The WELL Bible Study Help Guide
The Bible can seem huge and overwhelming at first glance but is full of good news and truth. Not to mention it s the Word of God and our best source from which to learn about God s character and purpose for our lives. But where do you start? This resource is designed to give you some references about God s Word and some starting point to researching and studying Scripture. Enjoy!
Organization of the Books of the Bible Old Testament: The Pentateuch Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Historical Books Joshua Judges Ruth 1 and 2 Samuel 1 and 2 Kings 1 and 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Poetical/Wisdom Books 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 New Testament Historical Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Pauline Epistles Romans 1 and 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 and 2 Thessalonians 1 and 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Non-Pauline Epistles Hebrews James 1 and 2 Peter 1, 2, and 3 John Jude End Times Prophecy Revelation
What is the difference between all these translations of the Bible? There are generally three different categories that Bibles are translated into: Paraphrase, Thought for thought, and Word-for-word. Paraphrase translations aim for simplicity and clarity and are generally easier to read then more literal translations. Most scholars agree that paraphrase translations are better used in devotions rather than for teaching or studying, The Message translation is a respected paraphrase Bible. This translation focuses on providing original meaning in a modern-day tone and rhythm of common speech. Thought-for-thought translations are also known as Dynamic equivalent. These translations aim for clarity but translators work very hard to retain accuracy. For example, a Hebrew or Greek turn-of-phrase may be replaced by a modern-day figure for speech to make the passage more clear. The Contemporary English Version is a translation written to be understood by elementary school-level readers, but it is more accurate than The Message Word-for-word translations are also called Formal correspondence translations. Translations in this category can sacrifice clarity in order to be more accurate. Scholars prefer this category for intensive Bible study. The New American Standard Bible is one of the most accurate versions available to English-speakers. The reading level of this translation is high, but the accuracy it provides to bible studiers is well respected by the biblical scholars.
Word for Word Thought for Thought INTERLINEAR NASB AMP ESV RSV KJV NKJV HCSB NRSV NAB NJB NIV TNIV NCB/ICB NLT NIrV GNT CEV LIVING MESSAGE NIV: New International Version NIrV: New International Readers Version KJV: King James Version NKJV: New King James Version NLT: New Living Translation Updated NASB: New American Standard Bible NRSV: New Revised Standard Version AMP: Amplified NAB: New American Bible HCSB: Holman Christian Standard The Message CEV: Contemporary English Version GNT: Good News Translation ESV: English Standard Version NJB: New Jerusalem Bible TNIV: Today s New International Version
Reading in Context: Read Acts 1:1-11 This will give you an idea of how to read in context and what question to ask when studying scripture. Who wrote this? Luke. Luke was the only full Gentile to author a book in the New Testament. He also wrote the book of Luke and his audience is typically the Gentile world. Luke was a physician and an eyewitness to the life of Jesus. Luke 1:1-4. Who was he writing to? Thiophilus, but really for all people, Jews and Gentiles. What was he writing? The whole title is The Acts of the Apostles. This is a historical book of all that happened right after Jesus ascended to heaven. Chapters 1-12 are mostly about Peter and 13-28 mostly about Paul. The major event here is the Ascension. 1 Corinthians 15:3-11 Where was this happening? Jerusalem. They were ordered in verse 3 to stay there and wait for there and wait for the Holy Spirit. Act 2 When was this happening? Right after the 40 days that Jesus was appearing to them after His resurrection. Matthew 28 Why was this written? To show the power for the Holy Spirit, the witness of those who saw Jesus alive, and to show the growth of the Christian church. This passage shows an outline of the whole book. In verse 8 we see the steps of growth and strategy for church; Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
The 99 verse memory challenge Gospel Prayer Giving John 3:16 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 2 Corinthians 9:7 Romans 10:9-10 Colossians 4:2 Acts 20:35 John 1:12 Hebrews4:16 Luke 6:38 Ephesians 2:8-9 Romans 3:23 Worry/Anxiety Promises Romans 6:23 Matthew 6:33 2 Peter 1:34 1 John 5:11-13 Philippians 4:6-7 Philippians 4:13 John 5:24 Jeremiah 33:3 Romans 1:20 Holy Spirit John 3:3 1 Corinthians 6:19 New Life John 14:6 Ephesians 1:13 2 Corinthians 5:17 Galatians 5:22-23 2 Corinthians 5:21 Trust Philippians 3:20 Proverbs 3:5-6 Attitude Romans 8:28 Philippians 2:3-4 Perseverance Jeremiah 29:11 Romans 12:1-2 Philippians 1:6 Hebrews 12:1-2 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 Love Colossians 3:2 Romans 5:3-5 John 13:34-35 Philippians 4:8 James 1:2-3 Romans 5:8 Philippians 1:21 1 John 4:10 Colossians 3:12-14 Humility/Pride 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 Isaiah 66:1-2 1 Timothy 1:5 Purpose John 5:44 Matthew 22:37-39 1 Corinthians 10:31 Matthew 5:3 Romans 8:38-39 Matthew 28:19-20 Revelation 4:11 Spiritual Warfare Servanthood 2 Corinthians 10:31 Ephesians 6:12 Matthew 20:26-28 Romans 1:16 1 Peter 5:8-9 1 Corinthians 9:19 Fellowship Work Ethic Following Christ Hebrews 10:24-25 Colossians 3:23 Luke 9:23 Acts 2:42 Proverbs 14:23 Philippians 1:27 1 Peter 4:10 Colossians 2:6-7 Reaching the Lost 1 Corinthians 9:24 Mark 16:15 God s Provision Philippians 3:10 Acts 1:8 1 Corinthians 10:13 John 15:7-8 Matthew 4:19 2 Corinthians 9:8 1 Timothy 4:8 2 Peter 3:9 2 Timothy 4:2 Faith 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Hebrews 11:1 Matthew 7:11 Hebrews 11:6 1 Corinthians 2:9
God s Word 2 Timothy 3:16-17 2 Timothy 2:15 Marriage/Sexual In General/Extra s Joshua 1:8 Morality Psalm 23 Hebrews 4:12 Genesis 2:18 Psalm 1 2 Timothy 2:22 1 Corinthians 13 Forgiveness Philippians 2:1-11 Psalm 103:11-12 Obedience Ephesians 2:1-10 Romans 8:1 John 14:15 Galatians 5:1 John 14:21 1 John 1:9 James 1:22
Study Questions- Take some time to ponder your answers to the following questions 1. How do you study for class 2. How do you study the Bible? 3. What is your favorite book of the Bible or your favorite story, and why? 4. What version of the Bible do you typically use? What do you like/dislike about it? What is the value of studying the Bible in different translations? 5. Using Luke 11:1-13 a. Who are the people involved? b. What do they say or what is said about them? c. What specifically is happening? d. When is this taking place? e. Why is this happening and why is it included in Scripture? Other tools to use: On the Internet: www.crosswalk.com www.biblegateway.com www.studylight.org www.zondervanbibles.com/translations.htm Concordances: If you are looking for a specific topic, one of the places to start is with a concordance. Concordances are alphabetical listings of topics with verse references to where those words can be found. You might have one in the back of your Bible. If not, check out the websites above.