The Scriptures

Lesson 1: The Scriptures

Main Idea:

The Bible is God’s inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word, revealing His will and purpose for humanity. It is sufficient for salvation, faith, and obedience.

Lesson Outline

I. Introduction (5 minutes)

Ask: If you had to explain why the Bible is important to a new believer, what would you say?

Share a brief testimony or story about how Scripture has impacted someone's life.

Introduce the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 statement on Scripture:

"The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction."

II. The Bible as God’s Inspired Word (10 minutes)

1. The Nature of Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

2 Peter 1:20-21 – "No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

🔹 Quote:

"The authority of Scripture is greater than the comprehension of the whole of man's reason." — Martin Luther

2. The Bible’s Inerrancy and Trustworthiness

Psalm 19:7 – "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul."

Matthew 5:18 – Jesus affirmed Scripture’s reliability: "Until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished."

🔹 Quote:

"The Bible is not only a book which was once spoken, but a book which is now speaking." — A.W. Tozer

Discussion Question:

How does knowing that the Bible is God’s inspired Word affect how we read and obey it?

III. The Authority and Sufficiency of Scripture (10 minutes)

1. The Bible as Our Final Authority

Isaiah 40:8 – "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."

Hebrews 4:12 – "The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword."

Jesus used Scripture to combat temptation (Matthew 4:1-11)

🔹 Quote:

"What Scripture says, God says." — B.B. Warfield

2. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Salvation and Life

John 20:31 – "These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

James 1:22 – "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

🔹 Quote:

"We do not judge the Bible, but the Bible judges us." — John Stott

Discussion Question:

How does the Bible shape our daily lives and decisions?

IV. Application: Living by the Word (5 minutes)

1. How can we grow in our love for God’s Word?

Regular reading and study (Psalm 119:105)

Meditation and memorization (Joshua 1:8)

Obedience and application (James 1:22)

2. How do we defend the Bible’s authority in today’s culture?

By knowing and sharing Scripture (1 Peter 3:15)

By demonstrating its power in our lives (Matthew 7:24-27)

🔹 Quote:

"The Scriptures teach us the best way of living, the noblest way of suffering, and the most comfortable way of dying." — John Flavel

V. Conclusion and Challenge (5 minutes)

Reiterate: The Bible is God’s inspired, authoritative, and sufficient Word. It must be our foundation for faith and practice.

Challenge:

Commit to reading Scripture daily this week.

Memorize 2 Timothy 3:16-17 as a reminder of the Bible’s power.

Closing Prayer: Thank God for His Word and ask for a deeper hunger to study and obey it.