Lesson 1 The Bible

OBJECTIVE

The trainee should learn basic reasons why the BIBLE is the Word of God and why and how it is relevant for our own lives today.

 

AIMS the student will be able to:

1. Explain the Biblical foundation of the effectiveness of the Scriptures as referred to in Paul’s letter to Timothy.

2. Outline accurately the basic structure of the BIBLE.

3. Describe the characteristics of the BIBLE.

 

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION

2 Timothy 3:16-17

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

 

EXPOSITION

 

A. CHARACTERISTICS THAT DISTINGUISH THE BIBLE FROM OTHER BOOKS:

· It is God’s revelation to mankind.  2 Peter 1:19-20

· It points confidently to man’s salvation. Acts 13:16-40

· It claims to be the truth. 1 John 2:21

· It proclaims Jesus to be the central character.  John 14:9B. BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE BIBLE:

 

·        The Old Testament

1.   The Pentateuch.

The first five books of the Bible, known in Hebrew as the humash (from the root, meaning "five") or the Torah. The five books are: Genesis,                    Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. They are also known as the Five Books of Moses.

 

2.   Historical Books.

The historical books of the Old Testament cover the life of the Jewish people from the time they entered the Promised Land under Joshua the son of Nun (1451 BC). In particular, the books of Joshua and Judges cover the earliest period in the history of the Jewish people, when the Jewish tribes that populated the Promised Land had not yet been united into one state, but were separate from each other to a lesser or greater extent. The books of Kings and Chronicles cover the monarchical period in the history of the Jewish people that lasted about five hundred years.

 

This period ended with the fall of the Kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian captivity in 586 BC. The books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther tell us of the events that followed the Babylonian captivity and of the restoration of Jerusalem and of the Jewish people, as they were fighting for independence several hundred years before Christ.

 3)  Poetic Books

The poetic books include collections of wisdom sayings and short poems, as in the Book of Proverbs, and long compositions such as Job, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. The shorter wisdom materials are  proverbs, sayings, and admonitions, commonly only two lines long. The 5 poetic books are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (Song of Solomon).

 4)  Prophetic Books

· Major Prophets.                           (Explain why?)

· Minor Prophets.

 

The New Testament

1.   The Gospel or Biographical books

                                Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

 

2.   The Historical book.  The Book of Acts

3.   Pauline Epistles. 

                               Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians,              

                               Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians

4.   Pastoral Epistles.   1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon,   Hebrews.

5.    General Epistles.  

              James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1 & 2 and 3 John, Jude,                 

               Revelation or the Apocalypse

 

C. CHARACTERISTICS of the BIBLE:

·   It’s Thematic Unity - Although the Bible was written by about 40  different authors during a period of at least 1.500 years and  although these writers lived on three different continents and belonged to various cultures, the Bible has a unifying objective. The main theme is to give answers to these basic questions:  Who is God? Who is man? Is there a possibility for a relationship   between God and man, and if so - how? The Bible wants to lead man to God (see John 20:31 and 2 Timothy 3:14-17).

 

·    It’s inspiration  - 2 Peter 1:20-21

·    It’s revelation  - 2 Timothy 3:16

·    It’s accuracy  or Inerrancy  - Both Historically and Scientifically

·    It’s Present relevance - Morally and Practicality

·    It’s preservation - 1 Peter 1:25

·    It’s fulfilled prophecies  - Isaiah 55:11

 

CONCLUSION

Do not stay as a baby that needs milk. Once you have been in the Church for a while there is a need to stop breast feeding and start taking bread and solid food. You need to grow and become strong: to move from  being a child to become a parent who can feed others.

 RECOMMENDED READING and Video

· The Bible — Read the Book of Joshua and Judges to have a picture of Israel’s historical event.

· Watch a topic about “The Bible” in YouTube and make a reflection

 

ASSIGNMENT

·  Memorize 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and use S.O.A.P. (Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer  method and pass your assignment to our  hislifesouth.blogspot.com