LEARN TO READ THE BIBLE EFFECTIVELY. INTRODUCTIONS Ken Sommerville Jeff Gelineau Others

LEARN TO READ THE BIBLE EFFECTIVELY


INTRODUCTIONSINTRODUCTIONS

Ken Sommerville

Jeff Gelineau

Others...

WHO WE AREWHO WE ARE

The Christadelphians…The Christadelphians…

• World-wide community of Bible believers• United by common faith in Gospel

OUR MOTIVATIONOUR MOTIVATION

The Christadelphians…The Christadelphians…

•Believe Bible holds Believe Bible holds answers to fundamental answers to fundamental needs of all peopleneeds of all people•Desire to help others Desire to help others discover the Bible discover the Bible message message for themselvesfor themselves

HELP YOU READTHE BIBLE EFFECTIVELY


We will…We will…



We will… Help you become familiar with the

CONTENT of the Bible


CONTENT of the Bible




CONTENT of the Bible Assist you in learning the MEANING of

the Bible



the Bible





the Bible Give you CONFIDENCE in the Bible as

God’s inspired word



the Bible Give you CONFIDENCE in the Bible as

God’s inspired word

Yours to keep, mark in, take notes on

Can be asked at the conclusion of each presentation

How the Seminar will work...How the Seminar will work...

FORMAT:

CONTENT:

ATMOSPHERE:

QUESTIONS:

WORKBOOKS:

FORMAT:

CONTENT:

ATMOSPHERE:

QUESTIONS:

WORKBOOKS:

Informal & friendly

Varied, to meet needs of both new and experienced Bible readers

Alternating presentations



Session 1•Introduction•First Bible Reading Key•Background to The Bible•Overview of Books (1)•The Bible Interprets Itself

1

EFFECTIVEBIBLE READING KEY

Listen for Bible Listen for Bible EchoesEchoes(Section 1, pg. 1 in Notes)

Listening For Bible Echoes

“Then they sent to him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch him in his words. When they had come, they said to him, Teacher, we know that you are true, and care about no one; for you do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?”

“Then they sent to him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch him in his words. When they had come, they said to him, Teacher, we know that you are true, and care about no one; for you do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?”


“But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, Whose image and inscription is this? And they said, Caesar's.

“Then Jesus answered and said to them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marveled at him.”

“But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, Whose image and inscription is this? And they said, Caesar's.

“Then Jesus answered and said to them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marveled at him.” Mark 12:13-17

Genesis 1:27


“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

BACKGROUND OF THE BIBLE

BACKGROUND OF THE BIBLE

Coming next...Coming next...

BACKGROUD OF THE BIBLE

(Section 2, pg. 3 in Notes)

BACKGROUD OF THE BIBLE

•Holy Bible: Separate Book

•66 Books

•> 40 Writers

•Written over ~1600 Years

•2930 Characters in 1551 Places

•Holy Bible: Separate Book

•66 Books

•> 40 Writers

•Written over ~1600 Years

•2930 Characters in 1551 Places

God is the Author

“from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” - 2 Timothy 3:15-17

“We also have the prophetic word made more sure, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” - 2 Peter 1:19-21

Men Recorded God’s Words

IMPORTANCE OF THE BIBLE

Source of Absolute Truth“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes…” - Psalm 19:7-8

Provision of Hope“For whatsoever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

- Romans 15:4

Provision of Salvation“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” - Romans 1:16

IMPORTANCE OF THE BIBLE

Provision of Daily Guidance“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” - Psalm 119:105

1800 Abraham, Patriarchs1290 Exodus (some say 1440), Moses, Joshua1050 Beginning of Israelite Monarchy, Samuel, Saul1000 King David, Nathan922 Division of Israel: Rehoboam, Jeroboam I850 Ahab and Jezebel, Elijah and Elisha750 Rise of Assyria (745); Amos, Hosea, 721 End of Northern Kingdom; Ahaz, Isaiah701 Invasion of Judah, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Micah605 Rise of the Babylon, Jeremiah, Habakkuk598 Captivity in Babylon; Jeremiah, Ezekiel586 Destruction of Jerusalem, Exile538 Babylon falls, Return from exile, Cyrus450 Reforms of Ezra, Nehemiah, Malachi63 Roman takes Palestine under Pompey6-3 Birth of Jesus, Herod the Great

BIBLICAL DATES - BC

27-30 Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ33-60 Ministry of Paul45 Council of Jerusalem50 Paul, Barnabus, Silas, Thessalonians60-70 First Gospel written: Mark, death of Paul70 Destruction of Jerusalem by general Titus 90 Last NT writings: Gospel of John, Revelation135 Bar Kochba rebellion, Jews expelled

BIBLICAL DATES - AD

BREAK TIME...

OVERVIEW OF THE BIBLE: Part 1

THE BEGINNING


THE BIBLE (66 Books)

OLD TESTAMENT (39 Books, 75% of Bible)

Genesis I Kings Ecclesiastes ObadiahExodus II Kings S. Solomon JonahLeviticus I Chronicles Isaiah MicahNumbers II Chronicles Jeremiah NahumDeuteronomy Ezra Lamentations HabakkukJoshua Nehemiah Ezekiel ZephaniahJudges Esther Daniel HaggaiRuth Job Hosea ZechariahI Samuel Psalms Joel MalachiII Samuel Proverbs Amos

NEW TESTAMENT (27 Books, 25% of Bible)

Matthew II Corinthians I Timothy II PeterMark Galatians II Timothy I JohnLuke Ephesians Titus II JohnJohn Philippians Philemon III JohnActs Colossians Hebrews JudeRomans I Thessalonians James RevelationI Corinthians II Thessalonians I Peter

BIBLE OVERVIEW: Part 1 of 6

GENESIS CreationExpulsion from EdenThe FloodAbraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph

EXODUS Israel enslaved in EgyptExodus from Egypt led by MosesWilderness Journey

10 commandments given at Sinai Failed entry into Promised Land

LEVITICUS Law given for priests and people

NUMBERS Numbering of the people40 years in the wilderness

DEUTERONOMY 40 years in the wildernessThe Law from SinaiDeath of Moses

CREATION & EDEN Genesis 1-2

The BeginningIn the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.- Genesis 1:1

Paradise: Harmony between God and EarthAnd God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.- Genesis 1:31

God Creates ManAnd God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...”- Genesis 1:26

PARADISE LOST Genesis 3-5

The Curse of Eden“Then to Adam He said, Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you… Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life… In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return. - Genesis 3:17-19

Murder: The Accusation of BloodThen the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” And the LORD said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground.” - Genesis 4:9-10

THE FLOOD Genesis 6-10

God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth… and it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. - Genesis 6:5-6

Promise of EternityAnd when the LORD smelled the pleasing odor, the LORD said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I ever again destroy every living creature as I have done.” - Genesis 8:21

ABRAHAM: A CHOSEN PEOPLEGenesis 12-25

God’s Promise to AbrahamThe LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country… and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you… and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” - Genesis 12:1-3

The Friend of GodAbraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.- James 2:23

Conventional definition:The 12 sons of Jacob (Israel)By Division of the Land

12 TRIBES OF ISRAELGenesis 25-50

Esau Jacob & Israel

Ishmael Isaac

Abraham

Simeon Judah Naphtali Asher Zebulun Benjamin

Reuben Levi Dan Gad Issachar Joseph

Ephraim Manasseh

SLAVERY IN EGYPT Exodus 1-2

Egypt enslaves Israel So they made the people of Israel serve with rigour, and made their lives bitter with hard service… - Exodus 1:13

God Remembers His PeopleAnd God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God saw the people of Israel, and God knew their condition. - Exodus 2:24-25

MOSES: FREEDOM FROM OPPRESSION Exodus - Deuteronomy

A Chosen Leader“…I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring forth my people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.” - Exodus 3:9-10

The Ten Commandments“I am the LORD your God… You shall have no other gods before me… for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”- Exodus 20:2-6

A Holy PriesthoodThis is what the Lord spoke, saying: “By those who come near Me, I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people, I must be glorified.” - Leviticus 10:1

A Holy People“You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy… You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” - Lev. 19:17-18

LeviticusA LAW FORA LAW FORGODS PEOPLEGODS PEOPLE

THE WILDERNESS JOURNEY Numbers

Numbering The People“As the Lord commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the Wilderness of Sinai.” - Numbers 1:17-19

Forty Years in The Wilderness“According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely forty years, and you shall know My rejection.” - Numbers 14:20-23,34

MOSES’ LAST WORDS Deuteronomy

Looking Back 40 Years“Now it came to pass… Moses spoke to the children of Israel according to all that the Lord had given him as commandments… Moses began to explain this law…” - Deut. 1:3-5

Love God Only!“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” - Deut. 6:1-5

The Death of Moses“So Moses the servant of the Lord died… Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished. - Deut. 34:5-8

What do we learn about God?• God is a lone power in the Universe, and the Creator of all things.

• Events in Eden led to a divorce in communion between man and God.

• God wants to heal this divorce, and so chose a people (through Abraham, who believed God).

• God made a promise that his chosen people would inherit a Promised Land.

• God does not forget or abandon his people: he created a deliverer for them so they could break free of slavery.

• God loves his people, and so gave them a law to create a safe society for them.

THE BIBLETHE BIBLEINTERPRETS ITSELFINTERPRETS ITSELFTHE BIBLETHE BIBLEINTERPRETS ITSELFINTERPRETS ITSELF(Section 4, pg. 13 in Notes)(Section 4, pg. 13 in Notes)

Next…



2 The Bible The Bible Interprets ItselfInterprets Itself

The Bible The Bible Interprets ItselfInterprets Itself


Looking in the Same Chapter

Looking in the New Testament

Looking in the Old Testament

Looking in the Same Chapter

Looking in the New Testament

Looking in the Old Testament

Let The Bible Interpret ItselfLet The Bible Interpret Itself

Looking in the Same Chapter Matthew 13

Looking in the Same Chapter Matthew 13

Verses 1-9Verses 1-9




“Have you understood all these things?”

Looking in the New Testament Exodus 3:1-6


Who is speaking?

God or an Angel?

Who is speaking?

God or an Angel?



And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai. When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he drew near to observe, the voice of the Lord came to him, saying, I am the God of your fathers the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. - Acts 7:30-32



Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. For My Angel will go before you. - Exodus 23:20-23

Looking in the Old Testament Matthew 27:46


Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. For My Angel will go before you. - Exodus 23:20-23



My God, my God,

why have youforsaken me?

Matthew 27:39-49Matthew 27:39-49

Points to notice...Points to notice...

• Quotation leads us to Psalm 22

• “Why have you forsaken me?”

• “Eli, Eli…”

• Those most familiar with the Word of God

• Religious rulers mocked Jesus

Psalm 22Psalm 22Points to notice...Points to notice...

• Verses 14-21: God did not forsake Jesus

• Verses 30-31: “It is finished!”

• Verses 16-18

• Verse 15: “I thirst.”

• Verses 7-8, 11-12: Almost exactly what the leaders said!

Some Practical AdviceSome Practical Advice

DO…Look first to the Bible for answers to your questionsRead all of the Bible to find answers to your questionsWrite down questions (it may be a while before you

find an answer)

DO…Look first to the Bible for answers to your questionsRead all of the Bible to find answers to your questionsWrite down questions (it may be a while before you

find an answer)

DON’T...Expect quick answersLook at isolated passages and draw conclusions

Keys to Effective Bible ReadingKeys to Effective Bible Reading

Listen for Bible EchoesListen for Bible Echoes

2

3 Read CarefullyRead Carefully

Let the Bible Interpret ItselfLet the Bible Interpret Itself

1

QUESTIONS???QUESTIONS???

NEXT WEEK...NEXT WEEK...

The Purpose of God RevealedOverview of Books (2)Why The Bible is Difficult to Read

The Purpose of God RevealedOverview of Books (2)Why The Bible is Difficult to Read

Documents

LEARN TO READ THE BIBLE EFFECTIVELY. INTRODUCTIONS Ken Sommerville Jeff Gelineau Others