1. Background To Scripture

2. The Bible Bible: this means “the books” Bible: this means “the books” It was written by many different people who were guided by God’s spirit. The Bible is a small library of books in one. It was written by many different people who were guided by God’s spirit. The Bible is a small library of books in one.

3. The Bible The bible was written, in different places and times, over a period of about 1000 years The bible was written, in different places and times, over a period of about 1000 years Each section is written: Each section is written: –By a different author –For a different purpose –For a different audience –At a different time

4. Old Testament It is divided into two major parts; Christians call the books written before Jesus the Old Testament (or the Hebrew Scriptures). It is divided into two major parts; Christians call the books written before Jesus the Old Testament (or the Hebrew Scriptures). Genesis, Exodus, Psalms, Proverbs are among the books that can be found in the Old Testament. Genesis, Exodus, Psalms, Proverbs are among the books that can be found in the Old Testament. The main point of the Old Testament is to show God’s love. These books are the basis of the Jewish religion. These books are the books Jesus taught from when he was growing up. All of the apostles also followed these books. The main point of the Old Testament is to show God’s love. These books are the basis of the Jewish religion. These books are the books Jesus taught from when he was growing up. All of the apostles also followed these books.

5. New Testament The New Testament is the second part to the Bible. This is concerned with Jesus’ Love for us. It also tells the story of the early followers of Jesus and the early church. This part includes the four Gospels, the letters and the Acts of the Apostles. The New Testament is the second part to the Bible. This is concerned with Jesus’ Love for us. It also tells the story of the early followers of Jesus and the early church. This part includes the four Gospels, the letters and the Acts of the Apostles.

6. How Did The Bible Develop? The Bible grew out of; The religious experience of the people of Israel. It shows their developing understanding of their relationship with God. The religious experience of the people of Israel. It shows their developing understanding of their relationship with God.

7. How the Bible Developed: The Bible has three types of history; The Bible has three types of history; 1. Oral History: stories told, songs sung, history recounted and memorized. 2. Written History: written stories, history recorded, instructions, guides. 3. Edited History: selected the best of what was written and told. All three types of history happened at the same time. All three types of history happened at the same time.

8. What Should We Believe About The Bible? The Bible is given special respect because Jewish and Christian people believe that God communicates with people in a special way through the Bible. The Bible is given special respect because Jewish and Christian people believe that God communicates with people in a special way through the Bible. The Bible is one of the ways God speaks to us. He also speaks to us through persons, places, events, and our conscience. The Bible is one of the ways God speaks to us. He also speaks to us through persons, places, events, and our conscience.

9. What Should We Believe about the Bible? The writers of the Bible experienced God in their lives and wrote about their experience. We believe that if the Bible is read as an inspired book, then it becomes God’s special revelation. The writers of the Bible experienced God in their lives and wrote about their experience. We believe that if the Bible is read as an inspired book, then it becomes God’s special revelation. God leaves us free to hear or ignore this revelation. God leaves us free to hear or ignore this revelation.

10. Written Reflection Think of a time in your life when God has revealed something to you. Describe this time in your life. How did God communicate with you and how did you respond? Think of a time in your life when God has revealed something to you. Describe this time in your life. How did God communicate with you and how did you respond?

11. The Bible Library The Old Testament contains 46 books divided into sections of Law, History, Poetry and Prophecy. The Old Testament contains 46 books divided into sections of Law, History, Poetry and Prophecy.

12. The Bible Library The Catholic Church also recognizes another set of Old Testament books known as the Deuterocanonicals. It includes: Tobit, Judith, 1+2 Maccabees, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, plus additions to Esther and Daniel. The Catholic Church also recognizes another set of Old Testament books known as the Deuterocanonicals. It includes: Tobit, Judith, 1+2 Maccabees, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, plus additions to Esther and Daniel.

13. The Bible Library The New Testament contains 27 books divided into section of Gospel, Acts of the Apostles, Letters (Paul’s letters and General Letters) and Prophecy. The New Testament contains 27 books divided into section of Gospel, Acts of the Apostles, Letters (Paul’s letters and General Letters) and Prophecy.

15. How To Find A Scriptural Reference The Bible is Composed of Books, Each Books is composed of Chapters, Each chapter is composed of Verses A Scripture passage provides all the information you need to find a particular passage. Take for example the reference; Genesis 1:31 A Scripture passage provides all the information you need to find a particular passage. Take for example the reference; Genesis 1:31 The name of the book comes first. Here the name Genesis (Often Abbreviated Gen or Gn)‏ The name of the book comes first. Here the name Genesis (Often Abbreviated Gen or Gn)‏ The Chapter number appears directly after the name of the book. The example gives the number 1, meaning Chapter 1. The Chapter number appears directly after the name of the book. The example gives the number 1, meaning Chapter 1. The last number, separated from the chapter number by a colon, indicates the verse. The example refers to Verse 31. The last number, separated from the chapter number by a colon, indicates the verse. The example refers to Verse 31.

16. Scriptural references generally contain more detailed information. Here are some examples: Gen 1:1 – 8Genesis, Chapter 1 Verses 1 through 8 Gen 1:1 – 8Genesis, Chapter 1 Verses 1 through 8 Gen 1:3,6,9Genesis, Chapter 1, Verses 3,6,and 9 Gen 1:3,6,9Genesis, Chapter 1, Verses 3,6,and 9 Gen 2: 8-10, 18-25Genesis, Chapter 2, Verses 8 through 10 and Verses 18 though 25 Gen 2: 8-10, 18-25Genesis, Chapter 2, Verses 8 through 10 and Verses 18 though 25 Gen 1-3Genesis, Chapter 1 through 3 Gen 1-3Genesis, Chapter 1 through 3

17. Locating Scriptural Passages What land did God tell Abraham to find? (Gen 12: 4-5)‏ What land did God tell Abraham to find? (Gen 12: 4-5)‏ Where did Moses meet God to receive God’s law? (Ex 19:19-20)‏ Where did Moses meet God to receive God’s law? (Ex 19:19-20)‏ Who were the first people to learn about Jesus rising from the dead? (Mk 16: 1-8)‏ Who were the first people to learn about Jesus rising from the dead? (Mk 16: 1-8)‏ When did Solomon start building the temple in Jerusalem? (1 Kg 6:1)‏ When did Solomon start building the temple in Jerusalem? (1 Kg 6:1)‏ Why did the official leave the sinful woman alone instead of stoning her? (Jn 8: 3-11)‏ Why did the official leave the sinful woman alone instead of stoning her? (Jn 8: 3-11)‏ How close should people be to God? (Jer 13:11)‏ How close should people be to God? (Jer 13:11)‏