Your Bible. Christian Life Series. Would you like to

Transcription

1 Would you like to KNOW H O W T H E B I B L E C A N H E L P Y O U? KNOW W H Y A N D H O W I T WA S W R I T T E N? KNO W H O W I T WA S I N S P I R E D? YOUR BIBLE King David looked to the Word of God for guidance, hope, and comfort. Your Bible teaches you how this same guidance, hope, and comfort can be yours through God s Word. From the Old Testament through the New Testament, God speaks words of life and truth to men and women. Learn how to study God s Word and apply His truth to your life. Your Bible shows you how to do this. Your Bible The Christian Life series comprises 18 courses divided into three units of six courses each. Your Bible is Course 2 in Unit 1. CL PN L2120E-90 ISBN Christian Life Series

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3 Your Bible eighth edition Adapted by Judy Bartel from the book Your Bible by L. Jeter Walker S p r i n g f i e l d, M i s s o u r i

4 Address of the Global University office in your area: Developed in cooperation with Global University staff School for Evangelism and Discipleship Global University 1211 South Glenstone Springfield, MO USA 1969, 1993, 2007, 2010 Global University All rights reserved. First edition Eighth edition 2010 Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, NEW IN- TERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society. PN ISBN Printed in the United States of America by Gospel Publishing House, Springfield, Missouri

5 Table of Contents Preface... 5 The christian life series... 7 Before You Begin... 8 Unit one 1 Benefits of Bible Study The Book God Has Given Us Searching the Bible The Books of the Old Testament...46 Unit Two 5 The Books of the New Testament How We Know the Bible Is the Word of God...76 Unit Evaluations Unit One...89 Unit Two...95 Final Words...101

6 Christian Life Series Your New Life Your Bible Who Jesus Is The Church Personal Evangelism Bible Ethics When You Pray How to Study the Bible Your Helpful Friend Christian Worship Christian Workers Marriage and the Home God s Design Your Choice John s Gospel We Believe What Churches Do The Teaching Ministry The Christian in His Community

7 I n t r o d u c t i o n 5 Preface More Bibles have been bought than any other book in history. However, reading a Bible for the first time can be overwhelming. Where do you start? This book was written to help you learn how to use your Bible. You will also discover why and how the Bible was written. Believers accept the Bible as the Word of God and believe it is God s personal message to them. Reading your Bible daily can encourage you in your faith and help you be a stronger Christian. The psalmist said it well: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105).

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9 I n t r o d u c t i o n 7 The christian life series Your Bible is one of eighteen courses in this practical discipleship program for new believers. The Christian Life Series is a study to help students grow in their relationship with Christ, interact with the Word of God, and better understand God s purposes for their life. Students will study basic Christian topics under six reoccurring themes. The courses are conversational in style and easy to read. The following chart illustrates how the units of study are organized for the Christian Life Series. Spiritual Life Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Your New Life When You Pray The Bible Your Bible How to Study the Bible Theology Who Jesus Is Your Helpful Friend The Church The Church Christian Worship Service Christian Ethics Personal Evangelism Bible Ethics Christian Workers Marriage and the Home God s Design, Your Choice John s Gospel We Believe What Churches Do The Teaching Ministry The Christian in His Community

10 8 Yo u r B i b l e Before You Begin how to use this Book This book is divided into lessons instead of chapters. Each lesson begins with two important pages. After the lesson number are the title and a short introduction to the lesson. On the next page is the outline or The Plan for the lesson. It is a list of what you can expect to study in the lesson. Next are lesson goals. The Goals are guidelines for what you should be able to do after studying the lesson. Read them carefully; they will help you focus on the most important points in the lesson. To help you achieve your goals, each lesson has questions and activities. The subheading Application signals you to answer questions on the material learned. Do not skip over this part. Writing out the answers will help you apply what you have learned. Most of the questions can be answered right in your book. If there is not enough room to write your answers in the book, write them in a notebook or journal that you can use to review the lessons later. After answering a question, check the answer at the end of the lesson in the section marked Check Your Answers. Do not look ahead at the answers until you have written your own answer. This will help you remember what you study much better. Correct those you did not answer correctly. The answers are in a jumbled order so that you will not easily see the answer to the next question.

11 I n t r o d u c t i o n 9 how to Answer study Questions This course uses many different kinds of questions. Below are samples of the three most common types and how to answer them. multiple-choice A multiple-choice question asks you to choose an answer from the ones that are given. Example 1 The Bible has a total of a) 100 books. b) 66 books. c) 27 books. The correct answer is b) 66 books. In your study guide, make a circle around b) as shown here: 1 The Bible has a total of a) 100 books. b) 66 books. c) 27 books. d) 2 books. true-false A true-false question or item asks you to choose which of several statements are TRUE. Example 2 Which statements below are TRUE? a) The Bible has a total of 120 books. b) The Bible is a message for believers today. c) All of the Bible authors wrote in the Hebrew language. d) The Holy Spirit inspired the writers of the Bible.

12 10 Yo u r B i b l e Statements b) and d) are true. You would make a circle around these two letters to show your choices, as you see above. matching A matching question or item asks you to match things that go together, such as names with descriptions, or Bible books with their authors. Example 3 Write the number for the leader s name in front of each phrase that describes something he did.... a) Received the Law at Mt. Sinai 1) Moses 2) Joshua...b) Led the Israelites across the Jordan... c) Marched around Jericho... d) Lived in Pharaoh s court Phrases a) and d) refer to Moses, and phrases b) and c) refer to Joshua. You would write 1 beside a) and d), and 2 beside b) and c), as you see above. suggestions for studying 1. Set aside quiet and regular times for your study. It will be easier to concentrate if study is part of your daily habits. 2. Pray as you begin each study session. With an open Bible, the Holy Spirit, and this course, you are in the classroom of the Holy Spirit. Ask the Lord to help you understand the lesson and apply it to your life. 3. Carefully read the lesson introduction, the lesson plan, and the goals. 4. Begin to carefully read the lesson. Look up Bible references and take any notes that may be helpful. The Bible verses reinforce important points in the lesson. 5. Answer the study questions in the spaces provided. Use your notebook or journal when necessary.

13 I n t r o d u c t i o n Think about what you have learned and look for ways to apply it in discussion with family and friends, in a Bible study, or other opportunity. 7. Take your time. No bell will ring to force you to move on to new material. unit evaluations At the end of this course, you will find the Unit Evaluations. Questions and Answer Sheets are clearly marked for each unit. Carefully follow the directions given. You should complete and send your answer sheets to your instructor for corrections. If you are not studying with a Global University office you will still benefit by completing the Unit Evaluations. Ways to study this Course This course has been written so that you can study it by yourself. We like to say that the teacher is in the book. However, you may also study this course in various group settings such as mid-week Bible studies, learning centers, home groups, and youth programs. This course can be used as a correspondence or resource tool for prison ministries as well as special ethnic or other community outreach programs. You will find both the content and study methods excellent for these purposes. If you study this course by yourself, all of your work can be completed by mail. Be sure to use the address of your Global University office. If you are studying in a group or through a Discipleship Training Center, be sure to follow any additional instructions that your instructor may give. In addition, your church may partner with Global University to open a Discipleship Training Center. Visit us online at www. globaluniversity.edu for more information and start-up helps.

14 12 Yo u r B i b l e Certifi cate Unit or individual certificates are available to students upon successful completion of our courses. For instance, if you are studying through a National Office or Discipleship Training Center, you may receive a certificate from your Global University instructor. If you are studying on your own, you may mail your completed Unit Evaluation Answer Sheets to your local office. National Offices and Discipleship Training Centers may order certificates through the International Office or through Gospel Publishing House in the USA. Additional helps The School for Evangelism and Discipleship (SED) Catalog, Discipleship Training Center Manual, the Study Center Agreement Form, and the SED Order Form are available online for print downloads. Other materials available for this course include supplemental audiocassettes. Visit us at and for additional resources. About the Author Louise Jeter Walker gave a lifetime in helping people understand Christian truths. She earned both B.A. and M.A. degrees in Christian education and was an ordained minister of the Assemblies of God (U.S.A.). Her books and materials reflect the experience of over 62 years of missionary service in Peru, Cuba, Central America, the West Indies, and Belgium. She wrote 14 books and other materials for evangelism and Christian education. Members of the Global University staff have worked with the author in the development of this book and its use of modern methods of independent study. It is a call to study the most important of all books your Bible! God bless you as you begin to study Your Bible. May your heart be opened to the truths in God s Word.

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17 Lessons 1 Benefits of Bible Study 2 The Book God Has Given Us 3 Searching the Bible 4 The Books of the Old Testament

18 Yo u r B i b l e Lesson 1 Benefits of Bible Study Many years ago a ship captain anchored his boat in the harbor of a lovely South Pacific island. He had heard that the people, who were formerly cannibals, were now very friendly and interested in trade. As the captain talked with the island chief, he noticed a large Bible in the chief s hands. The captain laughed a little and said to the chief, Surely you don t believe in that old book. It s out of date and no good to anyone. The chief glanced at the strong warriors who stood around him and then turned to the captain. Captain, he replied slowly, you may think this Book is of little benefit. What you don t know is that it is benefiting you. If it were not for this Book that has changed our lives, you would be in our cooking pot right now! When you study the Bible, it will affect your life and the lives of others. The captain of this story benefited because someone else had read the Bible and applied its principles. In this lesson, you will learn how to benefit from studying the Bible.

19 B e n e f i t s o f B i b l e S t u d y 17 The Plan A. Why Study the Bible? B. What Are Some Benefits? The Goals 1. Identify reasons studying the Bible is a privilege. 2. Show how the Bible helps a believer grow. 3. Explain the importance of studying God s Word regularly. 4. List eight benefits of sincere Bible study. A. Why Study the Bible? There are many reasons everyone should study the Bible. Let us look at three: 1) it is a privilege, 2) it is a way to grow spiritually, and 3) it is a method of learning God s plan for us. A Privilege Goal 1. Identify reasons studying the Bible is a privilege. One day my friends Don and Barb received a special letter containing an invitation to meet Princess Anne of England. Just to have received the letter from someone so important was a privilege, but what the letter offered them was an even greater privilege the opportunity to meet royalty! You and I have also received an important letter, a personal message to us from someone much greater than any earthly king from God himself. Even more important than receiving this letter and being able to read it, is the invitation it gives us. In the letter, which we call the Bible, God invites us to be His children and to live with Him forever. He tells us we can be His children by accepting His Son Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. Isn t it a wonderful privilege to learn about God and His promises through the study of the Bible?

20 18 Yo u r B i b l e Application 1 Draw a circle around the letter that best completes the statement. One of the greatest privileges a person can have is to receive a personal message from a) the president of his or her country. b) his or her best friend. c) God. 2 Which of the following statements tell us why Bible study is a privilege? Circle the letters of the correct answers. a) It is a personal letter from God to each of His children. b) God wants to tell you things about yourself and about himself. c) Your study guide author says it is; therefore, it is. Check your answers with those at the end of this lesson. A Way to Grow Goal 2. Show how the Bible helps a believer grow. To be physically healthy and normal, children must eat the right foods essential to that growth. As God s children, we must also grow spiritually. In 2 Peter 3:18, we read, Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our spiritual food is the Bible. As we study it, we get to know our Savior Jesus Christ better. This knowledge helps us become strong Christians until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants (Ephesians 4:13 14).

21 B e n e f i t s o f B i b l e S t u d y 19 Application 3 Choose the two answers that best complete this sentence. Studying the Bible helps a believer grow because a) he or she receives spiritual food. b) he or she learns more about Jesus Christ. c) the knowledge will make him or her important in the church. Memorize the following verses so you can repeat them as a promise to the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. (Psalm 119:12, 15 16) A Method of Learning God s Plan for Us Goal 3. Explain the importance of studying God s Word regularly. A few years ago, a friend of mine was not feeling well. She was sick physically and feeling sad. Then she received a letter from the young man who was to become her husband. He encouraged her and told her he loved her and was coming to marry her. How quickly she recovered after receiving a letter from someone who cared deeply. The Bible tells us of God s love for us. In it God gives us instructions on how to live, and promises that someday we will live with Him for eternity. If we are sad, sick, or ailing in any other way, we can go to God s personal message and read of His plans for us. In studying the Bible, we not only learn of God s plans for our future but also of His promises for the present. We will study some of these promises in the next section.

22 20 Yo u r B i b l e Application 4 (Circle the letter before each correct completion of the sentence.) It is important to learn God s plan for us because it a) contains His promises for us. b) offers hope and encouragement. c) shows how worthless we are. d) reveals God s love for us. e) gives direction to our lives. 5 In your notebook, write the verses you learned from Psalm 119. Say them as a prayer, and thank the Lord for His Word. B. What Are Some Benefits? Goal 4. List eight benefits of sincere Bible study. A benefit is something helpful to you. We will choose eight of the many benefits we receive from Bible study and use the letters of the word BENEFITS to help us remember them. Bread for the soul Enjoyment Nearness of God Encouragement Foundation Inspiration Truth Security B Bread for the Soul The Bible is the food that keeps our souls alive. As we read it daily we receive health and strength for both soul and body. Jesus said, Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).

23 B e n e f i t s o f B i b l e S t u d y 21 E Enjoyment Just as we experience joy in reading good news about those we love, we can feel joy in reading the good news of God s love for us. Even His instructions bring us joy because we know they are for our good. Psalm 119:111 says, Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. N Nearness of God We feel the nearness of God when we read His Word. He is there and speaks to us personally. This is one of the greatest benefits we could ever imagine. E Encouragement God s Word is full of encouragement for us. He shows us examples of His loving care and promises to take care of us. In the book of Peter is a wonderful verse: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). F Foundation A foundation is what something is built on. Jesus said His Word is a safe foundation for what we believe and how we live. Those who do not believe and study the Bible are like a house without a foundation. I Inspiration Through His Word, God inspires faith for salvation, hope for our future, and love for others. Inspiration is an influence that leads us to good ideas or actions. Many poets, musicians, and artists have received their inspiration from the Bible. The Bible has given them ideas for creating various art forms. T Truth The truth we find in the Bible answers our most important questions, giving us the meaning and purpose of life. It frees us from ignorance and error. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32). S Security Security not only means safety; it also means provision for the future. We find real security in God s Word as it guides us to

24 22 Yo u r B i b l e safety in Christ and to our eternal home in heaven. God s Word is our sword and shield against sin and Satan our spiritual weapon if we study and apply it regularly. Application 6 In your notebook, write from memory the eight benefits of sincere Bible study we have listed. Can you add others that have come to your mind as you have read your Bible? 7 Write in front of the description on the left the number of the benefit it matches.... a) It is food that strengthens us.... b) God is always with us.... c) God cares for us.... d) The Bible s good news brings joy.... e) Our lives are built on God s Word.... f) We are safe now and in the future.... g) We receive good ideas and act on them.... h) It brings us freedom from error and ignorance. 1) Security 2) Truth 3) Inspiration 4) Foundation 5) Encouragement 6) Nearness of God 7) Enjoyment 8) Bread for the soul

25 B e n e f i t s o f B i b l e S t u d y 23 Check Your Answers The answers to your study exercises are not given in the usual order, so you will not see the answer to your next question ahead of time. Look for the number you need, and try not to look ahead. 1 c) God. 5 I hope you have memorized these verses and that they will be your prayer many times. 2 a) It is a personal letter from God to each of His children. b) God wants to tell you things about yourself and about himself. 6 Bread for the soul Enjoyment Nearness of God Encouragement Foundation Inspiration Truth Security (You could add other benefits that have been mentioned in this lesson such as love, hope, spiritual growth, and eternal life.) 3 a) he or she receives spiritual food. b) he or she learns more about Jesus Christ. 7 a) 8) Bread for the soul b) 6) Nearness of God c) 5) Encouragement d) 7) Enjoyment e) 4) Foundation f) 1) Security g) 3) Inspiration h) 2) Truth

26 24 Yo u r B i b l e 4 a) contains His promises for us. b) offers hope and encouragement. d) reveals God s love for us. e) gives direction to our lives.

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28 Yo u r B i b l e Lesson 2 The Book God Has Given Us Have you ever wondered how God gave us the Bible? Was it perhaps put together by angels and left waiting for someone to find it? Or did someone spend his lifetime studying and searching that he might finally give us his philosophies? God chose to use neither of these avenues to give us His Word. Instead, He used ordinary men from many walks of life and over a span of hundreds of years to give us the Book we call the Bible. The agreement and harmony with which these men wrote stand as a testimony to God, who never changes. The way the Bible was written is a miracle. Its preservation is another miracle. One of the prophets told how the king took the book of prophecies, threw it into the fire, and burned it. But the Lord told the prophet to take another scroll and write everything again (Jeremiah 36:27 28). God s Word could not be destroyed. In this lesson, we will study facts about the Bible who was used in the writing of it, how one part of the Bible relates to another, and how it all relates to us. As we get better acquainted with the Book, we will appreciate and study it more.

29 T h e B o o k G o d H a s G i v e n U s 27 The Plan A. Its Origin B. Its General Structure C. The Relationship of the Testaments D. Its Different Translations The Goals 1. Describe the origin and structure of the Bible. 2. Explain how the New Testament is related to the Old. 3. List at least three differences between the Old Testament and New Testament. 4. Give an example of how the New Testament fulfills the Old Testament. 5. Give one reason we need the Bible in more than one language. 6. State one reason there are different versions of the Bible. 7. State some facts concerning the Apocrypha. A. Its Origin Definition and Divisions Goal 1. Describe the origin and structure of the Bible. The Holy Bible is like a small library of sixty-six books that God has given us. We call it the Bible, the Scriptures, or the Word of God. The word Bible means books. Holy means something we respect because it belongs to God. Each of the sixty-six books of the Bible is holy.

30 28 Yo u r B i b l e Application 1 How many books are in the Bible? a) 29 b) 39 c) 66 2 God s book, the Holy Bible, a) is the book of the saints. b) contains two ancient books. c) is from God, and we respect it because it is His. Authors and Inspiration Goal 2. Explain how the New Testament is related to the Old. Approximately forty men were divinely inspired to write the Bible. Some of these men wrote more than one book. A few books were not signed by their authors, so we do not know who wrote them. The term divinely inspired means the Holy Spirit gave the authors the thoughts and words God wanted them to write. The Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16 that all Scripture is inspired by God. These writers could not have consulted each other about their work because they did not all live at the same time. The first books were written about fifteen hundred years before Christ, and the last were written about one hundred years after Christ. Because these books of the Bible were inspired by God, we call them holy. Among the authors were kings and fishermen, politicians, military and religious leaders, peasants, merchants, and poets. Even though they came from different places, with various interests and backgrounds, they all wrote about the same theme because God inspired them. This theme is the relationship between God and humanity. Such order throughout all of the books, without contradictions, was possible because the Bible

31 T h e B o o k G o d H a s G i v e n U s 29 has only one principal author God who spoke through different men. The following verse is important to memorize: Prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21) Application 3 Choose the answer that best completes the following sentence. When we say the Bible is the inspired Word of God, we mean the Holy Spirit impressed the writers to a) consult with one another about what to write. b) write the thoughts and words of God. c) try to decipher the thoughts and ways of God. Choose the best answer for each of the following questions. 4 How long was it from the time the first book of the Bible was written until the last one was written? a) About 50 years b) About 500 years c) About 1,600 years 5 Whom did God inspire to write the Bible? a) Forty men who met and worked together b) Forty priests and prophets c) Approximately 40 men of different occupations and from different periods of history 6 These men wrote on the same theme and did not contradict each other because a) God was the real author, and they were under the control of the Holy Spirit as they wrote. b) each one left instructions for the following writers. c) they got extremely lucky.

32 30 Yo u r B i b l e B. Its General Structure Goal 3. List at least three differences between the Old Testament and New Testament. When two people or two nations want to make a special agreement, they can write a treaty or a pact. Once the treaty is signed, it must not be broken. The word testament means treaty, pact, or covenant. The Bible is divided into two Testaments the Old and the New. These are the pacts God has made with humankind. At the front of your Bible is a list of the books of the Old and New Testaments. This list also gives the page numbers where each book begins. The Old Testament is listed first. The Old Testament was given to the Jews, who were also called Hebrews or Israelites. God chose them to receive His truths, write them, and teach them to others. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew because it was the language of the Jews. The Old Testament covers the history and terms of God s relationship with humanity, from Creation to the coming of the Savior who would establish a new covenant. The New Testament gives the history and the conditions of the new covenant, or pact, that God has made with all who accept His Son Jesus Christ as their Savior. The New Testament tells the story of the life of Jesus Christ, and also what He taught. When the New Testament was written, Greek was a commonly known language. Since this new pact was for all people not for the Jews alone the New Testament was written in Greek, thus making it possible for most people to read it.

33 T h e B o o k G o d H a s G i v e n U s 31 Application 7 Who were chosen to receive the revelation of God and the covenant we know as the Old Testament? a) The Hebrews (Israelites) b) The Christians c) The Greeks 8 The provisions and conditions of the covenant God has made with those who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior are in the a) Old Testament. b) New Testament. c) Minor Prophets 9 (Circle the letter before each correct completion of the following sentence.) The Old Testament is different from the New Testament in that the Old Testament a) was written in Hebrew, not in Greek. b) contains more books. c) was written especially for the Jews. d) has authors different from those who wrote the New Testament. e) is about a different period in history. C. The Relationship Of The Testaments Goal 4. Give an example of how the New Testament fulfills the Old Testament. The Old Testament is very important because it reveals God s plan for humanity. But the Old Testament was a temporary pact until Jesus Christ would come to establish the permanent pact. We are now living under the new pact the New Testament. Therefore, we suggest that you read the New Testament before reading the Old Testament.

34 32 Yo u r B i b l e The New Testament is based upon the Old Testament. It not only explains the relationship between the two pacts, but it relates the fulfillment of many Old Testament prophecies. For example, the Old Testament book of Micah (chapter 5, verse 2) indicates that the Savior would be born in the Jewish town of Bethlehem. Matthew 2:1, in the New Testament, tells us Jesus the Savior was born in Bethlehem. Psalm 22:18 in the Old Testament prophesies that men would gamble for and divide the Savior s garments among themselves. When Jesus was dying on the cross, the soldiers took His clothes. Matthew 27:35 says, When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. There are hundreds of other examples. Special books have been compiled which give all of the Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in the New Testament. It is wonderful that a book as ancient as the Old Testament was preserved for so many years. We should be grateful to God s chosen people who received God s Word, preserved it, and shared it with other nations. Application 10 Circle the letter in front of each TRUE statement. a) Since the Old Testament was given to the Jews, it is not necessary for us to read it. b) The New Testament is God s covenant with His people today, but the Old Testament has important lessons for us too. c) Both the Old and New Testaments are God s revelation of His plans for humankind. 11 To whom do we owe special thanks for the Bible?

35 T h e B o o k G o d H a s G i v e n U s Match the Old Testament prophecies with the New Testament references that tell of their fulfillment. Write the number of the New Testament reference on the dotted line in front of each prophecy.... a) 2 Samuel 7:13 descendant of David, eternal King... b) Genesis 49:10 from royal tribe of Judah... c) Psalm 110:4 priest like Melchizedek... d) Isaiah 7:14 conceived of a virgin... e) Isaiah 40:3 John, His forerunner, crying, Prepare ye the way.... f) Isaiah 7:14 His name, Immanuel... g) Zechariah 9:9 enters Jerusalem on a donkey... h) Zechariah 11:12 sold for 30 pieces of silver... i) Isaiah 53:9 burial in tomb of rich man 1) Revelation 5:5 2) Matthew 21:4 5 3) Luke 1:17 4) Matthew 26:15 5) Luke 23: ) Matthew 1:1 7) Matthew 1:23 8) Hebrews 5:6 9) Luke 1:31 D. Its Different Translations Different Languages Goal 5. Give one reason we need the Bible in more than one language. God wants every person to accept Jesus Christ as his or her Savior (see 2 Peter 3:9). Since this is God s desire, we know He wants everyone to understand His Word. This is why the Old

36 34 Yo u r B i b l e Testament was written in Hebrew for the Jews, and the New Testament was written in Greek for the larger world population of that time. Today, since most of us do not understand Hebrew or Greek, we would have a difficult time understanding the Scriptures if they were not translated into our language. This is why we study the Bible, teach it, translate it, and publish it. There are Bible societies that are always working on new translations. As of 2005, there are approximately seven thousand distinct languages spoken in the world. Complete Bibles exist in 422 of them. The New Testament has been translated into almost eleven hundred languages. Over sixteen hundred other translation projects are in process. When a new translation is completed, there is much rejoicing because another group of people will be able to read the Scriptures in their own language. There are still thousands of languages into which the Bible has not yet been translated. Let us pray that those who do this work will have strength to continue their great task. Application 13 (Circle the letter in front of each correct completion to the following sentence.) The world needs many different translations of the Bible because a) God wants everyone to understand His Word. b) most people do not read Greek or Hebrew today. c) it is easier to understand something written in one s own language. Different Versions Goal 6. State one reason there are different versions of the Bible. Sometimes there is more than one translation of the Bible in a particular language because languages change. When a

37 T h e B o o k G o d H a s G i v e n U s 35 translation becomes outdated and a bit difficult to understand, it needs revision. Older words are replaced by newer words words used in everyday speech. Making a new version is not an attempt to change the meaning or the teachings of the Bible. All versions old and new are the same Bible. The translators have tried to give us the exact meaning that was in the original Greek or Hebrew copies. The most popular of the English versions for many years was the King James Version. The English, however, is several centuries old and sometimes difficult to understand. Today, many enjoy reading the New International Version. This textbook, Your Bible, quotes from the New International Version. Let us compare Philippians 3:1 in both versions of the Bible. Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. (KJV) Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. (NIV) Some readers find the contemporary language easier to understand, while others still prefer the richness of the old versions. Application 14 We have many different versions of the Bible in English because translators want to a) make it agree with their own doctrines. b) put it into words that are easier for people to understand. c) make it difficult for translations into other languages. 15 When we talk about a version of the Bible, we mean its a) quality of binding. b) translation. c) difficult words.

38 36 Yo u r B i b l e 16 We will probably see more versions of the Bible in our language because a) Bible publishers want to make money. b) languages and word meanings may change. c) everyone always wants something new. The Apocrypha Goal 7. State some facts concerning the Apocrypha. Catholic versions of the Bible include the Apocrypha, a number of books of doubtful origin. Though these books contain some historical information, especially about the four hundred year period between the Old and New Testaments, not all their historical data are accurate. Because they lack evidence of divine inspiration, they were not accepted as part of the Jewish sacred writings which make up the Old Testament. The collection of books was named Apocrypha, from a Greek word meaning hidden things. They were considered as being beyond the ability of the average person to understand and appreciate whereas Scripture is given for us all to profit by and enjoy. God wants everyone to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). Application 17 The word apocrypha means a) hidden things. b) doubtful. c) semi-historical. 18 Most versions of the Bible do not include the Apocrypha because these writings a) are too long. b) lack evidence of divine inspiration. c) are difficult to translate.

39 T h e B o o k G o d H a s G i v e n U s 37 Check Your Answers 1 c) Statements b) and c) are true. 2 c) is from God, and we respect it because it is His. 11 To God s chosen people. 3 b) write the thoughts and words of God. 12 a) 6) Matthew 1:1 b) 1) Revelation 5:5 c) 8) Hebrews 5:6 d) 9) Luke 1:31 e) 3) Luke 1:17 f) 7) Matthew 1:23. g) 2) Matthew 21:4 h) 4) Matthew 26:15 i) 5) Luke 23: c) About 1,600 years 13 All three reasons are correct. 5 c) Approximately 40 men of different occupations and from different periods of history 14 b) put it into words that are easier for people to understand. 6 a) God was the real author, and they were under the control of the Holy Spirit as they wrote. 15 b) translation. 7 a) The Hebrews (Israelites) 16 b) languages and word meanings may change. 8 b) New Testament. 17 a) hidden things. 9 All of the answers are correct. 18 b) lack evidence of divine inspiration.

40 Yo u r B i b l e Lesson 3Searching the Bible No one could find anything in Grandma s kitchen. The flour was in a can marked sugar and the tea was in a box marked salt. But this was not much of a problem because Grandma was the only one who worked in her little kitchen. In the house across the street, however, was a different kitchen. Everything was correctly labeled because the mother was not the only one who worked there. Her husband liked to make his own breakfast, and her daughters often took turns preparing dinner. So there had to be a workable system at mealtime. Order and structure are necessary for the working of any system, whether household, literary, or otherwise. Thus, the Bible is arranged systematically so we can more easily find its treasures and understand them. Regardless of the translation, our Bibles hold to the same chapters and verses so people do not get lost. Indexes and the table of contents also help direct readers to specific places in the Bible.

41 S e a r c h i n g t h e B i b l e 39 The Plan A. The Bible Reference B. The Study Reference C. The Concordance The Goals 1. Know how to identify Bible references. 2. Identify the use of study references. 3. Describe ways to use a concordance. A. The Bible Reference The Basic Language Goal 1. Know how to identify Bible references. To help us in our reading and studying, every book of the Bible is divided into chapters. Each chapter is also divided into smaller sections that are numbered on the left side. These are called verses or Bible texts. We refer to any Bible text by saying the name of the book, then the number of the chapter and the number of the verse. All of these together can be called the Bible reference. Let us look at Genesis, the first book of the Bible. If the version you are using has an introduction, skip that and look for the big number one that marks the beginning of the first chapter. The first verse of the chapter sometimes marked with a small one starts out, In the beginning. To refer to that text, we would say, Genesis one, one. You will notice the small number marking the verses continuing throughout the chapter. Now look for the next large number, which is 2. That is the beginning of the second chapter. The first verse begins, Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. To refer to that text, we would say, Genesis two, one. Chapter two has twenty-five verses.

42 40 Yo u r B i b l e Skip ahead now to Genesis five, one. It begins, This is the written account of Adam s line. When we give a Bible reference, we do not have to say the words chapter and verse just the numbers that refer to them. What would Genesis 5:1 5 be? You probably said it right, Genesis five, one through five. An en dash divides verses from verses and chapters from chapters that occur in sequence. If we are referring to several verses of the same chapter, but the verses are not consecutive, we write them like this: Joshua 1:5, 8, 10. We say, Joshua one, five, eight, and ten. If the texts are in different chapters of a book, we separate the chapter references by a semicolon. For example, Matthew 1:21; 2:1 6 refer to the book of Matthew, chapter one, verse twenty-one and chapter two, verses one through six. Some books, like 1 Kings and 2 Kings, have the same name and follow consecutively. The writer of John wrote three letters that also bear his name: 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John. A reference from one of those books (First John, chapter one, verse nine) could be written as 1 John 1:9. Application 1 Complete the missing information in the following chart. Write in every blank box. Reference How it is said a) John 3:16 b) Romans six, twenty-three c) 1 John 1:8 10 d) Romans twelve, fourteen, sixteen, and eighteen e) Matthew one, one; and five, one through three

43 S e a r c h i n g t h e B i b l e 41 2 Matthew 1:1 4 is the reference for the first four verses in Matthew. How many verses are there in each of the following references? a) Genesis 8:18 22 has b) Genesis 8:18, 22 has c) Genesis 8:18 20, 22 has Matthew 1:21; 2:1; and 3:16 speak of a) Jesus, the wise men, John the Baptist, and the disciples. b) Jesus, the wise men, and the Holy Spirit at Jesus baptism. c) Jesus, Joseph, and the shepherds. Finding References In the front of your Bible is the table of contents a page that lists every book of the Bible and the page number where each book begins. At first you may need to use this index when you want to find a particular passage of Scripture. The best way to find Bible references, however, is to memorize the books of the Bible in their proper order. Children learn these quickly, and adults can too. You can learn five or six names each day by repeating them and writing them on cards to carry with you; soon you will have them all committed to memory. You will appreciate being able to turn to any part of the Bible with minimum effort.

44 42 Yo u r B i b l e Application 4 Look up each reference on the left and match it with the correct verse on the right.... a) Philippians 4:19... b) 1 John 1:8... c) Joshua 1:9... d) Psalm 23:1 1) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. 2) If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 3) The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 4) My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. B. The Study Reference Goal 2. Identify the use of study references. Some Bibles have study references down the center, in side margins, at the bottom of each page, or after each verse. These are sometimes called cross references or marginal references, and they help you find other related verses. A tiny letter by certain words in a Bible verse tells you to look for the same letter in the reference area. By that letter you will find a Scripture reference which will lead to a related verse. If you have a study Bible, you can use this system to develop interesting studies on the topics you are reading. The references and other comments in your Bible are helpful, but they are not divinely inspired. They were given by Bible teachers and scholars to help us use and understand our Bibles more easily.

45 S e a r c h i n g t h e B i b l e 43 Application 5 The tiny letters by certain words in the Bible refer to a) special chapter divisions. b) a different alphabet. c) study references. 6 Marginal or cross references (study references) help you find other a) Bible verses on the same subject. b) books to read on the subject. c) authors of the Bible. C. The Concordance Goal 3. Describe ways to use a concordance. A concordance is an alphabetical index of some principal words in the Bible. This index gives the references in the Bible where a particular word is used. At the present time, most listings in a concordance are references to the King James Version of the Bible. However, we hope that the suggestions given here for using a concordance will be of help to you. There are several instances when you may wish to use a concordance. Let us say that you wish to read several verses that contain the word love. Look up the word in your concordance. The references are listed, together with a few words from each Bible verse that uses the word love. A concordance can also be of help when you wish to know where in the Bible to find a particular verse. Perhaps you know all of the verse, or only a part of it, but you do not know the reference. Choose a key word from the words you remember of the verse, and look up that word. It is possible that you will find among the references listed one with a phrase from the verse you are seeking. For example, suppose you want to find in the Bible the verse that says The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Perhaps the only words of the verse you remember are money

46 44 Yo u r B i b l e is the root of all evil. Notice that there are three key words that you can look up: money, root, and evil. The key word is usually identified in the concordance by only the first letter of the word. If you look up the word money, you will probably find something that looks like this: Matthew 25:18 hid his master s m. Mark 12:41 crowd putting their m. into the temple treasury. 1 Timothy 6:10 love of m. is a root of all kinds of evil. If you do not find in the concordance the Bible reference you are looking for, by looking under the word money, proceed to look up the other key words. The verse just cited, 1 Timothy 6:10, is often misquoted. An additional advantage, then, of using a concordance is that it enables us to discover errors such as this. Does your Bible have marginal references and a concordance? These are important helps for teachers, preachers, and others who want to work for God. Perhaps you do not plan to be a preacher or teacher; you can still learn many new things if you will use your study references and a concordance. Application 7 Which two statements below are TRUE? a) A concordance is an index of the principal words of the Bible. b) A concordance is only for preachers and teachers. c) If you can remember only one or two words of a verse you want to find, you can probably find it using a concordance. d) A concordance and a marginal reference are the same thing.

47 S e a r c h i n g t h e B i b l e 45 Check Your Answers 1 a) John three, sixteen b) Romans 6:23 c) First John one, eight through ten d) Romans 12:14, 16, 18 e) Matthew 1:1; 5:1 3 5 c) study references. 2 a) five verses. b) two verses. c) four verses. 6 a) Bible verses on the same subject. 3 b) Jesus, the wise men, and the Holy Spirit at Jesus baptism. 7 Statements a) and c) are true. 4 a) 4) And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. b) 2) If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. c) 1) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. d) 3) The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

48 Yo u r B i b l e Lesson 4 The Books of the Old Testament Reading the Old Testament is like reading any other ancient history book, commented a young man who had just joined our Bible study group. After he had read and studied some of the Old Testament, however, he changed his mind. Although the Old Testament contains some history, such as Creation and stories of the Jewish nation, there is much more. Sometimes a story is repeated or told from another viewpoint. Prophecies have been carefully recorded, some with their fulfillment and others yet to take place. The books also contain love stories, poems, songs, and proverbs in rich variety. We can count on history books to tell us about their heroes, but the Old Testament includes the common folk of their day. These stories are no less important, for they give us a clear picture of God s dealings with His people. The books of the Old Testament can be divided into five major themes. In Lesson 3, we learned about the smaller divisions of the books the chapters and verses. Now we will look at the major divisions or classifications.

49 T h e B o o k s o f t h e O l d Te s t a m e n t 47 The Plan A. Organizing the Classifications B. Explaining the Classifications The Goals 1. Identify the major classifications of the Old Testament. 2. Name and identify the five books of the Law. 3. State general facts about the content of each of the historical books. 4. Give a distinguishing characteristic of each poetical book. 5. State the general theme of each of the Major Prophets. 6. Name one distinguishing characteristic of each Minor Prophet. A. Organizing the Classifications Goal 1. Identify the major classifications of the Old Testament. The following simple sketch of a hand helps us remember the major classifications of the Old Testament.

50 48 Yo u r B i b l e The thirty-nine books of the Old testament are grouped as follows: Law 5 books History 12 books Poetry 5 books Major Prophets 5 books Minor Prophets 12 books The table of contents in the front of your Bible lists the books of the Old Testament. They may be classified as follows, but if not, the following chart will be a helpful guide. LAW Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy HISTORY Joshua Judges Ruth 1 and 2 Samuel 1 and 2 Kings 1 and 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther POETRY Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon MAJOR PROPHETS Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel MINOR PROPHETS Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi Perhaps you have wondered why the prophets are designated as being either major or minor. The classification has little to do with content, as all the books are important. The

51 T h e B o o k s o f t h e O l d Te s t a m e n t 49 major prophetic books (with the exception of Lamentations) are longer; the minor books are shorter. Application 1 Organize the following classification titles into their proper order. Put the number 1 in front of the title that belongs to the first classification, 2 in front of the second, and so forth.... a) Major Prophets... b) Law... c) Poetry... d) Minor Prophets... e) History 2 How many books are in each of the following classifications? Law Minor Prophets B. Explaining the Classifications The Law Goal 2. Name and identify the five books of the Law. The first five books of the Bible are known as the books of the Law or the Books of Moses. They are also called the Pentateuch, which means five books. The Pentateuch was written by Moses, the great leader and liberator of the Jewish people. Genesis means beginning or origin. The book of Genesis tells of the Creation, the origin of humankind, the Flood, and the call of Abraham.