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1 ISBN: Randall House Copying, distributing, or sharing this study beyond the use of the purchasing church or single campus site is a breach of ethics and illegal. It is also a breach of the license agreement to remove this statement from the study or from any customized or derivative study. To purchase this study or others like it, visit

2 HERITAGE OF THE BIBLE Introduction: With so many opinions circulating about the credibility and usefulness of the Bible, it is important for Christians to understand the truth about the Bible s origins. Where did it come from? Who wrote it? Is it really God s own words? By answering these questions, this study will equip group participants with the knowledge and appreciation of God s Word, enabling them to combat the doubt and skepticism so prominent in today s society. Throughout these sessions, group members will study the history and development of the Bible, the biographies of Scripture writers, God s miraculous protection of His Word, and the Bible s credibility. Certainly, the Holy Bible is more than a family heirloom or trendy cover stacked on a shelf. Understanding and believing the Bible as God s letter to His creation shapes a Christian s perspective of God s mercy, power, and love safeguarding a heart and mind against the deceitful tactics of Satan. Below are some invitations for you to use to encourage participation. You should announce this study in various ways: church bulletins, announcements, newsletters, s, and social networking. The invitations below are short enough for text messages and social networking statuses. 1 Bible Beginnings This week our study will focus on the origins of the Bible: solidifying our beliefs and increasing our faith. 2 Best-selling Authors This week we will learn about the human authors of Scripture, while gaining a deeper appreciation for the Bible. 3 Getting Organized This week we will seek to gain an understanding of the completeness of God s Word and its application to our lives. 4 As Good as His Word In our final session will discuss the importance of a trustworthy Bible and be challenged to practice regular Bible reading and application. Access Downloadable Curriculum Introduction

3 Session One BIBLE BEGINNINGS MATERIALS NEEDED Bibles Copies of Student Handout Pens or pencils LESSON OBJECTIVE Group members will learn about the origins of the Bible; thus, solidifying their beliefs and increasing their faith in God s power to bring about His will. CONNECT Start this session with a quiz found on student handout, Bible Trivia. No worries and no pressure if participants are unable to answer the questions. Make the quiz time fun and lighthearted. The goal of this activity is for group members to begin thinking about the make-up and details of the Bible. It will also give you some insight into their knowledge of Bible trivia. Quiz questions are (answers in parenthesis): How many books are in the Bible? (66) What is the first book of the Bible? (Genesis) What is the last book of the Bible? (Revelation) How many books are in the Old Testament? (39) How many books are in the New Testament? (27) What is the longest chapter in the Bible? (Psalm 119) What is the shortest chapter in the Bible? (Psalm 117) Once the quiz is finished, provide your group with a longer list of interesting, little known facts about the Bible. (POSSIBLE POWERPOINT MATERIAL) The Bible is an international best seller. About 40 men wrote the Bible over a period of 1,600 years from about 1500 B.C. to about A.D. 95. The first English translation was initiated by John Wycliffe and completed by John Purvey in A.D The Bible has 1,189 chapters. The Old Testament has 929 chapters. The New Testament has 260 chapters. Segue into the CONSIDER section by saying: How did all these words, chapters, and books

4 In preparation for this session, do a quick survey of your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. What do they think about the Bible? Share your findings with your group. come to be? As we glance through history, it is quite amazing to see how the twists, turns, and leaps reveal the miraculous measures God used to preserve and protect His Word. CONSIDER The Bible is a marvelous piece of God s handiwork. For thousands of years, He crafted the writing and shape of the Bible. The Bible was complete in A.D. 95. Since then, God s people have been preserving and spreading the good news. It all began with God inspiring righteous men, such as Moses, to record the teachings of God and the happenings of His people. Out of reverence for God s Word and a desire to preserve it, the profession of the scribe developed. A scribe is a person responsible for the preservation of God s words. Throughout the Bible, scribes were responsible for transmitting the Word of God to the next generation. Because there were no printing presses or copy machines, scribes painstakingly recorded many copies of the Scripture by hand. (See Ezra 7:6, 10; Jeremiah 36:12, 21; Matthew 2:4.) Ask your group: What does the scribes commitment to accurately copying and preserving Scripture teach you about the value and significance of God s Word? Around 300 B.C., scribes translated the Hebrew Old Testament into Greek, the popular language of the day. This translation was called the Septuagint, which played a large role in bringing the Word of God to the Gentiles. After the first century, God stopped inspiring men to write Scripture. The story of redemption was complete, and now the job of taking the completed Word to the world was in full swing. The early church fathers, such as Polycarp, continued to teach the Scripture and keep it safe. Many of these men lost their lives because they refused to compromise the original message of Jesus. Ask your group: What do your friends, family, or co-workers think about the Bible? What are popular opinions about the Bible? Eventually, the early church evangelized the world to the extent a Roman emperor named Constantine decided it politically advantageous to embrace Christianity. In the third century, he established Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire. Thus, during the next ten centuries, the Roman Church became more of a weapon of political power than a message of redemption. However, the truth was preserved by those outside the Roman Church, and in some cases, within it. A movement called monasticism preserved the integrity of the Word of God. Monks, many who lived in desolate, isolated places, copied Scripture carefully so its lineage would continue. During this time only educated people such as royalty and priests could read the Bible because of the language it was written in. Why is this dangerous? What would happen if only a select few in a community could read and understand the Bible? Thankfully, God raised up some leaders who saw the importance of having a Bible translation that everyone could read and understand. Out of the monastic movement grew another called Scholasticism. This movement broke away from the Catholic tradition. One of its leaders, a man named John Wycliffe, rebelled against the Roman Church s belief that the Bible should only be translated into Latin. Wycliffe was responsible for beginning the first English translation the common person s translation. Others like John Huss and Martin Luther did much to bring the Bible to the masses. Ask your group: What does the perseverance of the Scripture throughout evil or uncertain times reveal about God?

5 In our day, the Bible is more available than ever. Many organizations (The American Bible Society, The Wycliffe Bible Society, etc.) work full-time to translate the Bible into many languages and to spread the Word to as many people as possible. Challenge your group to act! Ask participants to contribute to an organization that spreads Bibles around the world or is active in Bible translation. Although this simplified history of the Bible does highlight God s use of people to spread His message to the world, what is it about the Bible that is so important? Read the verses below and discuss what each teaches about the significance and relevance of God s Word: (Possible PowerPoint slide) 2 Timothy 3:15-16 Matthew 5:18 Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12 2 Peter 1:19-21 Romans 10:17 COMMIT The Bible comes directly from God. The Scripture is very clear about that point. Everything about the Bible reflects God and His attributes; His character is the ultimate foundation of the Bible. To emphasize this truth, ask your group members these questions: God intends for the Bible to be on the bottom shelf where the most uneducated person can reach it, understand it, and be converted. This is why your pastor is so vital; he is your scholar and translator. Pray for him as he studies and teaches the Bible, helping equip you and your church to share the truth of God s Word. If humans, not God, were the sole authors of the Bible, how would that affect Christianity? How would it jeopardize your personal faith? How does accepting God s authorship of the Bible impact your perspective of the Bible? Your treatment of the Bible? Provide group members with a copy of student handout, Storybook or Sacred? Instruct each participant to complete this take-home handout before the next session. The questions found below (and on the handout) will prompt serious thought analyzing one s true opinion of God s Word. Do I obey the commands and truths in the Bible? Do I respect the people of God who preach and teach the Bible? Do I accept the Bible as truth? Do I allow the Bible to change me? Do I memorize, meditate on, and apply the Bible to my life? Challenge your group to act! Ask participants to contribute to an organization that spreads Bibles around the world or is active in Bible translation. Visit these websites for more information on ways your group can be involved: Wycliffe.org americanbible.org Wycliffe.net gideons.org fwbgo.org

6 Handout BIBLE TRIVIA Answer the questions below to the best of your knowledge. 1. How many books are in the Bible? 2. What is the first book of the Bible? 3. What is the last book of the Bible? 4. How many books are in the Old Testament? 5. How many books are in the New Testament? What is the longest chapter in the Bible? What is the shortest chapter in the Bible? STORYBOOK OR SACRED? Reread the verses discussed in your group (2 Timothy 3:15-16; Matthew 5:18; Hebrews 1:1-2, 4:12; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Romans 10:17), and then answer the questions below. 8. Do I obey the commands and truths in the Bible? 9. Do I respect the people of God who preach and teach the Bible? 10. Do I accept the Bible as truth? 11. Do I allow the Bible to change me? 12. Do I memorize, meditate on it, and apply the Bible to my life? God intends for the Bible to be on the bottom shelf where the most uneducated person can reach it, understand it, and be converted.