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Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute 1

3 ~ THE DISCIPLE & GOD’S WORD John 5:39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. (John 1:1)

2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 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. SUGGESTED READING

“Understanding Scripture” by a. Berkeley Mickelsen & Alvera Mickelsen “Exploring The Old Testament” by Samuel Schultz & Gary Smith “How to Read the Bible For All It’s Worth” by Gordon Fee & Douglass Stuart “Learn the Bible in 24 Hours” by Chuck Missler

INTRODUCTION The Bible was written in different lands over a period of 1,500 years by more than 40 authors from all walks of life: shepherds, farmers, tentmakers, physician, fishermen, philosophers, tax collector and kings. The Bible has a close-fitting unity because one Author wrote it. The Bible has been translated into more than 1,100 languages and dialects and has transcended all national and ethnic boundaries! The Bible is the unfolding story of how God acted in human history to establish His Kingdom to save man and glorify Himself. Although the main focus of the Bible is on the Kingdom of God, Jesus Christ is the Center of that activity (John 5:39). He is the Promised Redeemer who would defeat Satan and bring salvation to all who put their trust in Him (Genesis 3:15; John 3:3). HOW THE WRITTEN BIBLE IS CONSTRUCTED 1. The Bible is divided into two main sections. The Old Testament is the record of God’s relationship

with people before and in the Law. The New Testament is the record of God’s relationship with people after Jesus’ Birth, Sacrifice and Resurrection as well as the unfinished record of the Church, His Body in the earth.

2. The books are not all categorized in chronological order but are grouped according to _______________

of writing. (Notice addendum with descriptions of each of the books of the Bible at the end)

Effective Discipleship Through Academics, Service & Missions.

Discipleship Development is a ministry of Christian Life Center, A Foursquare Church 9085 California Avenue, Riverside, CA 92503 | 951-689-6785 | www.discipleshipdevelopment.org | Jack & Jane Lankhorst, Pastors


A. There are __________ Books in the Old Testament Pentateuch (The law) - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

Historical Books - Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther

Books of Poetry - Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs or Solomon

Major Prophets (Longer) - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel

Minor Prophets (Shorter) - Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

B. There are __________ Books in the New Testament

Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

Historical Book - Acts

Epistles (Letters, mostly by Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles) - Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude

Prophecy, Apocalyptic Book - Revelation A BRIEF OUTLINE OF OLD TESTAMENT EVENTS Many have difficulty seeing the major Bible events in chronological order simply because the books are grouped in the type of writing not in chronological order. The following is a very brief order... 1. The beginnings (Genesis 1 - 11:26).

The Creation account.

The fall of man and the consequences.

The flood: God’s judgment upon a corrupted mankind.

New beginnings for the human race and the dispersion. 2. The Patriarchal Era (Genesis 11:27 - 50:26)

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Joseph’s life.

Israel in Egypt. 3. The Exodus From Egypt (Exodus)

Moses, the plagues of Egypt and the deliverance out of Egypt.

The Covenant at Mount Sinai.

Establishing the Priesthood and the Tabernacle in the Wilderness. 4. The Years in the Wilderness (Numbers 10:11 - 25:18; Numbers 33)

Twelve spies sent into the Land of Canaan; the evil report of the ten.

God’s judgment and Israel’s forty year wanderings in the wilderness. 5. Possessing the Promised Land (Numbers 26:1 - 36:13; Joshua 1 - 24)

After Moses dies, Joshua crosses the Jordan, brings Israel into the Promised Land and begins the conquest.


6. The Judges and Transition to a Monarchy (Judges, 1 Samuel)

Israel’s seasons of revival, apostasy, servitude and deliverance by Judges.

7. The Monarchy (1 Samuel 8:1 - 15:35;

2 Samuel & Chronicles; 1 Kings 1 - 11; 2 Chronicles 1 - 9)

Samuel anoints Saul, Israel’s first King.

Samuel anoints David; David’s years fleeing from Saul; David becomes King in Judah, then Israel.

Solomon anointed as King and greatly enlarges Israel in every way.

8. The Divided Kingdom (1 Kings 12 -

22; 2 Kings 1 - 17; 2 Chronicles 10 - 27)

The Northern Kingdom of Israel (10 tribes)

After the death of Solomon the north ten tribes created the Northern Kingdom of Israel and ruled under Jeroboam with Samaria as the capital and religious center.

The Southern Kingdom of Judah (2 tribes)

Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, retained only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin and continued to use Jerusalem as the capital. The Kings of Judah, known as the Southern Kingdom, with one exception, retained continuous leadership in Jerusalem.

9. The Fall, Captivity and Exile of the Northern and the Southern Kingdoms

The fall of Israel, the Northern Kingdom, in 722 BC (2 Kings 17:7 - 23).

The fall of Judah, the Southern Kingdom, in 597 BC (2 Chronicles 36:15 - 23). 10. The Restoration of Israel (Ezra and Nehemiah)

The Hebrew remnant returned home in three contingents between 536 and 423 BC to rebuild the Temple (Zerubbabel), to establish the priesthood (Ezra), and to rebuild the wall (Nehemiah).

11. The Bible is then silent for 400 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, the Promised Redeemer

and Savior.


ISRAEL Approximately 930-722 BC Capital Samaria Jereboam I

Nadab

Baasha

Elah

Zimri

Omri/Tibni

Ahab & Jezebel

Ahaziah

Joram

Jehu

Jehoahaz

Jehoash

Jereboam II

Zechariah

Shallum

Menahem

Pekahiah

Pekah

Hoshea

The FALL of Israel and the Assyrian exile (722 BC). It was approximately 200 years from the beginning of the Divided Kingdoms to the fall of Israel. About 135 years later Judah was taken into captivity.

Elisha

Elijah

Hosea

Jonah Amos

JUDAH Approximately 930-597 BC Capital Jerusalem Rehoboham

Abijah

Asa

Jehoshaphat

Jehoram

Ahaziah

Athalia (Queen)

Joash

Amaziah

Azariah (Uzziah)

Jotham

Ahaz

Hezekiah

Manasseh

Amon

Josiah

Jehoahaz

Jehoiakim

Jehoiakin

Zedekiah

The FALL of Judah and the Babylonian exile (597 BC). Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the Temple. The RETURN (539 BC) and the restoration and rebuilding of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah

Isaiah Micah

Daniel Ezekiel

Nahum Zephaniah

Habakuk Obadiah

Haggai Zechariah Joel (?) Malachi

THE PROPHETS & KINGS OF ISRAEL (NORTHERN) & JUDAH (SOUTHERN)


THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN IN THREE LANGUAGES 1. ____________________________ The language in which most of the Old Testament was written which

died as a spoken language about 300 BC. 2. ____________________________ A kind of “first-cousin” to Hebrew. This was the everyday language of

the Jewish people in Palestine from 350 BC up to the time of Christ. 3. ____________________________ The language in which the New Testament was written. TWO MAJOR TYPES OF BIBLE TRANSLATIONS 1. _______________________________ translations are done by groups of scholars, specialists in Hebrew,

Greek or Aramaic, who work together on certain books or sections of the Bible. They usually are also extremely knowledgeable about the history, culture and the book they are translating.

The King James Version, The New King James Version, New International Version, New American Standard and Revised Standard Version

2. ___________________________________ translations are basically produced by one person who is skilled in

a literary style and often have scholars advising them. These translations are paraphrased and are easier to read but often reflect the doctrinal framework of the translator.

The Living Bible, Good News for Modern Man and J.B. Philips’ New Testament,

SAM’S VERSION OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN A man wanted to enter the ministry and went to a Bible College to be examined. There he was asked to tell the story of the Good Samaritan from the Book of Mark. This is his version...

“Once upon a time a man was goin’ from Jerusalem to Jericho and he fell among the thorns. The thorns grew up an chocked him, an he went on, an didn’t have any money. He went to the Queen of Sheba, an she gave him one thousand talents of money and a hundred changes of raiment. An then he got into a chariot an drove furiously. An when he was drivin’ under a big ole juniper tree, his hair done got caught on the limb of the tree, an he hung there many days and the ravens brought him food to eat and water to drink. Afterward he was hungered and he ate five thousand loaves and two small fishes. One night while he was hangin’ there asleep, his wife Delilah came along and cut off his hair and he dropped and he fell on stony ground. But he got up an went on, an it began to rain and it rained forty days and forty nights and he hid himself in a cave. He lived on locusts and wild honey. Then he went on till he met a servant who said, ‘Come take supper at my house. But he began to make excuses an said, ‘No, I won't, I married me a wife an I can’t go!’ And the servant went out into the highway and hedges and compelled them to come in. After supper he went on and came to Jericho. An when he got there he looked up and saw Queen Jezebel sittin’ way up in a high window, and she laughed at him. He said, ‘throw her down!’ And they throwed her down. He said, ‘Throw her down some more!’ An they throwed her down seventy times seven. An of the fragments they picked up twelve baskets full. Then they say, ‘Now in the resurrection whose wife she gonna be?’”


WRONG ATTITUDES IN READING THE BIBLE If our expectations about Bible study are to be fulfilled, we must be aware of attitudes that work against our understanding of Scripture. They include: 1. The ____________________________ method, the approach that there is a “cause and effect” to every

miraculous event recorded in the Bible (Matthew 14:13-21). 2. Interpreting through the lens of ______________________________________ ideas. We can be more

committed to erroneous ideas and beliefs taught in our childhood than we are to the actual teachings of the Bible.

3. A fear of _______________________ The tension of two apparent contradictions may confuse us. 4. Using _______________________________ literalism, obeying the commands or teachings we like and

ignoring the ones we do not like. 5. Looking for ___________________________________to complex problems, even at the expense of Truth. 6. Question: Do you think the doctrines you have been taught about the Bible regarding water

baptism, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, predestination, women in leadership, or the second coming of Christ, etc. influence the way you interpret certain passages of the Bible?

KEY: LEARN TO READ SCRIPTURE IN __________________________ 1. Scripture can ___________________ mean what it did not mean to the first (original) hearers and

readers. In speaking through real people, in a variety of circumstances, over a period of 1,500 years, God’s

Word was expressed in the vocabulary, and thought patterns of the people of those times and cultures. If they were going to hear it, it could only have come through events and in the language they could have understood. Our problem is that we are removed from them in time and culture. This is the reason we need to begin with the original communicated thoughts.

2. Understanding the two important key aspects of Bible interpretation:

A. ______________________________ This is the careful, systematic study of God’s Word to discover the writer’s original and intended meaning, taking into consideration the historical and literary contents, and the society of the time of writing.

B. _____________________________________ This is the entire field of Biblical interpretation. In a

narrower sense, it is bringing contemporary relevance to ancient texts, the Bible’s meaning for today.

3. Context is understood by the passages that _________________________ and _________________________it.

A. Historical context determines what was going on in the history of the readers whose thinking (as is ours) was deeply influenced by the circumstances of their day. Is there war going on? Against whom? Is there economic depression or drought, etc.?


B. Cultural context of Biblical times was very different from ours, and its writings must always be considered in light of its culture. Cultural behavior is usually never explained because the readers were knowledgeable of social customs.

C. Literary context asks questions such as: What was the basic purpose of this writing? What

comes before it and what follows it? What type of writing is it? D. Basic context is the entire book or passage. Why was it written? What is its basic message?

When Paul wrote 1 Corinthians he did so to answer a call for help because of serious problems. When he wrote 1 Timothy he was dealing with false teaching in the church at Ephesus.

4. Here are a few Scriptures that are commonly used in a way which is not always in line with their

context. Using the previous rules of interpretation, how would you interpret them? Choose one, write your interpretation and explain how you came to your conclusion.

A. Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:15-20 (Binding and loosing) B. 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 (Women should not teach in church) C. Hebrews 6:4-6 (We can lose our salvation) D. Revelation 3:20 (Evangelism)

OTHER RULES FOR STUDYING THE BIBLE 1. Always begin with prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to be your Guide (John 16:13). Then pray for

personal application. 2. The Bible uses many figures of speech such as hyperbole (John 21:25), similes and metaphors.

However, the Bible should be interpreted literally, exactly as it is written. 3. Interpret the Bible as a progressive revelation of God. The Old Testament is largely foundational

truth. The New Testament is largely fulfilled truth. 4. Never interpret Biblical text in a way that contradicts the rest of Scripture. To “rightly divide the

Word of God” (2 Timothy 2:15) means to cut in a straight line. 5. Wherever possible, let Scripture interpret Scripture (Matthew 13:18). 6. Bible interpretation is singular, Bible application may be plural. 7. Check out your interpretation with others you trust and get a “second opinion.” 8. Above all, be charitable to those who may differ with your interpretation. Never allow yourself to

think that you have “arrived.” In essentials: unity. In non-essentials: liberty. In all things: charity.


ELEMENTS OF A BASIC BIBLE STUDY WORKSHEET

On a separate sheet answer the following questions when using this form.

1. Bible Study Worksheet for (write out the passage you are studying).

2. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you understanding.

3. Identify the type of literature it is (history, poetry, prophecy).

4. Describe the historical and cultural context.

5. _____________________________________ What does it SAY?

A. Describe what is happening (outline the story plot, narrative, etc.).

B. Who are the characters?

C. Where and why do the events occur?

D. What is the key verse or thought?

6. _____________________________________ What does it MEAN?

A. What is the writer saying to the original hearers?

B. Why did he say what he did?

7. _____________________________________ How does it RELATE to other Scriptures?

A. Where is the message or theme stated in other books of the Bible?

B. Link the message of the passage to major themes and teachings of Scripture and give Scripture references.

8. _____________________________________ How does it APPLY to me today?

A. What are the important applicable truths?

B. Are there commands to obey?

C. Are there errors to avoid, sins to forsake?

D. Are there promises to receive?

E. What does this passage suggest I should be or do as a believer in Christ?


OTHER EXAMPLES OF BIBLE STUDY WORKSHEETS

MINOR PROPHETS WORKSHEET ~ THE BOOK OF HAGGAI 1. Read the book of Haggai

2. What is the life situation, the history and the problems of the people during the time this was written?

3. What is the faith situation, the relationship the people and the nation had with God?

4. What do we have in common with the situation of the first readers? 5. In what ways do we differ?

6. What lessons can be seen from Haggai that are applicable to us today?

PROVERBS WORKSHEET - PROVERBS 26:13-28 1. Read the Proverb 2. Summarize the intent in the following verses: 13-16; 17; 18-19; 20-21; 22; 23; 24-26; 27; 28 3. What “old fashioned basic values” can we learn from these? 4. What good advice is taught to encourage responsible living? 5. What attitudes and behaviors are warned against? 6. What is the proverbial intent (application for us today)?

GOSPEL/PARABLES WORKSHEET ~ LUKE 10:25-37 1. Read the parable of the Good Samaritan.

2. What events surround the parable?

3. What prompted Christ to speak the parable and to whom was the parable spoken?

4. What are the facts of the parable itself?

5. What would Jesus have wanted the original hearers to “catch” from this?

6. What is the message for us, today?

7. How would you share the applicable truths from this parable to someone today?


HOW TO USE A STRONG’S CONCORDANCE

1. Strong’s Concordance was written by Dr. James Strong, a professor of Exegetical Theology from Drew Theological Seminary in the late nineteenth century. A concordance is a practical tool for studying Scripture because:

A. It helps the student locate any verse in Scripture if the student can remember only one or more words from that verse.

B. It helps the student understand the Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic meaning behind any word in Scripture.

C. In‐depth word studies such as The Complete Word Study of the Old and New Testaments by Zodhiates are keyed to the KJV Strong’s Concordance.

2. The main sections of the concordance are the Scriptural reference for the words, the Hebrew Dictionary (Old Testament), and the Greek Dictionary (New Testament).

3. Suppose you want to find the passage in Scripture about putting on the armor of God. All you can remember is that it is somewhere in the New Testament. You would then look up the word “armor” in the main section. Skip the Old Testament listings until you reach the New Testament. Luke 11:22 is the first New Testament passage listed and does not sound like the passage you are looking for. The next passage is Romans 13:12 and the third passage is Ephesians 6:11. The phrase in Ephesians: “Put on the full armor of God” sounds like the passage you are looking for.

4. On the far right hand column of each entry is a number code. This code refers you to where you can find this word in the dictionary section located in the back of the concordance (in this case, the word would be “armor”).

6. Since you are looking up the word “armor” from Ephesians 6:11, you will notice the code number is 3833. If you want to know where else the same word in Greek is translated “armor,” look for other entrees that have the same number code. You will want to look in the Greek dictionary instead of the Hebrew dictionary. Example...

Hebrew Greek

7. Under number 3833, you will find the Greek word “panoplia”. This is the Greek word for “armor” found in Ephesians 6:11. Next you will find the phrase: “from 3956 and 3696.” These other codes will lead you to other words from which the Greek word “panoplia” was derived (its root meaning). Next, you will find its meaning: “all armor (1),” “full armor (2).” The number in the parentheses indicates the number of times the word conveys that particular meaning. By reading Ephesians 6:11 (“Put on the full armor of God…”), you will discover that in its context the word panoplia means full, complete, every piece of the armor instead of “all armor.”


SUGGESTED BIBLE STUDY HELPS & READING 1. Study Bibles (NKJV, NIV, RSV, NAS)

Spirit Filled Life Bible

Thompson Chain Reference

Life Application Bible

The Comparative Study Bible

2. Bible Handbooks

Hayford’s Bible Handbook

Halley’s Bible Handbook

Eerdman’s Handbook to the Bible 3. Concordances

Strong’s Concordance

Young’s Concordance 4. Bible Dictionaries

The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary

Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary 5. Word Study Books

The Complete Word Study of the Old and New Testaments (Zodhiates)

Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words 6. Theology Books

Foundations of Pentecostal Theology (Guy P. Duffield & N.M Van Cleave) 7. Cross Reference Books

Nave’s Topical Bible 8. Bible Atlas 9. Other books

Grounds for Living (Dr. Jack W. Hayford)

God’s Final Answer, Studies in Hebrews (Dr. Harold Helms)


THE OLD TESTAMENT PENTATEUCH (THE LAW)

The first five books of the OT describe the beginning of the world and the beginning of the Jewish nation. The Jewish people call these books the Law and Moses is considered their author. GENESIS is the book of beginnings. Genesis 1-11 cover creation, the fall of man, the Flood, and the growth of the nations. In Genesis 12, God chose Abraham to be the father of the Jewish race. The rest of Genesis is the story of Abraham and his descendants Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph (the Patriarchs) and the birth of the Jews. EXODUS gives the history of the Jewish people from their stay in Egypt until the giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai. God chose Moses to lead the people out of bondage and gave him the laws that were to be the foundation of the nation. These laws are summarized in the Ten Commandments. LEVITICUS gives additional, detailed instruction about Israel’s worship, especially the priesthood and sacrifices. God called his people to be holy and to live for him. NUMBERS describes Israel's time in the wilderness, from Mt. Sinai, where God gave the Law, to Kadesh Barnea, where only two spies wanted to obey God and enter the Promised Land, as well as the forty years of wilderness wandering that resulted from Israel’s disobedience. DEUTERONOMY is a series of speeches given by Moses to the Israelites as they were about to enter the Promised Land. Moses reminded the people of the laws God had given them, of their disobedience to God, and of their need to obey God in the Promised Land by keeping his law.

THE HISTORICAL BOOKS

The historical books tells the history of Israel from the time the nation entered the Promised Land until about 400 B.C. JOSHUA describes the conquest of the land under Moses’ successor, Joshua. Under his leadership, the land was settled and divided among the twelve tribes. JUDGES covers the period between Joshua’s death and the crowning of King Saul. During this era, God raised up leaders known as judges to lead the Israelites against their enemies. After each victory, however, the people forgot God. RUTH is a story about family loyalty that is set during the time of the judges. Because of her loyalty to

THE OLD TESTAMENT

Pentateuch |

Historical Books | Page 12

Books of Poetry | Page 13

The Major Prophets | Page 13

The Minor Prophets | Page 14

THE NEW TESTAMENT

The Gospels | Page 15

The Book of Acts | Page 15

The General Epistles | Page 15

The Pastoral Epistles | Page 16

The Book of Revelation | Page 17


her mother-in-law, Ruth became part of the family of God, though she was a Gentile. Ruth was an ancestor of Jesus. 1 SAMUEL covers the history of Israel from the birth of Samuel, the prophet who anointed Israel’s first two kings, to the death of Saul. 2 SAMUEL describes the reign of King David, beginning with the civil war that followed Saul’s death. David established Jerusalem as his capital. 1 KINGS begins with the reign of Solomon and the building of the temple. After Solomon’s death, the kingdom was divided into two nations: the northern kingdom (Israel--ten tribes) and the southern kingdom (Judah--two tribes). 2 KINGS is the continued history of Israel and Judah. Because of her unfaithfulness, Israel was defeated by the Assyrians and taken captive in 722 B.C., and Judah was taken captive by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. 1 CHRONICLES was written from a priestly viewpoint (probably that of Ezra the scribe). First Chronicles emphasizes David’s important role in developing worship in Israel and the need for obeying God to receive his blessing. 2 CHRONICLES describes Solomon’s reign, the temple that he built, and the worship that took place there. The last chapters (2 Chron 10-36) are devoted to the history of Judah. EZRA tells about the return of the Jews from Babylon under Zerubbabel and their worship in the rebuilt temple. The last four chapters (Ezra 7-10)describe the second group of exiles who returned with Ezra and his religious reforms. NEHEMIAH returned with the third group of exiles and helped rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. After Ezra's public reading of the law (the Pentateuch), the people confessed their disobedience to God and promised to obey him in the future. These were the last historical events recorded in the OT. ESTHER is the story of Esther, a Jewish girl who became queen of Persia and who was able to

prevent a plot to destroy the Jews. The Feast of Purim celebrates Israel’s deliverance through Esther’s faithfulness and God’s grace.

THE BOOKS OF POETRY

The poetic books have much to say about the problem of suffering, the need for praise, and how to live daily in relation with God. JOB concerns the struggle between the experience of suffering and faith in the love and justice of God. God allowed Satan to test Job by making him suffer. Job’s three friends offered various reasons for his suffering. After God spoke to Job, he realized that he must trust in God’s sovereign love in the midst of his troubles. PSALMS was Israel’s songbook. It contains sacred songs, poems, and prayers, written by David, Solomon, and others. The poems describe how people felt in times of thanksgiving, joy, sorrow, and trouble. PROVERBS is the best example of wisdom literature in the Bible. The theme of this book is stated in Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” Proverbs teaches how to obey God in our dealings with one another. ECCLESIASTES examines all that life has to offer. The author discovered that life apart from God is meaningless and urged us to fear God and obey him. Only then will we find purpose. SONG OF SONGS is a poem about the beauty of love between a man and a woman. God intends that such love be a normal part of marriage in his good creation.

THE MAJOR PROPHETS

In this context, major refers to the length of the books, not to their importance. Through the major prophets, God warned Israel that he would judge her if she did not turn from sin and worship and obey the Lord. These prophets lived from about 740 to 540 B.C. ISAIAH prophesied from 740 to 680 B.C. and is the most frequently quoted prophet in the NT. The


first thirty-nine chapters of Isaiah contain a number of prophetic poems concerning God’s impending judgment against foreign nations and Israel. During Isaiah’s ministry, the northern kingdom was taken captive by Assyria. Even Judah was threatened (Isaiah 36-37), but God miraculously protected his people. Isaiah 40-66, sometimes called the Book of Comfort, reveal the return of the people from Exile in Babylon, the coming of the Messiah, and everlasting deliverance for God’s people. JEREMIAH was the last prophet God sent to Judah before she fell to the Babylonians and Jerusalem was destroyed. Jeremiah announced God's coming judgment and called the people to repent and submit to God. LAMENTATIONS is a funeral song (probably written by Jeremiah) concerning the destruction of Jerusalem. Although mourning deeply over the city, the prophet knew that God’s judgment was a result of the people’s sin. In calling the people to repentance, he reminded them that God’s compassion never fails. EZEKIEL was taken to Babylon in 597 B.C. as a captive. There he prophesied to the exiles about the coming destruction of Jerusalem (which occurred in 586 B.C.) and about God’s judgment of other nations. Ezekiel emphasized God’s Lordship over all nations. He wrote about a new covenant in which God would give his people a new heart and they would be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. DANIEL, another prophet exiled to Babylon, served in the king’s court but remained faithful to God. His visions depict the future, triumphant outworking of God's redemptive plan for history. Daniel predicted the return from exile, the coming of the Messiah, and other future historical events.

THE MINOR PROPHETS

The minor prophets are twelve prophets who wrote from about 800 to 400 B.C. during three periods: the period of Assyria's power (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah), the period of Assyria's decline (Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah), and the postexilic era (Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi). These writings are grouped together and referred

to as minor because they are shorter than those of the major prophets, not because they are of minor importance. HOSEA was written in the final days of the northern kingdom before the Assyrian captivity. Hosea likened his wife’s unfaithfulness to Israel’s unfaithfulness to God, her covenant husband and Lord. Hosea proclaimed God's love and compassion for Israel, his bride, and his desire for her repentance. JOEL, a prophet to Judah, likened God’s current judgment of a terrible locust plague to the coming Day of the Lord, when God would judge all people. Joel urged repentance and promised that one day God would pour out his Spirit on all flesh. AMOS was a man of Judah whom God sent to prophesy against the northern kingdom at the height of its power under Jeroboam II. Amos accused the wealthy of mistreating the poor, condemned their outward show of worship, and predicted their future judgment. OBADIAH predicted God's judgment on the nation of Edom, the people who were descended from Esau. In the past this nation had persecuted Israel, but in the future Israel would be delivered; God’s kingdom would triumph. JONAH, a contemporary of Amos, was sent by God to warn the people of Nineveh to repent. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, Israel's main enemy. Because of Jonah’s preaching, the Ninevites repented. This taught Jonah that God loves all people, not just Israel. MICAH prophesied the downfall of the northern kingdom and future judgment on disobedient Judah. Micah predicted that glory would return to Zion through the coming of the Messiah. NAHUM predicted the downfall of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, as God’s judgment for her cruelty. The prediction was fulfilled in 612 B.C. when Babylon conquered Assyria. HABAKKUK, a prophet to Judah, learned that God would use Babylon to punish wicked Judah and then in turn would judge Babylon. Habakkuk


concluded that no matter what happened, he would trust in God’s unfailing love and faithfulness. ZEPHANIAH was a prophet in Jerusalem during the reign of Josiah. He announced the coming of the Day of the Lord, when God would punish Judah and the nations, and prophesied a future restoration of Israel. HAGGAI, a contemporary of Zechariah, encouraged the Jews who had returned from exile to finish rebuilding the temple. Haggai promised that God once again would fill the temple with his glory, as he had in the days of Solomon. ZECHARIAH was also a prophet who returned from exile and whose apocalyptic visions served as an encouragement to God’s people to complete the temple. The final chapters of this book (Zechariah 9-14) are visions of the Messiah’s future coming, his rejection, and his ultimate victory. MALACHI, the final prophet of the Old Testa-ment, rebuked the Jews for their careless worship and urged them to return to God and obey his law. Malachi predicted the coming of the Messiah, who would cleanse and purify his people.

THE NEW TESTAMENT THE GOSPELS

The first four books recount the life of Christ, His ministry, Sacrificial Death, and Resurrection. Each gospel depicts Jesus’ life and ministry from a particular viewpoint, for a particular audience, and purpose. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the Synoptic Gospels (seeing together), because many of the same events and teachings appear in all three. John often relates information not found in the others. MATTHEW wrote his gospel for Jewish readers to show how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy and to prove by this that Jesus was the promised Messiah and King. MARK, the shortest gospel, was written by John Mark for Gentile readers and includes material received from Peter. This gospel is a fast-moving,

vivid report of Jesus’ ministry from his baptism through the resurrection. It emphasizes Jesus' actions rather than his teachings. LUKE was a Gentile physician who wrote to educated Gentiles, perhaps for those who had been associated with the synagogues but who had not converted to Judaism. Luke presented a complete, orderly account of Christ’s life from his birth to his ascension. Luke emphasized the works and teachings of Jesus that explain the way of salvation and the universal appeal of the Gospel. JOHN, which is usually understood to have been written by the apostle John, is a more reflective gospel that focuses on Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. John wrote so that his readers might “believe that Jesus is the Christ” and therefore have life in His Name (20:30-31). John included many details not found in the other Gospels.

THE HISTORICAL BOOK Acts was written by Luke as the second volume of his two-part work Luke and Acts. Acts is an account of the early church as it grew from a small, frightened band of disciples to a group of believers spread throughout the Roman Empire. Acts centers around the work of Peter (with the Jews) and Paul (with the Gentiles).

THE GENERAL EPISTLES

The twenty-one epistles of the New Testament were written by five or six authors to individual churches, to groups of churches, or to individuals. These authors are James, John, Jude, Paul, Peter, and the author of Hebrews. Paul wrote the greatest number (13 or 14) of the epistles. His writings include much teaching about the Christian faith, as well as encouragement to put that faith into practice in daily living. ROMANS is one of the most important books in the Bible because it comprehensively explains God’s plan of salvation for Jews and Gentiles (1:16-17). In Romans, Paul taught the great doctrines of Christianity in a systematic fashion. 1 CORINTHIANS was written by Paul to the church at Corinth during his third missionary journey. The Corinthian church was plagued with


problems in Christian conduct. Paul emphasized the Corinthians’ need to grow in sanctification--the continuing development of a holy, Godlike character. 2 CORINTHIANS was written as a response to untrue accusations made against Paul by false teachers. In this intensely personal epistle, Paul defended his apostleship and urged the Corinthians to prepare for his upcoming visit by completing their collection for the church in Jerusalem and by dealing with the false teachers. GALATIANS was written by Paul to the churches in Asia Minor to remind new Christians that salvation comes by faith alone in Jesus Christ, not by obedience to the Jewish ceremonial law, as was falsely being taught by some. Paul urged his readers to live lives controlled by the Spirit, lives that produce the fruits of righteousness. EPHESIANS was probably written to a group of churches in Asia Minor that included Ephesus. In this epistle, Paul focused on the doctrines of union with Christ and the church as the body of Christ. Paul urged Christians to achieve unity in doctrinal and practical matters by speaking the truth in love and by standing against Satan, the Christian’s enemy. PHILIPPIANS is a joyous epistle that Paul wrote to the church in Philippi to thank them for their gifts and to encourage them to stand firm when persecuted. Paul reminded the Philippians of Christ’s humility and suffering on their behalf, and he urged them to rejoice with him in the Lord. COLOSSIANSwas written to the church at Colosse to correct two types of false teaching: (1) a Jewish emphasis on ceremonial law and feast days and (2) a philosophy that included claims to secret knowledge and the worship of angels. In contrast to the emptiness of human philosophy, Paul emphasized the complete adequacy of Christ - Jesus alone deserves our worship and obedience. 1 THESSALONIANS is one of Paul’s earliest letters and was written to a church that he started on his second missionary journey. Paul encouraged the persecuted young Christians to live godly lives,

and he corrected some of the false ideas they had, especially ideas concerning Christ's second coming. 2 THESSALONIANS was written shortly after First Thessalonians and deals with the same topics. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to remain true to Christ, even when persecuted. He also provided additional teaching about eschatology (the doctrine of last things). He described the apostasy that will precede Christ’s coming in judgment and urged the Thessalonians to stand firm in the faith.

THE PASTORAL EPISTLES

1 and 2 Timothy and Titus are called Pastoral Letters because they contain Paul's encouragement and instruction to Timothy and Titus, who were responsible for overseeing the churches in Ephesus and on Crete. 1 TIMOTHY is a personal letter to Timothy about the administration of the Ephesian church. Paul wrote it between his first and second imprisonments. It includes a discussion of the qualifications for elders, instructions for conducting worship, and warnings against false teachers. 2 TIMOTHY , which was written from prison, is Paul’s last known letter. In this letter, Paul encouraged Timothy to remain faithful in the face of increasing persecution and false teaching and to preach sound doctrine and live a godly life. TITUS also received instructions from Paul about the qualifications for church leaders, as well as warnings about false teachers who professed to know God but who denied him by their deeds. Paul emphasized the need for believers to live holy lives (sanctification). PHILEMON is a short letter in which Paul urged a fellow Christian, Philemon, to accept the return of his runaway slave Onesimus, who had become his brother in Christ. HEBREWS is an unsigned letter. Suggestions as to its authorship include Paul, Barnabas, Apollos and Priscilla. Hebrews was written to Jewish


THE CENTER OF THE BIBLE

What is the shortest chapter in the Bible? —Psalms 117

What is the longest chapter in the Bible? —Psalms 119

Which chapter is in the center of the Bible? —Psalms 118

There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118 and 594 chapters after Psalms 118

Add these numbers together and you get 1188

What is the center verse in the Bible? —Psalms 118:8

Psalms 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.

Christians to remind them that Christ was greater than angels, Moses, the Old Testament priests, and the Law. Jesus is the highest revelation of God. The author urged his readers to be faithful to their commitment to Christ in the face of persecution. JAMES was the half brother of Jesus. He reminded Christians that they must do more than just say they belong to Christ — they must live and act accordingly. True saving faith will produce Christian actions. 1 PETER is Peter’s message of hope to encourage Christians who were suffering persecution from outsiders. Peter encouraged his readers to behave in a godly manner, knowing that their salvation is certain, and to look for the glory that is to be revealed. 2 PETER is a more general letter than 1 Peter. It warns Christians of the dangers of false teachers inside the church, encourages them in their Christian growth, and exhorts them to be watchful because Christ is coming again. 1 JOHN was written to assure believers of the reality of the Incarnation and to warn against false teachers who claimed to be perfect (though they were immoral) and who taught that Jesus was not really a man. John stressed the need for Christians to love God and each other.

2 JOHN was addressed either to a church or to a particular woman and encourages Christians to love one another and to beware of false teachers. 3 JOHN was written to Gaius, a leader in the church, to praise him for welcoming traveling teachers sent by John. Another leader, Diotrephes, rejected both John and these teachers. JUDE was probably written by one of Jesus’ half brothers. Jude warned his readers to beware of false teachers who taught that being saved by grace meant that people could live any way they pleased. Jude urged Christians to keep themselves in God's love until Christ returns.

THE APOCALYPTIC OR PROPHETIC BOOK REVELATION, the last book in the Bible, is the only New Testament book that is primarily prophetic. Revelation is the unveiling of Jesus Christ in the end times and belongs to the category of apocalyptic literature because John received his message by means of a vision. In the future final confrontation between God and Satan, Christians must stand firm against Satan’s persecution. Christians will be vindicated when Christ returns, destroys the wicked, fully establishes his kingdom, and ushers in the new heaven and new earth.


ANSWERS THE DISCIPLE & GOD’S WORD type (of writing) 39 27 Hebrew Aramaic Greek committee One person scientific pre-conceived Paradox Selective Easy answers CONTEXT never Exegesis Hermeneutics precede follow Observation Interpretation Correlation Application

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