Before we begin our lesson on the Bible, we must review our understanding of Christianity. All Christian denominations have the same foundation….the Lord Jesus Christ; His life, death, burial and resurrection.
The only difference is what man did to God’s word by adding to it, taking away from it or, isolating Scriptures and making them doctrine: (doctrine = something that is taught: a principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief).
An alternative word for the Bible is the "Word" and the first five books of the Old Testament are known as the "Law". Jesus Himself said in:
Matthew 5:17, 18 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets, I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot (iota) or one tittle (smallest stroke in a letter) will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. "
It is a fact that there are no denominations in heaven! No compartments for Baptists, Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists, Assembly’s of God etc. We all belong to the body of Christ. First and foremost, we are Christians who attend either a denominational church or a non-denominational church; we all belong to Jesus.
Many people think that God is too busy running the universe to have time to listen to our trivial problems…..that is the furthest thing from the truth. When God created you, He made you in His image. (Genesis 1:26)
He made every person unique; even biological twins are not exactly alike. Our God is so awesome that He has every one of the hairs on your head numbered.
"Matt. 10:30 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."
He is a very personal God. He created us to know Him and His love in an intimate way, to love Him and to have fellowship with Him. You might say, "how can I know God"? Well, here is the answer; you can communicate with Him through prayer and by reading the Bible which reveals many of the facets of God.
The Bible - God’s handbook, love letter
If we know His Word; we know His will.
God honors His word as He does His name (Ps. 138:2).
In the book of Joshua 1:8, the Lord instructs us that:
"This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."
Psalm 119 (the longest chapter in the Bible) is all about God’s word. God’s word is sufficient and takes precedence over ANY experience we may have through prophecies, visions, etc.
No experience holds greater authority than the Word of God. The teachings of the Holy Scriptures are ultimate, authoritative and to be more desired than gold. (Ps 19:7-11).
Jesus is the living Word of God (John 1:1, 14; Rev. 19:13). He used the Word when Satan tempted Him in the wilderness. He confirmed the Old Testament as He answered Satan with the words:
"it is written" in Mt. 4:1-10.
If you want to know the Lord Jesus, you can if you know the Word. As you read and study the Word, it will bring you into a personal knowledge of Him.
Know the Word, know the Lord.
Just as we need food to fuel our bodies to be able to sustain physical life, we need the word of God to feed and sustain our spiritual life. The Word of God is our spiritual food!
The Bible - God’s handbook, love letter
SCRIPTURES THAT VALIDATE THE BIBLE TO BE GOD’S WORD
Everything we learn from man should line up with God’s word as the Bible is the ultimate authority over all information. Scripture validates Scripture. The more times you see a Scripture repeated, God is saying that is important for you to know and remember.
You can not take one Scripture, isolate it and build a doctrine on it. That is how cults begin. The following Scriptures are from the New American Standard.
Isaiah 55:11 "So shall my word be which goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."
Jer. 23:29 "Is not My word like a fire? Says the Lord. "and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?"
Matt. 4:4, 7, 10. Jesus answered Satan with the words "It is written".
John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
John 8:31, 32 "…If you abide in My word, then you are My disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
1 Thes. 2:13 "…..when you received from us the word of God’s message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe."
2 Tim. 3:16, 17. " All Scripture is inspired by God, and is profitable for correction, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God would be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
Heb. 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
1 Pet. 1:23 "for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God."
1 Pet 1:25 "But the word of the Lord abides forever."
2 Pet 1:20, 21 "But know this first of all that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."
1 John 5:13 "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life."
1. According to the information in Lesson 1, why did God make you?
a) To love Him b) To know Him c) To know His love d) To have a personal relationship with Him e) All of the above
2. How can you know God?
a) Through prayer b) By going to church three times a week c) Joining the choir d) Reading the Bible e) b & d f) a & d
3. Complete this sentence, “Man shall not live by bread alone _________”
a) But by water needed for life b) But by working hard c) But by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God d) But by good works
4. Complete this scripture; “this Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, __________”
a) that you may fulfill your obligation. b) that you may to keep yourself out of trouble. c) that you may remember it. d) that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.
5. Which is the longest chapter in the Bible?
a) Acts 28 b) Luke 11 c) Psalm 91 d) Psalm 119
6. Who is the Living Word of God?
a) The Father b) Jesus, the Son c) The Holy Spirit
7. Know His Word, Know His Will.
a) True b) False
8. Know the Word, Know the Lord.
a) True b) False
9. Complete following scripture: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, ________: ”?
a) for instruction in righteousness b) for information c) for goal to reach d) to test obedience
10. Complete following scripture: "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my ________ indeed;"
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