Where to BeginWhere to Begin
Click here for a printable(PDF) version of this page.
What is the Bible?
- The Bible is God's inspired and infallible authority in written form. It contains God's ultimate answers to all of mankind's deepest needs and is the guiding light in a dark world of ungodliness. It sets forth the one and only true way to mans' eternal well being (John 14:6).
- II Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching [doctrine], rebuking [reproof], correcting and training [instruction] in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
- Doctrine is what's right. Reproof is what's not right. Correction is how to get right. Instruction is how to stay right.
- It is made up of 66 books divided into two main divisions referred to as the Old and New Testaments. It was written by more than 40 different authors, spanning 40 generations or 1400-1600 years. The 66 books are written in various types of literature genre (gospels-Jesus' words, historical, biographical, poetical/epic, wise sayings, prophetic/apocalyptic, epistle-a letter, or a combination). Most of the books were written by one author but some have more than one author. Often we know who wrote the book because the author mentions himself.
- Parts of a Bible: Translation, Table of Contents, Text itself. Some Bibles have notes, devotionals, cross references, dictionaries, maps, and concordances.
- Overview of translations-What we know as the Old Testament was written primarily in Hebrew with some Aramaic, but was translated into Common Greek (Koine) about 100 BC. This translation is known as the LXX or Septuagint. The New Testament was written in the Common Greek and often quoted the Old Testament from the Common Greek Translation just mentioned. This Greek was the official language of the time and place these books were written (during the Roman Empire). This is an unspoken (or unused) language today, but we can still study and understand it. Words often have shades of meaning that cannot be translated literally or even our English word may mean something else by this time.
- Why the NIV-Read the first pages of the Bible.
- Other Study Aids...Beyond Your Bible:
1. Concordance: partial (in the back of your Bible) versus exhaustive. Example: Strong's Exhaustive
Concordance or New American Standard Exhaustive Concordance.
2. Maps-A map which shows the lands of the Old Testament patriarchs, the tribes of Israel, the lands of
New Testament writers, and a modern day map is helpful. Often a good Biblical map will have overlays of
various historical periods in order to make a better comparison.
3. Dictionary-Remember, the original languages were Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic so it helps to look up
the original words and their meanings. Also, studying other passages of Scripture where a word is also
used may aid your understanding of the meaning.
4. Commentaries-devotional versus analytical (examine text within context and original language).
***These should only be used after you have made your own thorough study of the passage and not
before. Not every commentator is "right." Some have not even studied the passage for themselves, but
only provide a consensus of other commentaries. Remember, it is the Word of God alone that is "living
and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,..." Hebrews 4:12-13.
5. Internet resources: View our Links page of online resources.
Bible Study Method-COL Study Method
- Goal of Bible Study: II Timothy 2:15 "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles [rightly divide] the word of truth."
- Pray before you begin your study time - see I Corinthians 2:7-16 and James 1:22-25.
- Determine what type of reading/literature you are about to begin. Is it literal or figurative?
