LESSON 1

WHAT IS THE WORD OF GOD?

Key Verses

1. II Pet.1: 20,21

2. II Tim.3: 16,17

In this Lesson we are dealing with the written word of God, the Bible.

1. THE WORD OF GOD IS

1.1 Specific revelation to man. 2 Pet 1:20,21; Heb. 1:1,2

1.2 The Gospel of salvation for mankind Rom 16:25,26; 1:16

1.3 Authoritative and final Heb 2:1 -4

1.4 Divinely inspired for godliness 2 Tim 3:16,17

1.5 Powerful and searching Heb 4:12

1.6 The way to prosperity and life Josh 1:8; Prov 4:20-22

2. WHAT IS THE BIBLE

 2.1 The Bible is God’s inspired revelation of the original destiny of all
things. Here heaven is opened, and

the gates of Hell disclosed. It is the travelers map, the pilgrim’s staff, the
pilot’s compass, the soldiers
sword, and the Christians charter.

2.2 The Bible is the power of God unto eternal salvation and the source
of present help, for body, soul, and

spirit (Rom. 1:16; John 15:7). Christ is its grand subject, man’s good its
design, and the glory of God its

end. It is a mine of wealth, the source of health, and a world of pleasure.

2.3 The Bible is God’s will or testament to men in all ages, revealing the
plan of God for man here and now,

and in the next life. It will be opened at the judgment; and it will last
forever. It involves the highest

responsibility; will reward for the least to the greatest of labor; and will
condemn all who trifle with its

sacred contents.

2.4 The Bible is the record of God’s dealings with man in the past,
present, and future. It contains His

message of eternal salvation for all who believe in Christ, and eternal
damnation for all who rebel against

the gospel.

2.5 As a literary composition, the Bible is the most remarkable book

ever made. It is a divine library of 66
 books some of considerable size, and others no larger than a tract. These
books include various forms

of literature – history, biography, poetry, proverbial sayings, hymns,

letters, directions for elaborate

ritualistic worship, laws, parables, riddles, allegories, prophecy, and all

other forms of human expression.

2.6 The Bible is the only book that reveals the mind of God, the state of
man, the way of salvation, the doom

of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its
precepts binding, its histories true

and its decisions immutable. It contains light to direct, spiritual food to

sustain, and comfort to cheer.

Man should read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be

holy; he should read it that it

might fill his memory, rule his heart, and guide his feet in righteous and
true holiness. He should read it

slowly, frequently, prayerfully, meditatively, searchingly, devotionally;

and study it constantly,

perseveringly and industriously through and through – until it becomes a

part of his being, generating

faith that will move mountains.

3. WHAT THE BIBLE IS NOT

3.1 The Bible is not an amulet, a charm, a fetish, or anything to work

wonders by its very presence alone. It
 does not claim to be such; it does claim that if one will study and practice
its teachings he will see

wonders worked in his life both now and in the hereafter.

3.2 The Bible is not a book of chronological events or an unbroken

series of divine utterances. It was given,

here a little and there a little, to many men through eighteen

centuries

(Is. 28:9-11): but regardless of this it forms a perfect unity.

3.3 The Bible is not a book of heavenly utterances in supernatural

languages; it is God’s revelation in the

simplest human language possible.

3.4 The Bible is not a book of mysteries; it explains its so-called

mysteries, and is so self-interpreting that no

mystery remains.

3.5 The Bible is not a book that says one thing and means another.
Generally, the passages have one

simple meaning. In the few, which have a double meaning this fact, is
quite clear, either from the verses

themselves or from parallel passages. One cannot, as is sometimes said

get a thousand different

meanings from the scriptures.

2
 3.6 The Bible is not a specimen of God’s skill as a writer or logician. It
is a book written by men who he used

to record his revelation. The method was by giving them ways of

expressing truth, and freedom in the

use of their own language. What inspiration guarantees is unity of truth,

not sameness of words and

expressions.

3.7 The Bible is not a book of systematic discourses on any one subject;
but it does give divine information

on practically every subject. One must collect together from here and
there all God’s information through

various writers, in order to know the whole truth. When this is done
there is perfect harmony, and
everything, which a man really needs to know about a subject, is clear.

3.8 The Bible is not a book adapted to the tastes, customs and habits of
any one nation or people; it is not

for any one age or period of time. It is a book for which all people in all
ages can conform and yet retain

their own lawful customs and habits, which are not contrary to the will of
God.

MEMORY VERSE:

2 Pet. 1:20,21: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture

is of any private interpretation.
 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.

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LESSON 2

THE CANON OF SCRIPTURE

Key Verses

1. Rev 22:18,19

2. Jn 20:30,31

3. Deut. 4:2

4. Deut. 12:32

5. Prov. 30:6

1. M EANING OF THE WORD “CANON”

The word “canon” applied to scripture means the rules by which certain
books were declared to be

inspired and accepted as such.

The term “The Canon of Scripture” means the officially accepted list of
books that are regarded as of Divine

authority.

2. OLD TESTAMENT CANON

2.1 Factors determining the need for OT Canon

 The Jewish sacrificial system was ended by the destruction of
Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD.

Even though the OT Canon was settled in the Jewish mind long before
70 AD, there was a need
for something more definitive. The Jews were scattered and they needed
to determine which

books were the authoritative Word of God because of the many extra
scriptural writings and the

decentralization. The Jews became a people of one book and it was this
book that kept them

together.

Christianity started to blossom and many writings of the Christians

were beginning to be circulated.

The Jews needed to expose them vividly and exclude them from their
writings in their use in the

synagogues.

2.2 The Hebrew Canon.

The following is the breakdown of the Jewish OT Canon. The books that
were accepted as inspired by

God.

The Law (Torah) The Writings (Kethubhim)

 1. Genesis a. Poetical books

2. Exodus 1. Psalms

3. Leviticus 2. Proverbs

4. Numbers 3. Job

5. Deuteronomy

b. Five Rolls (Megilloth)

The Prophets (Nebhim) 1. Song of Songs

a. Former Prophets 2. Ruth

1. Joshua 3. Lamentations

2. Judges 4. Esther

3. Samuel 5. Ecclesiastes

4. Kings

c. Historical books

b. Latter Prophets 1. Daniel

1. Isaiah 2. Ezra – Nehemiah

2. Jeremiah 3. Chronicles

3. Ezekiel

4. The Twelve

Although the Christian church has the same Old Testament Canon, the
number of books differs
 because we divide Samuel, Kings, Chronicles into two books each; the
Jews also consider the minor

prophets as one book. And the order of the books also differs.

2.3 Christ‟s witness to the Old Testament canon

Luke 24:44. In the upper room Jesus told the disciples “That all
things must be

fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses, and the Prophets, and
the Psalms concerning me.”

With these words he indicated the three sections into which the Hebrew
Bible was divided – the Law,

the Prophets and the „Writings‟ (here called, “The Psalms”).

3. OLD TESTAMENT APOCRYPHAL LITERATURE

From the Greek word apokruphos meaning “hidden or concealed”.

The Apocrypha consists of

the books added to the Old Testament by the Catholic church that
Protestants say are not

canonical.

Why are they not canonical?

1. They were not written or approved by a prophet.

 2. They were not recognized by the Jews, as inspired and a part of
scripture.

3. Jesus and the New Testament writers never once quoted from it
although there are

hundreds of quotes and references to almost all of the canonical books of

the Old

Testament. A fact that is more striking when we realize that Paul even
quoted twice

from heathen poets.

4. The last OT prophet predicted that the next messenger coming to Israel
from God will be

the forerunner of Christ (Mal. 3:1). Most of the apocryphal books were
written during the

period of Malachi and Christ.

5. Divine authority is not claimed by these authors and by some it is

virtually disowned (2

Maccabbees 2:23; 15:38).

6. The books contained statements at variance with the Bible history.

7. They are self-contradictory and in some cases opposed to doctrines of

scripture.

8. The Apocryphal books were not a part of the ancient versions of

scripture. They were

first added after 300 AD. The Laodicean Council in 363 AD rejected
them as being
 uninspired, thus proving that by that time some were claiming inspiration
for them.

9. It was not until 1546 AD that the Apocryphal books received full
canonical status by the

Roman Catholic Church.

10. Jewish scholars like Josephus (Jewish historian), Philo (Jewish

philosopher) did not

regard the Apocrypha as scripture. Josephus stated that the OT books

(the ones in our

present version) were the only inspired writings.

11. Jerome, a great scholar and translator of the Latin Vulgate Bible
rejected the Apocrypha

as part of the canon. He even refused to translate the apocryphal books

into Latin, but

later made a hurried translation of some. After his death, literally over
his dead body, the apocryphal books were brought into his Latin Vulgate
directly from the Old Latin Version.

12. Martin Luther and the Reformers rejected the canonicity of the
Apocrypha.

3.1 A List of some of the Apocryphal books

1 & 2 Esdras, Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus or

Wisdom of Sirach, Baruch, 1 &

2 Maccabbees.
 4. NEW TESTAMENT CANON

4.1 Tests for including a book in the New Testament Canon.

The basic factor for determining NT canonicity was inspiration by God,

and its chief tests: apostolic authority or apostolic approval.

4.2 The NT canonical books

Three Reasons for the Need to determine a New Testament Canon.

a. A heretic, Marcion 140 AD developed his own canon and began to

propagate it. The church

needed to offset his influence by determining what was the real canon of
New Testament

scripture.

b. Many eastern churches were using books in services that were

definitely incorrect. It called

for a decision concerning the canon.

c. Edict of Diocletian 303 AD, declared the destruction of the sacred

books of the Christians.

Who wanted to die for just a religious book? They needed to know!

MEMORY VERSE:
 Deut. 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you,
neither shall ye diminish ought

from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God
which I command

you.

7
LESSON 3

THE WORD OF GOD IS LIKE…

Key Verses

1. Ps. 119:105

2. Is. 55:10,11

14 Symbols of the Word of God

1.1 Lamp/light : it illuminates, guides Ps 119:105

1.2 Seed : it grows, multiplies Lk. 8:11; 1Pet. 1:23

1.3 Fire : it devours Jer 5:14

1.4 Hammer : it breaks Jer 23:29

1.5 Sword : it arms and cuts Eph 6:17, Heb. 4:12,13

1.6 Mirror : it reveals, reflects Jas 1:22-25

1.7 Food : it makes you grow I Pet.2:2

- milk for babes 1 Pet. 2:2

- bread for the hungry Matt. 4:4

- meat for men Heb. 5:12

 - honey for dessert Ps. 19:10

1.8 Soap : it cleans Jn 15:3, Jn 17:17

1.9 Medicine : it brings healing Ps 107:20

1.10 Guided spiritual

missile : it accomplishes its mission Is 55:10-11

1.11 Rain and snow : it refreshes Is 55:10

1.12 More than Gold : it enriches Ps. 19:7-10

1.13 Power : it generates faith & Rom. 10:17

eternal salvation Rom. 1:16

1.14 Water : washes, cleans Eph.5:26

MEMORY VERSE:

Ps.119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my

path.

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LESSON 4

IMPORTANCE OF THE WORD OF

GOD 1

Key Verses

1. Jn 6:63

2. Jn 8:31,32

It is God’s love letter to us, the key to life and happiness, and the
Creator’s handbook.

1. THE WORD REVEALS GOD HIMSELF TO US

1.1 He is Holy Is 6:1 -7; 1 Pet 1:15,16

1.2 He is Just Rev. 15:3,4

1.3 He is Love 1 Jn,4:8-10; Ps 86:15

He created us Gen 1:26-30

He provides for our needs Phil 4:19; Rom 8:32

He gives us abundant life Jn 10:10

2. THE WORD GIVES US THE KEY TO LIFE AND HAPPINESS

 2.1 The Word of God gives life Jn 6:63; Ps 119:49,50

2.2 The Word focuses on Jesus Christ,

the source of life Jn 14:6; 1 Jn 5:11,12

2.3 The Word unfolds the blessings of life in Christ Eph 1:3-14, II
Pet.1:3,4

2.4 The Word builds up genuine disciples Jn 8:31; Acts 20:32

2.5 The Word liberates Jn 8:32

Memory Verse:

Jn 8:31,32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye

continue in my word, then are

ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall
make you free.

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LESSON 5

IMPORTANCE OF THE WORD OF

GOD 2

Key Verses

1. 2 Tim. 2:15

2. Jas. 1:22

3. THE WORD INSTRUCTS US ON RIGHT LIVING II Tim.

3:16,17; Is.2:3; Prv.6:23

3.1 Basic principles of right living

The Ten Commandments Ex 20:1 -17

The Beatitudes Mt 5:1 -12

3.2 Basic principles of knowing the Word

Hear Prov 4:20-22

Read Is 34:16; Neh 8:8, Deut. 17:9

Study Is. 34:16a; II Tim 2:14, 15;

Acts 17:11; Jn.5:39

Meditate & Memorize Josh.1:8; Ps 1:2; Ps 119:11

 3.3 Obedience and Practice enjoined Deut. 17:19; Josh.1:8;
Josh.23:6;

Ez. 7:10; Rom. 15:4; Jas 1:22, 23

3.4 Relevant for modern life as warning to all I Cor. 10:11

Memory Verse:

Ps.119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin
against thee.

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LESSON 6

THE AUTHORITY OF THE

BIBLE AND THE WORD OF GOD

Key Verses

1. Ps. 119:89

2. 1 Pet. 3:15

1. THE WORD OF GOD IS ABSOLUTELY TRUSTWORTHY

1.1 Promises made many generations earlier are kept I Kgs. 8:56

1.2 God stands by His Word till it comes to pass Ez.12:25; Matt.
5:18; Jer. 1:12

1.3 It is unchanging in a changing world Mtt. 5:18; I Pet. 1:25

1.4 It abides forever Mtt. 24:35; Lk.21:33

2. TWENTY PROOFS THAT THE BIBLE IS GENUINE,

AUTHENTIC AND RELIABLE

2.1 Its wonderful unity.

Over forty authors wrote sixty-six books in different lands over a period
of 1,800 years. Many never
 saw the writings of the others and yet there is no contradiction between
any two of them. Collect any

group of books of any other forty men on any subject and see if they
agree.

2.2 It‟s superiority to other books

It is superior to other books in its origin, formation, doctrines, principles,

claims, moral tone,

histories, prophecies, revelations, literature, present redemption and

eternal benefits.

2.3 Its influence in the world.

It has blessed millions in every generation, made the highest civilizations

and given man the highest

hope and destiny.

2.4 The character and greatness of those who accept it.

The wisest, most godly, and honest of men acknowledge it as God’s

word. Only infidels and the

ungodly reject it.

2.5 Man could not have written it if he would, and would not have
written it if he could. No critic of

11

scripture has ever been able to prove or disprove it.

 2.6 Good men must have written it.

It condemns all sin and records the sins and faults of its writers as well
as others. This, evil men would

not do. Even good men would not do it unless inspired to do so to help
others.

2.7 All man‟s present and eternal needs are met by the Bible.

Redemption and promised benefits have been given to all who believe in
all generations and this will

always be so.

2.8 Its preservation through the ages.

Whole kingdoms and religions have sought in vain to destroy it. It is still
victor and indestructible.

2.9 The heavenly and eternal character of its contents proves it to be

of God.

2.10 The response of the soul to it.

The Bible fits the soul as a key to a lock.

2.11 Its infinite depths and lofty ideals.

It is universal in its appeal, reasonable in its teachings, reliable in its

promises, durable in its

conflicts, everlasting in its usefulness, new and modern in its statements,

indispensable to human civilization, indisputable in its authority,
interesting in its histories, colorful in its biographies, accurate
 in its prophecies, individual in its messages, far reaching in its vision,
complete in its laws,

comprehensive in its knowledge, infinite in its detail, and unselfish in its

purpose, simple in its
application, just in its demands, righteous in its judgments, clear in its
application, and masterful in its

wisdom.

2.12 Fulfilled prophecy.

About 3,300 prophecies have been fulfilled, predictions made hundreds

and even thousands of years

before their fulfillment. Not one detail has failed yet. About 2,908
verses are being fulfilled or will be

fulfilled.

2.13 Miracles.

Hundreds are recorded in scripture and many happen daily among those
who pray and claim Bible

promises.

2.14 Its perfection.

12

It is scientifically and historically correct. No one man has ever found

the Bible at fault in any of its
 many hundreds of statements of history, astronomy, botany, geology, or
any other branch of

learning.

2.15 Its adaptability.

It is always up to date on any subject. It fits the lives of all people of all
ages and all lands.

2.16 Its spiritual and moral power.

It meets perfectly every spiritual and moral need of man.

2.17 Its doctrines.

They surpass all human principles in relationship, religion, culture, etc.

(1Cor 2:14).

2.18 Claims of the Bible itself.

Over 3,800 times Bible writers claim God spoke what they wrote. The
Bible itself claims to be the

Word of God.

2.19 Secular history.

Many pagan as well as Jewish and Christian writers confirm the facts of
the Bible, quoting it as being

genuine, authentic, and inspired by God.

2.20 Its inexhaustible proofs.

It would take many volumes to deal fully with the many thousands of facts
that confirm the Bible to
 be the Word of God.

The book must be divine. If one will use it properly it will confirm
itself to him as the inspired

Word of God.

3. THE UNIQUENESS OF THE BIBLE

Webster must have had this “Book of books” in mind when he wrote the
definition for “unique”.

13

Definition of unique:

1. One and only, single, sole

2. Different from all others, having no like or equal

Professor M. Montiero-Williams

Professor M. Montiero-Williams, former Boden professor of Sanskrit,

spent 42 years studying Eastern
books (books of Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.) and said in comparing them
with the Bible:

Pile them, if you will, on the left side of your study table; but place
your own Holy Bible on
 the right side – all by itself, all alone – and with a wide gap between
them. For, … there is a

gulf between it and the so-called sacred books of the East which
severs the one from the

other utterly, hopelessly, and forever … a veritable gulf which cannot

be bridged over by

any science of religious thought.

The Bible is Unique. It is the book “different from all others” in the
following ways:

A. UNIQUE IN ITS CONTINUITY.

Here is a book:

i. Written over a 1,500 years span

ii. Written over 40 generations

iii. Written by over 40 authors from every walk of life including Kings,
peasants, philosophers,

fishermen, poets, statesmen, scholars, etc.:

Moses, a political leader, trained in the universities of Egypt

Peter, a fisherman

Amos, a herdsman

Joshua, a military general

Nehemiah, a cupbearer
 Daniel, a prime minister

Luke, a doctor

Solomon, a king

Matthew, a tax collector

Paul, a rabbi.

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iv. Written in different places:

Moses in the wilderness

Jeremiah in a dungeon

Daniel on a hillside and in a palace

Paul, inside prison walls

Luke, while traveling

John, on the isle of Patmos

Others in the rigors of a military campaign

v. Written at different times:

David in times of war

Solomon in times of peace

Paul in bonds

vi. Written during different moods:

Some writing from the heights of joy and others writing from the

depths of sorrow and despair.

vii. Written on three continents:

Asia, Africa, and Europe.

viii. Written in three languages:

Hebrews: Was the language of the Old Testament.

 II Kings 18:26-28 called “the language of Judah”.

In Isaiah 19:18 called “the language of Canaan.”

Aramaic: Was the “common language” of the Near East until the time
of

Alexander the Great (6th century BC – 4th century BC)

Greek: New Testament language. Was the international language at the

time

of Christ.

ix. Its subject matter includes hundreds of controversial subjects. A

controversial subject is

one, which would create opposing opinions when mentioned or

discussed.

Biblical authors spoke on hundreds of controversial subjects with

harmony and continuity from

Genesis to Revelation. There is one unfolding story: “God‟s

redemption of man.”

15

F.F. Bruce observes:

“Any part of the human body can only be properly explained in

reference to the whole

body. And any part of the Bible can only be properly explained in
reference to the whole
 Bible.”

“The Bible, at first sight, appears to be a collection of literature –

mainly Jewish. If we

inquire into the circumstance under which the various Biblical documents
were written,

we find that they were written at intervals over a space of nearly 1400
years.

The writers wrote in various lands, from Italy in the west to

Mesopotamia and possibly

Persia in the east.

The writers themselves were a heterogeneous number of people, not

only separated

from each other by hundreds of years and hundreds of miles, but also
belonging to the

most diverse walks of life. In their ranks we have kings, herdsmen,

soldiers, legislators,

fishermen, statesmen, courtiers, priests and prophets, a tent-making Rabbi

and a

Gentile physician, not to speak of others of whom we know nothing apart

from the

writings they have left us.

The writings themselves belong to a great variety of literary types.

They include history,
 law (civil, criminal, ethical, ritual, and sanitary), religious poetry,
didactic treatises, lyric poetry, parable and allegory, biography, personal
correspondence, personal memoirs

and dairies.

B. UNIQUE IN ITS CIRCULATION

The Bible has been read by more people and published in more languages
than any other book. There

have been more copies produced of its entirety and more portions and
selections than any other book

in history.

Some will argue that in a designated month or year more of a certain book
was sold. However, over all

there is absolutely no book that reaches or even begins to compare to the

circulation of the Scriptures.

Hy Pickering

Hy Pickering says that about 30 years ago, for the British and Foreign
Bible Society to meet its

demands, it had to publish:

One copy every three seconds day and night,

16

22 copies every minute day and night,

1,369 copies every hour day and night,

 32,876 copies every day in the year.

And it is deeply interesting to know that this amazing number of Bibles

was dispatched to various parts
of the world in 4,583 cases weighing 490 tons.

C. UNIQUE IN ITS TRANSLATION

The Bible was one of the first major books translated (Septuagint: Greek
translation of the Hebrew Old

Testament, ca 250 BC).

The Bible has been translated and retranslated and paraphrased more than
any other book in

existence.

Encyclopaedia Britannica says “by 1966 the whole Bible had appeared
… in 240 languages and

dialects … one or more whole books of the Bible in 739 additional ones,
a total of publication of 1,280

languages.”

3,000 Bible translators between 1950- 1960 were at work translating the
Scriptures.

The Bible factually stands unique (“one of a kind; alone in its class”)
in its translation.

D. UNIQUE IN ITS SURVIVAL

 i. Survival through time

Being written on material that perishes, having to be copied and recopied

for hundreds of years before
the invention of the printing press, did not diminish its style, correctness
or existence. The Bible,

compared with other ancient writings, has more manuscript evidence than
any 10 pieces of classical

literature combined.

John Warwick Montgomery

To be skeptical of the resultant text of the New Testament books is to

allow all of classical antiquity

to slip into obscurity, for no documents of the ancient period are as well
attested bibliographically

as the New Testament.”

John Lea

17

John Lea in The Greatest Book in the Worldcompared the Bible with
Shakespeare’s writings. He had

this to say:

It seems strange that the text of Shakespeare, which has been in

existence less than two hundred
 and eight years, should be far more uncertain and corrupt than that of the
New Testament, now

over eighteen centuries old, during nearly fifteen of which it existed only
in manuscript.

… With perhaps a dozen or twenty exceptions, the text of every verse

in the New Testament may

be said to be so far settled by general consent of scholars, that any

dispute as to its readings must

relate rather to the interpretation of the words than to any doubts

respecting the words themselves.

But in everyone of Shakespeare’s thirty seven plays there are probably a

hundred readings still in

dispute, a large portion of which materially affects the meaning of the

passages in which they

occur.”

ii. Survival through persecution

Sidney Collett

Sidney Collett in All about the Bible says:

Voltaire, the noted French infidel who died in 1778, said that in one
hundred years from his time

Christianity would be swept from existence and passed into history. But
what has happened?

Voltaire has passed into history, while the circulation of the Bible
continues to increase in almost
 all parts of the world, carrying blessing wherever it goes.

Concerning the boast of Voltaire on the extinction of Christianity and the

Bible in 100 years, Geisler and

Nix point out that “only fifty years after his death the Geneva Bible
Society used his press and house to

produce stacks of Bibles.” WHAT AN IRONY OF HISTORY!

In AD 303, Diocletian issued an edict (Cambridge History of the bible,

Cambridge University press,

1963) to stop Christians from worshipping and to destroy their

Scriptures:

“ … An imperial letter was everywhere promulgated, ordering the razing

of the churches to the

ground and the destruction by fire of the Scriptures, and proclaiming that
those who held high

positions would lose all civil rights, while those in households, if they
persisted in their profession of
Christianity, would be deprived of their liberty.”

The historic irony of the above edict to destroy the Bible is that Eusebius
records the edict given 25

18
 years later by Constantine, the emperor following Diocletian, that 50
copies of the Scriptures should be

prepared at the expense of the government.

The Bible is unique in its survival. This does not prove the Bible is
the Word of God. But it

does prove it stands alone among books. Anyone seeking truth ought
to consider a book that

has the above unique qualifications.

iii. Survival through criticism

H.L. Hastings

H.L. Hastings has forcibly illustrated the unique way the Bible has
withstood the attacks of infidels and

skeptics:

Infidels for eighteen hundred years have been refuting and

overthrowing this book, and yet it

stands today as solid as a rock. Its circulation increases, and it is more

loved and cherished and

read today than ever before.

Infidels, with all their assaults, make about as much impression on this
book as a man with a tack

hammer would on the Pyramids of Egypt.

 When the French monarch proposed the persecution of the Christians
in his dominion, an old

statesman and warrior said to him, „Sire, the church of God is an anvil
that has worn out many

hammers.‟ So the hammers of infidels have been pecking away at this

book for ages, but the

hammers are worn out, and the anvil still endures.

If this book had not been the book of God, men would have
destroyed it long ago.

Emperors and popes, kings and priests, princes and rulers have all
tried their hand at it;

they die and the book still lives.

Bernard Ramm

Bernard Ramm adds:

A thousand times over, the death knell of the Bible has been sounded,
the funeral procession

formed, the inscription cut on the tombstone, and committal read. But
somehow the corpse never

stays put.

No other book has been so chopped, knifed, sifted, scrutinized, and

vilified. What book on

19
 philosophy or religion or psychology or belles lettres of classical or
modern times has been subject

to such a mass attack as the bible? With such venom and skepticism?
With such thoroughness

and erudition? Upon every chapter, line and tenet?

The Bible is still loved by millions, read by millions, and studied by

millions.

E. UNIQUE IN ITS TEACHINGS

i. Prophecy

Wilbur Smith

Wilbur Smith who compiled a personal library of 25,000 volumes writes:

It is the only volume ever produced by man, or a group of men in

which is to be found a large body

of prophecies relating to individual nations, to Israel, to all the peoples of

the earth, to certain cities,

and to the coming of One who was to be the Messiah;

The ancient world had many different devices for determining the
future, known as divination, but

not in the entire gamut of Greek and Latin literature, even though they use
the words prophet and

prophecy, can we find any real specific prophecy of a great historic event
to come in the distant
 future, nor any prophecy of a Savior to arise in the human race;

“Mohammedanism cannot point to any prophecies of the coming of

Mohammed uttered hundreds

of years before his birth. Neither can the founders of any cult in this
country rightly identify any

ancient text specifically foretelling their appearance.

ii. Personalities

The Bible deals very frankly with the sins of its characters. Read the
biographies today, and see how

they try to cover up, overlook or ignore the shady side of people. Take
the great literary geniuses;

most are painted as saints. The Bible does not do it that way. It simply
tells it like it is.

F. UNIQUE IN ITS INFLUENCE ON SURROUNDING

LITERATURE

Cleland B. McAfee

Cleland B. McAfee writes in The Greatest English Classic:

20

If every Bible in any considerable city were destroyed, the Book

could be restored in all its
 essential parts from the quotations on the shelves of the city public
library. There are works,

covering almost all the great literary writers, devoted especially to

showing how much the Bible has

influenced them.

Kenneth Scott Latourette

Kenneth Scott Latourette, former Yale historian, says:

It is evidence of his importance, of the effect that he has had upon

history and presumably, of the

baffling mystery of his being that no other life ever lived on this planet
has evoked so huge a

volume of literature among so many peoples and languages, and that, far
from ebbing, the flood

continues to mount

THE CONCLUSION

The above does not prove the Bible is the Word of God, but it
proves that it is unique (“

different from all others; having no like or equal; alone in its class”).

A professor once remarked:

“If you are an intelligent person, you will read the one book that has
drawn more

attention than any other, if you are searching for the truth.”
MEMORY VERSE

Ps. 119:89 : Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven.

21
LESSON 7

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE

BIBLE?

Key Verses

1. II Tim. 3:16- 17

2. Eccl. 12:13,14

3. Jn. 20:30,31

The Bible unfolds the drama of God’s dealing with mankind revealing
His character, our condition, and His

redemption and eternal purpose for us.

1. CREATION

1.1 God the Creator Gen. 1:1 -2; Col. 1:16-17

1.2 Universe commanded into existence Gen. 1:4, 6, 9, 14; Heb.

11:3

1.3 All life given by God Gen. 1:11, 12, 20-26

1.4 Man created in God’s image Gen. 1:26, 27; 2:7

given dominion over the earth Gen. 1:28-30

2. FALL

2.1 Temptation and sin Gen. 3

2.2 Judgment by flood Gen. 6-7

2.3 Grace to Noah and family Gen. 6:8, 18; 9:1 -4

3. COVENANT

3.1 Abraham: Father of faith Gen. 12:1 -4; Heb. 11:8-10

3.2 Israel: Chosen Nation Ex 19:5-6

Election by love Deut. 7:6-8

Promise of inheritance Deut. 11:8-17

Judgment by exile 2 Chron. 36:15-21; Jer. 11:10-11

Restoration of the nation Jer. 29:10-14; Dan 9:2, 24-27

4. WORD MADE FLESH

Virgin birth

Ministry: preaching, healing, deliverance

Matt. 1:18-25; Gal 4:4

Mk 1:15, 32-34; Acts 10:36-38

Death on the cross Lk. 23:44-48; Col. 2:14-15

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 Resurrection Jn. 20:1,11,15-19; 1 Cor.15:17,18

Ascension Lk 24:49-53; Eph. 1:20-21

5. MISSION OF THE CHURCH Matt. 28:18-20; Acts

1:8

Pentecost Acts 2:1 -4

Jerusalem Acts 2:37-41

Judea Acts 8:1 -4

Samaria Acts 8:5-8

World Acts 13:1 -4, 47

6. FINAL JUDGEMENT Rev 20:11-15

Eternal life Jn. 3:16-17

Eternal death Jn 3:18-19

7. NEW CREATION Rev 21 -22

New heaven and earth

People in the Book of life

Presence of God

MEMORY VERSE:

II Tim. 3:16,17 : “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is

profitable for doctrine,
 for reproof, for correction and instruction in righteousness; That the
man of

God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto every good work.”

23
LESSON 8

HOW TO INTERPRET THE BIBLE

Key Verses

1. II Pet. 1:20,21

2. Is. 28:9,10

The Holy Spirit is the ultimate author of the Word of God.

Therefore, He is the only one who can illuminate the

Scripture and give correct interpretation. Jn. 16:13

The following steps could be considered when interpreting the scripture:

1. READ THE TEXT IN ITS CONTEXT

1.1 A verse out of context is pretext. Do not read into the text.

1.2 Pay attention to repeated words, phrases, connectives (e.g. and, but,
for....).

1.3 Write down your ideas clearly, think, analyze and bring out the
meanings.

2. NOTE THE FORM

2.1 Literary form:

Narrative

Poetic
Didactic (teaching) – allegory, parable, letter

Special forms – prophetic, apocalyptic, wisdom

2.2 Language features:

Metaphor

Mood (emotional...)

Simile

3. UNDERSTAND THE BACKGROUND

3.1 Grasp the purpose of the writing

Author’s intention Jn. 20:31; Lk 1:1 -4; Acts 1:1 -2

Situation of the readers 1 Cor. 1:11; Gal 1:6

The structure of the book Rom. 12:1; Eph. 4:1

3.2 Consider contemporary extra biblical material:

24

Archaeological

Historical

Geographical

Cultural
 4. INTERPRET THE SCRIPTURE BY SCRIPTURE

4.1 Interpret each passage in the light of the Bible teaching as a whole.

4.2 Read parallel scriptures.

4.3 Scripture cannot contradict itself; God cannot contradict Himself.

MEMORY VERSE:

Jn. 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide
you into all truth: for he shall

not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he

speak: and he will

show you things to come.

25
LESSON 9

HOW TO HAVE A PERSONAL QUIET TIME

Key Verses:

1. Ex. 34:1-10

2. Josh. 1:8

To succeed in the Christian life let God speak to you each day. Quiet
time is a daily personal time with God.

Moses had a quiet time with the Lord. We can get a few quiet time ideas
from there

(Ex. 34:1 -10).

A. WHAT YOU WILL NEED

1. A Bible.

2. A notebook. v.1 “Hew thee two tables of stone.”

3. A good time. v.2 “…be ready in the morning…”

“… and come up in the morning”

The best time for quiet time is the morning.

(It must be regular – an integral part of your

 daily routine.)

4. A good place.

A place where you can be alone with God.

v.3 And no man shall come up with

thee…

5. A daily Bible reading guide (optional).

B. SIX STEPS TO EFFECTIVE QUIET TIME

1. Pray to Begin

a. Praise and Worship – pray thanking the v.6-8 The Lord passed

Lord for another day, thank Him for who He before him amidst

is, what He has done and what He can and praise and worship.

will do.

b. Ask God to speak to you using Ps. 119:18

26

and Eph. 1:16,17.

2. Read

Read the passage for the day expecting v.10 And he (the Lord
said…

God to speak to you from it. (today God’s voice is

 heard through the Bible)

Either:

1) Follow a systematic order going

book by book beginning from the New

Testament; e.g. Ephesians.

Read a few verses at a time.

or

2) Take the passage suggested in your

daily reading guide.

3. Meditate Ps. 119:148; Josh 1:8

Think through, ponder over, soberly

reflect on what you have read for awhile.

How to do effective meditation.

Look through the passage again for as many of the following as possible:

1. What does the passage teach me about the nature of God: the Father,
the Son, or the Holy
Spirit?

2. Is there a promise for you to believe, and so claim, taking careful note
of any conditions

attached?
 3. Is there a command for you to obey, or a good example for you to
follow?

4. Is there a warning to you to heed or a bad example for you to avoid?

5. Is there a prayer for you to pray or remember?

4. Use your Bible Reading Guide (optional)

Now refer to your daily reading guide, ex. “Daily Guide”, “Daily
Power”, “Light For Our Path”, and “Daily

Bread”. You will get further ideas about the passage.

5. Write down lessons

27

Write down in your notebook any points or lessons you have learnt from
the day’s passage which you

will like to remember as God’s message to you that day.

6. Pray to End

Finish with prayer, turning sentences from the passage into your own
prayers and thanking God for

what He has taught you. Remember to pray for your church, your pastors,
and the general work of

God.

7. Memory Verse
 Write out the verse that particularly brings out the lesson for the day and
memorize it

(Col. 3:16).

8. Be a Doer of the Word (Jas. 1:22)

God has spoken to you. Now you need to do something about what He
says. Let what you learnt during

the daily quiet time become a guide for what you believe and how you
will behave. It is most essential to

practice what you read from the Bible.

MEMORY VERSE:

1. Ps. 119:18: Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous
things out of thy law.

2. Josh. 1:8: This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth;
but thou shalt meditate therein

day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is
written therein:

for then shall make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have
good success.

28
LESSON 10

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE

Key Verses:

1. 2 Tim. 2:15

2. Acts 17:11

3. Rom. 15:4

1. TOOLS FOR EFFECTIVE BIBLE STUDY.

It must be your life’s goal to acquire the following for effective personal
Bible study

(Acts 17:11):

Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible (King James Version)

Thompson’s Chain Reference Bible (King James Version)

New International Version

Amplified Bible

Revised Standard Version

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible

Oxford/Webster’s dictionary
 Notebook 1 (For personal revelation and messages from God to you.)

Notebook 2 (For writing down notes when being taught.)

2. THE APPROACH

1.1 Recognize God as the author Heb. 1:1 -2

1.2 Focus on Jesus as central in the Bible Lk 24:26-27

1.3 Be willing to receive instruction from the Lord 2 Tim 3:16

1.4 Allow God to change us 2 Cor. 3:1 8

3. THE METHODS

A. Microscopic Bible study

1. Take a verse, analyse each single word in the verse

2. Find out the meaning of each single word in the dictionary

29
 3. Check your Bible for any related verses

4. Look for any corresponding Hebrew or Greek words and find their
meanings

5. What does this verse mean?

6. What does this verse mean to me (in my specific circumstance)?

7. What is God telling me personally?

8. What is the verse saying?

9. What is the verse not saying?

10. How can I apply it to my life?

11. Is there a command for me to obey?

12. Is there a warning for me to heed?

13. Is there a good example for me to follow and a bad example to avoid?

14. Is there an allegory (story, parable)?

15. Is there a promise for me to believe?

16. Is there anything for me to pray about?

B. Topical Bible Study

1. Define the topic with the dictionary

2. Look for all scriptures on that topic. Read each verse aloud

3. Study each verse you have found microscopically

4. Find the following:

 5. The why and the why not of the topic:

6. The how and the how not of the topic:

7. The where and the where not of the topic:

8. The when and the when not of the topic:

9. The what and the what not of the topic:

10. The who and the who not of the topic:

11. Look for types of the topic:

12. Look for examples of the topic:

13. Look for mistakes of the topic:

14. Memory Verse: Acts 17:11

C. Telescopic Method

30

read a whole book at a time, preferably in one sitting

build up a complete picture

locate the central theme, key verses or passages

MEMORY VERSE:

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that
they received the word with

all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily whether those
things were so.
31
LESSON 11

HOW TO APPLY THE WORD IN OUR DAILY

LIFE

Key Verses

1. Ps. 1 19:133

2. 2 Cor. 10:11

Use the Word of God as:

1. STANDARD OF CONDUCT

1.1 Ten Commandments Ex 20:1 -17

1.2 Beatitudes Matt. 5:3- 12

2. LIGHT FOR GUIDANCE

2.1 Direction Ps 119:105,130

2.2 Decision Rom. 12:1,2

3. ROCK OF ASSURANCE

3.1 Salvation 1 Jn. 5:13; Jn. 5:24

3.2 Forgiveness 1Jn 1:9

 3.3 Victory Rom. 8:37-39

4. SWORD AGAINST THE DEVIL

4.1 Spiritual Warfare Eph. 6:17; 2 Cor. 10:3-5

4.2 Temptation Matt. 4:1 - 11; 1 Cor. 10:13

5. FOOD FOR GROWTH

5.1 Milk 1 Pet 2:2

5.2 Meat Heb. 5:12-14

6. ANSWERS TO PROBLEMS

6.1 When fearful or anxious Ps 27:1 -6; Ps 46

6.2 When discouraged or depressed Ps 23; Ps 34:1 -10

6.3 When frustrated Heb. 12:1 -7

6.4 When in trouble Is. 55:6-11

6.5 When bereaved 1 Thess. 4:13-18

32

MEMORY VERSE:

Ps. 119:133 Order my steps in thy word and let not iniquity be found
in me.
33
LESSON 12

HOW DO WE USE THE BIBLE IN PRAYER?

Key Verses

1. 1 Jn. 5:14,15

2. Jas. 4:3

1. THE ROLE OF GOD’S WORD IN PRAYER

1.1 Reveals God’s will as basis of prayer 1 Jn. 5:14

1.2 Instructs on

1.2.1 How to pray Lk 11:2; 1 Tim 2:8

1.2.2 How not to pray Matt. 6:5,7

1.2.3 What to say Matt. 6:9- 13

1.3 Gives us God’s promises that we can claim in prayer Acts 2:33-
39; Gal 3:14

e.g. the Holy Spirit

1.4 Shows us conditions to effective prayer Mk 11:25

e.g. forgiveness

1.5 Gives us many examples of prayer Jn 17:1 -26; Mt 14:30

 2. USING GOD’S WORD IN PRAYER

2.1 It is our spiritual weapon Eph. 6:17; Rev 1:16

2.2 It cleanses us spiritually Eph. 5:26; Jn. 17:17

2.3 It prepares our hearts in righteousness for 2 Tim 3:16-17;

Jas. 5:16

effective prayer

2. EXAMPLES OF THE USE OF GOD’S WORD IN PRAYER

3.1 The Apostles Acts 4:23-26 (Ps 146:6)

3.2 The Epistle to the Hebrews Heb. 13:5,6 cf. Deut. 31:6

Ps 118:6

3. PRACTICAL GUIDELINES

4.1 When in prayer, allow the Holy Spirit to remind

you of verses relevant to your prayer needs. Jn. 14:26

4.2 Pray according to the promises and conditions laid out in God’s
Word.

4.3 Be careful not to repeat Bible prayers without first

understanding their meaning.

34

MEMORY VERSE:
 1 Jn. 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we
ask anything according to his

will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we

ask we know that we

have the petitions that we desired of him.

35
LESSON 13

HOW TO USE THE WORD IN

MINISTRY

Key Verse

Jn. 6:63

Jesus said: ”The Words that I have spoken to you are Jn. 6:63

Spirit and Life”.

Use the Word of God in:

1. INTERCESSION

1.1 According to the will of God Col. 1:9-12

1.2 According to prophetic word Acts 4:25-26

2. GROUP BIBLE STUDY

2.1 Analyze Acts 17:11

2.2 Discuss Acts 18:26

3. PREACHING
3.1 Proclaim Acts 8:25; 2 Tim 4:17

3.2 Expound Acts 28:23; 20:27

4. TEACHING

4.1 Explain Acts 18:11

4.2 Instruct Titus 1:9

5. COUNSELLING

5.1 Advise Prov. 4:20-22; Rom. 15:4

5.2 Apply Lev. 18:5; 2 Tim 3:16,17

6. PROPHECY

6.1 Speak boldly Acts 13:46,47

6.2 Speak faithfully Acts 15:14,15

36

7. EVANGELISM

7.1 Personal witness Acts 1:8

7.2 Power Evangelism Mk 16:15-18; Acts 8:5-8,12

Have a filing system:

Develop a reliable note taking, daily Bible Study,

storage & retrieval system according to Biblical books &

 Christian topics

MEMORY VERSE:

Jn. 6:63 The Words that I have spoken to you are Spirit and
Life.

37
LESSON 14

WHAT GREAT MEN SAID ABOUT

THE BIBLE

1. GEORGE WASHINGTON (1st president of the USA)

It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.

2. Abraham Lincoln
In regard to this great book, I have but to say, I believe the Bible is the
best gift God has given to man.

All the good Saviour gave to the world was communicated through this
book. But for this book we

could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's
welfare, here and hereafter, are to

be found portrayed in it.

3. Thomas Jefferson (3rd president of the USA)

A studious perusal of the sacred volume will make better citizens, better
fathers, and better husbands.

4. John Quincy Adams (6th president of the USA)

 I speak as a man of the world to men of the world; and I say to you,
search the scriptures! The Bible is

the book of all others, to be read at all ages, and in all conditions of
human life; not to be read once or
twice or thrice through, and then laid aside but to be read in small
portions of one or two chapters

everyday, and never to be intermitted, unless by some overruling

necessity."

5. Andrew Jackson (7th president of the USA)

It is the rock on which our republic rests.

6. Woodrow Wilson (28th president of the USA)

You will know the Bible is the Word of God when you read it: for in it
you will find the key to your own

heart, your own happiness, and your success. I beg of you that you read
it, and find this out for

yourselves. … A man has deprived himself of the best there is in the

world who has deprived himself of

this (the knowledge of the Bible).

7. Herbert Hoover (31st president of the USA)

There is no other book so various as the Bible, nor one so full of

concentrated wisdom.

38
 8. Ulysses S. Grant (18th president of the USA)

To the influence of this book we are indebted to the progress made in

civilization, and to this we must

look as our guide in the future.

9. John Bacon

What can I do with respect to the next world without my Bible?

10. Napoleon Bonaparte (famous French general)

The Bible is more than a book; it is a living being with an action; a power
which invades everything that

opposes its extension.

11. Alexander Cruden

All other books are of little importance in comparison with the Holy
Scriptures.

12. Sir Isaac Newton

We account the scriptures of God to be the most sublime philosophy. I

find more sure marks of

authority in the Bible than in any profane history whatever."

13. Daniel Webster

The Bible is the book of faith, and a book of doctrine, and a book of
morals, and a book of religion, of

special revelation from God; but it is also a book which teaches man his
responsibility, his own dignity,
 and his equality with his fellow man.

… If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go

on prospering and to prosper; but

if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can
bury our glory in profound

obscurity.

14. Horace Greely

It is impossible to enslave mentally or socially a Bible-reading people.

The principles of the Bible are

the groundwork of human freedom.

15. 800 Scientists of Great Britain, recorded in the Bodelian Library,

Oxford.

We, the undersigned, students of the natural sciences, desire to express

our sincere regret that
researchers into scientific truth are perverted by some in our own times
into occasion for casting doubt

into the truth and authenticity of the holy scriptures. We conceive that it
is impossible for the Word of

God written in the book of nature, and God’s Word written in holy
scripture, to contradict one another…

Physical science is not complete, but is only in a condition of progress.

Signed by all 800 scientists.

39