Embracing Discipleship

How To Study The Bible

Introduction

1. Why do I need to know what is in the Bible?

  1. It is R_____________.
  • 1 Peter 1:23 I can have a strong relationship with God without using the Bible? True or False
  • 2 Timothy 3:15-17 The Bible is the means by which God has chosen to _____________ with mankind and to give us ________.

a. It is R______________

  • John 1:1, 14 It gives us a true ___________ of Jesus and the Father.
  • John 8:31-32; John 17:17; John 14:6 It gives us _____________with the truth and freedom comes through that truth.

b.  It gives us spiritual  _________  and can be a ________________ against the enemy.

  •  Matthew 4:1-11 In the face of ________________ we need to know what God has said because the _________ knows the Word of God too.
  •  Man does not live by ___________ alone.

c.  It can be _____________________.

  • 2 Timothy 2:15 We must put effort and ___________ into learning the Word.

d.  It can help to protect us from ________.

e.  Psalm 119:11We hide the Word in our heart through ________________.

2.  Let’s look at HOW to read the Bible.

a. Mark 4:11-14

  • God’s Word is understood by those on the ________________of His kingdom.
  • God’s Word is _________ to be sown into the field of our _________.
  • John 3:3 you must be _________ again to see the kingdom of God.
  • 1 Corinthians 2:9-12  Once you are born again you receive the ability through the ________ __________ to begin understanding God’s Will and Word.

b.  Ephesians 1:15-19 – Be P________________.

c.  John 10:16 ; Matthew 15:24; 10:5 Study by S ____________.

d.  John 3:16 – Study in C ______________.

3.   Always be open to the preaching and teaching of the Word.

a.  Mark 6:5

  • Jesus answer to the lack of miracles in His home town was _______________.

b.  Ephesians 4:7-12

  • Jesus continues the ministry of teaching and preaching by gifting and _____________ men and women to preach and teach.

4.  The Bible as a Whole.

a.   The Bible contains 66 books; 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books with 40 authors covering approximately 1,600 years. There are 1,189 chapters in the Bible. The longest chapter is Psalm 119.  The shortest chapter is Psalm 117.  The longest book in the Old Testament is Psalm.  The longest book in the New Testament is Luke.

b.   The Old Testament was written mostly in Hebrew (a few short passages are in Aramic).  It contains 39 books.  The first five books are called the Pentateuch, meaning “five.”  They were penned by Moses, and commonly called the law.  They are redemptive and historical by nature. The next 12 books, Joshua through Esther, are called historical books.  They cover about 1,100 years of Jewish history from entering the Promise Land to partial restoration back into the land after Babylonian captivity. The middle five books, Job through Song of Solomon, are poetry books and are experiential in nature. The last 17 books are prophetical books.  The first five are called major prophets. They had a great influence on their nation.  The next 12 are called minor prophets raised up by God at strategic times to speak the Word of God to Israel.  They are called minor because of the size of their books.

c.   Silent Years.  From the close of Malachi to the entrance of John the Baptist was approximately 400 years.  They were called the Silent Years.  We have no record of a prophet or a Message sent from God.

d.   The New Testament was written in Greek.  The first four books are called the Gospels.  They are foundational books of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.  The Book of Acts is a foundational book of the life and ministry of the Church.  Next are the 21 Epistles, which are letters to the Church.  Thirteen are the epistles of Paul, from Romans through Philemon.  Hebrews’ author is uncertain.  Nine are called the Church Epistles (Romans through 2 Thessalonians).  Four are pastoral personal epistles (1 Timothy through Philemon).  Seven are general epistles (James through Jude).  The last New Testament book is prophetic.  It is called the Apocalypse, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, penned by the Apostle John.