The Bible’s Many Reasons Why

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Did you know?

There are two main ways to count Bible “versions”: The distinct canons of scripture used by various religious groups (such as Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish, Protestant), and the numerous English translations into the modern language. There are more than 3,500 versions of the Bible translated into more than 2,300 languages, with thousands of English translations and variations available. 

For this study, we will first conduct a three-part overview of the origins of the text we call the Bible, then review how to study Bible passages, then engage in a seven-part study of the core scriptures for our own congregation.

For the overview, we will consider:

  • Who wrote the books of the Bible?
  • What motivated them?
  • When were they written?
  • Where were the authors from?
  • Why did they write what they did?
  • Who were the intended audiences?
  • What were the intended messages?
  • How was language used?
  • How were these books chosen to be biblical canon?
Date & LeaderLessonText
9/8: Pastor PaulHow were the Hebrew texts written?Old Testament
9/15: Pastor PaulHow were the scriptures chosen? New Testament
9/22: Pastor PaulWhy were some books left out?Introduction: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4
9/29: Alyce/DaphneHow to study a Bible verse: The “love” passageI Corinthians 13:4-7
10/6: AlyceCore Scriptures: The FoundationMatthew 22:34-40
10/13: AlyceCore Scriptures: Cornerstone 1Micah 6:8
10/20: AlyceCore Scriptures: Cornerstone 2James 3:17-18
10/27: AlyceCore Scriptures: Cornerstone 3Romans 8:31-39
11/3: AlyceCore Scriptures: Cornerstone 4Matthew 25:31-40
11/10: AlyceCore Scriptures: Roof StructureJohn 3:16-18
11/17: AlyceCore Scriptures: Roof StructureJohn 14:1-4

Overview: Old Testament

  1. Genesis (Moses)
  2. Exodus (Moses)
  3. Leviticus – (Moses)
  4. Numbers – (Moses)
  5. Deuteronomy – (Moses)
  6. Joshua (the history of the military conquest of the Promised Land)
  7. Judges (Israel’s transition from a tribal federation to a monarchy)
  8. Ruth – two widows’ stories
  9. 1 Samuel (Israel’s emerging monarchy under Saul and David)
  10. 2 Samuel (David’s reign)
  11. 1 Kings (Solomon and the divided kingdom)
  12. 2 Kings (the fall of Israel)
  13. Chronicles 1 – History Adam to Babylonians enslaving Israel
  14. Chronicles 2
  15. Ezra (the Israelites’ return from exile)
  16. Nehemiah (the restoration of Jerusalem)
  17. Esther – another woman’s story
  18. Job
  19. Psalms (Hebrew poetry)
  20. Proverbs (Hebrew poetry)
  21. Ecclesiastes (Wisdom Literature)
  22. Song of Solomon
  23. Isaiah
  24. Jeremiah (an example of a major prophet)
  25. Lamentations
  26. Ezekiel
  27. Daniel
  28. Hosea
  29. Joel
  30. Amos
  31. Obadiah
  32. Jonah
  33. Micah
  34. Nahum
  35. Habakkuk
  36. Zephaniah
  37. Haggai
  38. Zachariah
  39. Malachi

Overview: New Testament

  1. Matthew
  2. Mark
  3. Luke (the life of Jesus)
  4. John
  5. Acts (the early church)
  6. Romans (Paul)
  7. 1 Corinthians (Paul)
  8. 2 Corinthians (Paul)
  9. Galatians (Paul)
  10. Ephesians (Paul)
  11. Philippians (Paul)
  12. Colossians (Paul)
  13. I Thessalonians (Paul)
  14. 2 Thessalonians (Paul)
  15. 1 Timothy  (Paul)
  16. 2 Timothy (Paul)
  17. Titus (Paul)
  18. Philemon
  19. Hebrews 
  20. James
  21. 1 Peter
  22. 2 Peter
  23. 1 John
  24. 2 John
  25. 3 John
  26. Jude
  27. Revelations

Outline for studying a Bible passage, with example based on Paul’s letters to the Corinthians:

  1. Background – background of the book you are studying
  2. Personal paraphrase – write the phrase in your own words
  3. Questions & Answers:  (5W & 1H)
    1. Who – Paul wrote to Corinthians
    2. What – instructions about God’s love for us / parameters
    3. Where – port city with Roman rule
    4. When – 55 AD
    5. Why – they were doing being a Christian “wrong”
    6. To give guidance / Paul wanted to simplify love/Christian life.
    7. How – Timothy carried the letter to Corinth
  1. Cross Reference – look up other similar verses or passages (Gospel parallels)
  2. Insights – use a commentary
  3. Personal Application

    New Testament study – things you need

    1. Commentary
    2. Greek version
    3. Lexicon for Greek and Latin (has definitions)
    4. Vine’s expository dictionary
    5. Study bible – broad base (be careful, can have a twist)
    6. Concordance – for cross references
    7. Read Different versions to help with your understanding.
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