1. Why read the Bible? “The Book”

2. Why Read The Bible? The Bible is the biggest selling book in the world. The Bible is the biggest selling book in the world. The Bible is the “Holy Book” for 3 religions (Judaism, Catholicism and Protestantism) The Bible is the “Holy Book” for 3 religions (Judaism, Catholicism and Protestantism) At least a billion people read it everyday. At least a billion people read it everyday. The Bible is a book about life and people. The Bible is a book about life and people. The Bible is a library of 73 books. The Bible is a library of 73 books.

3. The Bible is a Library There are 46 books in the Old Testament There are 46 books in the Old Testament There are 27 books in the New Testament There are 27 books in the New Testament The Bible contains many genres of literature: narratives, poetry, genealogy, psalms, proverbs, history, laws, gospels, letters, etc. The Bible contains many genres of literature: narratives, poetry, genealogy, psalms, proverbs, history, laws, gospels, letters, etc.

4. The Bible inspired great artists. (The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo)

5. The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

6. A famous sculpture (La Pieta by Michelangelo)

7. The Bible also inspired many English writers. 1. William Shakespeare 2. Robert Southwell 3. John Milton 4. John Donne 5. George Herbert 6. Alexander Pope 7. Flannery O’ Connors 8. G. K. Chesterton

8. Modern Films (Mel Gibson’s The Passion)

9. English words taken from the Bible. 1. The Sabbath 1. The Sabbath 2. Judas’ kiss 2. Judas’ kiss 3. black sheep 3. black sheep 4. Peter’s Pence 4. Peter’s Pence 5. The prodigal son 5. The prodigal son 6. The Good Samaritan 6. The Good Samaritan 7. the widow’s mite 7. the widow’s mite

10. Expressions from the Bible “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”. “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”. “The love of money is the root of all evil”. “The love of money is the root of all evil”. “Man does not live by bread alone”. “Man does not live by bread alone”.

11. How do people read the Bible? 1. cursively  go over the pages quickly. 1. cursively  go over the pages quickly. 2. slowly  find the deeper meaning of 2. slowly  find the deeper meaning of the words the words 3. meditatively  read and pray at the 3. meditatively  read and pray at the same time same time 4. scientifically  examine the accounts to 4. scientifically  examine the accounts to find the historical bases find the historical bases 5. poetically  enjoy the literary elements 5. poetically  enjoy the literary elements

12. The Bible as Literature (to read the Bible as a literary work of art. 1. We will read stories and look at the characters, the 1. We will read stories and look at the characters, the plot, the conflicts, etc. plot, the conflicts, etc. 2. We will read poetry, psalms and proverbs and learn how Jewish people looked at life. 2. We will read poetry, psalms and proverbs and learn how Jewish people looked at life. 3. We will look at art work and films showing 3. We will look at art work and films showing Bible stories and themes. Bible stories and themes. 4. We will discover life’s lessons and meaning 4. We will discover life’s lessons and meaning from the Bible characters. from the Bible characters.