Bible Basics

 What does the word “bible” mean?
 Who wrote the Bible?
 What does the “canon” of scripture refer to?
 What language is the original scripture written in
 We have the Old Testament and New Testament. What does testament mean?

These are some very good questions that deserve answers, and when you have questions, things you want or need to know, the best thing to do is seek out an answer. What are some of the ways that you can find out the answer to the questions you have? Think about it. When you want to know about something, what do you do? Who do you ask? Where do you find information?

Information that is needed is not always just given to people, sometimes things are hard to understand even when we do have information, but God's word tells us, " If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering." The first place to start when we have questions is by asking God.

God hears our prayers and he answers, but we have to be listening for answer too. We must be attentive and diligent as we consider his word, consult other reliable sources, like parents, friends and knowledgeable people and think things over. We do not have to know everything there is to know, but the Christian faith is reasonable to believe in, and it claims to be the truth, therefore we should understand the things we believe and why we believe them. Asking and answering questions will lead us into all truth.

This study does not have an answer sheet to tell you all the answers, but the questions are common and the answers to them are pretty easy to find. There are no trick questions. Be inquisitive, resourceful and take your time as you learn the basics about the Bible.

Suggested Reading

Topics in an Encyclopedia: Bible, Christianity
You Be the Judge by Don Stewart
The Bible For Young Explorers by Henriette Mears
Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell
More than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell
Know Why You Believe by Paul Little
Any of the “Basic Bile Studies” Series by Don Stewart
The Bible Tells Me So by Mack Thomas

The Charge

2 Timothy says: …Thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works… I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.


Think about the words this passage is saying and what it means. Think about what it means to you.

…Thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
QUESTIONS:
What will make you wise unto salvation?
What (or rather WHO?) is it that you have faith in?
What is the goal of Bible knowledge and study?
All scripture is given by inspiration of God,


QUESTIONS:
What is given by the inspiration of God?
Where does what is written as scripture come from?

and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works…

QUESTIONS:
What is scripture useful for?
What will using scripture do for someone who uses it properly?
What does it mean to be "furnished unto all good works"?

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;


Look up the words charge, reprove, rebuke, exhort, doctrine, lusts, in a dictionary:


QUESTIONS:
What do these words mean? (write out the definitions?)
Who is making this "charge"?
What is the "charge" being made?
What does the charge being given instruct a person to do?
In what manner is this to be done?



And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

QUESTIONS:
What are fables?
What does it mean, "to turn away their ears from the truth"?
If one is an evangelist, what are they to do? How?
What is an evangelist?
What does the root word evangel mean?



More Questions: Here are some questions that you can ask yourself.

1. Do you believe in God?


2. Do you believe there is a heaven and a hell?


3. Do you believe the Bible? What do you believe about the Bible?


4. Dave you ever read the whole bible? If “no”…How much of the bible have you read?


5. Who do you say Jesus Christ is?


6. Do you believe Jesus is coming again?

Lesson One- Organization of the Book of Books

2 Timothy says:
…Thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works… I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Lesson One

The Overall View… The Organization of the Bible

What Books Are In The Book?

More than a book, the Bible is a book of books. It's a collection of books written at different times in human history, by different people, parts are even in various languages. Because the Bible is so important to the understanding of Christian Faith, it’s important that we as Christians know some things about it's history, purpose, message and it's organization.

First, one must become familiar with what books are in it and then where they are in relation to the whole. This make it easier to follow along on a study. Most Bibles will have some "study helps" that discuss information like authorship in them, some of the books speak for themselves, but you can find this information using an encyclopedia or the Internet as well.

For this lesson, use any resource you have including your bible to learn about the organization of the books of the Bible and how it came that we have a bible to read today. Use these questions as your objective to learn as you challenge yourself to find the answers to these questions and read about some famous names in Bible history.




The Organization of the Bible

1. Write out the books of the bible by title and in order. Do this first by memory and check your answers. Make any corrections to your list by comparing your list to the table of conyents. Use this list to study as you challenge yourself to memorize them in order.

2. Seek and find:

a. What books of the bible are considered to be the “Books of the Law”?

b. Find three other common names used when referring to the “Books of the Law.”

c. What OLD TESTAMENT BOOKS are considered to be the books of HISTORY?
(HINT: There are twelve.)
Group the twelve you listed above into the following three categories:
1. The period of Theocracy (The time God was their only King.)
2. The period of Monarchy (When men ruled)
3. Post Exile (The people’s return to the land after their captivity)

d. List the books of the Old Testament that are considered to be Books of Poetry.

e. List the Major Prophets and the Minor Prophets.

f. How many years passed between the time of the last Old Testament books and
the New Testament? What happened during this period of time?

g. What books are referred to as the “gospels”?

h. What N.T. book is the book of history?

i. What books are referred to as “letters”? What is another name for these “letters”?
What name is given to the last eight of these letters and why?

j. What N.T. book is the book of prophecy?

Lesson Two - History of the Bible

2 Timothy says:
…Thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works… I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.


Lesson Two

The Preserving and Delivery of Scripture Through the Ages...

The History of the Bible

The Book of Books

1. List four people who wrote books of the Bible and the books they wrote.
We know that the books of the bible were written by men such as Moses, Ezra, Paul, and Peter, how do we know this?

2. It is often said that the Bible is the Word of God, yet we know that these men are the actual writers. This is not considered to be a contradiction.

a. Why do we (Christians) believe that the bible is “THE WORD OF GOD”?


b. Write out any scripture verses that encourage a Christian on this matter.


c. Who wrote the passages you chose, and give some examples of why their
understanding of God and spiritual issues would be believable or reliable.

d. There are three important keys to understanding the reliability of any ancient text,
particularly as hundreds of years pass. The reliability of such a thing is based upon
bibliographical evidence, internal evidence and external evidence. Give an example for
each in regards to the bible.

Bibliographic evidence...(i.e., the textual tradition from the original document to
the copies and manuscripts of that document we possess today)

Internal evidence (what the document claims for itself)

External evidence (how the document squares or aligns itself with facts, dates,
persons from its own contemporary world).


2. What was the original language of the Old Testament writings?


3. What were the first biblical writings written on?
Find two sources that tell you the answer to verify this to be true.
List the two sources you use to find out this information in bibliographical format.

Here are some things to know. Write as much or as little as you want to about the following, but read a lot.
4. What is a scribe?


5. What is a Massorete?


6. What is a monk? Are there only Christian Monks? Are there different types?

7. Read about the Dead Sea Scrolls. Write a short essay that tells what the Dead Sea Scrolls are that includes information about when and where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and the significance of the finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Where are they today?

8. What and when is the Council of Jamnia and what occurred that was significant about it? (What is a “council”?)

9. What is the apocrypha? What period of time is the apocrypha about?

10. What is a codex? What is the Vatican Codex? What is the Sinai Codex?

11. What happened at the Council of Carthage? What years was it?

12. What did St. Jerome do?

13. Who is Caedmon?

14. Read about each of the following men and briefly answer:
Who are they and what are they most known for?

1. Bede

2. John Wycliff

3. William Tyndale

4. Johann Gutenberg

5. Miles Coverdale

6. William Carey

Lesson Three - Navigation and Study

2 Timothy says:
…Thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works… I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Navigation and Study
How to find stuff you want to know, questions you want answered

1. Below are listed commonly used abbreviations for books of the bible. See how many you can decipher correctly. Using your Bible's table of contents, check your answers to make sure they are correct.

a. Sam.
b. Ge.
c. Ki.
d. Ja.
e. Pr.
f. Pe.
g. Nu.
h. Isa.
i. Eze.
j. Ez.
k. Es.
l. Ex.
m. Mt.
n. Lk.
o. Ga.
p. La.
q. Lu.
r. Ja.
s. Zec.
t. Zeh.
u. S.ofS.
v. Ch.
w. Re.
x. Phm.

2. Practice concordance work.

(from 7 Steps to Bible Skills For Youth by Dorothy Hellstern )


a. What is a concordance and how does one use it?

b. What is the definition for “servant”?

c. What is the definition of the word, “seraphim”?

d. What is the first scripture reference you find for seraphim?

e. What is the first scripture reference you find to “serpent”?

f. What is the last scripture reference you find to “serpent”?

g. Give a scripture reference about serpents:
1. from the Gospel of John
2. book of Proverbs

h. What is the definition of “sheaves”?

i. Give 4 scriptural references to “sheaves”

j. What scripture tells us that Abel was a keeper of sheep?

k. What references to sheep are given for the book of Psalms?

l. What references to sheep are given for the book of Matthew?

m. What references to sheep are given for the Epistles?

3. Using a concordance to find a specific verse in the Bible.

The verse you want to find says:
The heavens declare the glory of God, the firmament showeth his handiwork.
a. List key words you could use for finding this verse in a concordance.

b. Look up all the keywords you might be able to use. Write weather or not you found the verse using each keyword.

c. What Verse is it?

4. Write the correct reference for each of the following verses, only after you read it in your
Bible so you can verify that you are correct

a. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.

b. When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom.

c. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

5. Use a bible with Marginal References to help you answer these questions:

a. In Matthew 4:4, which O.T, passage is Jesus quoting from?

b. In Acts we are told that Philip is reading a passage of Scripture to an Ethiopian. What passage is he reading?

c. Read Luke 2:1-4. This was prophesized before it happened. Who prophesied it?

d. Read John 3:16-17. What two other references could you use to show that this statement is true?

e. Read Psalm 1:2.
What other place in the bible does it say almost the same thing?

Lesson Four Topical Investigation-

2 Timothy says:
…Thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works… I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Topical Investigation

The Bible is a book that covers a lot of topics. It's important know that the bible doe\s and does not say on these matters, so we study the word of God to learn what is says, and to be able to accurately represent what it says and relate it to others.

Below is a list of topics discussed in the contents of the Bible. Use your concordance and your bible to find out what the bible says about these topics.


1. For each topic list at least two references form the Old Testament and the new.

2. Select one (or more) of the topics to write about and in a paragraph or two, telling write what
the Scripture teaches on the subject, citing verse to uphold your position.

3. Research a topic of your own choice to research.


Topics

a. Lying

b. Cheating

c. Obedience

d. Studying the Bible

e. Going to church

f. Forgiving others

g. Making sacrifices to God

h.Working at a job

i. Murder

j. Money

k. Love

Lesson Five- Doctrine

2 Timothy says:
…Thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works… I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.


The Importance of Sound Doctrine

One way that people dismiss the importance of doctrine is to say that it does not matter what a person believes, as long as that person does what is right. But a persons actions are greatly influenced by what they believe, so to say this is really quite erroneous. What a person believes directs their actions, and faith, without works is dead.

Paul writes in Titus 1 about the importance of a Christians doctrinal beliefs and actions saying: "Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless -- not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable; one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it"

Christians must hold firmly to the trustworthy message that was delivered unto the saint, and their lives are to show it. You cannot show it, if you do not know it.



DOCTRINES OF THE BIBLE


What do Christians believe about God?

Christians believe in God. Important aspects of God’s character are charity (love) and justness. They describe God as being perfect, holy, self existing, omnipotent, omniscient and light in whom is no darkness at all. They believe that God exists eternally in three distinct persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, each of whom possess all the attributes of being God and the characteristics of God's Holy personality and who exist to reveal God to mankind.

Christians believe that God is the creator and sustainer of all things and that He oversees and operates in human history, from the beginning to the end, in order to fulfill His redemptive plan for mankind and for all that he has made, that though dead in sin and trespasses, they can know of God's love for mankind, believe upon the one he sent, and thus be saved.

Christians believe that God offers forgiveness for sin and subsequently salvation to sinners by His grace through their faith in Him, and his fulfilled promise in His Son, Jesus who is the Christ, Messiah, the One he promised to send into the world and did send. They believe that Jesus, like God the Father, his true father, was holy, perfect, and unlike ordinary men; he was without sin. This came about as a miracle of God, a fulfillment of his promises, for Jesus was born from a woman, yet she was a virgin. Jesus was born as a baby like all men (and women) and that he grew to be a man the same as we.

1. Read Psalm 139
In your own words, write what the psalmist tells us about the ways that God is all-knowing and ever-present.

2. Read Acts:17:22-34.
From the reading, explain what Paul told the people about the true and living God.

3. Read 2 Peter 3:3-10.
Keep in mind that two important aspects of God are 1) He is Loving and 2) He is just.

From reading this passage, are you able to give reasons Christians believe that God is both loving and just.



JESUS

Christians believe Jesus is fully God and fully man.

They believe that Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity who was united forever with a true human nature by a miraculous conception and virgin birth.

Jesus lived a perfect life of obedience to God the Father and voluntarily died on the cross, as a substitute for all of mankind’s sin against God. In doing so, he accomplished salvation to all who trust in Him. After dying and being buried for three days, he rose bodily from the dead, was seen by many people, and ascended into heaven where he is seated at the right hand of God. He is the only mediator between God and man and he makes intercession to God on our behalf, until he comes again.

Christians believe that Jesus came the first time as a baby in a manger, but Christians believe in the second coming of Jesus too. They believe he will come again to earth, personally and visibly to complete the plan and purposes of God.

They also believe that he will rule and reign, create a new heavens and a new earth and life for the people of God will be with God forevermore as God originally intended it to be. Death and suffering will vanish and God will rule and reign eternally.

1. Read Col 1:15-25. What information is given that shows Jesus to be Divine?

2. Find a verse in the Bible that shows Jesus to be human.

3. What verses in the Bible show that Jesus died for sinners.

4. What verse tells us that Jesus is the only mediator between God and man? What does a mediator do?

5. What verse tells us that Jesus Christ will come again?




HOLY SPIRIT

Christians believe that the essential accompaniment of a genuine saving relationship with JESUS CHRIST is a life of holiness and obedience. This is obtained by submission to the HOLY SPIRIT, the third Person of the Trinity who convicts sinners of a need for a savior and leads them to Jesus Christ.

He in something separate from sinful man who, when a person believes upon Jesus, indwells each believer and administers gifts to believers for the edification of the entire Christian body.

The Holy Spirit, or Holy Ghost, guides believers in understanding and applying the scriptures to their daily lives, so we can grow and produce fruit.. love, joy, peace, patient, kindness, gentleness, self control.. thus being the people God has created us to be.

They believe this Holy Spirit of God exists among mankind, to draw men to God the father and to Jesus Christ his son.

1. Read Ephesians 1:9-14. What reasons do you see that God has given us his Holy spirit?

2. Read John 14:12-21. Name one thing the Holy Spirit does.

3. Read Galatians 5:16-26. What things does the Holy Spirit accomplish in our lives?



HEAVEN AND HELL

Christians believe that at death, the eternal destiny of a person is forever sealed.

Christians believe that there will be a resurrection of the body and a righteous justice pronounced upon every individual by God. Those who reject God, and the provision of God given to men through Jesus Christ will be eternally separated from Him in condemnation and believers will be received into eternal communion with God.

1. Read Revelation 7:9-17. This is a description of Heaven. Pick out and write down some things you know about heaven from reading this passage. See especially verse:15,16,and 17.

2. Read Luke 16:19:31. List two things you can know about hell from this passage.

3. Read John 14:1-11 Thomas asks Jesus, “How can we know the way?” What does Jesus answer?



THE BIBLE

Christians believe that the Bible is the basis of the Christian Faith. That these Holy Scriptures originated with God and was given to men through the prophets.

They believe that Scripture speaks with the authority of God, although it is influences in the vocabulary, and styles of it’s human author.

Christians believe the scriptures are the full and final authority in matters of faith an practice, and that they are unique as there are no other writings similarly inspired by God.

1. Read Matthew 24:25 and Isaiah 40:8. List the things these passages tell you about the Word of God.

2. Find a verse in the bible that begins: “and God said” or “thus saith the Lord”

3 Can you find any reasons that Christians give to claim that the bible is an “inspired” book?

4. Read Acts 17:10-15. How did the Bereans distinguish truth from error? What “scriptures” did they use?

5. Read I john 4-6. What are some ways to know if a teaching is true and from God?


Vocabulary
Look up the following words in a dictionary and write out the definition.
 inerrant  translate  scroll  version  illumination   commentary
 Septuagint  revelation  gospel  trinity  resurrection  salvation
 propitiation  atonement  apologetics  doctrine