NEW BEGINNERS

Class Notes: Session 1

Dear New Beginner's

Here are the notes from tonight's class. If you have any questions, please let me know. I really enjoyed seeing you this evening and hope you found this introductory session helpful.

Here is the link to the curriculum page I spoke about where you will find the plan for the entire course.

November 17 th 2005

Introduction to the Bible

a. Why study the bible?

b. What is the bible?

c. Which bible should I read?

d. How should I start?

e. Homework: The book of Acts

Why Study the Bible?

1. The bible is the word of God. Though it was written by human beings it was inspired by God?

a. It is a human book. When you read it you will see that the personalities and styles of the writers are not obscured, but that they are clear and vivid.

b. And yet, the content of what they wrote is inspired by the Holy Spirit who both communicated God's truth to the human authors and ensured that they communicated it without error.

Analogy: A student taking notes and checking his notes with the teacher afterwards. They are his or her notes of what the teacher said written in the student's own words, organized in a way that makes sense to the student, and transcribed in the student's own hand writing. And yet the content comes directly from the teacher and because they have been checked by the teacher for accuracy, they are a true representation of what the teacher has actually said.

In the bible, God communicates directly to human beings through the written word.

2. The bible tells us about God, it tells us about ourselves and the world?

a. we learn that God created us in his own image.

b. we learn that the world and humanity has fallen away from God.

c. we learn that God has acted to restore his relationship with human beings beginning with Abraham and finally and eternally through Jesus Christ's life, death, resurrection and ascension

d. We learn how everyone can be personally reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ

e. We learn about the church and God's call and mission for his people on earth.

f. We learn that Jesus will return to establish the kingdom of God on earth.

3. The bible is mothers milk for believers: The more you read, the stronger and healthier you grow?

“Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.”

“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.” Ps 119:103

“My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times” Ps 119:20

a. God's word is a living word, it has inherent power to feed and to transform those who read and study it.

b. God uses his word to build up, teach, rebuke, and guide his people

c. . God speaks to you personally in the bible and provides you will guidance, insight, comfort and encouragement for daily living.

Class Covenant:

1. Do your bible reading homework daily

2. Come to class

3. Ask questions

If you keep the covenant you will begin to see just how God can and does use his word to change your life.

What is the bible?:

1. The bible is a collection of 66 separate books all written between 1400bc and 90ad.

2. Where to find the books of the bible? Look for the table of contents, just like any other book.

3. Types of literature: The concept of Genre: history, law, poetry, prophesy, allegory

4. The bible is literature so it must be read as literature.

5. The books are not in chronological order but in thematic order, sometimes this is chronological sometimes it is not.

6. So, reading the bible from Genesis to revelation can be very difficult and confusing.

7. The two major divisions Old Testament and New Testament. The old testament was written primarily in Hebrew. The New Testament was primarily written in Aramaic and Greek.

8. The Old Testament is the larger of the two. It is the story of creation, the fall of humanity, and the beginning of God's salvation through the people of Israel.

9. The New Testament is the story of God final saving act through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ and what it means for you and for the world.

10. The geography of the bible (to be covered primarily next meeting)

Which bible should I read?:

1. Different types of translations

                a. all English bibles are translations from the original languages

            b. But different versions have different philosophies of translation

2. Word for Word: KJV, NKJV, ESV, NAS, RSV

3. Thought for Thought (dynamic equivalent) NIV, NRSV, NLT

4. Paraphrase: The Book, The Message, The Living Bible

5. My recommendation: NIV Study Bible

How should I start?:

1. The only way to truly understand the bible is to have the Holy Spirit in your heart. He helps you read, understand and apply it to your life.

2. Pass out and go over the sheet on “how to read the bible”

3. Just start.

Assign homework: The book of Acts