How Can We Know?

* Many of our "important questions" seem difficult to answer. And different people answer them in different ways. Who and what should we believe? How can we know truth?

Truth Discovered and/or Truth Revealed
* Some say "There is no truth," but this statement is a truth-claim, so it is self-defeating. Some say we discover truth through scientific inquiry. Certainly, we can learn many truths through observation of the natural order. Some say we discover truth through meditation. Others say we cannot know truth unless truth is revealed to us by the Source of truth. Christians believe the only way to know truth (especially spiritual truth) is by God's "revelation."

§ General revelation - God's revelation to all persons at all times and in all places. God reveals himself through nature, history, and human consciousness.

§ Special revelation - God's revelation to particular persons at definite times and places. God has revealed himself in various ways in human history, ultimately in the person of Jesus Christ. The Bible is the record of, and is, the essential special revelation of today.

Scripture
* "Scripture" literally means "product of writing." Different religions have different "Scriptures" - that is, sacred or authoritative writings that supposedly provide truths, wisdom, and answers to "important questions."

Distinctive Characteristics of the Christian Scriptures
* The Bible is the best-attested text of any ancient writing in the world.

§ We can be confident that today's Bible is authentic (consistent with the original text).

* The Bible is rooted in actual historical events.

§ God has revealed himself in "what he has done" in history.
§ The historical accuracy of the Bible is confirmed by both internal and external evidence, including extra-biblical sources and archeology.
§ The actual occurrence of particular historical events (e.g., the resurrection of Jesus) is essential to the Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15:7)

.* The Bible contains prophecies that were literally fulfilled hundreds of years after they were written (see Evidence That Demands a Verdict, by Josh McDowell).

* The Bible was written over a period of roughly 1500 years by more than 40 different human authors, but is still remarkably unified.

§ This Bible is unified because it records one continuous story, revealed by the one Divine Author (see "How is the Bible 'God's Word?" below).

* The Bible is the revelation of a personal God concerning his relationship to humankind.

How is the Bible "God's Word?"
* The Bible says, "All Scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16). What does "God-breathed" mean? Read 2 Peter 1:20-21.

† The origin of the Bible is ________________, not man. The human writers were "carried along" by the Holy Spirit, so that the words they wrote were the words God wanted them to write. In that sense, the Bible is "God's word."

Why Study the Bible?

1. People attend Bible studies for different reasons. Why are you interested in Bible study?

2. Christians believe the Bible helps us answer our "most important questions." Do you think the Bible answers all of our "important questions?" How much does it answer?

¶ "… the holy Scriptures … are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15)

* God uses the Bible (His written revelation) to lead us to faith and salvation. God uses the Bible to lead us into a growing relationship with Him.

¶ "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)

* The Bible is our "instruction manual" for life.

Getting the Most out of the Bible

Commit to understand & respond appropriately.
¶ Jesus said, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own." (John 7:16-17, NIV)

Humble yourself.
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6, NIV)

Pray.
"Ask and it will given you; seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7, NIV)

Understand the spiritual nature of God's Word.
"We have [received] the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us …The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:12, 14, NIV)

Christians should be regular in "feeding" on God's Word (we should "feed" daily).
Jesus said, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4, NIV)

§ Seek to understand the basic purposes, themes, and teachings of the Bible.
§ Seek to understand individual passages in context. It may be helpful to read more than one translation. To gain sound understanding of the Bible, use good Bible study methods.
§ Others?

Reflection/Application
† If you are a Christian, you should know that the Bible is your "instruction manual" for life. Are your beliefs and way of life firmly based on the Bible? Make a specific commitment to regularly read and study the Bible, allowing God's Word to teach, rebuke, correct and train you, so that you will be thoroughly equipped for the Christian life.
† The Bible is a truly unique book that must be seriously considered. Whatever you believe now, commit to read and study the Bible. Ask questions. And be open to the "possibility" that the Bible presents the Truth that answers your "most important questions" about life.

The Bible
* The Bible is the best-selling book in all of history. It has been translated into more languages than any other book. It has impacted millions of people throughout the world. The word "bible" means "book." Actually, the Bible is a book of many books. The Bible is comprised of 66 books, written over a period of roughly 1500 years by more than 40 different human authors. The Bible contains two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament.

The Old Testament
* The Old Testament contains 39 books, written over a period beginning at least 1400 years before the time of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament, written in the Hebrew language and some Aramaic, has different types of literature, including:

§ The Law & the historical books (17 books, including Genesis through Esther): These books record the history of what God did, primarily through the people of Israel. They record the formation of Israel and the history of the nation prior to the time of Jesus.

§ Poetry and wisdom books (5 books, including Job through Song of Songs)

§ Prophesy (17 books, including Isaiah through Malachi): These books record the prophets, those who spoke God's message. The prophets spoke mostly in the context of Israel, but many prophecies apply to the whole world, and many relate directly to Christ.

The New Testament
* The New Testament contains 27 books, written within the first century after the time of Jesus Christ. The New Testament, written in the Greek language, includes:

§ The Gospels (4 books, including Matthew through John): These are historical books recording the life of Jesus.

§ The Acts (1 book): This historical book records the beginning and spread of the Church.

§ The Epistles (21 books, including Romans through Jude): These books are epistles (letters) written from Church leaders to other Christians for various reasons, mostly instruction in the Christian faith.

§ The Revelation (1 book): This book speaks about the return of Jesus Christ to the earth, the end of this age, and the consummation (completion, fulfillment) of the age to come.

The Scope & Theme of the Bible - 'God's Story'
§ The Bible spans the history of the earth. The first book (Genesis) begins, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." The last book (Revelation) talks about the end of this earth, and the making of a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1).

§ Genesis records the creation of man, and speaks of mankind's good relationship with God at the beginning. But man rebelled against God, resulting in mankind's separation from God under His holy and righteous judgment. The world is now fallen and needs salvation.

§ The Bible reveals God's plan to provide a way through which mankind can be reconciled to God, resulting in salvation and eternal blessing for those who respond. God's plan surfaces in Genesis with His promise to Abraham, continues through Israel (the descendents of Abraham), and eventually leads to Jesus, through whom all nations can be restored to God.