Session 1

WHY STUDY THE BIBLE?

  1. The Bible is an unusual Book
    • The authors: Some forty different men from every walk of life over a period of some 2000 years assembled some 66 Books that all point to the same Person and presents the same message
    • The accuracy of the Bible: Regardless of the fact that the Bible was written by such men of varied backgrounds and over such a long period of time, it still gives evidence of unusual accuracy when it speaks about history, prophecy and even science
  2. The Bible claims Itself to be the inspired Word of God
    • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASBS All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; [17] so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work
    • 2 Peter 1:20-21 NASBS But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, [21] for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God
  3. The Bible is the only authoritative source explaining the way of salvation through Jesus Christ and faith in Him
    • The historical fact of Christ, the miracles Jesus performed, and the fact of His death and resurrection, can be documented in solid historical evidence. Interestingly enough there is much more evidence for proof in the historicity of Jesus Christ, hostile as well as friendly, than for the existence of Julius Caesar!
    • The spiritual value of the Bible rests in the fact that it explains the significance of the death of Christ. God paid the penalty that His character demanded for man’s sin. When a person accepts the death of Christ by faith as payment for his sins and places trust in Him, God removes the guilt of sin and makes the person fit for eternal life. The Bible is the only source for this information: 2 Timothy 3:15 NASBS and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus
  4. Studying the Bible changes the attitude of the person toward practicing sin and cleanses his life
    • If Christ died because of sin, then when we sin we are in essence crucifying Christ again. Realizing this truth will change a person’s attitude and appetite concerning the things for which Jesus died.
  5. The study of the Scriptures matures the believer
  6. God commands the we study the Bible
    • 2 Timothy 2:15 NASBS Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth

PRE-REQUISITES FOR BIBLE STUDY

  1. A Personal Relationship with Christ as Savior
  2. A Confidence in the Authority of the Scriptures as the Word of God
  3. A Desire for a Pure Heart
  4. Prayer
  5. An Intense Desire to Understand the Word and to Remember What theScriptures Teach
  6. Practice

OBSERVATION: WHAT DOES IT SAY?

  1. Read:
    • Repeatedly: Read the entire book through at one sitting. Read the entire book several times. Memory comes from repeated contact.
    • Thoughtfully: Think as you read. I know that you think you know what is there, but question yourself to be sure that you understand.
    • Prayerfully: Remember Psalm 119:15-18 ESV: I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. [16] I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. [17] Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. [18] Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
    • Thoroughly: Do not skip around those familiar passages or the “begats.”
    • Imaginatively: Put yourself in the situation as though you were there.
    • Personally: Read it yourself for yourself and application in your life. Evaluate your own life considering the teaching of the Bible
    • Aloud
  2. Look for: Who, What, When, Where, How, Why
    • Who: Who is talking? Who is being addressed? Who is being talked about?
    • What
    • When
    • Where: Check a good map and note where the principals are and where they are going
    • How
    • Why
  3. Dig for the author’s structure:
    • Repetition: Ex. Habakkuk 2.6, 9. 12: “woe to him”
    • Figurative Language: Ex. John 6:35 & 7:38: “I am the Bread of Life”
    • General to Specific: Ex. Acts 4:32 & 5:1: “multitude – a certain man”
    • Specific to General: Ex. Acts 1:8: “Jerusalem – uttermost parts”
    • Logical Connectives
      • Reason: Because or For
      • Result: So or then
      • Therefore
      • Contrast: But or Much More
      • Comparison: Also, As, or So
      • Condition: If, and the 4 class conditions of if

Assignment: Using John 3:16, come up with 10 observations about this verse. Hint: What does God love? How may this affect our view of Heaven and earth?