A Word from the Author

Transcription

1 A Word from the Author As a child, I attended church and Sunday School weekly. My favorite part of the entire church experience was hearing stories of faith, love, and victory unfold through the eyes of the people who experienced God s power throughout the Word. Stories about Noah and the Ark and the betrayal of Jesus Christ, captivated me so much, I would run home to read the story for myself in the Word of God. As with all maturing Christians, I found Bible study to be my life source to truth and daily living. As my curiosity increased with each turning of the page, I realized that there was a vast amount of fundamental things I missed growing up regarding God s Word. One glaring shortcoming stood out during church. As the pastor called out the focus scripture for service, I recognized people throughout the church struggling to find the book of the Bible. Upon further investigation and study, I found that people were equally unaware of basic Bible facts. I purchased the best Bible dictionaries, concordances, and study guides enabling me to familiarize myself with all the basic Bible facts. Combined, all of these books contained everything you would ever want to know about places, stories, events, and important facts found in the Word of God. However, I was concerned that other, not so studious Christians would grow weary searching multiple references and would not study the Word of God at all. That is when I prayed and God gave me the Bible Basics Resource Guide. This Guide is a tool designed to help nurture Bible study and provide basic Bible facts. This Guide contains the books of the Bible, common bible stories, important people, places in the Bible and much more. I pray this Guide will lead to many years of fruitful study of God s Word, peak your interest in facts found in the Bible and bring you into a more intimate relationship with God. To God be the Glory! Till All Have Heard, Trenette Wilson Bible Basics Resource Guide

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Bible Basics Resource Guide CHAPTER ONE: OVERVIEW OF THE BIBLE CHAPTER TWO: BOOKS OF THE BIBLE.5 CHAPTER THREE: JESUS, THE SON OF GOD. 13 CHAPTER FOUR: THE NAMES OF JESUS. 17 CHAPTER FIVE: PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE..20 CHAPTER SIX: PLACES IN THE BIBLE.27 CHAPTER SEVEN: COMMON BIBLE STORIES 34 CHAPTER EIGHT: THE PARABLES...39 CHAPTER NINE: PRAYERS IN THE BIBLE...51 CHAPTER TEN: THE BEATITUDES 54 CHAPTER ELEVEN: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS...58 CHAPTER TWELVE: THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD. 61 CHAPTER THIRTEEN: SPIRITUAL GIFTS...64 CHAPTER FOUTEEN: THE SPIRIT OF GOD. 67 CHAPTER FIFTEEN: SYMBOLIC NUMBERS IN THE BIBLE CHAPTER SIXTEEN: KINGDOM RULERS Bible Basics Resource Guide

3 Bible Basics Resource Guide Chapter One OVERVIEW OF THE BIBLE

4 Overview of the Bible INTRODUCTION John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Chapter One Basic composition of the Bible. Fundamental introduction to the Bible. Reasons to study the Bible. History of the Bible. The Bible is the word of God. The word Bible comes from the Greek word Biblios which means a book. Because of its importance God s word is called The Book of all Books. The word of God is the road map to life because it contains everything you need to know. After you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, the next step in knowing God personally is through His word. The Bible provides instruction for daily living, and spiritual growth. David demonstrates what place the word of God should have in the life of the believe in Psalm 119:11, Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against You. He further explains, that we are to delight ourselves in God s word, Psalm 119:16, I will delight myself in Your statues; I will not forget your word. THE BIBLE, WHAT IS IT? The Bible is the inspired word of God written through the eyes of men who were present to witness the mighty works of God personally. As they saw or were personally impacted by God they wrote down their observations. The Bible is one book composed of 66 individual books divided into two distinct sections called the Old and New Testament. The Bible consists of books that contain scriptures, which are sacred writings. Scriptures are further divided into chapters and verses. Example: Genesis 1:11 Genesis 1:11 is the Scripture Genesis is the book of the Bible 1 is the chapter of the book of Genesis 11 is the verse within the chapter The following diagram will illustrate the Bible s breakdown. Notes Bible Basics Resource Guide 1

5 Old Testament 39 Books The Holy Bible Scripture Genesis 1:11 New Testament 27 Books Book Genesis Chapter 1 Verse 11 This information is very important during Bible study and in service when pastors refer to Scriptures during their sermons. HISTORICAL PERIODS OF THE BIBLE Genesis is the first book of the Bible and it lays the foundation for the creation of civilization and mankind. The following is a list of time periods the Bible covers. 1. The Patriarchal (Father Rule) began at creation and lasted until the giving of the law at Mt. Sinai. Its history is recorded in Genesis 1 to Exodus The Mosaic or Jewish period began at Mt. Sinai and lasted until the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Its history is found from Exodus 20 to Acts 2. This law was to last for a definite time, Galatians 3:19:29; however, it was done away in II Corinthians 3. With the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Christians no longer bound by the law. 3. The Christian period began at Jerusalem on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ and will last until the end of time. Its record is found from Acts 2 thru Revelation. We live in this time period today, Hebrews 1:1-2; 10:8-10:3. Bible Basics Resource Guide 2

6 Notes WHO WROTE THE BIBLE? The Bible is the inspired Word of God and was written by approximately 40 men who saw the divine revelation of God and wrote what they saw. The unity of the Bible is one proof of its inspiration. These men lived over a span of 1600 years and had no possible way to confer with one another. They came from various backgrounds and social levels. Moreover, they even wrote in different languages. About 40 men wrote the Bible as God s Spirit directed them, II Peter 1:21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. They used the words given by the Holy Spirit, I Corinthians 2:10, But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes the deep things of God. The Bible is inspired (God breathed), Ephesians 3:3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already). WHY STUDY THE BIBLE? In order to grow spiritually, you must become a student of the Bible. Without God s word you will experience confusion and silence in your walk with God. The following list contains reasons you should make Bible study a priority. God speaks through His Word, Hebrews 4:12. God reveals His will for our lives though His word, Proverbs 3:5-7. Studying God s Word helps us gain knowledge and understanding about God, Colossians 1:9. God s word helps your faith grow, Romans 10:17. God s word builds you up, Acts 20:32. God s word teaches us to live, peaceably with others. Romans 12:18. Important Keep in mind, the King James Version of the Bible is translated according to the author s original text. Newer, easier to read translations often exclude some or the original translation. When studying other translations; keep the new King James Version on hand as a point of reference. Bible Basics Resource Guide 3