A H A N D B O O K F O R E N GAG I N G W I T H T H E B I B L E
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” Matthew 4:4
What is the Bible? The Holy Bible is a compilation of 66 books written over a span of thousands of years by many different human authors in many different genres—history, law, poetry, prophecy, prayers and letters. They are unified together because they have been affirmed together through the years by the people of God to contain the Word of God. These sacred scriptures were given first to the Jewish nation as God’s special people, but has now been given to all nations through the Church. The Bible is not a rule book, although it does contain rules for God’s people; it is not a book of philosophy, although it does contain wisdom for living. It is first and foremost a story—a love story of God’s pursuit of His people and His good purposes to bring us into His presence to dwell together for eternity. The Bible declares how God has revealed Himself among us through His mighty acts of salvation on our behalf and calls us to respond to His grace accordingly. At the center of this story is Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God and the living Word of God, the highest and fullest revelation of who God is for us. Those books written before the birth of Jesus point forward to him in anticipation, and those written after his ascension into heaven interpret the meaning of his life, death, and resurrection for us and his ongoing work in the world through the Holy Spirit.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16
Why read the Bible? The Bible would be an important and beautiful book of history and literature even if it were only a book. However, we believe that the Bible is much more than that as well: it contains the Word of God. What does that mean?
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First of all it means that God spoke by the Holy Spirit through the original writers of the scripture. They wrote in their own human languages and cultures, but God guided the process. This means that the Bible gives us “inside information” on God. No human being could claim to fully understand God, but because He has chosen to reveal Himself to us through His Word, we can know the truth about God with confidence.
the Bible contains the Word of God because it is through the 2 Second, scripture that the Holy Spirit continues to speak to us today. In this
sense, the Bible is “alive,” because God’s living presence will speak to us through it if we open up our hearts and minds to hear His voice. He comforts us with His promises, guides us with His wisdom, and directs us with His commands as we learn to listen to the Spirit speaking through the Word.
the Bible contains the Word of God because it point us to 3 Finally, Jesus, who is the living “Word of God.” Ultimately the reason we read
the Bible is in order to experience a loving relationship with Jesus. For this reason, reading the Bible should be a holy conversation—God speaks to us through his Word, and we speak back to Him through prayer. Thus, prayer and scripture go hand in hand.
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 2 Peter 1:20
How to choose a Bible translation The Bible was originally written primarily in ancient Hebrew and Greek. It was faithfully transmitted down through the generations by scribes. The Bible is by far the most well-documented ancient text in existence. Careful comparison of the thousands of surviving parchments and scrolls has given us a highly reliable picture of the original text. From there, scholars have the task of translating the text into modern language. Every translator must choose a balance between translating literally (word for word), vs. conceptually (idea for idea). Conceptual translations are usually easier to read, but they have a greater danger of injecting the translator’s own ideas. Therefore, conceptual translations are better for devotional reading, while more literal translations may be better for indepth Bible study. Some good choices for Bible reading include: More Literal
More Conceptual
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New American Standard (NASB) New Revised Standard (NRSV) New King James (NKJV)
New Living Translation (NLT) New International (NIV) Common English (CEB)
Another type of Bible is the paraphrase. These include The Living Bible and The Message. These Bibles are not really translations since the authors freely admit they are introducing their own ideas and interpretations into the text. They can be very helpful in understanding the Bible, provided you understand what you are getting.
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Hebrews 1:1-2
Why does the Bible have two parts? The Bible is divided into two parts called “testaments” or “covenants” because they deal with two ways that God has related to humanity: the first covenant was with the nation of Israel through the Law of Moses. The new covenant is for all nations through God’s own Son, Jesus Christ. The Old Testament tells the story of God’s promises to Israel’s forefathers, his mighty acts on their behalf. It also tells how Israel continually broke the Law of Moses despite the many warnings of the prophets and eventually went into captivity and exile as a result. It ends on a “cliffhanger” with promises of a coming Messiah. The New Testament picks up the story of Israel with the coming of Jesus as God’s promised Messiah in the first century AD. The gospels relate his life, crucifixion, and resurrection, while the rest of the New Testament continues the story of the early spread of Christianity across the Roman Empire and the communities of Christ-followers that were formed in cities around the Mediterranean Sea. Because Jesus is the highest and fullest revelation of who God is, the Old Testament must be viewed and interpreted in light of the New Testament. If the two seem to be in conflict, we must start with Jesus as our standard. However, that does not mean we should fall into the trap of thinking that the Old Testament doesn’t matter. Properly understood, the Old Testament is a rich treasure to help us understand Jesus more fully.
Getting the Big Picture of the Bible Many people do not realize the Bible comes together like a mosaic to tell one story from beginning to end. PRELUDE: Creation • Genesis 1-10 God created a good world but human sin messed it up. ACT I: Israel God promised to rescue the whole world through the children of Abraham. He rescued them from slavery and led them to the promised land to be His holy nation.
A. The Patriarchs • Genesis 11-50
B. Moses and the Promised Land • Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth
ACT II: The Kingdom God promised David his sons would always sit on the throne, but the kings continued to sin against God until the nation was sent into captivity. A. History • I-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles
B. Prophecy • Obadiah, Joel, Jonah, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah 1-40, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Ezekiel, Lamentations, Jeremiah, Micah, Nahum
C. Poetry and Wisdom • Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes
INTERLUDE: Exile Even in captivity God promised to restore Israel and bring a savior to restore His kingdom.
A. History • Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
B. Prophecy • Isaiah 41-66, Daniel, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
ACT III: Jesus Jesus fulfilled God’s promises to Abraham and David by living a life of perfect obedience, dying on the cross for our sins, and rising from the dead in triumph over Sin and Satan.
A. The Gospels • Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
ACT IV: The Holy Spirit God extended His rescue plan through Jesus from the Jews to all the nations by giving His Holy Spirit to establish His church all around the world. A. History of the Church • Acts
B. L etters to Churches • Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, 1-2 Thessalonians, 1 John, 1 Peter, James
ACT V: The Church God gave leaders and guidelines to equip the church to live faithfully on mission until Christ’s return.
A. Letters to Leaders • 1 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, 2-3 John
B. Letters of warning • Hebrews, 2 Peter, 2 Timothy, Jude
C. Vision of Jesus’s messages to the church • Revelation 1-3
POSTLUDE: New Creation • Revelation 4-21 • God promises to complete his rescue plan through Jesus in the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, and the creation of a New Heaven and a New Earth.
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5
How to Read the Bible Every Christian needs to read the Bible in two ways: for the head and for the heart. Reading the Bible for your head means studying it to gain a greater understanding of who God is and how He wants you to live in relationship with Him. Tips on how to understand the Bible better: •
Try to read through the entire Bible in a year to get a big picture
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Pay attention to the context of what you read. Don’t just pull a verse out all by itself; look for how the ideas fit into the overall message of the chapter, the book, and the Bible as a whole.
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Look for commands to obey, warnings to heed and promises to believe. The Bible is not a book you can fully understand unless you put into practice what it says.
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Pray for wisdom and understanding. God will give you the ability to understand His message if you ask.
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Most of all, look for Jesus. Seek to understand who He is and what is revealed about God through Jesus in every book of the Bible. The goal is not to know the Bible, the goal is to know Christ!
However, the Bible is not just for your head. Reading for your heart means seeking to experience God’s personal presence with you as you read and listening for the living voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to you. For tips on how to have a daily time of personal devotion, see the following page.
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Psalm 143:8
How to Have a Daily Devotion The purpose of a daily devotion is to draw close to God’s presence and hear His voice. Here are six simple steps to have a 10-15 minute heart to heart with God every day. 1. Set aside a place and a time. Pick a favorite chair or other quiet place and go there the same time every day. Consistency builds habits. 2. Pray and Invite the Holy Spirit to be present with you and speak to you. 3. Read a small section of scripture—short enough that you can re-read it several times, savoring each word and listening for how God may be speaking to your heart through it. 4. Personalize what you read. Insert your name into the text. Picture God speaking directly to you and your life situations. 5. Expect resistance in your heart. You may hear a command you don’t want to obey, a truth you don’t want to accept, or a promise you don’t think you can believe. Be honest with God about it (He already knows anyway!). Ask Him to increase your faith and to show you His love. 6. Respond to what you have read in prayer using the A.C.T.S. model— Adoration and praise for who God is; Confession for any sin revealed; Thanksgiving for God’s blessings and promises; and Supplication for your own needs and those of others.
My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. Proverbs 3:1
Why memorize scripture? Here are five benefits that come to those who take time to memorize sections of the Bible. 1. Memorizing scripture allows you to continue reflecting on God’s Word even when you don’t have a Bible in front of you. “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua 1:8 2. Memorizing scripture allows the Holy Spirit to give you more clear direction when you face daily decisions. “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 3. Memorizing scripture gives you ammunition to fight harmful temptations in your moments of weakness. “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 4. Memorizing scripture gives you wisdom to share with others when they need a word of encouragement. “Let the word of Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.” Colossians 3:16 5. Memorizing scripture transforms your thinking to be more like Jesus. “Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:23-24
Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:25
The value of reading with a group Every Christian needs a personal time of devotion with God. However, the greatest benefits of reading scripture come when we read, discuss, and apply God’s Word together with others. Here are three advantages of reading with a Small Group, a mentor, or an accountability partner: 1. Meeting with others helps you stay accountable to reading on a regular basis. Positive peer pressure is a powerful tool for forming good habits and overcoming our natural tendency to drift away. 2. Meeting with others gives you the insight of multiple perspectives. Each person brings his or her own unique life experiences and spiritual gifting to the text, so we can gain wisdom by listening to how others interpret and apply its meaning to their lives. 3. Meeting with others allows you to put what you are reading into practice. Jesus said that the greatest commandments in the Bible are to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. By participating in a group we build relationships where we can grow in love for one another, and work together to show God’s love to those in need. Ask God to guide you to a mentor or accountability partner, and check out the many small group options available through the church today.
God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near. Revelation 1:3
Tech Tools Throughout history God has used the latest technology to spread His Word. The printing press made it possible for the average person to afford to have a Bible at home and revolutionized the world. Today, God is using the latest digital and mobile technologies to help even more people engage with the Bible daily. Here are two tools that we recommend:
YouVersion Bible App • • • • •
Best app available for devotional Bible reading Free in the app store for iOS or Android Offers dozens of translations and languages Select from numerous Bible reading plans with tools to help you stay on track Save and share highlights, notes and verse images
Bible Gateway • Free Bible reading website at www.biblegateway.com • Multiple versions including audio Bibles • Search, highlight, make notes, and share verses by email
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:8
Try It! G.K. Chesterton wrote, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” The same could be said for Bible reading. Most people do not live by God’s Word for one simple reason: they don’t read it. Our lives are busy and full of distractions so we never make the time to meet with God. We don’t pray, we don’t read the Bible, and then we wonder why God feels distant from us. However, for those who make the commitment to spend time in God’s Word every day, God promises great rewards. What if you made this your year to try an experiment with daily Bible reading? What if you made a commitment to meet with God every day, and see how your life might change? God is waiting to satisfy your spiritual hunger. Taste and see!
Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Wheaton, Ill: Tyndale House Publishers (2004).