of God as they study the character of God, nature of man, the person of Christ, the work of Christ, the response of man, and life in Christ here on earth and in the New Creation (1 credit)

Religion IV is a course designed to prepare the graduating senior with scriptural tools and other resources to address common spiritual questions encountered in a college setting.  Using the foundation of the seven biblical holdings of The Dunham School, the course includes abbreviated study of the books of Judges, I and 2 Kings, and John. Students will dive deeply into worldview comparative analysis and Christian apologetics through the study of the book of Romans. This course allows the student to explore the theological foundations of the Christian faith and the discovery of what life in Christ is meant to be both now and forever (1 credit).