The School of Israel operates in all the local colonies (assemblies) of the New Covenant Church of God (B'rit Chadashah Assembly of Yahweh) under the direction of the Pastorate and Elders. Foundational Studies of the Bible is the primary doctrinal course of NCCG/BCAY. It is used for evangelism (in house meetings), is taught to newly baptised members, and is repeated each year by all members and Priesthood officers of the Church in the local assemblies.
Foundational Studies of the Bible was specifically designed for baptised members to give them a foundation in New Covenant biblical theology and practice. Completion of this course is mandatory for all those who wish to be chrismated (confirmed), partake of the Lord's Supper and eventually enter into Priesthood ministry. The course takes on average about a year to complete.
Catechumens and baptised members may either complete this series by downloading and printing these pages or by ordering a printed set from the General Church. This site contains both the older Second Edition and the greatly expanded and improved Sacred Name Version (Third Edition) as it appears chapter by chapter. As new chapters are completed, the older chapters will be phased out until the older edition is removed altogether.
The only printed editions are the First and Third Editions, the Second being exclusively prepared for the internet. The First Edition is now out of print and the Third Edition is currently being prepared as a book. A special Answers Booklet is only available to Bishops, Pastors and Course Teachers and is not for general circulation.
Candidates for full NCCG/BCAY membership are required to complete all the lessons, show them to their Pastor and demonstrate a simple working knowledge of their contents.
Each chapter is accompanied by one or more sermons given by the Patriarchate and links to other sermons and articles that treat the subject in greater depth. After the Bible itself, this is the most important doctrinal tool of NCCG/BCAY and is its standard of doctrine and practice.
