“A Bible that’s falling apart, usually belongs to someone who isn’t!” -Charles Spurgeon

Over the next few weeks we will do an “encore” review from our Case for Genesis class we offered last year, which is a Christian Apologetics based class that looks at reasons to believe, defend and trust in the Biblical accounts. We will look at the some of the important presentations that support the reliability, historicity and inspiration of the Christian Bible, starting with Genesis. In part one we will do an overview of the ministry and purpose of this class, and discuss tools and methods that will help you study Scripture. If you are new to Bible study, or been around the Bible all your life, this is a good class for you!

Watch the class presentation, then review the notes below before doing some Bible study on your own:

Overview Notes from the presentation

A Case for Genesis

Session 1 Class Introduction, Part One

Welcome!

Recommended Study Aids

Class Notes: Notes and Bible study questions are posted here with the presentation. They can be copied for use on your device or printed for hardcopy binders (these can be kept and reused for future studies!)
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

Literal Translations: Word for word translations. Works closest to the original Hebrew/Greek. Includes…

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)

Dynamic Equivalent Translations: Thought for thought translations. Clear reading with closest meaning possible that finds equivalent concepts in English. Includes…

New International Version (NIV)
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
New Living Translation (NLT)
New English Version (NEV)
Revised English Version (REV)

Paraphrases: Story like qualities. Not recommended for in-depth study. Includes…

Message Bible
Good News Bible
Living Bible
Phillips Bible
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.

Challenge

Set a goal to read your Bible everyday – start with a Psalm or Proverb a day, then build on that!

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:

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

Session 1 Presentation

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

1. Do you really believe this statement is true?

2. What is the alternative?

It will be important to understand, as we go through this class, the importance of this very first verse of the Bible. The alternative being based on the reigning paradigm presented in academia today.

What is a paradigm?

A paradigm is a standard, perspective, or set of ideas. It is a way of looking at something.
The word paradigm comes up a lot in the academic, scientific, and business worlds.
In the field of science: A paradigm is a framework, or model, containing basic assumptions, ways of thinking, and methodology that are commonly accepted by members of a scientific community.

A paradigm is formed based on presuppositions:

Presuppositions are assumptions, or preconceived ideas, scientists hold that can affect their research models (paradigms) and methods
This can be related directly to one’s worldview
If the evidence, or interpretation of the evidence, does not fit the model in place it is often thrown out, or disregarded

We will be using some of the video clips from the documentary: Is Genesis History – watch the official trailer here…

Is Genesis History? – Video Introduction

Bible Study

Each week we will have Bible study following the presentation. There will be questions presented here for your review in a small group or individually. This week will be a preparation week so that you can find a study Bible that will work best for you.

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.

1. Review of Class Topic:

View the class presentation, then with your group, discuss the content by summarizing what you learned, commenting or asking any questions.

2. Prepare for Bible study next week by researching and sharing study Bibles that you have found helpful. If this is your first time in Bible study, review the different versions and study Bibles to decide what might work best for you. If you have a study Bible get ahead by reading and getting familiar with your study Bible’s introduction, and how your study Bible can be used (this is an often overlooked part of a study Bible). Then read your study Bible’s introduction to the book of Genesis to get a background for context before we start next week.

Join us next week as we present part two of the introduction to our new class “A Case for 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