NEW CONVERTS CLASS LESSON #3
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YOU AND YOUR BIBLE
The Bible is God's Word to man. It reveals the plan of God for all of mankind. It reveals the nature of God, the sinfulness of man, the plan of salvation in Christ, the prospects of heaven for the saved, the doom of the unsaved in hell, guidelines for the Christian to follow in order to live and act as he should. It is God's word to US. It is the most important object we have on this earth. We are to love it, learn it, and then live by it.
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HOW WE GOT THE BIBLE
God has communicated with man in many different ways. Men like Joseph of the Old Testament was spoken to through dreams. Daniel also had dreams from God. Men like Isaiah and Ezekiel had visions from the Lord. Normally in the Old Testament God spoke to people through His prophets, the preachers of that day.
But today, in New Testament times, God speaks only through His Word, the Bible. Hebrews 1:1-2 tells us that God spoke in many different ways in the Old Testament, but has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, who is called in the Bible, THE WORD OF GOD. (SEE John 1:1 and Revelations 19:13) God no longer chooses to speak through dreams or visions but through the Bible.
God used some 40 men over several hundred years to record His word. God supervised His writing through these men of God. Even though men are not perfect, God did not allow these men to make errors when recording His word for the generations to follow. The Holy Spirit directed these men. It was not just their ideas and thoughts. 2 Peter says in l:21, "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" Every word and every thought in the Bible is put there and approved by God Himself.
God has preserved His Word down through the years so we could have it to live by. The critics have tried to destroy it, but have failed. Matthew 24:35 says it will always stand, never to be done away with. God is the author of the Bible and He has given it to us.
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IMPORTANCE OF THE BIBLE TO YOU
God puts great emphasis on His Word. In fact, the longest chapter in the whole Bible (Psalm 119), speaks entirely about the Bible and its place in our life. God wants to talk with us and teach us. He cannot do this unless we read His Word. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that all scripture is "inspired" of God and is profitable to us. This is called the doctrine of the "inspiration of Scripture". It means every word that the writer wrote down was exactly what God wanted written. This is also called the doctrine of "verbal plenary inspiration", or in other words every word was inspired of God and was without error.
"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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:17)
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l. BIBLE IS OUR FOOD
The Bible is spiritual food to the Christian and is absolutely necessary if you are to grow and develop into a strong and mature Christian. We must have physical food to live, but also must have spiritual food to stay healthy spiritually. A new believer is Christ is called in the Bible a spiritual babe. Peter tells us that new babes in Christ are to desire the sincere milk of the word that they might grow thereby (I Peter 2:2). The only way a baby can develop and grow to adulthood is to eat properly.
A Christian needs to feed from the Bible every day. A baby is not fed once or twice a week, but has to be fed constantly.
2. BIBLE IS OUR LIGHT
The Bible is called a light, because it guides our daily walk with God. it tells us what to do and know how to live. David said in Psalm 119:105, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." The Bible will be our guide trough this life.
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3. BIBLE IS OUR SPIRITUAL WEAPON
Ephesians 6:11,17 says we are to put on the whole armor of God that we might stand against the tricks of devil. When Jesus was tempted by Satan, He met every temptation with God's Word (Matthew 4:3-11). We can do the same. The Bible is our sword in the battle against Satan's temptations. Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
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HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE
Since the Bible is God's Word to us, and He is the author, then we must read and study it to know what He wants to tell us. The Bible is very important to us and is very profitable to us. We must therefore study it and live by it. There are different ways to feed on God's word in order to grow spiritually.
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1. STUDY BIBLE BY HEARING IT
Romans 10:17 says, "faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. We need this faith in order to live properly for the Lord. One of the best ways to study the Bible this way is to hear it preached and taught at church. That is why it is so important to be in church every Sunday, not just Sunday, but also Monday night.
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2. STUDY BIBLE BY READING AND MEDITATING ON IT
Paul told Timothy in 4:13 to ". . . give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." Every Christian should read the Bible every day of his life. When we read the Bible, God is speaking to us. We must set aside a time everyday to read and study the Bible. Normally the best time is first thing in the morning. Get up a little early so you can spend some time with the Lord in reading His word and praying.
The best way to read the Bible is to have a plan and a goal. Some plan to start reading at Genesis and read through the entire Bible in one year. This is very good. But for a new Christian, it is usually better to first start in the New Testament. Here is a suggest order to begin in the New Testament:
Gospel of John, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Philippians, etc.
But we must do more than read, we must study the Bible. Think about what you are reading. AS a new Christian, don't expect to understand all you read. It may not all seem to make sense at first, but if you are patient and sincerely study, you will find the Bible fits together. But a casual or brief glance once or twice a week, will not teach you the Bible.
As you read, underline verses in the Bible that are special to you. Keep a small notebook beside you when you read and write down thoughts the Lord gives to you. Have a Bible reading schedule and mark it as you read.
Read the "Articles of Faith" in our church constitution. It will teach you in simple form, the major doctrines of the Bible.
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Write out and memorize Psalm 119:11
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READ YOUR BIBLE EVERY DAY !!!!!!!!!! KEEP UP WITH YOUR SCHEDULE.
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QUESTIONS:
1. God speaks to men today in visions and dreams. TRUE/FALSE
2. What verse in the Bible says God speaks through His Son?______________.
3. Give a Bible verse that refers to Jesus Christ as "The Word of God".
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4. How many men did God use to write the Bible?_______________
5. What is a verse that teaches "verbal plenary inspiration"_____________.
6. Does verbal plenary inspiration mean:
A. God inspired the writers of the Bible.
B. Every word the they wrote was without error.
C. Both of the above.
7. The longest chapter in the Bible is _______________. What is the
entire chapter about?_______________.
8. Do you think that God wants you to read the Bible everyday?_______
Why should you?____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________