1. Thinking about the Bible
What do you know about the Bible?

2. What does the word Testament mean?

3. The old Testament The New Testament
This tells us about the history, thoughts, beliefs and stories of the Jewish people.
It shares with us the things they thought were important to say about God
This tells us about the life of Jesus
About what people believed to be true about Jesus
About the Early Church
About the lives of People within the Early Church

4. The Bible is like a Library
It contains 73 books altogether
46 in the Old Testament
27 in the New testament
It has different types of writing within in it
Some of those types of books are:

5. Books about the Prophets
Letters
History Books
Stories
Poetry Books
Books about the Prophets
Gospels
Law Books

6. Different Books were written at different times.
The New Testament is about 2000 years old
The Old Testament is older still
When we read the books of the Bible we have to think about the world they were written in

7. The Bible was not written in English!
Some of it was written in Hebrew some in Greek
When we read the Bible it is translated into English
Not all translations are exactly the same so different versions of the Bible can read slightly differently

8. A Bible Reference To look things up in the Bible you need to know the Book, the Chapter and the Verse
Mark 4:35-41
Verses
Book
Chapter

9. For Catholics The Bible is the Word of God
When we look at a piece of scripture we ask the question what does this mean what does this teach us about God, about ourselves, about our relationship with God.

10. Asking Questions
People have always asked themselves questions about life.
Look at the sheet. Which questions do you think are the most interesting?
Which questions have you asked yourself?

11. The Creation Stories
Read the first Story of Creation told in Genesis ch1 (GENESIS means origins or beginnings)
What do you think this story means?

12. Remember:
When people wrote the first story of creation they were not trying to tell you how the world or the universe was scientifically created.
They wrote a poem to express their feelings about creation and about what God meant to them
They also wanted to share what they believed to be true about the world

13. These are some of the things they wanted to share
Everyone, no matter who, is created in the image of God and loved by God

14. Creation is meant to be good
Men and women are equal
God cares about creation. However the universe came into being God is ultimately responsible
Without God there would be Chaos
God brings light and hope into our lives

15. Now read the second creation story
Work out what you think they were trying to say. What do you think this story was meant to say about;
God
Our relationship with God
Our relationship with the world

16. Second creation story
We and all the animals are made out of the same stuff. We are connected
We have a responsibility to care for the planet and everything on it
God breathes life into man. Breath in scripture symbolises the Holy Spirit. We have God’s spirit within us. We are different than other examples because we know God and can respond to God
It is not good for us to be alone. We need other people. Community is important

17. This painting is called the Creation of Adam
It is by a painter called Michelangelo
He wanted to share his views on creation
What can you see?