Dreaming Big Dreams Intro to the Bible

Transcription

1 How does understanding the help you to achieve your Big Dream? Goal Our Goal tonight is the understand the make-up of the and how it can help us to achieve our Big Dreams Overview Number of Books in the : 27 Types of Books in the There are various types of books in the. They are the Gospels, a Historical Book, Pauline Epistles, and General Epistles The Gospels 1. Matthew 2. Mark 3. Luke 4. John The Book of History 1. Acts The Pauline Epistles: 1. Romans 7. Colossians 2. 1Corthinians 8. 1Thessalonians 3. 2Corinthians 9. 2Thessalonians 4. Galatians 5. Ephesians 6. Philippians 1

2 Pastoral Epistles 1. 1Timothy 2. 2Timothy 3. Titus Philemon Hebrews The General Epistles: 1. Hebrews 2. James 3. 1Peter 4. 2Peter 5. 1John 6. 2John 7. 3John 8. Jude 9. Revelation Apocalypse 1. Revelation 2

3 Directions Fill in the Blanks and Answer the Questions Character of the Gospels The Gospels can be divided into two parts MINISTRY PASSION of writing of writing years days Gospels The Gospels are not the life of Christ, but 4 different portraits of Christ Book Portray Jesus as Audience Matthew Mark Luke John The Gospel tell the story of Jesus Christ. They are the framework by which you can understand the rest of the, because these books provide the foundation of Jesus ministry. Matthew It was written to show that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Messianic promise. He establishes the fact that Jesus is the heir to the throne of David, depicting Him as the King of the Jews. Mark Mark s Gospel is one of action as opposed to the lengthy discourse of Matthew. He tells us more about the activities of Jesus than His teachings. He presents Jesus as the Servant of the Lord. 3

4 Luke Luke presents Jesus as the Son of Man, emphasizing His perfect humanity. The Greeks had long sought after the perfect man. Luke s Gospel shows that Christ is that perfect man. John John wanted his readers to know that Jesus is the Son of God and that all who believe him will have eternal life. Question: Which Gospel do you associate more with your Big Dream? How does knowing the meaning of the Gospel help your achieve you Big dream? 4

5 History Acts Acts tells one of the most fascinating stories of the Bible. It is the story of the history of the early Christian Church. It tells how a small group of believers spread the message of salvation to their world within the short span of a few generations. I. The gospel is spread throughout Jerusalem in chapters 1-7 II. The gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria in chapters 8-12 III. The gospel spreads to the uttermost part of the world through Paul s missionary efforts in chapters The Book can be divided into a twofold division Chapter 1-12 Chapters Peter Paul Jerusalem Antioch Jew Gentiles Question: What stands out for you about the books of Acts? How does knowing the meaning of Acts help you achieve your Big dream? 5

6 Pauline Epistles Epistles are letters written by Paul to various churches and individuals. In these letters Paul provides instructions and advice that Christians today can follow. Nine of Paul s letters were addressed to local churches in certain areas of the Roman Empire. On the whole, these epistles tend to deal with three general issues: 1. Doctrine: what Christians should know 2. Application: what Christians should do with doctrine 3. Logistics: specific instructions, greetings, etc. Summary 1. Romans. Paul explains how the gospel works and how to respond. Paul wrote this letter before he had visited the Roman church Corinthians. In 55 A.D., Paul rebuked the local church that he had founded in Corinth Corinthians. Come 56 A.D., the Corinthian church had escalated and then resolved their conflict with Paul. Second Corinthians is Paul s a letter of forgiveness and reconciliation. 4. Galatians. Someone had misled the churches of Galatia re-subjecting them to the Law of Moses and devaluing God s grace. Paul writes the Galatians an aggressive letter to set them straight on their freedom in Christ. 5. Ephesians. Paul outlines doctrines of grace, peace, and salvation, and then instructs the church to walk in a manner worthy of Jesus Christ. 6. Philippians. Even though he s suffering in prison, Paul finds joy in Christ. He writes to the church at Philippi urging them to take on a Christ like attitude. 6

7 7. Colossians. This letter explains to the church at Colossae who they are in Christ Thessalonians. The church of Thessalonica is setting a great example for other churches, even though they re being persecuted for their faith. Paul encourages them to excel still more Thessalonians. The affliction just won t let up on the Thessalonian church, so Paul coaches them on standing firm until Jesus return. Question: Which Pauline Epistle would you read to help you achieve your Big Dream? What in the Pauline Epistles will help you achieve your Big dream? The Pastoral Epistles 1Timothy, 2Timothy, and Titus Three of Paul s letters are addressed to individual pastors. Two are written to Timothy, and the last is written to Titus. Because these letters are for specific individuals, they include more specific instructions than the other letters. 1 Timothy. This is Paul s guide to godliness and sound teaching for the young pastor Timothy at Ephesus. 2 Timothy. Paul s death is drawing near, and he charges Timothy to carry on his gospel work. 7

8 Titus. Paul had left Titus at Crete to set up order in the churches there. Now he writes Titus instructions for leading a counter-cultural church. Philemon is a hybrid of the two categories. It s a letter with specific instructions for an individual church leader but is addressed to a local congregation. Question: What stood out for you about the Pastoral Epistles? What in the Pastoral Epistles will help you achieve your Big dream? General Epistles These epistles were letters written to a variety of people and churches by several different authors. They are like the Pauline Epistles in that they provided instruction to people, and they continue to offer instruction to Christians today. The seven letters: James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude are often called the General Epistles because they seem to speak to the Christian church in general, rather than to individual churches. They are also united by their interest in practical matters such as organizational leadership, hard work, fairness, good relationships, and effective communication. 8

9 The General Epistles reflect the essential challenge Christians faced in the Roman Empire how to follow Jesus in a tough environment. Early Christians faced problems such as slavery, favoritism, and abuse by the rich and powerful. They dealt with harsh words and conflicts. They dealt with the real tensions between ambition and dependence on God, and the fear that doing things God s way would put them in conflict with those in authority. Question: How will the General Epistles help you when you there is something in the way of achieving you Big Dream? Hebrews A letter calling Christians to be faithful to Christ in the midst of persecution. The author focuses on the sufficiency of Jesus Christ to sustain the believer. How does the Book of Hebrews help you when Big Dream seems to be on hold? 9

10 Revelation The literary genres of the book of Revelation are an Apocalypse, a Prophecy, and an Epistle (or Letter). The Disciple/Apostle John, who followed Jesus Christ and witnessed His crucifixion, authored it. John wrote Revelation while a prisoner on the Island of Patmos, approximately A.D. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all Christians to continue watching for the return and triumph of the Lord Jesus Christ. It also is to warn of the Final Judgment that nonbelievers will endure on that Last Day. How will you use the book of Revelation in achieving your Big Dream? What is your Big Dream and how will the help you Achieve your Big Dream? 10