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 & Leader | Lesson | Text |
9/8: Pastor Paul | How were the Hebrew texts written? | Old Testament |
9/15: Pastor Paul | How were the scriptures chosen? | New Testament |
9/22: Pastor Paul | Why were some books left out? | Introduction: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 |
9/29: Alyce/Daphne | How to study a Bible verse: The “love” passage | I Corinthians 13:4-7 |
10/6: Alyce | Core Scriptures: The Foundation | Matthew 22:34-40 |
10/13: Alyce | Core Scriptures: Cornerstone 1 | Micah 6:8 |
10/20: Alyce | Core Scriptures: Cornerstone 2 | James 3:17-18 |
10/27: Alyce | Core Scriptures: Cornerstone 3 | Romans 8:31-39 |
11/3: Alyce | Core Scriptures: Cornerstone 4 | Matthew 25:31-40 |
11/10: Alyce | Core Scriptures: Roof Structure | John 3:16-18 |
11/17: Alyce | Core Scriptures: Roof Structure | John 14:1-4 |
Overview: Old Testament
- Genesis (Moses)
- Exodus (Moses)
- Leviticus – (Moses)
- Numbers – (Moses)
- Deuteronomy – (Moses)
- Joshua (the history of the military conquest of the Promised Land)
- Judges (Israel’s transition from a tribal federation to a monarchy)
- Ruth – two widows’ stories
- 1 Samuel (Israel’s emerging monarchy under Saul and David)
- 2 Samuel (David’s reign)
- 1 Kings (Solomon and the divided kingdom)
- 2 Kings (the fall of Israel)
- Chronicles 1 – History Adam to Babylonians enslaving Israel
- Chronicles 2
- Ezra (the Israelites’ return from exile)
- Nehemiah (the restoration of Jerusalem)
- Esther – another woman’s story
- Job
- Psalms (Hebrew poetry)
- Proverbs (Hebrew poetry)
- Ecclesiastes (Wisdom Literature)
- Song of Solomon
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah (an example of a major prophet)
- Lamentations
- Ezekiel
- Daniel
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zachariah
- Malachi
Overview: New Testament
- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke (the life of Jesus)
- John
- Acts (the early church)
- Romans (Paul)
- 1 Corinthians (Paul)
- 2 Corinthians (Paul)
- Galatians (Paul)
- Ephesians (Paul)
- Philippians (Paul)
- Colossians (Paul)
- I Thessalonians (Paul)
- 2 Thessalonians (Paul)
- 1 Timothy (Paul)
- 2 Timothy (Paul)
- Titus (Paul)
- Philemon
- Hebrews
- James
- 1 Peter
- 2 Peter
- 1 John
- 2 John
- 3 John
- Jude
- Revelations
Outline for studying a Bible passage, with example based on Paul’s letters to the Corinthians:
- Background – background of the book you are studying
- Personal paraphrase – write the phrase in your own words
- Questions & Answers: (5W & 1H)
- Who – Paul wrote to Corinthians
- What – instructions about God’s love for us / parameters
- Where – port city with Roman rule
- When – 55 AD
- Why – they were doing being a Christian “wrong”
- To give guidance / Paul wanted to simplify love/Christian life.
- How – Timothy carried the letter to Corinth
- Cross Reference – look up other similar verses or passages (Gospel parallels)
- Insights – use a commentary
- Personal Application
New Testament study – things you need
- Commentary
- Greek version
- Lexicon for Greek and Latin (has definitions)
- Vine’s expository dictionary
- Study bible – broad base (be careful, can have a twist)
- Concordance – for cross references
- Read Different versions to help with your understanding.