Lesson 2

The Bible
Introduction:
In this chapter, we will discover that the Bible is indeed the inspired word of God. It
is not an ordinary book, because it is the only book authorized by God. The Bible
has been spared: written by over forty men, in three languages, and over a period
of 1400 years without one mistake. Because Gods word is filled with power and
authority, we can read our Bible and God speaks to us through it. Hebrews 4:12 in
the Living Bible says:
Whatever God says to us is full of living power...
As you study the Word of God, it will unveil all you need to know about Him, His
plan, His character, and His will.
ENJOY YOUR STUDY!

I.

What are the basic facts of the Bible?

A. It is the WORD OF GOD.
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of
God, or whether I speak of myself. (John 7:17)
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
For this cause also thanked we God without ceasing, because, when ye,
received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the
word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually
worketh also in you that believe. (1 Thess.2:13)
B. It was written by PROPHETS and PRIESTS (holy men of God)
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 Peter 1:21)
C. It was written by MAN, but inspired of GOD.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (2 Tim.3:16)
D. It is divided into TWO testaments.
1. Old Testament set forth the type and shadow of the New Testament
Church.
2. The New Testament is the fulfilment of the Old Testament
Prophesies.
For whatsoever things were written a foretime were written for our
learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might
have hope. (Romans15:4)

Now all things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for
our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (1Cor.10:11)
E. Old Testament Books
A library of 39 books, broken into five subjects:
1.) LAW (five books)

Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
2.) HISTORY (twelve books)
Joshua
Judges
I & II Samuel
I & II Kings
I & II Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
3.) POETRY (five books)
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
4.) MAJOR PROPHETS (five books)
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
5.) MINOR PROPHETS (twelve books)
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah

Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi

F. New Testament Books:

A library of 27 books, broken into 5 categories:
1.) The GOSPELS (4 books)
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

2.) HISTORY (1 book)

Acts
3.) PAULINE EPISTLES (13 books)
Romans
Titus
I & II Corinthians
Philemon
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
I & II Thessalonians
I & II Timothy
4.) GENERAL EPISTLES (8 books)
Hebrews
James
I & II Peter
I, II & III John
Jude
5.) PROPHECY (1 book)
Revelation

II.

What does Inspiration of God mean?

A. Inspiration of God means that the Spirit of God MOVED the men of faith
to write. (They were literally stirred to write the things they wrote.) They
expressed Gods very WORDS and THOUGHTS.
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 Peter 1:21)

B. We discover that all scripture is the WORD OF GOD. Every word is from
God!
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (2 Tim.3:16)
If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture
cannot be broken. (John 10:35)

III.

Why did God give us the Bible?

A.
B.
C.
D.

To
To
To
To

show
show
show
show

us
us
us
us

all we need to know in LIFE.

how he feels toward US (love)
how we should LIVE (his principles)
what PRIORITIES we should have.

.. that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by
every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.
(Deut.8:3)
And patience, experience; and experience, hope. (Rom.5:4)
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you. (Mat.6:33)

E. To teach us how to relate to ONE ANOTHER.

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit
unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure
heart fervently; (1 Peter 1:22)

F. To teach us how to relate to HIM (praise, worship, prayer)

And that from child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to
make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(2Tim.3:15)
G. To teach us DOCTRINE, REPROOF, CORRECTION, INSTRUCTION IN

RIGHTEOUSNESS.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (2
Tim.3:16)
H. To teach us how to LOVE GOD.
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:
and he that loveth me shall be loved of my father, and I will love him, and will
manifest myself to him. (John14:21)

IV.

What will the study of Gods Word do for us?

A. Reveal SIN and MISTAKES.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (2
Tim.3:16)
B. Cleanse our WAYS.
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed
thereto according to thy word. (Psalm 119:9)
C. Give us PEACE.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith
the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways
higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain
cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but
watereth the earth, and making it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed
to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out
of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that
which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah55:812)

D. Produce FAITH.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(Rom.10:17)
E. Change us and put our minds in HARMONY with God and His PURPOSES
for our lives.
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the
Lord is sure, making wise the simple. (Psalm 19:7)

F. Produce FRUIT and PROSPERITY.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor
standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate
day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of
water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not
wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3)
Also: Joshua 1:8-9
G. Give us VICTORY over sin.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalm
119:11)

H. Change our SEED.

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the
word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. (1Peter 1:23)
I. Produce PRAYER POWER.
If ye abide in me, and my works abide in you, you shall ask what ye
will, and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:7)

V.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for

doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (2
Tim.3:16)

How do I study the Bible?

A. Find something that applies to your life such as; a PROMISE, a PRAYER,
a PROVISION, or a PRINCIPLE.
B. Read the Bible EVERYDAY. Study at least 15 minutes and keep it
STEADY and REGULAR. It will become a habit.
C. Follow a SYSTEMATIC plan of study.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2Tim.2:15)

1. Read the entire Bible in a year.

2. Read book by book, or one book over and over. (Start with the book
of John)
3. Memorize scriptures that speak to you.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
(Psalm119:11)

4. Meditate on the word.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor
standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But
his delight is the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and
night.(Psalm1:1-2)
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be
acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
(Psalm19:14)

VI.

What other tools are available to help my study of the

Word?
A. Use a BIBLE DICTIONARY.
B. Use a REGULAR DICTIONARY.
C. Use a CONCORDANCE.

VII. What have I learned from this chapter?

A. The basic structure of the Bible, its validity, and the source of its tool
B. The Bible has definitely been written by God for me. He used men to do
the writing, but He was the inspiration all the way!
C. God gave us the Bible for a definite purpose; to show us and to teach us.
D. It is important to study the word of God. It is the only way to spiritual
maturity and growth.
Memory Verse:
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (James
1:22)