Some teachers and classes may regard the contents of this book as too extensive and may prefer a shorter course. The aim of the author has been to include in the course only those subjects that are essential to an understanding of the New Testament, and the entire series of lessons is recommended; but if a shorter course be deemed absolutely necessary, two plans are suggested: 1. There are three subjects which under necessity might be omitted: Second Study, The People of Palestine; Third Study, General View of the Life of Christ; Twelfth Study, The Synagogue. This will leave fifteen studies, or twenty-two lessons. 2. Another plan might be undertaken: to take up as a course the studies on the life of Christ, or even omitting, as above, the second and third studies, making eight; and to leave the eight studies in the early church--a most interesting and valuable subject--to a later period. THE COURSE DIVIDED INTO LESSONS For the convenience of teachers and classes, the eighteen studies of this course are divided into twenty-five lessons, as follows: Lesson 1. The Land of Palestine. First Study. " 2. The People of Palestine. Second Study. " 3. The Life of Christ--General View. Third Study. " 4. The Thirty Years of Preparation. Fourth Study. " 5. The Year of Obscurity. Fifth Study. " 6. The Year of Popularity. Sixth Study. Part One. " 7. The Year of Popularity. Sixth Study. Part Two. " 8. The Year of Opposition. Seventh Study. Part One. " 9. The Year of Opposition. Seventh Study. Part Two. " 10. The Week of the Passion. Eighth Study. " 11. The Day of the Crucifixion. Ninth Study. " 12. The Forty Days of Resurrection. Tenth Study. " 13. The New Testament World. Eleventh Study. " 14. The Synagogue. Twelfth Study. " 15. The Church in Judea. Thirteenth Study. Part One. " 16. The Church in Judea. Thirteenth Study. Part Two. " 17. The Church in Transition. Fourteenth Study. " 18. The Church Twenty Years after the Ascension. Fifteenth Study. " 19. The Preparation of Paul for his Work. Sixteenth Study. Part One. " 20. The Preparation of Paul for his Work. Sixteenth Study. Part Two. " 21. The Church among the Gentiles. Seventeenth Study. Part One. " 22. The Church among the Gentiles. Seventeenth Study. Part Two. " 23. The Church among the Gentiles. Seventeenth Study. Part Three. " 24. The End of the Age. Eighteenth Study. Part One. " 25. The End of the Age. Eighteenth Study. Part Two. FIRST STUDY The Land of Palestine In the historical study of the New Testament the two principal subjects are, the life of Jesus Christ on earth and, after the Ascension, the growth of the Christian church.