1 FAITHINTERACTIVE AN ONLINE BIBLE STUDY SERIES START ING IN MIN UTE S

2 “I WOULD LIKE TO READ MY BIBLE, BUT...” WEEK THREE

3 WE BELIEVE THAT THE BIBLE INSPIRED BY GOD

4 WE BELIEVE THAT THE BIBLE IS INERRANT

5 WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS INFALLIBLE  Isaiah 55:11 “[My Word] will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (never fails to accomplish God’s purpose )

6 WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS RELEVANT  Romans 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”

7 WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS PRACTICAL  2 Timothy 3:16 “[All Scripture] is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”  Psalm 119 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your Word.”  Psalm 119:105 “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

8 WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS POWERFUL  Romans 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”  Hebrews 4:12 “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edge sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit.”

9 WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS UNDERSTANDABLE God chooses to communicate in human language The purpose of language is to convey truth and information, not to confuse Some parts and doctrines of Scripture are harder to understand than others

10 WE KNOW THAT AND THAT PART OF US WILL RESIST WHAT GOD SAYS WE ARE SINNERS

11 WE KNOW THAT WHO WILL WANT TO READ, HEAR, LEARN, AND KNOW HIS WORD WE ARE BELIEVERS

12 DISCUSSION 1. How would you answer someone who says that the things taught in the Bible were only the reflection of thoughts and ideas of a different time and culture but are not applicable to today’s modern world? 2. We say that the Bible is practical. Does that mean that we will find specific answers to all of our questions, situations, and decisions? Explain. 3. We believe in the power of God’s Word to change hearts. What does that say to us when we are confronted with deep and vexing problems in our society such as drugs, violence, abortion, or the disregard for the biblical definition of marriage? REMAI NING

13 PART THREE: RULES FOR INTERPRETING THE SCRIPTURES

14 KNOW THE CONTEXT 1. What is “context?” 2. The importance of context (an example) 3. Broad: Of the world and culture at the time of writing Old Testament historical settings New Testament world of the Roman empire (more on this later) 4. Narrow: Of the book itself 01

15 KNOW THE CONTEXT OF THE BOOK ITSELF Author Time and place of writing Recipients Situation and reason for writing o The gospels o Galatians o 1 Corinthians o Prophets Type of book

16 THREE TYPES OF BOOKS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY (Genesis through Esther) First five books called the “Pentateuch;” written by Moses POETRY (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs) Features of Hebrew poetry PROPHECY Major prophets (Isaiah through Daniel) Minor prophets (Hosea through Malachi) OTOT 1 2 3

17 THREE TYPES OF BOOKS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT HISTORY The four gospels Record the life and ministry of Jesus (Synoptic Gospels=Matthew, Mark, Luke) Acts of the Apostles Part 2 of Luke’s account Records the history of the early Christian church EPISTLES (letters of instruction) Pauline (named after recipients) General (named after the author, except for Hebrews) PROPHECY (Revelation, not “Revelations”!) NTNT 1 2 3

18 KNOW THE CONTEXT OF THE BOOK ITSELF Author Time and place of writing Recipients Situation and reason for writing (as well as main theme) Type of book Format of book: Case study in Revelation Context within the book o Paul in Romans/Ephesians, James o Marriage in 1 Corinthians

19 DISCUSSION 1. Read Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 3:21-24; then read James 2: How does the context of what is being discussed help you to understand the description of faith in these two sections correctly? 2. If a book is a book of poetry, what kind of language is much more likely to be used than in a book of history? 3. What would you say to those who say that the creation account should be understood figuratively? REMAI NING

20 NEXT WEEK THE STUDY CONCLUDES February 26, 6:30 or 8:30 p.m. CST JOIN US!

21 N16W23377 Stone Ridge Drive Waukesha, WI CONTACT US