This week we are beginning a new class called “Foundations.” The purpose of this class will be to present some important introductory topics that will help us as we prepare to begin a journey through the Bible, starting in the book of Genesis. We will look at some reasons to study the Bible along with some critical questions to ponder for anyone serious about reading and understanding God’s Word. This first class will also include the importance of seeing the “big picture” along with a basic five step hermeneutical method to prepare us fo study.

Defending our faith and developing a Biblical worldview based on our understanding of God’s Word takes time and practice, and must be part of a lifetime commitment we make to the LORD. It should form our purpose and identity in everyday life as we grow closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, modeling Him to our family, friends and neighbors. As Christians, it is more important than ever to know what we believe, and why we believe it, and then apply that to who we are on a consistent basis, and this can only be done if we know Jesus and what His Word teaches.

All class sessions include a time for prayer and reflection, a presentation, and a Bible study section. You will find the presentation overview and Bible study questions below. Basic answers to the Bible study will be also be posted for your review and, or as a leader’s guide.

Watch this week’s class presentation:

Foundations Bible Study, beginning in Genesis

Introduction

Prayer Cards:

Do you have anyone that you are hoping to share what you are learning with? Write that person(s) name down on your prayer card along with any other prayer request you might have, and exchange with your table group at the end of the evening.

Discuss:

What is your experience in previous Bible studies (if any), and what are you hoping to learn in this class?
Why, as a Christian, do you think it would be important to study the Bible?

Focus Verse:

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Genesis 3:15 ESV

PRESENTATION

Why study the Bible?

To strengthen our Christian Walk
To draw us closer to God
To prepare us for eternity
To get wisdom and understanding as we go through this life
To answer life’s most important questions (origin, purpose, destiny)
To give us confidence in what we believe to be true is really true
To share with others and give answers to those who have questions, especially the next generation
To discern, identify and dispute false teachings
To protect us from deception and discouragement by the evil one
To help us become more like Jesus – He’s in every book!

“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Psalm 11:3 (NASB)

GENESIS IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE ENTIRE BIBLE!

What are some things I should know, understand and believe before I begin to study the Bible?

The foundational/essential beliefs of Christianity – What makes Christianity, Christianity?

ALL CHRISTIANS SHOULD HAVE A BASIC UNDERSTANDING AND BELIEF, CONCERNING THESE THINGS, and studying the Bible, especially the book of Genesis, will help us with this…

Who is God?
What is the Bible?
Who is Jesus?
Who is “man”?
What is the Gospel?
What happens when we die?
What is the role of the Church?

Most importantly, the Bible must be understood using good hermeneutics…

Two main things to consider in Bible study:

1. Get to know the Bible’s Big Picture

Old Testament-New Testament Structure and Connection
The Scarlet Thread of Jesus

2. Practice Hermeneutics

Never read or study a Bible verse by itself
Context-context-context – Use the five-step hermeneutical method

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BIBLE’S BIG PICTURE

Old Testament: Big Picture

Four Main Categories

THE TORAH (Genesis-Exodus-Leviticus-Numbers-Deuteronomy)
THE HISTORY BOOKS (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther)
THE BOOKS OF WISDOM AND POETRY (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon)
THE BOOKS OF THE PROPHETS (Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel – Minor Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi)

INTERTESTAMENTAL PERIOD

No inspired books are written but God is preparing the world…

New Testament: Big Picture

Four Main Categories

THE GOSPELS (Matthew-Mark-Luke-John)
CHURCH HISTORY (The book of Acts)
THE EPISTLES (Pauline: Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon – General: Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2 and 3 John, Jude)
THE APOCALYPSE (The book of Revelation)

Conclusion to the Bible’s Big Picture

Our job, or purpose, until then is to share the good news (THE GOSPEL) with as many people as we can, living lives as God’s Ambassadors for the Kingdom, giving reasons for the hope that we have in Jesus, and preparing for eternity.

(Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:20, 1 Peter 3:15)

HERMENEUTICS

Author and Audience: Who wrote it, to whom; when and where? Discuss the historical setting of the narrator (who he was and where he fits into the Biblical history), and his audience. Include date of events and writing.
Purpose: Why was it written? Get some background: Explore what was going on in the narrative and culture at the time of the events. Include the type of genre (literary style).
Context: What does it say? Get the big picture by carefully reading and then summarizing the whole story line. This might include the entire book, a chapter(s) or just a specific passage in one sitting. Consider the who, what, why, when, where and how type of questions.
Interpretation: What does it mean? This is based on the context of the reading and your summaries. It should relate to the overall purpose and intent of the author. Focus on God’s character and what God, through the author, wanted them to know. Examine how the passage points towards Jesus and the overall ”big-picture” of the Bible as a whole. You can also go deeper here with specific questions of focus.

Note: Cross-referencing passages from other books of the Bible can be helpful, especially when questions arise – most study Bibles give you those references.

Application: How do I use what I learned? Based on the context and interpretation, we can now discuss how to apply what we have read to our lives and the culture we live in today, including our witness to others.

The Shelf: Have a place in your notebook or journal to write down questions that arise. This will help avoid rabbit trails or distractions, and you can return to them later on.

RESOURCES FOR BIBLE STUDY

Notebook or Journal

Get a notebook or journal to use specifically for your Bible study – this is where you’ll write summaries, take notes, answer questions and jot down your own questions for the “Shelf”

Study Bible

Recommendations:

Life Application Study Bible in the NASB, NIV or NLT version

Or The ESV or NIV Study Bible

Bible version/translation differences:

Literal Translation:

Word for word translations.
Most difficult reading, but works closest to the original Hebrew/Greek.
Best for study purposes.-New American Standard Bible-King James Version
-New King James Version

-Revised Standard Version

-New Revised Standard Version

-English Standard Version

Dynamic Equivalent:

Thought for thought translations.
Clearer reading with closest meaning possible.
Finds equivalent concepts in English.-New International Version-Christian Standard Bible
-New Living Translation

-New English Version

-Revised English Version

Paraphrases:

Free translation.
Easiest to read, with story-like qualities.
Not recommended for in-depth study.-Message Bible-Good News Bible
-Living Bible

-Phillips

-New Century Version

Note: Most versions come in study Bible types like the Life Application

Big Picture Tools

The Essential Bible Companion: Key Insights for Reading God’s Word, by John H. Walton, Mark L. Strauss, and Ted Cooper Jr.
Knowing the Bible 101, by Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz
Henderson Rose Publishing for – maps, charts, timelines and overviews

Research and Questions

biblegateway.com – for Bible reading in different versions; Bible book, verse or word searches; commentaries; articles; and other Bible resources

gotquestions.org – for Bible and Christian Worldview related questions

Bible Study

Each week, we are encouraging you to take some dedicated time and spend it in God’s Word. Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

Bible Study Practice for homework:

Using your study Bible, or other research methods, discuss the first two steps of the hermeneutical method for the book of Genesis and we will review next week:

Author and Audience: Who wrote it, to whom; when and where? Discuss the historical setting of the narrator (who he was and where he fits into the Biblical history), and his audience. Include date of events and writing.
Purpose: Why was it written? Get some background: Explore what was going on in the culture at the time of the events. Include the type of genre (literary style).

(you can use a good study Bible or trusted sources such as gotquestions.org)

Join us next week for Foundations Bible Study starting in the book of Genesis!

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15