Part 2 – Understanding the Bible
The more you understand something, you love it more. The same is true with the Word of God.
- The word “Bible” means Book.
The most read book in history
The longest running best-selling book ever
The most translated book in history
- It was written over a period of 1600 years in over a dozen countries on three continents by people from all walks of life (in three languages)
Poets, prophets, princes, kings, sailors, soldiers, attorneys, doctors, farmers, scholars, shepherds, priests, historians, fishermen, tax collectors, and businessmen.
Caves, ships, homes, palaces, prisons, and deserts.
How did they come up with the same story?
- There were about 40 writers but only one Author.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The Bible is not in chronological order. It is grouped by the type of book.
Overview of the Old Testament
- Law – 5 books – Genesis through Deuteronomy
- Historical – 12 books – Joshua through Esther
- Poetical – 5 books – Job through Song of Solomon
- Prophetical – 17 books
5 Major Prophets – Isaiah through Daniel
12 Minor Prophets – Hosea through Malachi
Overview of the New Testament
- Gospels – 4 books – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
- Acts – historical record of the early church
- Epistles – 20 books – Romans through Jude
- Revelation – prophecy of the last days and eternity
The Simple Plot
The Subject – Jesus
(John 5:39 NLT) “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to Me!
The Verb – Give
(John 3:16 NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
(1 John 3:16 CEV) We know what love is because Jesus gave his life for us. That’s why we must give our lives for each other.
A Life Built on God’s Word
(Matthew 7:24-25 MSG) “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. (25) Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit–but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.
- I must accept its authority.
This has to do with your attitude towards God’s Word.
There are some things we just have to accept it by faith!
(1 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV) And we also thank God continually because, when you received (welcomed like a stranger) the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.
- I must assimilate its truths.
You must work it into every area of your life.
- By listening to God’s Word.
(Romans 10:17 NKJV) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(Luke 8:18 NIV) “Therefore consider carefully how you listen…”
- By reading God’s Word.
(Matthew 4:4 NIV) Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”
- Get a Bible you understand.
- Make an appointment to read your Bible.
- Have a reading plan.
- Don’t just read the Bible, let the Bible read you.
- By exploring God’s Word.
(Psalms 119:11 NIV) I have hidden (stored up) your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
- I must apply its principles.
(James 1:22 NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.