How important is God's Word to you?

1. An overview of the Bible:

• The Bible contains 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.
• The books are divided into chapters and verses for reference.
• The Old Testament was written in the Hebrew language.
• The New Testament was written in the Greek language. (Remember that our English Bible is a translation from these original languages.)
• Did God make a mistake? Why the need for a New Testament? What's wrong with the Old one? Read Hebrews 8:9-10.
  • The foundation of the Old covenant with Israel was man's obedience to it (verse 9).
  • The foundation of the New covenant is God's action on behalf of man. (Note the "I wills" in verse 10). It was enacted by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. (Luke 22:20).

2. How to study the scriptures: Isaiah 28:9-13.

• Precept upon precept: a precept is an established fact of God's Word, i.e., "all have sinned"; "God is love"; "Jesus is has risen".
• Line upon line: The systematic story line of scripture that ties the established facts of God together.
• Here a little, there a little: The use of foundation facts of scripture to understand other portions of scripture.

Note: The New Testament is contained in the Old Testament, and the Old Testament is explained in the New Testament.

3. Because the Bible is inspired, we need the Holy Spirit it help us understand it:

• The man without the Spirit does not understand the things that come from God - 1 Corinthians 2:14.
• The Holy Spirit (Greek - Parakletos - One called along side to help) will teach us and help us to remember - John 14:26.

4. One method of studying God's Word is given below. There are many others.

Turn to Mark 4:35-41 and read the passage. Now, answer the following questions from these verses:

• Who? What is said about the person or people involved? What does the person (people) say?
  
• What? What is happening? What are the events; in what order?
  
• Where? Where is the event taking place? Where are people going to or coming from?
  
• When? When did the events take place?
  
• Why? Why is this story included? Why here in the text? Why does one person say what he does? etc.
  
• Wherefore? So what? What difference would it make in my life if I were to apply this truth?
  

5. Basic divisions of scripture:

• Old testament: Historical preparation for the Messiah.
  • 5 books by Moses - Beginning history/law
  • Joshua/Esther - Messiah preparation history
  • Job - Poetic & Wisdom
  • Isaiah to Daniel - Major prophets
  • Hosea to Malachi - Minor Prophets
• New Testament: Manifestation - Consummation of Christ.
  • The Gospels: The life & works of Christ
  • Acts: The further works of Christ through the Apostles.
  • The Epistles: Church doctrine
  • Revelation: Jesus' rule established

6. Basic themes of scripture:

• God - Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 1:1; Psalms 103
• Man/Creation - Genesis 2:7
• Sin - 1 John 2:15-17; Romans 3:23
• Jesus - John 5:39, Luke 24:7, 44, 45
• Redemption - Romans 3:24; 10:8-13 Salvation - Romans 1:16; 10:8-13
• Satan/spirit world - Genesis 3:1, 2 Corinthians 4:4
• Prophecy - 2nd coming of Jesus - Revelation 4:20
• Man - Beginning and final end - John 3:17-19

7. Basic types of scripture

• Historical: narrative that lays foundation for future things, i.e., Genesis/Gospels.
• Poetical: song-like, worshipful or proverb-like. Psalms
• Prophetical: the Word describing future events, i.e., Isaiah, Revelation, portions of the Gospels.
• Instructional: Practical application of Scripture, i.e., Romans, Deuteronomy, Corinthians, Proverbs.

Notes/Questions

Assignment: Read Psalm 119:89-176, memorize Psalms 119:18, and pray for one another.