From the human point of view, life ("under the sun") does appear futile, and it is easy for us to get pessimistic. Ecclesiastes goes beyond the wisdom from other literature to emphasize the fact that human life and human goals, as ends in themselves apart from God, are meaningless. This study contains eight hours of verse-by-verse teachings.

The two books of Samuel form a basic foundational study in the Old Testament. An understanding of this basic history is essential, not only to understanding the Old and New Testaments, but in gaining a valid perspective of eschatological issues as well. 

During Jeremiah's 40 years of ministry, he never received a hint of gratitude. As one of the most important of the "Major Prophets", Jeremiah is a rich, rewarding study. It is full of surprises, deeply touching episodes, and extremely moving tale. It is also, in many ways, profoundly timely for us today.

The Book of Job pulls away our illusions and presents life as it really is. Nothing is more valuable than a valid perspective. One of the most painful - but essential - blessings is the stripping away of our delusions and erroneous presuppositions! That is why it is so important to let the Spirit of God set us straight by the Word of God, correcting our thinking and "renewing our minds" (Romans 12:2).

Hosea, a contemporary of Isaiah (for most of his ministry) and Amos (in his earlier years) was the Jeremiah of the Northern Kingdom. His main target was the Northern Kingdom, yet his message was for the people of God. When Solomon died, Jeroboam rebelled and plunged the Northern Kingdom into a prosperous but idolatrous separation. After two centuries of abandoning their heritage, God sent Hosea to present His indictment and declare that He would use their enemies as His judgment.

The Book of Proverbs could be titled ''Wise Up and Live". Beyond simply obeying laws, this book focuses on leading an aggressively dynamic life, giving examples of proper and improper attitudes, conduct, and characteristics in succinct, penetrating ways.

Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi: It is an unfortunate misconception that because these books are called The Minor Prophets, their relevance to our lives is also minor. This couldn't be further from the truth. The richness of life's lessons and our prophetic hope permeate every word. Don't be tricked into missing these overwhelmingly rich studies.

Prophets to the Southern Kingdom is Chuck's commentary on the books of Joel, Micah, Zephaniah, and Habakkuk.

Jonah, the reluctant prophet, was called to prophesy against the pagan capital of the world, Nineveh. He attempted to shun the assignment until God explained it to him a little more clearly! His message to Nineveh: 40 days and you get yours! The greatest miracle in the book of Jonah was Nineveh's repentance, within the allotted 40 days, on speculation! They reasoned that maybe, if they repented, God might change His mind. They did. And He did. A century later, Nahum was sent to ask them to repent and Nineveh failed. Judgment resulted.  

The Book of Lamentations is a complete work in itself, a five-chapter book that is sort of an appendix to the Book of Jeremiah. The Book of Lamentations is his outpouring, where he essentially mourns for Jerusalem. The poor guy, on the one hand, was faithful in his office as a prophet; he told forth what God had told him to tell forth, and Jerusalem was going to be judged for her iniquity. On the other hand, Jeremiah was a patriot, his roots were there, and his emotional commitment to Judah was absolutely uncompromising.  

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah (and Esther) cover about 100 years, closing the Old Testament historical books. The books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles closed with the Southern Kingdom (Judah)'s going into captivity. The two post-exile books of Ezra and Nehemiah record the return from Babylon after its fall to the Persians under Cyrus, the rebuilding of the temple and Jerusalem, and the reestablishment of the national life of Israel. This study contains eight hours of verse-by-verse teachings.

Paul certainly knew suffering, and Paul also knew true joy. And he knew joy through suffering. In his darkest hour, he wrote this letter to encourage his most intimate friends. He himself was a prisoner at the time yet it was he who was providing encouragement to them, the faithful at Philippi! Here is a letter that is filled with insights on the real priorities in life, encouragement during difficult trials, and guidance during the inevitable dark times. Inner joy occurs 16 times in these four brief chapters. Paul also deals with some of our thorniest issues.

The Book of Jude is a tiny book, tragically neglected by students, yet overflowing with fascinating Old Testament references and allusions: lessons from Israel in the wilderness, the angels that sinned, the strange events of Sodom and Gomorrah, and other insights from Cain, Balaam, as well as the mysterious person known as Enoch. Jude is written for the end times, for the end of the Church Age. It is the only book devoted entirely to the great apostasy and is the "vestibule" to the Book of Revelation.

For many, the Gospel according to "the Beloved Physician" is the most readable and complete account of the life of Christ. Known for its historical detail and precision, Luke was chosen by the Holy Spirit to communicate the Gospel to an educated and technological culture. The evidences of the truly "human" nature of Jesus Christ are littered throughout this treatise. 

Matthew presents Jesus Christ as the Jesus as the Meshiach Nagid, the Messiah the King, the Lion of the tribe of Judah. It was written by a Jew, to Jews, about a Jew. This book of the Bible uses more Old Testament quotes than any other. The Gospel of Matthew emphasizes the saying of Jesus, including 10 parables not found in any other Gospel. After first establishing the royal genealogy, he then goes on to focus on the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies.