Understanding Bible Christianity
Lesson 1
The Directions of Life: God Reveals Truth in the Holy Bible
Introduction about the Bible
Just as a Map leads you to a destination, we need a reliable authority to instruct us about life. We need a Guide to show us the way we should go. The Holy Bible is God’s directions for mankind. Over the course of 1,500 years, God spoke through 40 different writers who penned this holy Book. The oldest writings date back to nearly 3,500 years ago! There are two major sections to the Bible. The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew. The New Testament was written in Greek and Aramaic. Testament simply refers to God’s will for mankind.
Not only does God’s Word show us the path for this life, but the Holy Scriptures tell us where we
will spend eternity. A wise man will consider his path and follow the right way.
God’s Word is our instruction book for life. It is like a lamp or a light that shows us which path to take. God’s Word, The Bible is true from beginning to end. The Lord has given us his Word so we will know what is right and wrong. When a person understands truth then they can experience freedom. When we learn to fear God, (mean to respect him], then we will become wise. Wisdom is what makes a man truly happy.
1. What has God given to man to guide his path? ___________
Psalm 119:105 - Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
2. According to the Bible, What is Truth? __________________
John 17:17 – Jesus said, “thy word [the Bible] is truth.”
3. What do we receive when we discover truth? ____________
John 8:31,32 - Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, …ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
The Lord has given us his word. When we learn to fear God, that means to respect him, then we will become wise. Wisdom is what makes a man truly happy.
4. What makes a man truly happy? ______________________
Proverbs 3:13 – “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom…”
5. What is the beginning of wisdom? ____________________
Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Who is the LORD? The Name LORD is the name for Jehovah God from the Hebrew language. It means eternal, self-existent, self-sufficient One. Nobody made God and nobody sustains Him. As we study God’s Words and works, we will understand truth and find freedom and discover the path of life.
About God
6. How long has God existed? ________________________
Psalm 90:2 - Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
God was never created: He had no beginning and He will never have an end. The word “thou” is singular for “you”. There is only one God. He is eternal and powerful.
About God’s Word
A relationship requires communication. God communicates with mankind through the written word called the Holy Bible. He tells us what we need to know about Himself and mankind. He speaks the truth and wisdom. We can understand history, science, and people when we read the Bible. What we know about God is what he has shown us in the pages of the Bible. Because God is divine, His words are sacred.
7. How much scripture was given by inspiration of God? _______
II Timothy 3:16 -All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
8. Who guided holy men to give us God’s words? _____________
II Peter 1:21 - For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
From the beginning of time, God inspired holy men to write down his thoughts. The Holy Ghost (another name for God) guided them so that the words would be pure. The men did not put in their own ideas, but followed God exactly. God said that his word is sharper than a sword, because it reaches the heart of man and speaks to them. God’s word, the Bible, will last forever.
9. What did God say about His words? _______________________
Psalm 12:6,7 - The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
10. How long will God’s Word endure? _____________________
Isaiah 40:8 - The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
11. God’s word is sharper than what weapon? ______________
Hebrews 4:12- For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Bible Timeline
Note: The timeline above includes the events that we will be studying in the Bible. Interestingly enough, most cultures use this dating system with BC and AD. Here, B.C. represents “Before Christ” and A.D. represents “Anno Domini”, meaning in the year of our Lord. So all of history is dated surrounding the life of Jesus Christ.
Fulfilled Prophecy
The greatest proof that the Bible is God’s word is found in fulfilled prophecies. There are about 2,500 prophecies written, with nearly 2,000 already fulfilled. Over 300 of these prophecies were made about Jesus!
In the following lessons, we will see many prophecies made about the coming of Jesus Christ, like where he would be born and what he would do. God has the knowledge of all things before they happen!
Isaiah 46:10 – God said, “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”
Next lesson, we will answer: What are the first words recorded? When did life begin? Why are there seven days in a week?
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