The Bible is the only book that reaches man's highest aspirations. Many persons have attempted to satisfy these aspirations without bringing them in touch with the Bible, and they have made a failure of life. Man was created to enjoy an eternal home of happiness, which can be reached only by fully and carefully following the directions presented in the Book given us by God.

Every follower of Jesus is a representative from heaven and should be known as such in words and works. This can be accomplished only by a daily use of the Heavenly Book that is intended to fill us with heavenly thoughts and the desire to be heavenly representatives upon the earth. The Bible is an eternal book; man has an eternal soul, which is to be cultured and prepared by a proper use of the Eternal Book, for the Eternal Home. Jesus holds the nearest place to our Heavenly Father, and when we hear Jesus speak we are brought into the very presence of the Father.

As we enter upon the study of this Book we come into a closer relation with our Heavenly Father, because we take up the study of the life and work of his Son, our Savior, who came upon earth to reveal unto us the will of his Father. In the Old Testament we were constantly preparing ourselves for the study of that which is more advanced and spiritual, the life of Christ and the church of the New Testament.

The first chapter contains some important spiritual teaching, selected from the Old Testament, showing the development of the spirit of expectation. In the chapter taking up the Four Centuries of Silence, there is a constant preparation of a people, a language, and a government for the coming of the Son of Man. In the Ministry of Christ some of the important teachings are developed in a chronological order, but for a fuller study of this subject we refer you to our "Life of Christ, or Harmony of the Four Gospels," which gives the text of the four Gospels and traces the journeys of Jesus on carefully prepared maps. The closing chapters of the book contain a history of the church from the time of the coming of the Holy Spirit, to lead and guide the followers of Jesus, until the history closes in the Acts of the Apostles.

Much will depend upon every student as to the real benefit received through the study of these lessons. If you expect the best results you want your Bible constantly with you as you follow these pages, so that you may turn to the text of the Scripture for the truth on which these lessons are based.

We cannot insist too strongly upon every student in the study of the Bible complying with the teaching of our Savior when he said he would send another Comforter who was to guide them into all truth. If the Holy Spirit has been given to lead us into all truth, we are disobedient children when we make an effort for years to understand the Bible without asking him for his assistance and help. Every follower of Jesus has this privilege to study the Bible and secure the aid of the Holy Spirit to make known that which before was unknown.

For many years the author has been conscious of the fact that the Bible is a neglected book and that more attention should be given it in every Christian home. For the purpose of meeting this need in the home, a number of years have been spent in studying and teaching the Bible for the purpose of preparing a system of Bible Study that would make the Bible of greater interest in the home and result in greater spiritual life in the followers of Jesus.

The author acknowledges with thanks the numerous kind and useful hints which he has received from others, which have been an aid in the development of this system of work. We hope that through the study of these lessons the Bible will be of greater use in many homes, and that those who are now following Jesus may be led into a closer acquaintance with him each day, and that at last every home may know him and realize the value of his presence daily. As we send forth this book we pray that the Holy Spirit may be your guide in the unveiling of the truths of Jesus.

E. S. Y.