SESSION 1 What the Manuscripts Reveal DAYLIGHT PrEVIEW Detective Work Who doesn t like a good detective story? Who isn t intrigued by a mystery a set of facts that are real but that are also surrounded by unknowns that have to be deduced, dug out, and discovered. To Dr. Daniel B. Wallace, the founder of the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts, that is the situation with the New Testament. We have been presented with a book that is God s Word to us but at the same time there is much mystery to be explored. Questions arise, such as how we know we have an accurate copy of the original. In a massive project that will take years and maybe even decades to complete, Dr. Wallace is looking for clues that will help solve the mysteries that remain regarding the manuscripts of God s holy Book. And we get to look over his shoulder, as it were, as he digs for those clues. COMe TOGeTHeR Icebreaker Questions 1. How would you describe your handwriting when you were growing up? How would you describe your handwriting now? 2. Can you remember copying something as a kid? (How about getting in trouble at school and having to write I will not... over and over?) SeSSION 1 What the Manuscripts Reveal 9
3. Mart DeHaan describes Dr. Wallace as a kind of ancient manuscript detective. How good of a detective would you be if that happened to be what you did for a living? FINDING DAYLIGHT Experience the Video Feel free to jot down Video Notes as you watch the presentation featuring Dr. Wallace. Use the space below for those notes. Getting back to the original VIDeO NOTeS Moses through John The Old Testament The New Testament Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts 10 THe BIBle
Original text The development of manuscripts Dr. Wallace s stories Finding the manuscripts What is at stake? WALKING IN THE DAYLIGHT Discussion Time DISCOVeR GOD S WORD Discussion/Application Questions 1. What were your perceptions of the Bible when you were growing up? How have your perceptions and attitudes changed over time? SeSSION 1 What the Manuscripts Reveal 11
2. Have you ever thought about the fact that all 27 original manuscripts of the books of the New Testament (as well as all 39 original manuscripts of the books of the Old Testament) have been lost? What is your reaction to that reality? 3. Turn to Romans 5:1 in a Bible translation that includes variant textual readings in its footnotes. Dr. Wallace notes that the oldest manuscripts (those closest to Paul s original letter) have we have peace with God. Other manuscripts, because of a minor difference in the Greek, have let us have peace with God. a. What is the difference in meaning between the two readings? b. How does this illustrate the importance and value of finding the wording of the original New Testament manuscripts? 4. The first goal of the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts is to digitally photograph every ancient Greek New Testament manuscript in the world that the center is given permission to photograph. What would be the benefits of reaching that goal? 12 THe BIBle
5. The center s second goal is to use all these images to help recover the wording of the original New Testament as exactly as possible. What would be the benefits of reaching that goal? 6. Dr. Wallace states that when he and his team photograph ancient New Testament manuscripts and then analyze them, what is not at stake are the central teachings of the Christian faith. The essentials of the Christian faith are not affected by the variant readings of the manuscripts. What are some of those essential truths? How does Dr. Wallace s statement make you feel? BRINGING IT HOMe 1. Mart DeHaan begins this series with a question: In a modern, enlightened world, can an ancient book like the Bible really be considered God-breathed, inspired, offering timeless wisdom to all generations? SeSSION 1 What the Manuscripts Reveal 13
a. How would you answer that question? b. How would you respond to a friend who thinks you have to leave your brains at the door to believe that the Bible is inspired by God and offers timeless wisdom? 2. What do you hope to gain from this study and from spending time with this group? DAYLIGHT ON PrAYEr Spending Time with God 1. How can the group pray for your spiritual growth at this point in your journey of faith? 2. Do you have any other prayer requests to share with the group? 14 THe BIBle
DAYLIGHT AHEAD What does it take to accomplish what Dr. Wallace s team is attempting to do? Session 2 of this study provides a bit of a behind-the-scenes look at the obstacles his team of researchers have to overcome to discover new Greek New Testament documents, obtain permission to scan them, get to the sites, and then work through all of the logistical problems that face them when they get there. It s a daunting adventure, but as Professor Wallace says, It s a thrilling thing for me every time I open up a New Testament manuscript. Share the thrill in Session 2. SeSSION 1 What the Manuscripts Reveal 15