Studying the Bible is one of the best things any Christian can do. The Bible is full of wisdom and excellent stories. When you're ready to study this book, you can take advantage of affordable online Bible study courses. Here are four things you will likely study during a Bible certificate online course:

1. The Old Testament

The Old Testament is composed of 17 books, starting in Genesis with the story of creation. The Old Testament tells the story of God's people and God's promise to them. It's impossible to understand Christianity without first learning the Old Testament. During an online Bible certificate course, you'll read select parts of the Old Testament. You'll learn about God's relationship to his people and the prophets He sent to guide those people. A grasp of the Old Testament will create an excellent foundation for further Biblical knowledge.

2. The New Testament

The New Testament was written after Jesus's birth. It tells the story of Christianity and the fulfillment of God's promise to save mankind. The New Testament contains 27 books, which will be covered in a New Testament survey class. Many new Christians find the New Testament easier to understand than the Old Testament. If you plan to get involved with ministry, it's important that you develop a deep knowledge and understanding of the New Testament.

3. The Gospels

While you will take New Testament survey courses that will cover the New Testament broadly, a special focus will be placed on certain parts of the New Testament. The gospels are a foundational part of the Christian faith. Mark, Luke, Matthew, and John are the four books of the gospel. These books tell of Jesus's life and ministry. They also contain helpful texts like the Lord's Prayer and the Beatitudes. During an online Bible certificate course, you will have the chance to study these books in-depth.

4. The Epistles

The epistles are another important part of the Bible. Like the gospels, the epistles are found in the New Testament. These books of the Bible are written in the form of letters, which are widely accepted to have been composed by the apostle Paul. The epistles include instructions to various churches. They were designed to instruct Christians living in Biblical times. Fortunately, their wisdom is still applicable to modern Christians. In an online Bible certificate course, you will learn more about these letters. You'll also learn about Paul, who was an instrumental figure in early Christianity.