Welcome, Students! I am glad that you have chosen to embark on a new journey with this class.

It may seem like a curious set of verses, but the opening verses of Luke state: Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4 ESV) These verses say a lot that at the first may not seem to have a particularly spiritual significance. What they do tell us, however, is that Christianity is rooted in a particular time, in a particular place, among particular people. It should be reassuring that a historical context received the gospel story: it was not smoke and mirrors or a fable. The concreteness of history provides a place for a concrete gospel. The study that we do in historical context will deepen our understanding of Scripture and help us see that it is meant for real life. It will be a beneficial study! As you begin, you will need to give attention to a few items: Review the Course Syllabus Review the Course Chart Review the Student Expectations

During the first week of the course you will need to complete the Course Requirements Checklist that will ask if you have reviewed these items; be sure to do this, since it is how you are counted present for the course. If you do not complete this checklist, we may assume that you have dropped the course. Lets both avoid that! Here is the schedule so that you can keep in pace: Week 1: Week 2: Week 3: Week 4: Week 5: Week 6: Week 7: Week 8: (Monday through Monday) (Tuesday through Monday) (Tuesday through Monday) (Tuesday through Monday) (Tuesday through Monday) (Tuesday through Monday) (Tuesday through Monday) (Tuesday through Friday)

Please let me know if you have any difficulties and I will assist you in any way that I can. Learning His hope with you,

Bill Jewell Adjunct Instructor