WHAT IS THE BIBLE?

-An Ask A Pastor Ministries Seminar-


What do you already know about the Bible?

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What question(s) do you have about the Bible that you
hope will be answered by this study?

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All page numbers refer to the New International Version
of The Bible as published by Zondervan Publishing as
their Thinline Bible. It is available at all Christian Book
Stores and many others too.

Please download and listen to this Audio Introduction.

 I. Need To Know

  


A. Its Origin

The word "bible" comes from the word "biblio" meaning "library."

Actually it is a library of 66 books written by 44 different
people over a period of more than 2000 years!


Nevertheless. . . it reads like it had only one author! That's the miracle explained by the following verses:

"Understand that no prophecy of scripture came about by the
prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the
will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along
by the Holy Spirit." (II Peter 1:20,21, pg. 1026)

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting, and instructing
in righteousness" (II Timothy 3:16, pg. 1005)

What do the above verses say to you about God's involvement in the writing
of the Bible?

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B. Its Organization


1. The Old Testament

a. THE LAW (Genesis through Deuteronomy)

b. HISTORY (Joshua through Job)

c. POETRY (Psalms through Song of Solomon)

d. THE PROPHETS (Isaiah through Malachi)


2. The New Testament

a. THE GOSPELS (Matthew through John)

b. THE EARLY CHURCH (Acts)

c. THE LETTERS (Romans through Jude)

d. THE END TIMES (Revelation)


C. Its Interpretation

1. Its Context -- What rules do we typically apply to any piece of literature regarding the use of a statements context in properly understanding what's being said?

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It's the same with the Bible.


2. Literal or Figurative? -- With the rest of literature, how do we typically determine if the author wants us to interpret something literally or if they intended it as an allegory?

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It's the same with the Bible.


3. Promises. . . Promises. . . Promises -- When we read that someone was made a promise by someone else, how can we figure out whether or not the promiser meant the promise for us too?

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It's the same with the Bible.

 

 II. Nice To Know

  

http://www.askapastor.org/intro.html

Please go to the Online Library and open the article entitled "Introduction" -- reading through the article in anticipation of answering the following question:

 

How would you summarize in one sentence the lesson learned by the author of this article?

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 II. Where To Find

  

http://www.askapastor.org/rely.html

In the Online Library please open the article entitled "The Historical Reliability Of The New Testament" -- reading through the article so that you can answer the following question:


After looking over this resource link, what three facts
impressed you the most about the reliability of
the New Testament?

1. _________________________________________

2. _________________________________________

3. _________________________________________




Search The Bible (http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?)
Bible Study Tools (http://www.biblestudytools.net/)
The Best Of Josh McDowell compiled by Bill Wilson

Also. . . the eBook How We Got The Bible would give you even more insight into how the Bible came to us through history.

 

What are the three most important truths you've learned from this lesson?

1. _________________________________________

2. _________________________________________

3. _________________________________________

Now that you're done . . . why not take a few extra moments to go over to the Ask A Pastor Worship Center and use the artwork and music there to help you talk back to God -- telling Him what you've enjoyed about what He's shown you in this study? He always enjoys hearing our thanks!



For A Listing Of All Worksheet Topics. . .CLICK HERE.



Copyright 2000. Dave Arch. All rights reserved.