Who Can Benefit from Our Bible Study Resources?

The Yale Divinity School’s Bible Study provides tools and resources that are organized to be user-friendly for all.

Perhaps you are a minister looking for a Bible study curriculum to use with members of your church, or a way to train a team to serve in adult formation. Maybe you are a lay leader searching for a high-quality curriculum for Bible study with a small group

We hope our Bible study resources will provide the training or curriculum you need to effectively spread the Word of God.

Our Bible study tools aren’t only for those employed by or engaged with a church, though. Individuals or small groups looking for Bible study resources can take advantage of what our site has to offer.

Whether you’re hoping to deepen your own personal theological knowledge or discover continuing education opportunities, you’ll feel right at home with the Yale Bible study lessons and resources.

How Can These Bible Study Resources Be Used?

Whether you are looking for visual materials — like artwork, charts, or maps — to supplement Bible study lessons or you’d like to watch a lecture series to learn more about a particular book of the Bible or theme, or if you’re interested in viewing sermons by noted YDS faculty and alumni, you can find everything you need here on our resources page.

We’ve also included a wide range of sermons organized by topic. These sermons are connected to studies that you can access for free, including videos of YDS faculty discussing the scripture, study guides, discussion questions, and more. On average, each study is designed to take eight weeks.

For those who are looking to establish, organize, or enhance their sermons, we also offer the Common Revised Lectionary with links to applicable Yale Bible Study videos, and “Chapter, Verse, and Season: A Lectionary Podcast from Yale Bible Study” that features YDS faculty in conversation about a select text from the week’s assigned lectionary. New episodes drop each Monday.

Whatever your needs may be, we aim to assist you in your studies and theological development with our Bible study resources.

Additional Readings

This depository contains articles that cover a wide range of topics, from Lent to Mary Magdalene to the origins of Passover. Each topic title takes you to a collection of writings from various sources, all related to the main theme.

Sources include individual professors, universities, or public websites, all of which have been confirmed by Yale Divinity School to be reliable and valid.

Section Sampling

First Corinthians

• Dive into The Love Passage (1 Corinthians 13) with Gordon Fee.
• Learn from Douglas A. Campbell about the culture war taking place between the Corinthians at the time Paul wrote his letter.
• Discover all of the details surrounding this well-known book of the Bible from the Encyclopedia Britannica.

The Acts of the Apostles

• Justin S. Holcomb answers the question, “Why Study the Book of Acts?”
• The Catholic Exchange explains the conversion of St. Paul.
• Paul’s Missionary Journeys are outlined by scholars including Warren P. Behan and John W. Bailey.

Easter

• Robinson Meyer reveals the ancient math behind the dates for Easter and Passover.
• The BBC Newsround explains why there are two Easters
• Linda Wertheimer and Andrew McGowan describe when Easter and Passover overlap.

Artwork

Do you need examples of artwork inspired by the Book of Revelation or visuals related to the Gospels? Our artwork section offers different kinds of Bible study tools that open up opportunities for interpretation and reflection.

The classical and modern pieces of art organized in this tab can help with time-based Bible study lessons or provide visuals to supplement studying the written Word of God.

Section Sampling

Women in the Bible

Artwork featuring key female figures in the Bible, including:

• “Virgin and Child” by Dieric Bouts
• “Mary Magdalene” by Jan Boeckhorst
• “The Woman and the Beast from Revelation” at Cathédrale Notre-Dame, Clermont-Ferrand.

The Gospel of Matthew

Classical and modern depictions of this book of the Bible, such as:

• “The Sermon on the Mount” by James Tissot
• “Blessed Be” by Jen Norton
• “The Parable of the Mote and the Beam” by Ottmar Elliger the Younger

Genesis

Works of art across many cultures showing how it all began, with samples including:

• “Adam and Eve” at Abreha and Atsbeha Church, Ethiopia
• “Righteous Forefather Abraham Icon” at Orthodox Church in America
• “Jacob’s Ladder” by Yoram Raanan

Charts

From a chart of the genealogy of Jesus to a timeline for the Acts of the Apostles, make use of these infographics for Bible study lesson plans or as visuals for presentations.

In the Old Testament and New Testament sections, you’ll find Biblical canon from various sources to assist you with your studies and understanding of the written Word of God.

You’ll also find a chart of the parallel versions of the parables of Jesus for your personal reference.

Section Sampling

The New Testament

Charts include the New Testament Canon, along with articles from the Catholic Encyclopedia, Lifeway.com, and F.F. Bruce.

The Old Testament

Discover a timeline showing a brief history of the Old Testament, as well as articles from Oxford Bibliographies and Wikipedia.

Lectures

Looking for some inspiration or insight in the form of spoken word? Our collection of Bible study tools includes a wide array of theological lectures on different books of the Bible that you can view at your leisure.

You can utilize these lectures as reference materials for Bible study lessons or to become more fully educated on a particular part of the Old or New Testament.

Section Sampling

Yale Divinity Old Testament Introductory Lectures

Professors Robert Wilson and John Collins offer this two-part course containing over 50 lectures on the various methods of interpretation of the Old Testament.

Who Are the 144,000?

This Southern Seminary lecture attempts to interpret the questions surrounding the 144,000 referenced in the Book of Revelation.

The Gospel of Luke

• Enjoy The Bible Project’s series on this Gospel
• Gain insight from Candida R. Moss regarding disability in the New Testament
• Read Ben Witherington III’s piece on the nativity according to Luke

Noah and Gilgamesh

See how the Biblical story of the flood compares to the ancient Mesopotamian point of view on the event. University of Miami Associate Professor Dexter Callendar breaks it down in this quick video lecture.

Maps

Divided into Old Testament and New Testament sections, our maps collection provides digital resources that are ideal visuals for any Bible study. You can download any of the maps and use them in online presentations or print them for easy reference.

Understanding the location of places referenced in the Bible and how place names change throughout history is an excellent way to deepen your understanding of the Christian religion and its roots.

Section Sampling

The Old Testament

View over 20 maps relevant to the time period of the Old Testament.

The New Testament

Analyze maps of various New Testament events such as St. Paul’s Missionary Journeys, the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, and the Old City of Jerusalem today.

Sermons

What better way to become a more powerful orator than by learning from experienced professionals!

We’ve sorted our sermons by general topics such as those that focus on 1 Thessalonians or those that focus on the Gospel of Matthew.

Each set of sermons includes a plethora of speakers from all walks of life offering their insight and interpretation of the written Word of God.

Some sermons are videos, others are audio-only, and some are provided as transcripts.

Section Sampling

YDS Faculty & Alumni Sermon Collection

• Choose from manuscripts by Jim Antal, Teresa Berger, Harold Masback, Carolyn Sharp, Gregory Sterling, and Gabrielle Thomas
• Listen to Senior Minister Talitha Arnold discuss John 12 and Numbers 11
• Watch a wide range of faculty and alumni cover everything, with titles ranging from “I’m in the Crockpot” to “When Breaking Points Become Breakthroughs”

Sermons with a Focus on Daniel

Learn more about the lion’s den from theologians such as Scott Maze, J. Ligon Duncan, and John MacArthur.

Sermons with a Focus on Isaiah

Come across new perspectives on this key figure of monotheism, including:

• When Times are Tough God Will Make You Tougher Still, by Wesley Crouch
• The Prophet Isaiah: A Man of Hope, by Sam Cappleman
• Remember Your Redeemer, by Dennis Davidson.

Sermons with a Focus on Mary, Mother of Jesus

Learn more about the most revered woman of the Bible, Mary. Sermons in this series come from Tracey Bianchi, Andy Cook, and Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney.

Sermons with a Focus on Exodus

As one of the Old Testament’s most referenced books, the Book of Exodus contains a variety of topics useful in sermons:

• Uncover the details of “The Golden Calf” with Rev. Miguel Hernandez
• Interact with Rev. Dr. Charles Eric Funston through his sermon titled, “Reverence and Intimacy: The Burning Bush”
• Absorb the details of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “The Death of Evil upon the Seashore”

Videos and Podcasts

The Yale Divinity School Bible study resources page for videos and podcasts offers more interactive learning opportunities through a wide array of materials.

Just as the theological topics are varied, so are the lengths of each resource. Some videos are as brief as three minutes while others provide over an hour of insight. Some videos and podcasts stand alone, while others are offered as series with anywhere from four to eight sessions.

Section Sampling

Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton’s Collection

Dive into numerous Bible study series with this accomplished theologian. Topics include Paul’s Letters to the Philippians, Incarnation, and The Gospel of Mark.

Dr. Joel S. Baden Collection

Rediscover the Book of Genesis through a podcast and an eight-part online Bible study series with Professor of Divinity and of Religious Studies, Dr. Joel S. Baden

History of the Bible

View the History Channel’s take on the Word of God that attempts to answer questions like, “Who Wrote It?” and “Why Is It Reliable?”

Lectionary

The Yale Divinity School’s lectionary offers Years A, B, and C. Each date includes the occasion, a first reading, a Psalm, a 2nd reading, and a Gospel text.

In many cases, you can also access a Yale Bible Study video to accompany the Scriptural reading. Each video is part of a YBS series, so it also includes a study guide, discussion questions, and additional resources.

Section Sampling

2022/06/19

For the Second Sunday after Pentecost, readings include 1 Kings, Psalms, Isaiah, Galatians, and Luke.

Four Yale Divinity School videos from Dr. Joel S. Baden, Dr. John J. Collins, Dr. Harold W. Attridge, and the Rev. Dr. David L. Bartlett accompany the scripture readings, with each video also including a study guide, discussion questions, and additional resources.

2022/11/24

Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. means an opportunity to intertwine celebrations and faith.

Find readings from Deuteronomy, Psalms, Philippians, and John, along with three videos from Yale Divinity School’s own Dr. Joel S. Baden, Dr. John J. Collins, Dr. Harold W. Attridge, and the Rev. Dr. David L. Bartlett.

A study guide, discussion questions, and additional resources are included with each video.

2021/12/24

For a morning or midday Christmas Eve service, use the provided Scriptures from Isaiah, Psalms, Titus, and Luke and YDS videos with supplemental resources to encourage and inspire your congregation.

Yale Divinity School’s Bible Study Resources

If you have further questions, comments, or suggestions about any of our Bible study tools and resources, feel free to browse our Public Discussion Forum posts for more information. If you’d like to engage in the Forum, simply Register on the website and then log in each time you return.

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