Welcome to our new class: A Case for the Gospels! This week we are going over introductory information, focusing on some of the important aspects of this class, including the importance of prayer (as modeled by Jesus), hermeneutics (a basic Bible study method), apologetics (Christian case-making) and discipleship (doing life together). We will also take an introductory look at the Gospel of Matthew before diving into a weekly Bible study on that book.

Each week’s class includes prayer, an “apologetics” presentation, a review of last week’s Bible study, and a homework assignment. You will also find the presentation notes, Bible study questions and additional resources below, and you make comments or ask questions as well.

Watch this week’s class introductory presentation:

Overview Notes from the Presentation

Welcome and 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.

With your groups, introduce yourself, and answer the following:

1. Have you been in an apologetics class or Bible study before, if so, where and what did you study?

2. What are you hoping to learn in this class?

3. With your table group, go over the categories and the 27 books found in the New Testament.

Recommended Study Aids

1. Class Notes: Notes and Bible study questions can be found here on the website for online study, or copy and paste to a word document and printed for hardcopy binders

2. A Study Bible: This class recommends the NASB Life Application Study Bible – The NASB is the version we will be using in the presentations

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.

Optional resources to help you study

To build on your knowledge, and your Christian library, the following are recommended resources to help with Bible study and case-making…

Apps:

www.biblegateway.com Bible versions, commentaries and other study aids

www.gotquestions.org Bible and apologetic questions answered in quick and concise ways

Class Website:

www.truthfaithandreason.com Class presentation (with notes and Bible study questions)

Rose Publishing:

www.hendricksonrose.com Maps, charts, timelines and overviews

Cold-Case Christianity (book), by J. Warner Wallace
10th year anniversary edition, updated and expanded

www.coldcasechristianity.com Apologetics for the truth of the Gospels

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)

Why do we need to make a case for the Gospels?

Some Troubling Statistics

Americans polled by Gallup: July 2022

Record low 20% say the Bible is the literal Word of God – down 24% from 2017, half of what it was in the 1980’s
New high of 29% say the Bible is a collection of “fabless, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man”
Only 17% of practicing Christians actually have a “Biblical Worldview”

Shift in attitude about the Bible indicates a downturn in overall religiosity in the U.S. adult population, this includes declines in the following:

formal identification with a religion
self-reported membership in a church
self-reported religious service attendance
personal importance of religion
belief in God

Side Note: Sadly, this corresponds to the mental health crisis being at an all-time high; suicide, drug abuse, homelessness and all forms of PTSD are also reported at alarming rates nationwide, along with a culture filled with social ills and identity crises – why?

Why should we read and study the Bible?

It is God breathed – literally God’s Word (2 Timothy. 3:16)
It answers life’s most important questions (origin, purpose, destiny, the problem of evil)
It gives us practical advice for living life to its best (marriage, friendships, what it means to be successful, what really matters in life, and how to live so we don’t look back with regret)
It is totally reliable without error (MAPS-S)
It is still relevant for today because God’s nature, and human nature, does not change
It helps us discern truth from error as there is so much false teaching
It helps us learn from others (past mistakes and successes)
It equips us to serve God
It protects us from temptation and sin
It will help us to become more like Jesus

We are warned in Scripture to be people of Bible knowledge…

Jesus warns us

“And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.”

“For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.” -Matthew 24:4-5; 24 (NASB)

The Apostle Paul warns us

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” –Colossians 2:8 (NASB)

We are called to be wise and discerning

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” -1 Timothy 4:1 (NIV)

The Apostle Peter warns us

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.”

-2 Peter 2:1-3a (NIV)

“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.” -2 Peter 3:3 (NIV)

The Apostle John warns us

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” -1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)

“This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you.” -1 John 2:25-26 (NASB)

Simple reason for Israel’s demise in the Old Testament after repeated warnings for centuries

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” -Hosea 4:6 (NASB)

Biblical commands to know the what the Scriptures teach

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. And you shall repeat them diligently to your sons and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.” -Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (NASB)

The Great Commission

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 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 follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” -Matthew 28:18-20 (NASB)

Always put on “The Full Armor of God”
Spiritual warfare is real

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints.” –Ephesians 6:10-18 (NASB)

THE BIBLE GIVES US INSIGHT AND TRUTH,

WE NEED TO SPEND TIME WITH IT!

How do we become Biblically literate Christians?

1. Make it a priority to read and study your Bible (daily if possible)

2. Schedule the time – if you don’t you will never get to it!

3. Be discerning in your choice of teachers and commentaries

4. Learn how to study the Word (Hermeneutics)

Some basic principles to follow

1. 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.

2..Never read a Bible Verse by itself (don’t take a verse out of its context)

3. Let the Bible interpret the Bible (read the full context and cross-reference as much as you can)

4. Get the Big Picture (Jesus = the Scarlet Thread of the entire Bible)

5. Use the hermeneutical method (study the Bible in proper context)…

A BASIC HERMENEUTICAL METHOD

Most study Bibles help you find this information. Numbers one and two should be done prior to beginning your study so that the rest of the method will flow from the original intention from God’s inspired writers. Personal application is always considered last.

1. AUTHOR-AUDIENCE

(Includes dating and cultural background of that day)

2. PURPOSE OF THE WRITING

(Includes genre)

3. CONTEXT/FLOW OF THOUGHT

(Includes getting the big picture)

4. INTERPRETATION/SUMMARY

(Includes Biblical cross-referencing)

5. PERSONAL AND CULTURAL APPLICATION

(Always done last based on the context)

Note: It is important to follow this order. If you start with personal application instead of author-audience and purpose you may not get the correct context and thus misapply it to your life.

THE SHELF: Don’t get hung up on a single verse or passage, set it on the shelf and keep going – the answer will come later, and you’ll be surprised at how the Holy Spirit will lead as you study!

Bible Study

Each week, starting we will have Bible study following the presentation. There will be questions presented here on the weekend, and basic answers will be posted during the week. This can also help you to make a leader’s guide for your own small group and future studies!

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.

Note: Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for Discussion or Going Deeper questions. If you use these kinds of sources share them with your group.

1. Review of Class Topic: Before getting into the Bible study questions, discuss today’s class presentation by summarizing what you learned, commenting or asking any questions.

Practicing the Hermeneutics for the Gospel of Matthew and a look at Jesus’ genealogy:

2. Who was the author and what do we know about him?

3. Who was the audience and what do we know about them?

4. What is the main genre (Literary style) and purpose of this book?

5. Discuss: Why do you think it is important to understand the historical and cultural context in which the books of the Bible are written? What are some ways that we can do this (what resources can you share)?

6. How can we make proper application of the Gospels to our lives today?

7. Start by reading chapter one, verses 1 through 17. This is a genealogy of Jesus through his human step father, Joseph. What do you think is the importance of this genealogy?

8. Going Deeper: Cross-reference this genealogy with the one in Luke chapter 3:23-38. What can you find out (research) about the differences seen in the Luke genealogy, and why are these differences important?

Join us next week as we continue our “Case for the Gospels!”

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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