A Case for Creation: Introduction Part 1 – The importance of studying the Bible

This week we are starting a new series called “A Case for Creation.” Along with this series we will be studying through the book of Genesis with some questions at the end of each week’s session. Before we start let’s review the purpose of this ministry, and why it is important for all Christians to be adequately trained in what we believe and why we believe it:

Ministry Statement

The purpose of this ministry is to provide participants with the information and tools needed to address the questions asked of Christians in our culture today (1 Peter 3:15). This includes an emphasis on developing our Christian walk through:

1. Prayer: Modeling Jesus (Matthew 6:9-13; John 17)
2. Proper Biblical interpretation through the use of hermeneutics: Studying the Bible in context (Matthew 22:37; 2 Timothy 2:15)
3. Using apologetics: Defense of the historicity, inerrancy and inspiration of the Christian Bible and the teachings therein (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
4. Discipleship: Sharing our faith with others and doing life together (Matthew 28:18-20; Hebrews 10:23-25)

This ministry believes that it is the responsibility of every person to invest serious time looking into the claims of Christianity because what we believe to be true about God, human purpose, and destiny defines us in this life and more importantly in the next. (John 14)

This ministry is committed to providing Biblical truths based on the entirety of Scripture—both Old and New Testaments. (Matthew 5:17-18; 2 Peter 1:16-19)

This ministry believes that the most important question we must answer in this life is the one Jesus asked of his disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:27-29; John 14:6-7)

Here is “Part 1” of the class presentation (Part 2 will follow next week):

Getting Ready to Study the Bible

Before you begin any study of the Bible make sure you have a good study Bible (or two or three). It is important to study the Bible for yourself without any preconceived ideas. Using the hermeneutical method will be important, and there are three basic principles to follow:

1.  Let the Bible interpret the Bible:

• Read the chapters and passages for yourself first without going to a commentary (that can be done later on with difficult passages)
• Read verses or passages in their entire context (a whole chapter, story or thought, not just a verse by itself)
• Use cross-references when possible (for difficult passages look for places where the topic is discussed in other parts of the Bible: Cross-references are usually listed in most study Bibles)

2.  Follow this basic hermeneutic method when you study:

• Research the author and learn his story in general
• Research the original audience and the culture in which they were living
• Research the purpose for the writing which can include the cultural setting, historical background and the genre/literary style of the book (most of the Bible is historical narrative)
• Understand the complete context of a verse or passage – never take a verse as a stand alone unless you understand the hermeneutics first
• Life application should only be done after doing the above first – never apply a Bible story to your own life until you understand the original context, especially the author’s intended audience and purpose at the time.

3.  Learn the big picture of the Bible and keep it in focus as you read and study:

Understand that the entire Bible points to the person of Jesus:

• The Old Testament foreshadowing and prophecies of His ministry, sacrifice and resurrection on our behalf
• His Kingdom and His final victory over death and Satan
• His preparation of an eternal home for us
• His role in the God-Head (The Trinity)

The Christian Bible gives us a linear storyline that we can follow from beginning to end:

1.Curtain opens in Genesis: God creates a perfect world and humans have a perfect relationship with Him

2.The Conflict occurs in Genesis 3: Sin changes everything and affects the rest of the story, humans need to be saved from this fate

3.The Old Testament is the unfolding of God’s rescue plan of salvation given to a particular man (Abraham), and carried through a particular nation (Israel), with every person, story, and event pointing to that fulfillment in Jesus

4.The New Testament is the fulfillment of the rescue plan through Jesus with redemption offered to everyone by way of the the Holy Spirit

5.The curtain closes in Revelation: We are back to that original place of relationship and perfection with God through Jesus Christ our LORD

Old Testament Big Picture – Snapshot:

• God creates us to be in relationship with Him (Genesis 1-2)
• Humans lose that relationship at “the Fall” when they disobey God’s only command (Genesis 3) and we live with the consequence of that today
• God immediately Promises a way of salvation and begins to work that [rescue] plan out in “Covenants” throughout the Old Testament—giving encouragement, warning and hope through the prophets (Genesis 3:15; Genesis 12:2-3; Genesis 15:5-19; Genesis 26:3-5; Genesis 28:10-15; Genesis 49:9-12; Exodus 12-15; 19-20; 2 Samuel 7:5-17; Jeremiah 31:31)
• Every book (39), story, and event contains a foreshadow, model, or prophecy of Jesus (who He would be and what He would do)—the Scarlet Thread of the Old Testament
• The Nation of Israel was chosen to be God’s people and role-model to the other nations (but they failed all the time), showing the need for a Savior, and it would be through this Nation that Messiah would come

New Testament Big Picture – Snapshot:

THE GOSPEL:

• Jesus is born, the promised Messiah from the tribe of Judah and line of David (Luke 3:23-37)
• Jesus is the New Covenant in fulfillment of God’s Old Covenant and the hundreds of prophecies made about Him centuries before (Luke 22:20; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Hebrews 8:7-13; 9:1-15)
• Jesus’ ministry proves that He is God incarnate evidenced by His sinless life and multitude of miracles attesting to His power over the natural order and His love for humanity (evidenced throughout the Gospels)
• Jesus dies as a substitute for all humanity, then resurrects from the grave in defeat of death and Satan, restoring that lost relationship with humankind and providing a path for eternal life (John 3:11-21)

THE CHURCH:

• Jesus’ followers begin to spread this good news at Jesus’ command and giving of the Holy Spirit to all believers (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:7-8)
• The early Church begins as disciples gathering in various places worshipping and studying Scripture (book of Acts)
• Jesus promises to come back bringing the full Kingdom of God creating a New Earth and New Heaven with no more pain, suffering, or death (Revelation 21:1-7)

CONCLUSION:

Our job, or purpose, until then is to share this good news with as many people as we can, living lives as God’s Ambassadors for the Kingdom, preparing for eternity (2 Corinthians 5:20; 1 Peter 3:15)

(Jesus speaking)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20 (NASB)

(The Apostle Paul speaking)

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

-2 Corinthians 5:20 (NASB)

What kind of study Bible should you use?

I use the New American Standard Bible (NASB) which is a “literal translation” and comes closest to “word for word” in reference to the original language. Any of the Literal Translations and Dynamic Equivalents are good. I do not recommend using Paraphrase Bibles for study purpose.

Here is a chart that might help you with Bible version selections:

Study Bibles: Major Versions and Translations

Literal Translation	Dynamic Equivalent	Paraphrases
-New American Standard Bible (NASB) -King James Version (KJV)) -New King James Version (NKJV) -Revised Standard Version (RSV) -New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) -English Standard Version (ESV)	-New International Version (NIV) -Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) -New Living Translation (NLT) -New English Version (NEV) -Revised English Version (REV) -New Jerusalem (Catholic Bible)	-Message Bible -Good News Bible -Living Bible -Phillips -New Century Version
Word for word translations. Most difficult reading, but works closest to the original Hebrew/Greek. Best for going deeper in your studies.	Thought for thought translations. Clearer reading with closest meaning possible. Finds equivalent concepts in English. Can be used for study purposes.	Easiest to read, with story like qualities. Not recommended for study purposes.

Reflection

1. Why is it important as a Christian, to know what we believe and why?
2. Write out 1 Peter 3:15 as a memory verse on the importance of giving answers for the hope that we have in Jesus.
3. PTRs: (Praise-Thankgiving-Repentance-Requests) Prayer Focus— Ask God to give you the passion and focus as you commit to an in-depth study of the book of Genesis and a “Case for Creation.”

Bible Study

Each week we will do a Bible study in the book of Genesis to practice our Bible study skills. To get prepared…

Always remember to pray before reading and studying Scripture.

1. Decide on a Bible that you would like to use. Get some highlighters and pens that you can use to mark in your Bible (yes it is OK to mark up your Bible!)
2. Get familiar with the features of you Bible and how you might use them during your studies.
3. Read through Genesis 1-11 without any preconceived ideas or expectations. Do not read the study notes in your Bible or use any commentaries or books besides the actual text of the Bible. Read it like a novel and get to know the storyline before you begin to study it next week. If you have time read it through at least three times so that you really know the story.

Join us next week as we continue our Case for Creation and A Study in Genesis – Introduction Part 2!