The Learn to Read theThe Learn to Read theBible Bible EffectivelyEffectively Seminar Seminar

Week 1Week 1

IntroductionIntroduction

• GoalHelp you to learn to read the Bible

effectively

• Why?More people familiar with God’s WordShare what we have learnedConcern for your salvationBut NOT attempt to convert you

OverviewOverview

• Week 1 IntroductionBackground of the BibleThe Bible interprets itselfOverview of the books of the Bible - Part 1Why the Bible is difficult to read

A Beginning (but crucial) tip!A Beginning (but crucial) tip!

• “Whose is this image and superscription?” (Mark 12:13-17)

• Look for Bible echoes echoes echoes…• “So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God created he him.” (Gen 1.27)

• Not a mysterious connection – an association gained by careful reading.

Section 2Section 2

Background of the Bible

Background to the BibleBackground to the Bible

• Holy Bible - Separate Book• 66 Books

Old Testament - 39 booksNew Testament - 27 books

• More than 40 writers• Written over 1600 years• 2930 characters in 1551 places• BUT no contradiction - Perfect harmony

• God is the author• God breathed – 2 Tim 3.15-17• “Thus saith the Lord….”• God’s words not mans - 2 Peter 1:19-21• God’s word never fails - Isaiah 40.6• Bible is source of Truth - Psalm 19.7-9• Provides direction for daily living - Ps

119.105

InspirationInspiration

• Let’s readcarefullyeagerlyhumblyheedfullyand prayerfully!

How Readest Thou?How Readest Thou?

Section 3Section 3

The Bible Interprets Itself

The Bible Interprets itselfThe Bible Interprets itself

• “When all else fails read the instructions”

• Key to easier understanding is found within the Bible.

Your questions about what the Your questions about what the Bible teaches are answered in Bible teaches are answered in

the Biblethe Bible

Look around….Look around….

• Look in same or surrounding chaptersParable of the sower

• Matt 13.3-8• Matt 13.18-23

• Look in other books of the Bible“My God, my God, why have you forsaken

me?”• Matt 27.46• Psalm 22

Do’s and Don’tsDo’s and Don’ts

Expect quick answersExpect quick answers Look at isolated passages and draw Look at isolated passages and draw

conclusionsconclusions

DON’TDON’T

Look first to Bible for answersLook first to Bible for answers Read all of the Bible to find answersRead all of the Bible to find answers Write down questionsWrite down questions

DODO

Section 4Section 4

Overview of the Books of the Bible (Part 1)

The BibleThe Bible

Old TestamentOld Testament New TestamentNew Testament

The LawThe ProphetsThe Writings

Overview of Books of the Overview of Books of the BibleBiblePart 1 – The Old Testament

Overview of Books of the Overview of Books of the BibleBible

• The LawThe Law Gen, Ex, Lev, Num, Deut

• The ProphetsThe Prophets Former prophets

• Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings

Latter prophets • Major

– Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel• Minor

– Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malach

Part 1 – The Old Testament

Part 1 – The Old Testament

Overview of Books of the Overview of Books of the BibleBible

• The WritingsThe Writings Poetical

• Psalms, Proverbs, Job Five Rolls

• Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther Historical

• Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Chronicles

• The ApocryphaThe Apocrypha Not part of Hebrew scriptures Included in Greek version of OT

Overview of Books of the Overview of Books of the BibleBible

• Session OutlinesPart 1 - Overview of BiblePart 2 - Exodus to DavidPart 3 - Solomon to Northern ExilePart 4 - Southern Exile to ChristPart 5 - Gospels, Acts, Letters to churchesPart 6 - Personal letters, General letters,

Revelation

Part 1 – The Old Testament

Overview of Books of the Overview of Books of the BibleBible

• GenesisCan we start in the New Testament?

• Matthew 1.1Single most important bookBook of beginningsGenesis and Revelation

• End posts of God’s revelation to man• How it all began - How it all will finish

Part 1 – The Old Testament

Genesis and RevelationGenesis and Revelation

• Spiritual creation(Rev 3.14)

• Serpent restrained(Rev 20.2)

• Curse removed(Rev 22.3)

• Sorrow and death taken away (Rev 21.4)

• Access to tree of life opened (Rev 2.7)

• Paradise opened to man (Rev 21.25)

• Natural creation (Gen 1)

• Serpent speaks (Gen 3.1-5)

• Curse imposed (Gen 3.17)

• Sorrow and death appear (Gen 3.16-17)

• Access to tree of life denied (Gen 3.24)

• Paradise closed to man (Gen 3.23)

DO!DO!

• Write down any major events you think are recorded in Genesis.

• Write down the names of any major people you think are recorded in Genesis.

Overview GenesisOverview Genesis

• Two partsPrimeval history - chapters 1 to 11

• Creation• Fall of Man• Flood• Tower of Babel

Patriarchal history - chapters 12 to 50• Abraham• Isaac• Jacob• Joseph

Overview of GenesisOverview of Genesis

SOME POINTS TO CONSIDERSOME POINTS TO CONSIDER

God’s first promiseGod’s first promiseGen 3.15Gen 3.15

God’s promise to AbrahamGod’s promise to AbrahamGen 12,13,15,22Gen 12,13,15,22

How Israel ended up in EgyptHow Israel ended up in EgyptGen 15, 37-50Gen 15, 37-50

Section 5Section 5

Why the Bible is Difficult to Read

Why the Bible is Difficult to ReadWhy the Bible is Difficult to Read

• Why did Jesus speak in parables?Separation process

Matthew 13.10

Is this fair?Romans 9.18-21

REMEMBERREMEMBER

““It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings to search out a matter” honour of kings to search out a matter”

(Proverbs 25.2)(Proverbs 25.2)

Why the Bible is Difficult to ReadWhy the Bible is Difficult to Read

• Who is Truth revealed to?Babes - Matthew 11.25-26NOT to the “wise” - 1 Cor. 1.17-31

• How do you gain understanding?Putting in time and energy

• Money and status of no advantage - Isaiah 55:1-3

Slowly….• Slowly revealed - Hebrews 1.1

• Prayerfully and Patiently - Matt 7.7-8

Remember….Remember….

You cannot speed-read You cannot speed-read the Biblethe Bible

Search it CarefullySearch it Carefullyand Prayerfullyand Prayerfully

ConclusionConclusion

• This week we looked at…. IntroductionBackground of the BibleThe Bible interprets itselfOverview of the books of the Bible - Part 1Why the Bible is difficult to read

ConclusionConclusion

• Next week we look at…. Next week we look at…. Why 2 TestamentsWhy 2 Testaments The Role of ProphecyThe Role of Prophecy Tips on ReadingTips on Reading Overview of the books of the Overview of the books of the

Bible - Part 2Bible - Part 2 Terminology - Part 1Terminology - Part 1