What is the Bible?

Goal: Today we are going to look at the arrangement and the content of the Bible.

Discuss: What is the biggest question or the biggest frustration that you have when trying to understand the Bible?

Introduction: The Bible is considered to the Word of God. As such, we not only believe that each word is inspired by God, but that the very order and types of words are inspired. In this lesson, we will seek to understand the “pieces” of the Bible so that we can understand the “whole” of the Bible.

Read Hebrews 1:1-4 (with special emphasis on verse 1).

The Bible is made up of Two Testaments

The Old Testament helps us to understand the Promises of God. It contains 39 books.

The Law (Genesis - Deuteronomy)

The Historical Books (Joshua - Esther)

Wisdom and Songs (Job - Song of Solomon)

The Prophets (Isaiah - Daniel)

The New Testament shows us how those promises are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. (Reference 2 Corinthians 1:20). It contains 27 books.

The Gospels (Matthew - John)

History (The Book of Acts)

The Letters (Romans - Jude)

Apocalyptic (Revelation)

The Bible is made up of different types of literature

History: How the record of how God has worked in the past.

Poetry: Expressions of praise.

Theology: Revelation of who God is.

Note: The Bible is not the end in itself. The purpose of the Bible is to teach who God is and what God has done.

Put it into practice:

Read Genesis 1, Psalm 1, John 1, and Romans 1 this week.

How do these different chapters seem to be different? How are they the similar?

Next week we will look at the question, “What does the Bible do?” or “How does the Bible effect my life?”