Bible Study Course

LESSON 1

Is the Bible
Relevant to You?
 LESSON 1

Is the Bible
Relevant to You?
WITH ITS The Bible is the most popular book of all time according to translation
SEEMINGLY and publishing statistics. It is a best seller, with estimates of over 6
SHRINKING billion printed in hundreds of languages. Parts of the Bible have been
USE IN TODAY’S translated into over 3,000 languages.
WORLD, IS But though it is one of the most translated and distributed books in history, it is also one
of the most ignored and least read. Even in nations where many people own Bibles, polls
THE BIBLE
quizzing people on basic knowledge of the Bible often report discouraging results.
BECOMING
For example, in the United States, where 88 percent claim to own a Bible, a survey
IRRELEVANT? showed:

• Fewer than half can name the first five books of the Bible.
• 8 percent of adults believe Joan of Arc was married to Noah.
• 22 percent of those aged 18 to 28 believe Sodom and Gomorrah were a married couple.

A poll in the United Kingdom found that both Bible ownership and Bible readership have
decreased significantly since the 1940s (“Is the Bible Becoming a Closed Book? British
Opinion Poll Evidence”). Though we don’t have data from every nation, it is likely that the
trend of plummeting Bible readership is found among the populations of most nations.

With its seemingly shrinking use in today’s world, is the Bible becoming irrelevant? Is
it nothing but ancient literature promoting archaic values that have little application in
modern society? Should each individual’s personal moral compass be his or her guide of
conduct?

Or is the Bible actually timeless and authoritative—containing the standards and

teachings of the Creator of all things? Does the Bible contain instructions that are relevant
to your life?

The purpose of this first lesson is to help students of this Bible study course understand
exactly what the Bible claims to be and why it is still relevant today—and especially to
your life.

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 PART 1

What Is the Bible?

What claim does the Bible make about itself?

2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is given by _________________ of God.”

Deeper insight
QUICK TIP
The Bible claims to be the Word of God. In other words, the Bible contains the direct
revelation of God’s mind and will for humanity. We must read the Bible to discover
Fill in the missing word(s) from
what God is doing and how He wants us to live.
the New King James translation
of the Bible. Research has
This is the primary reason the Bible is relevant to your life today! The Creator of all
shown that writing out content
things—the universe, earth and all life—inspired the text of the Holy Bible. The Greek
makes it more likely you will
word translated “inspiration of God” in 2 Timothy 3:16 is theopneustos.
remember it!

What does the Greek word theopneustos literally mean?

Theopneustos is a combination of two Greek words:

theos pneustos (derivative of pneo)

God To breathe, blow

TERMINOLOGY The literal meaning is “God-breathed,” revealing that all Scripture is inspired by God.
Although God communicated through humans, the message originated from His mind.
Proverb
A short statement that
contains a concise principle How did God inspire the Bible?
of truth.
Hebrews 1:1: “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the
Parable
A story (which may or may not fathers by the ______________ . . .”
be based on an actual event)
used to illustrate a specific 2 Peter 1:21: “For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as
spiritual truth.
they were moved by the _______ _________.”
Apocalyptic writing
A type of writing that uses
Deeper insight
symbols and visions to
illustrate future events. God inspired approximately 40 people over a period of about 1,500 years to write or
compile the individual books that make up the entire Bible. He used His Holy Spirit,
which is His power, to inspire the ideas and messages they wrote.

Those human authors wrote in various styles and formats, including historical
narratives, genealogies, laws, poetry, music, proverbs, prophetic oracles, parables,
letters and apocalyptic writing. God inspired prophets, judges, farmers, shepherds,
fishermen, kings and even a doctor to record His thoughts.

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 What role did Jesus Christ have in the inspiration of the Bible?

John 1:1-2: “In the beginning was the _________, and the _________ was with God, and
the _________ was God. He was in the beginning with God.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Deeper insight

The apostle Paul wrote the Before He came to earth as a human being, Jesus Christ was the being revealed as
most books in the Bible (13 or “the Word” in John 1. The Greek term for “Word” is logos, which literally means “a
14) followed by Moses (five) communication whereby the mind finds expression, word” (Frederick Danker, et al.,
and John (five). King Solomon A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature).
comes in next with three.
Essentially, the Word is the spokesman, who speaks on behalf of the Father. The
Word was the being who communicated to human beings during Old Testament
times.

John identifies the Word as Jesus Christ: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt
among us, and we beheld His glory” (John 1:14). For example, when Moses
spoke with God or when the prophets received messages from God, they were
communicating with the being who later became Jesus Christ.

When the Word, Jesus Christ, walked the earth in the first century, He continued to
reveal the will of God to human beings (John 3:34; Hebrews 1:1-2).

The Bible is the written Word of God, and Jesus Christ is the living, personified Word
of God. Reading the entirety of God’s Word and specifically understanding the life
and words of Jesus Christ are necessary to understand the will and purpose of God
the Father. Jesus said, “As My Father taught Me, I speak these things” (John 8:28).

The Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy)

Psalms (multiple authors)

PERSONAL
STUDY
Proverbs (main author)
The Men God Inspired
to Write His Word Ecclesiastes
The majority of books in the Bible
are named for their author. But Esther (possible author)
some are not. Identify the authors
of the following books of the
Acts
Bible. You can find the answers in
articles at LifeHopeandTruth
.com/learning-center/books- The epistles of Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians,
of-the-bible/. Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon

Revelation

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 Can we fully trust the contents of the Bible?

John 10:35: “And the Scripture cannot be _____________ .”

John 17:17: “Sanctify them by Your ___________. Your word is ___________.”

Deeper insight
The Bible not only claims to be directly inspired by God, it also claims to be the
source of truth and completely accurate in every way. Consider—if the Bible’s claim
of inspiration is true, then the all-powerful, all-knowing Creator God is the source of
its contents. The Bible reveals that God is perfect and omniscient (Job 37:16; 28:24;
Hebrews 4:13).

THE BIBLE IS
THE WRITTEN Why should we be interested in the words God reveals in the Bible?
WORD OF GOD,
Isaiah 55:8-9: “‘For My ______________ are not your ______________, nor are your ways My
AND JESUS
ways,’ says the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher
CHRIST IS than your ways, and My ______________ than your ______________ .’”
THE LIVING,
1 Timothy 2:3-4: “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who
PERSONIFIED
desires all men to be saved and to come to the ________________ of the truth.”
WORD OF GOD.
Deeper insight
The Bible is the revelation of God’s thoughts and words. Because God is the source
of all life and the Creator of everything that exists, He understands everything
perfectly and is immensely more intelligent than we are.

Through His Word, we learn about His “thoughts” and “ways.” The Bible is our
window into the mind of our Creator, and it helps us learn to think, live and
understand the world from His perspective. The Bible reveals that God has an
incredible purpose for human life—but we have to read and study it to learn how
to fulfill His purpose for us.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 Micah 6:8

• •

• •
PERSONAL
STUDY • •

•
The Will of God
•
God reveals His will, His desire,
throughout the pages of His Word.
List what Deuteronomy 10:12-13
and Micah 6:8 reveal about God’s
will on how you should live your life.

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 PART 2

The Bible and You

WE HAVE Is it important for us to read and study the Bible?

ESTABLISHED Acts 17:11: “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they

THAT THE BIBLE received the word with all readiness, and _______________ the Scriptures ________to find

CLAIMS TO BE out whether these things were so.”

THE WORD OF
Deeper insight
GOD. BUT HOW This scripture is referring to men and women from the city of Berea (a city where the
CAN WE USE apostle Paul preached). The Bereans’ response to Paul’s preaching was to examine
the Scriptures to prove whether or not his words were true. In other words, they
THE BIBLE IN studied the books of the Old Testament that were available to them at that time. As a
OUR LIVES? result of this Bible study, “many of them believed” (verse 12).

In order to believe God and follow Him, we must read and study God’s Word (Romans
10:17). That is why it’s so important to look up and thoroughly read the scriptures
cited throughout this course. Don’t just believe what we say (or anyone else says)
about the Bible without studying to prove it is true!

Think deeper: How often did the Bereans study the Bible? Is this an example
Christians should follow today?

What are the four primary purposes God gives us for studying the Bible?

2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable

for _____________, for ____________, for _______________, for instruction in
______________________.”

We mentioned this scripture earlier in this lesson to learn the basic definition of the Bible.
It is how God communicates to us. This scripture also provides four key functions that the
Bible accomplishes for those who read and follow it: doctrine, reproof, correction and
instruction in righteousness. Now we’ll examine each of these purposes.

Purpose 1: “For doctrine.”

The Greek word for “doctrine” here is didaskalia, and it means “teaching, i.e. that which is
taught.” In the Bible, it typically refers to formal, codified teaching. So this means that all
doctrinal teaching must be based on the words of the Bible.
Answer the following questions about doctrine using your Bible:

1. According to 1 Timothy 6:3, true teaching “accords”—is consistent—with what?

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 2. What does Acts 2:42 teach us about where the early Church received its doctrine?

3. Read 1 Timothy 4:13, 16. What do these verses teach us about how we should think
about the doctrines of the Bible?

4. According to Christ’s words in Mark 7:6-8, what is a major source of false doctrine?

5. Read John 7:16-17. Where did Jesus get His doctrine? What does this mean for us?

Deeper insight
True doctrine is not a matter of personal opinion; it comes from the unequaled
authority of God’s Word, the Bible. Biblical doctrine does not change over time;
it has been the same from the beginning, and it has been the same since Christ
founded the Church in the first century. The Church was taught doctrine by the
apostles, who learned their doctrines from Jesus Christ, who taught the doctrine
of God the Father.

The purpose of this Bible study course is to help you learn and understand the
correct doctrines of the Bible. That is why it is so important that you read the
scriptures that are cited as you take this course.

Purpose 2: “For reproof.”

The Greek word translated “reproof” is elegchos, and it means “a proof, that by which
a thing is proved or tested.” Another definition is “for convicting one of his sinfulness.”
The verb form of the word means “to convict, refute, confute, generally with a suggestion
of the shame of the individual convicted” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). The Complete Word
Study New Testament adds: “It implies not merely the charge on the basis of which one is
convicted, but also the manifestation of the truth of that charge.”
This means that the Bible is the standard by which we test, or measure, all beliefs,
doctrines, ideas or lifestyles.

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 IN ORDER TO When we accept that the Bible is truly the inspired Word of God, it is then our responsibility
to use it as “reproof.” We must examine the Scriptures and determine whether our ideas
LIVE THE WAY OF and beliefs are in line with or contrary to the Bible.
LIFE REVEALED Answer the following questions using your Bible:

IN THE BIBLE, WE
1. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:21. What two things are we told to do?
HAVE TO MAKE
CORRECTIONS TO

OUR LIVES.

2. Read Ephesians 5:10-11. What are we to prove? What are we to do with things that are
contrary to that?

3. Read Isaiah 8:20 and Revelation 2:2. How are we to evaluate the legitimacy of
religious teachers?

Deeper insight
We are to use God’s Word to evaluate what we believe and what we do. If a doctrine,
idea or lifestyle is contrary to what is revealed in the Bible, we are to reject it. When
we learn what the Bible teaches, we are to “hold fast” to it (2 Timothy 1:13).

As you study God’s inspired Word, you will discover Bible verses that contradict
many of the beliefs and practices of mainstream Christianity. We ask you to honestly
study these scriptures and test your beliefs by the Bible.

Purpose 3: “For correction.”

The Greek word translated “correction” is epanorthosis, and it means “restoration to an
upright or a right state; correction, improvement.” This word is closely related to “reproof,”
but is more concerned with correction of our life and character.

The Bible is not a dull book of the history of people who lived thousands of years ago.
It is a book that contains instructions on how to live today! It reveals a way of life that,
if practiced, leads to happiness and fulfillment (Proverbs 16:20; John 10:10; 13:17). In
order to live the way of life revealed in the Bible, we have to make corrections to our lives.

For example, the Bible provides 10 basic laws of conduct to guide our behavior, thinking
and relationships. In order to practice the 10 Commandments, we must change the parts
of our life that break those laws. That requires correction.

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 Answer the following questions using your Bible:

1. Read Proverbs 3:11-12 and Revelation 3:19. What is God’s motivation for correcting
human beings through His Word?

2. Read Hebrews 12:11. What is God’s ultimate goal when correcting us through
His Word?

Deeper insight
As you study the Bible through this course, you will probably find ways that your life
does not align with the laws and standards found in the Bible. Don’t be discouraged!
God wants us to learn His way of living and make changes in our lives. God’s primary
motivation for correcting us is His perfect love and concern for our well-being.

Purpose 4: “For instruction in righteousness.”

The Greek word translated “righteousness” is dikaiosune, and it means “the state of him
who is such as he ought to be, righteousness; the condition acceptable to God.”

The word righteousness describes the entire way of life that God wants us to live. This is
ultimately why the Bible is relevant to you today. It contains the instructions on how to live
in a way that pleases God, leads to happiness and can ultimately lead to eternal life.

1. Read Psalm 119:172. How does the Bible define righteousness?

Deeper insight
True righteousness is defined as obedience to the law of God. God’s law defines one
overarching principle that summarizes the entire way of life revealed in the Bible:
love. This great principle has two central elements: love toward God and love toward
fellow man (Luke 10:27).

As you continue to progress through this course, you will learn many elements of
true righteousness according to the Bible that you will be able to apply to your life.

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 Righteousness = God’s 10 Commandments
Righteousness toward God: Righteousness toward man:
1. Have no other gods before God. 5. Honor your father and mother.
2. Make no idols. 6. Don’t murder.
3. Don’t take God’s name in vain. 7. Don’t commit adultery.
4. Remember the Sabbath day and 8. Don’t steal.
keep it holy. 9. Don’t lie.
10. Don’t covet.

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 PART 3

The Relevance of the Bible

THE STORIES But the Bible is a document with writings that are thousands of years old.
How can it really be relevant to my life today?
GOD CHOSE TO
Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is __________ and _____________, and sharper than
PRESERVE IN
any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and
HIS WORD WERE
marrow, and is a _______________ of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
SPECIFICALLY
SELECTED FOR Deeper insight
THEIR ABILITY The Bible was inspired by God and was designed to be timeless. This verse describes
it as “living and powerful.” The Bible is not a dead document. Its content was
TO CONVEY
applicable to living life 3,000 years ago and is still applicable right now.
LESSONS.

How is the Bible “living and powerful”?

To answer that question, let’s look at the major areas of content contained in the Bible and
see how it is still relevant and meaningful to life in the 21st century.

Historical narratives.
Much of the Bible consists of stories of individuals, groups and nations who lived
thousands of years ago. The accounts of ancient men and women and nations obviously
have historical value. But do these stories hold even more value for your life today?

Read Romans 15:4 and 1 Corinthians 10:11. Summarize what these two verses tell us
about the purpose and importance of the stories in the Old Testament.

Deeper insight
Much of the Bible is historical narrative told in story form. The stories God chose to
preserve in His Word were specifically selected for their ability to convey lessons
(from both the good and the bad decisions of men and women of the past) and to
show how He has worked with individuals and nations throughout history.

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 Prophecy.
A large portion (about a third) of the Bible is prophetic, meaning declarations of future
events inspired by God.

Does God claim to have the ability to foretell and declare the future?

Isaiah 46:9-10: “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me,
declaring the ________ from the _________________, and from ancient times things that
are not yet _________, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand.’”

Deeper insight
When you study prophecies in the Bible, you find that they fall into two categories:

Fulfilled prophecies. For example, historical figures like Cyrus, Alexander the Great
and Antiochus Epiphanes were specifically prophesied in the pages of the Bible
years before they came on the scene. The Bible also contains scores of prophecies of
Jesus Christ that were fulfilled exactly.

Prophecies not fulfilled yet. When we understand God’s prophetic track record and
that He cannot lie, we can have confidence that the prophecies that have not yet
been fulfilled will be fulfilled. You will learn more details about yet to be fulfilled
prophecies throughout this course and on our website, LifeHopeandTruth.com.

THE BIBLE
Living laws that work.
CONTAINS The Bible is truly the most practical book you will ever read. It contains laws and principles
PRACTICAL of living that simply work. It provides guidance to make your life more fulfilling and
satisfying.
PRINCIPLES
THAT CAN HELP Does the Bible claim to provide the keys to a fulfilling and happy life?
US IN NEARLY Read Psalm 1:1; Proverbs 29:18; and John 10:10. How do these scriptures describe the
EVERY ASPECT life a Christian can live if he or she applies the laws and principles found in the Bible?

OF LIFE.

Deeper insight
Christianity is often portrayed as a dull lifestyle that makes people strange and
restricts them from happiness. But that is not what genuine Christianity is like!
Jesus Christ described genuine Christianity as an “abundant” life. One of the main
purposes of the Life, Hope & Truth website is to help you discover what the Bible
actually says and help you learn how to properly apply it in your life.

The Bible contains practical principles that can help us in nearly every area of
our lives.

LifeHopeandTruth.com/BibleStudyCourse Lesson 1: Is the Bible Relevant to You? 12

 1. Making major life decisions – Proverbs 15:22

PERSONAL
STUDY 2. Planning life events – Proverbs 24:27

Practical Wisdom
From the Bible

The Bible contains practical

3. Maintaining good relationships with others – Luke 6:31
principles that can help us in
nearly every aspect of life. Look
up the verse provided on each
of the following areas of life and
summarize in one sentence the
principle that verse is giving.
4. Managing finances – Proverbs 22:7

5. Protecting mental and emotional health – Philippians 4:8

THE BIBLE IS Answers to life’s big questions.

The Bible is “living and powerful” because it gives purpose and context to life. If the Bible
“LIVING AND
is what it says it is—the instruction manual for mankind written by the Creator—then it
POWERFUL” contains the answers to all the major questions of life.
BECAUSE Throughout this course, you will see that the Bible provides answers to the most
IT GIVES challenging questions human beings grapple with:

CONTEXT
These are all questions that the Bible has answers to! Our publications exist to point you
TO LIFE. to the Bible to answer all of these questions.

• Is there a God? • How did the Creator of life design

life to be lived?
• How did the earth and universe
come into existence? • What is the purpose of human life—
including your life?
• Why is there evil and suffering in
the world? • What happens after we die?

Disproof of myths and misinformation.

The Bible also contains truths that are often missed and misunderstood even by people
who claim to believe it. It contains truths that will contradict many ideas, customs and
doctrines that are taught by people and churches that claim to teach the Bible.

LifeHopeandTruth.com/BibleStudyCourse Lesson 1: Is the Bible Relevant to You? 13

 IT IS POSSIBLE Does the Bible show that misinformation about the Bible can be taught
and believed by people?
TO WORSHIP GOD
Mark 7:7: “And in _________ they worship Me, _______________ as doctrines the
INCORRECTLY
commandments of _________.”
DUE TO NOT
UNDERSTANDING Luke 6:46: “But why do you call Me ‘_________, _________,’ and not ______ the things

THE THINGS which I say?”

ACTUALLY
Deeper insight
TAUGHT IN HIS Jesus Christ made it clear that it is very possible for people to believe certain
WORD. things about the Bible that are not true. He also said it is possible to worship God
incorrectly due to not understanding the things actually taught in His Word.

The apostle Peter even warned that people can “twist” what the Bible teaches—in
other words, manipulate it to mean something different from what the author
intended (2 Peter 3:15-16). This can happen because some people who claim to
teach the Bible do not truly understand it. That is why an overall understanding of
the entire message of the Bible is a key to understanding specific scriptures.

Finished with Lesson Wrap-Up

this lesson?
This lesson began with the question: Is the Bible relevant to you?
Don’t forget to go back
to LifeHopeandTruth.com/ The entire purpose of this lesson is to set a foundation for this course you are beginning.
BibleStudyCourse and take This is a Bible study course. It will take you on an in-depth, systematic study of the great
the quiz so you can access themes of the Bible and help you understand what it’s all about and what it really teaches.
the next lesson!
But before you study anything in the Bible, you have to understand why it’s relevant.
This lesson has taught the basic purposes of the Bible and why studying it is important
in your life.

Life, Hope & Truth The next lesson will provide you with more basic information that will provide a framework
Bible Study Course for understanding and studying the Bible.
Author
Erik Jones
Doctrinal Reviewers Supplemental Reading
John Foster, Bruce Gore,
Peter Hawkins, Jack Hendren,
Life, Hope & Truth offers additional resources that can help you better understand
Don Henson, Doug Johnson, God’s inspired Word, the Holy Bible.
Larry Neff, Harold Rhodes,
Paul Suckling
• Is the Bible True? 
Media Operation Manager • What Is Doctrine? 
Clyde Kilough • How Do We Know the Bible Is True? 
• Bible Stories: The Purpose
Editorial Reviewers • Who Wrote the Bible?  Behind the Stories 
Mike Bennett, David Treybig
• Jesus in the Old Testament?  • Fulfilled Prophecy 
Copy Editor
Becky Bennett
Design
Teri Mez

© 2021 Church of God,

a Worldwide Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 3490
McKinney, TX 75070-8189
[email protected]

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 The Bible 101
FOUR THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BIBLE

1. The Bible is divided into two parts, called Testaments.

The Old Testament The New Testament

Composed of 39 books that are centered on God’s covenant Composed of 27 books that are centered on Jesus Christ and
and relationship with ancient Israel. His covenant and relationship with the Church.

2. The Bible is further organized into seven major divisions.

The Bible can be divided into seven major groupings based on the purpose and style of the books:

1. Law (called the Torah in Hebrew and known as the 4. The Gospels and Acts: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts
Pentateuch in Greek): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers of the Apostles.
and Deuteronomy.
5. The Epistles of Paul: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians,
2. Prophets: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1
Former Prophets: Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, Hebrews, 1 Timothy, 2
Kings and 2 Kings. Timothy, Titus and Philemon.

Latter Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the 12 6. General Epistles: James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3
Minor Prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, John and Jude.
Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah,
7. The Book of Revelation.
Malachi).

3. Writings: Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Solomon,

Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra,
Nehemiah, 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles.

3. The Bible was originally written in ancient languages.

The Old Testament was originally written in ancient Hebrew, but contains portions written in Aramaic. The New Testament was
written in Koine Greek, which was commonly understood throughout the Roman Empire.

4. The Bible is a family epic.

Though the Bible mentions many people from multiple backgrounds, it can be viewed as primarily the story of one family:
Abraham and his descendants. We are introduced to Abraham in Genesis 12. The remainder of Genesis and the Old Testament
tell the story of Abraham’s offspring: from their slavery in Egypt, to their rise as a nation, to the division of that nation into
two nations (Israel and Judah), to the fall and captivity of those two nations and to the return of a remnant of Judah to rebuild
Jerusalem. The New Testament focuses on the most important descendant of Abraham—Jesus Christ, who was God in the flesh.
Through Him, all people can have access to a relationship with God and become Abraham’s spiritual offspring.

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