The Word Of God - Lesson 1

OBJECTIVE: Explainwhat the role of the Bible in my life is.

SCRIPTURES: Psalms 12:6, 7, 19:1-6, 118:8, 119; Romans 1:18, 20; 2Peter 1:19-21; 2Tim. 3:16, 17, 2:15;Hebrews 1:1, 4:12; 1Peter 1:21, 23; 2Peter 1:20; Jeremiah 1:9; 45:1; 2Samuel 23:2; Ezekiel 2:2, 14:1-11;Ephesians 2:8-9; James 1:21; Isaiah 28:9-10, 29:9-14; Proverbs 30:5-6; 2Corinthians 13:1;1Corinthians 13:1, 15:29, 14:40, 2:11-16

LESSON PURPOSE:The purpose of this lesson is to acquaint the New Christian with the basics of the Bible and how it relates to his/her everyday life.  We hope that through this study you will begin to understand that the principles found in the Bible are to guide every aspect of your walk with Jesus Christ.

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE

What separates Christianity from any and all ‘Religions’ in the world is its claim to an absolute, written authority from God. Having the Word of God is essential to a Christian’s growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The standards by which a Christian is to govern his life in every detail are found in the pages of the Word of Godcommonly known astheHoly Bible.

It is universally accepted that there are 2 fundamental sources of human knowledge; Reason and experience. Both are essential to understanding the world around us.  Yet, reason and experience do not answer the most profound and important questions of life such as: Where did I come from? What is the purpose for my existence? Where am I going, if anywhere, after death?  Is there another source of knowledge that carries us beyond the limitations of human reason and experience, a source that answers these, the 3 most important and profound questions of Life? Yes! There is a 3rd source of knowledge and it is called revelation.  Revelation is found primarily in the Word of God. The Bible teaches us that God has revealed Himself and His commandments in the Holy Scriptures.  Through the scriptures we have direct access to an infinite and personal Being who created all things for His pleasure. This infinite being, God, is not limited like his finite creation. He is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and unchanging.

The Bible describes two forms of revelation usually called general and special. According to Psalms 19:1-6 and Romans 1:20; God has revealed Himself to us through His creation. This general revelation is available to all. The Bible teaches also that God has implanted the knowledge of His existence in every human heart (Romans 1:18). God’s special revelation involves a more direct communication with man through dreams, visions, angels, the person of Christ Himself, and the Bible. The Bible presents God’s plan of redemption for all mankind and God’s will for man as he relates to God’s plan for history, these are the themes and focal points of the Scriptures. God chose to reveal Himself in a progressive way. As time passed, more and more was revealed and recorded about God’s will and ways.  At the completion of The New Testament, God’s written revelation was complete.

The Bible is Unique in Several Ways

1.  It is unique in its production. The Bible is a book written by approximately 40 authors over a approximately 2000 years making it one complete integrated unit (2Peter 1:19-21

It is unique in its preservation. God not only inspired the Scriptures, but He promised to preserve them (Psalm 12:6, 7)

It is unique in its proclamations. Over 25% of the Bible is prophetic in nature when written. It touches the subjects of Heaven, and Hell; Eternal Salvation and Eternal Damnation; Eternity Past; and Eternity Future. Yet it cuts to the heart of all the major issues of life (2Tim. 3:16, 17).

It is unique in its product. No other book has so profoundly influenced the course of history and the lives of men. “The Word of God is quick (alive) and powerful …” (Hebrews 4:12; 1Peter 1:22,23).

The Bible is a book which is composed of 66 books written by more than 40 authors over a period of about 2000 years. It is totally accurate in its recording of history and prophecy fitting together as though 1 man wrote it without 1 contradiction. The middle verse of the Bible is Psalm 118:8, the middle words are “The Lord”.

II. THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE

The word “Bible” is derived from the Greek word “Biblos” which simply means ‘a book’. The Bible is the source book of our knowledge of God. It is the textbook of divine truth and the guide to everlasting life. The Bible is actually a library consisting of 66 books which are divided into two main sections called The Old Testament and The New Testament. The Old Testament contains 39 books and The New Testament contains 27 books.

The true author of the Bible is The Holy Spirit of God who profoundly used men. As stated previously and “All scripture is given by the inspiration of God …” (2Timothy 3:16).  What does “by inspiration” mean?  2Peter 1:21 says, “…Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”  The Holy Ghost (Spirit of God or Holy Spirit) was miraculously present preserving the accuracy of the transcription of God’s Word through Holy Men who were used to write the original manuscripts. God moved men to say (inspiration) and record (preservation) the very thoughts He wanted to relay to man.

As Christians we accept the Scriptures as the infallible Word of God. We believe it to be completely inspired and undoubtedly preserved by God Himself. (Hebrews 1:1; Jeremiah 1:9; 45:1; 2Samuel 23:2; Ezekiel 2:2) Psalms 12:6, 7 states “The Words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”

III. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ITSELF?

Psalm 119is well known for its thorough treatment of the Bible itself. Undoubtedly, there is no other passage of Scripture that deals with the subject of the Scriptures in such detail. It contains 176 verses and all but 3 of these mentions the Scripture.

8 different words are used are used numerous times to refer to the Scriptures:

1)  The Law of the Lord              5) Statutes

2)  Testimonies                          6) Commandments

3)  Ways                                   7) Judgments

4)  Precepts                              8) Word

The Bible is 8 things to the Believer:

1) Water for cleansing (vs. 9)                 5) Honey (vs. 103)

2) Wealth & Treasure (vs, 14, 72)            6) A lamp (vs. 105, 130) 

3) A companion and friend (vs. 24)         7) Great spoil (vs. 162)

4) A Song to Sing (vs. 54)                     8) A heritage (vs. 111)

The Bible does certain things for the believer:

1) Blesses (vs. 1,2)                                5)  Imparts Wisdom (vs. 66)

2) Gives Life (vs, 25, 37,40)                   6) Creates Friends (vs. 63) 

3) Gives Strength (vs. 28)                      7) Gives Comfort (vs. 76, 92)

4) Gives Liberty (vs. 54)                         8) Gives Direction (vs. 133)

The Bible charges the believer with 8 responsibilities concerning the Word:

1) We’re to love Scripture (vs. 97,159)                5) We’re to meditate on Scriptures (vs. 15, 23, 48)

2) We’re to value Scripture (vs, 72, 128)              6) We’re to trust Scripture (vs. 42) 

3) We’re to study Scripture (vs. 7,12, 26, 27)       7) We’re to obey Scripture (vs. 1 - 8)

4) We’re to memorize Scripture (vs. 11)  8) We’re to declare/share Scripture (vs. 13, 26)

IV. THE SCRIPTURES ARE AN INFALLIBLE GUIDE

 The Scriptures have been inspired and preserved by God so that we might have an infallible guide. It brings us to salvation and helps us daily as we attempt to live sanctified lives before God. While on Earth we should look to fulfill God’s objective, carry out His will and bring Glory to Him. It is the Scriptures that point out what our #1 job as Christians is, commonly referred to as the Great Commission is (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19, 20).

The teachings of Scripture fall into 4 major categories according to 2Timothy 3:16:

1. Doctrine-  The Bible teaches us What is right
2. Reproof-  The Bible teaches us What is not right in God’s sight
3. Correction- The Bible teaches us How to get right
4. Instruction In Righteousness- The Bible instructs us on How to stay right

The reason for the teachings of the scripture is “…that the Man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2Timothy 3:17).

V.  THE WORD OF GOD IS ACTIVE IN SALVATION.1Peter 1:23

A man is “Born again by the Word of God” The Word of God is the agent which brings about the New Birth.Ephesians 2:8-9

 “For by grace are you saved through faith…” 

Romans 10:17

“So then faith comes through hearing, yes, hearing the Word of God.”

James 1:21

The Word of God is “… Able to Save your Soul”.

Paul’s summary of the Gospel Contains four parts as we see when viewing 1Corinthians 15:1-4

1. Jesus Christ died for our sins
2. Jesus Christ was buried
3. Jesus Christ rose from the dead
4. All of this is in accordance to what the Scriptures had foretold

Man must believe what Scripture says about sin, man’s condition, and God’s plan of salvation in order to be saved.

VI.BASIC PRINCIPLES OF BIBLE STUDY

In his book entitled Reality Living, Pastor Jeff Adams list 13 Basic Principles of Bible study:

1. Effective Bible study begins with the student having a correct heart attitude (Ezekiel 14:1-5)
2. All Scripture is to be understood within its proper context (Isaiah 28:10)
3. Understanding the Bible is not a matter of private interpretation (2Peter 1:20)
4. All Scripture is to be rightly divided (2Timothy 2:15)
5. The individual words of Scripture are the key to correct understanding (Proverbs 30:5-6)
6. The Bible must be understood by the literal meaning of the words in the context in which you read them
7. Never violate a clear passage of Scripture with one that is more obscure
8. Never base a doctrine on a single verse of scripture (2Corinthians 13:1; Isaiah 28:9, 10)
9. The Bible must be understood in the light of God’s consistency (1Corinthians 14:40)
10. Never base a doctrine on a question or rhetorical or hypothetical statement (1Corinthians 13:1, 15:29)
11. Remember that understanding the Bible comes in time through spiritual growth. (1Corinthians 2:11-16)
12. Always give the Bible the benefit of the doubt; innocent until proven guilty (Ezekiel 14:1-11; Isaiah 29:9-14)
13. Remember that Jesus often taught his disciples using similitude and word pictures as in (John 15:5)

VII. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS CONCERNING LESSON 1

1. We learn through reason and experience but reason and experience cannot answer the three most important questions in life. What are the 3 most important questions in life?
2. Besides reason and experience there is a third source of human knowledge. What is this third source of knowledge
3. What is the difference between general and special revelation
4. List two ways that the scriptures are unique
5. How was the Scriptures inspired and preserved?
6. What are the four categories that the scriptures fall into according to 2Timothy 3:16.
7. What are 3 principles of Bible study that you feel you must be careful to consider when you study on your own or with someone else.
8. True or False – The Bible can only be understood by ministers who have had many years worth of training.
9. True or False – To understand the meaning of most scripture you have to study the Greek and Hebrew languages.

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