Welcome to our new class: A Case for the Bible, The Bible Fast Forward. In this presentation we will look at our ministry statement, recommended things you will need for this class and an overview of Bible types and versions with some recommendations for study Bibles. We will also preview the format for our “Survey of the Bible” that will be the main part of our Bible study. this year.

Watch the class introduction presentation:

Presentation Notes

2024 A Case for the Bible: The Bible Fast Forward

Session One – Introduction

Prayer cards: Take a minute and write your name on the index card provided, and add any special prayer request you might have. Exchange cards at the end of the class this evening.

At your table groups, answer the following:

1. Have you been in a Bible study before, and if so what has been your experience?
2. What are you hoping to learn in this class?
3. Recite the Memory Verse:

¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB)

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), and this includes an emphasis on developing our Christian walk through:

1. Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; John 17:1-3 this entire chapter is a model)
2. Proper Biblical interpretation through the use of hermeneutics (Matthew 22:37; 2 Timothy 2:15)
3. An apologetic defense of the historicity, inerrancy and inspiration of the Christian Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
4. Discipleship (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 3:16 and John 14:1-3)
• 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)

Things you need for this class

• Three-ringed notebook, paper and class handouts (or via electronic device)
• A Study Bible preferably in NASB, ESV, NIV or NKJV – recommendations include…
  • Life Application Study Bible
  • NIV Study Bible
  • or…

Study Bibles: Versions and Translations

Translations and versions can be generally categorized as seen in the following example:

Literal Translations: Word for word translations that work closest to the original Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic

-New American Standard Bible

-King James Version

-New King James Version

-Revised Standard Version

-New Revised Standard Version

-English Standard Version

Dynamic Equivalent Translations: Thought for thought translations with clearest reading and closest meaning possible that finds equivalent concepts in English

-New International Version

-Christian Standard Bible

-New Living Translation

-New English Version

-Revised English Version

Paraphrases: These have story like qualities and are not recommended for in-depth study

-Message Bible

-Good News Bible

-Living Bible

-Phillips

-New Century Version

Note: All of the major versions can also be found in topical Bibles. Some are focused on particular groups or subjects. For example, there are student study Bibles, Bibles for men or women, and Bibles that have a specific focus like apologetics, archeology, culture, and life application.

The Bible Fast Forward, by Greg Koukl

• Greg founded Stand to Reason in 1993 and currently serves as President of Stand to Reason. He has spoken on more than 70 college and university campuses both in the U.S. and abroad and has hosted his own call-in radio show for 27 years, advocating for “Christianity worth thinking about.” He has debated atheist Michael Shermer on national radio and Deepak Chopra on national television.
• An award-winning writer and best-selling author, Greg has written seven books, including The Story of Reality—How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between; Tactics—A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions, and Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air. Greg has been featured on Focus on the Family radio and has been interviewed for CBN and the BBC. He’s been quoted in Christianity Today, the U.S. News & World Report, and the L.A. Times.
• Greg received his Masters in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics at Talbot School of Theology, graduating with high honors, and his Masters in Christian Apologetics with honors from Simon Greenleaf University. He is an adjunct professor in Christian apologetics at Biola University.

THE BIBLE FAST FORWARD – VIDEO LECTURE, SESSION ONE

For more information on Greg Koukl and the Stand to Reason Ministry, or to order “The Bible Fast Forward” lecture series go to str.org

Review and Reflection

1. What are some reasons Christians often misapply Old Testament verses?
2. What is a Worldview and why is it important for Christians to have a good understanding of theirs?
3. What is the main theme of the Bible, and what other themes would you add as important to share with others?

Bible Study

Survey of the Bible – Format Introduction

Old Testament

Category:

Book:

1. Author: Who wrote the book and when?

2. Audience: Who was it written to?

3. Purpose: Why was it written?

4. Content: Outline form – What are the major themes? (Chapter by chapter)

5. Going Deeper: What are the major Covenants found in this book?

6. Finding Jesus: Where is Jesus – appearances, foreshadows or prophecies?

7. Application: How can this book and its teachings apply to us today?

8. The Shelf: What questions or comments do you have about this book?