2. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FACT AND A FABLE?
Read screen

3. Fact – A thing that has actually happened or that is really true
Fable – A fictitious story meant to teach
a moral lesson
– a myth or legend
Read definition of “fact.” Fly in and read the definition for “fable.”

4. Some people believe the Bible is a fact – it is absolutely true.
Fact – Absolutely True

5. Interesting – general guidance
Others see it as an interesting study – not factually correct, but worthwhile for general guidance.
Interesting – general guidance

6. X
Some reject the Bible entirely. They view it as completely false.
Entirely False

7. No doubt there is a degree of faith involved in believing that the Bible is absolutely true.

8. Belief in the Scriptures can increase as people experience God’s providence in their lives.

9. Today, there is an abundance of hard evidence supporting the authenticity and accuracy of the Bible.

10. Many archeological discoveries correlate the writings in the Bible.

11. Cuneiform tablets found in the ruins of Babylon confirm what is written in the book of Daniel.

12. Among the artifacts found are: Nebuchadnezzar’s Tablet

13. The cylinder of Nabonidus

14. And the Cyrus Cylinder

15. The Dead Sea scrolls include portions of the writings of Isaiah

16. The Rosetta stone has information written in three languages.

17. And 14,000 clay tablets date as far back as 2300 BC.

18. All these discoveries support the belief that the Bible is true

19. Perhaps the most dangerous belief in the Bible is the one help by people who pick and choose what they want to believe,

20. Or they take Bible teaching out of perspective and context.

21. How should we
study the Bible?
How should we study the Bible?

22. How can we know what the truth of the Bible is?
Read slide
How can we know what the truth of the Bible is?

23. How can we formulate our beliefs so they
agree with what God has intended?
How can we formulate our beliefs so they
agree with what God has intended?

24. FACT OR FABLE: HOW TO KNOW BIBLE TRUTH
The answers are in our study for tonight: Fact or Fable – How to Know Bible Truth
FACT OR FABLE:
HOW TO KNOW BIBLE TRUTH

25. First, lets look at some general facts about the Bible.
It contains 66 books.
It was written over a period of 1,600 years
There are 39 books in the Old Testament, and 27 books in the New Testament

26. 1. How does God speak to us? a. Amos 3:7
Read question then advance slide for the Bible text on the screen.

27. Read slide

28. 1. How does God speak to us? Amos 3:7
Hebrews 1:1,2
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.

29. “The Word made flesh.” John 1:14
The apostle John wrote that Jesus was the Word of God made flesh.”
“The Word made flesh.”
John 1:14

30. God spoke through Moses, Daniel, and Many prophets
God spoke through Moses, Daniel, and Many prophets. He has spoken to us through His Son, Jesus, and through the apostles.

31. Be careful about God speaking to you exclusively through your mind, or conscience. While it is true that God can and does speak to us in this way, it is also true that Satan uses the same channel to tempt us.

32. It is important that we verify any thoughts or impressions with the written word of God. He will never lead us in a way contrary to His written word.

33. 2. How did the Scriptures come into existence? 2 Peter 1:20,21
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.

34. “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables,
when we made known unto you the power and coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of
His majesty” 2 Peter 1:16
Men did not originate the thoughts that we find in the Bible. (Read verse on slide)

35. Information revealed in a vision or dream
Some parts of scripture quote God directly. For instance: you may read, “And the Lord God said, ”
(click to advance slide) Other scripture may be what God revealed in a vision or dream.
(click to advance slide) And still other scriptures may be the author’s own account of God’s inspiration.
God quoted directly
Information revealed in a vision or dream
The author’s own account of God’s inspiration

36. 3. How much of the Scripture
is inspired by God?
2 Timothy 3:16,17
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.

37. Throughout the Biblical writings we see the personalities of the various writers. We recognize that God did not dictate the entire Bible word for word. The ideas and principles are given, or inspired, by God. Much like the president has speech writers who put the words on paper for him, God used men to write for Him. But just as the president would “sign off” on a speech or article written for him, God authorized the words these “holy men” wrote.

38. 4. What is God’s Word? John 17:17
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
4. What is God’s Word? John 17:17

39. 5. What heavenly agent helps us
discover Bible truth?
John 16:13
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.

40. 6. Through the study of the “truth”
(the Scriptures), of what three things
does the Comforter (Holy Spirit) bring
conviction to the heart of man?
John 16:8-11
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.

41. 7. What will truth do for us?
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
7. What will truth do for us?
John 8:32

42. 8. From what will we be set free?
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
8. From what will we be set free?
John 8:33-36

43. “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.’”
John 8:33-36
Read slide

44. The Holy Scriptures contain the information essential to spiritual life. Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit man learns about sin and how to be free from its death penalty. (See Romans 6:23)

45. 9. Why should we study the Scriptures? John 5:39
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.

46. “And this is eternal life, that they may
The Bible teaches us how to know Jesus. Knowing Jesus does not just bring eternal life. Knowing Jesus is eternal life. “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)
“And this is eternal life, that they may
know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ
whom You have sent.” John 17:3

47. 10. What can we formulate by
using the Scriptures?
2 Timothy 3:16,17
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.

48. 11. How should we study the Scriptures? a. Isaiah 28:9
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
11. How should we study the Scriptures?
a. Isaiah 28:9

49. There are no “power” texts in the Bible
There are no “power” texts in the Bible. Every scripture carries the same “weight,” and must be compared with the whole Bible (OT & NT) to determine Bible doctrine on a given subject. No text supersedes another, or stands on its own in contradiction of the rest of the Bible.
NO POWER TEXTS

50. 11. How should we study the Scriptures?
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
11. How should we study the Scriptures?
a. Isaiah 28: b. 2 Peter 1:19:21

51. Private interpretation = idios epilusis Meaning - private, separate,
There is no question these verses indicate that the Scriptures were not originated by men, but by the direction of God. But there is more meaning to be found in the phrase “private interpretation.” In the Greek it is “idios epilusis,” meaning private, separate, or one's own explanation or application.
Private interpretation = idios epilusis
Meaning - private, separate,
or one's own explanation or application

52. We might take this to mean that one person cannot interpret scripture or prophecy without collaboration of other believers. Certainly counsel with other Bible students is helpful and appropriate.

53. However, Daniel gave the interpretation of prophetic dreams without such collaboration (See Daniel 2). So did Joseph (See Genesis 40 & 41).

54. A better explanation would be that no one can interpret prophecy without comparing their interpretation to the teachings in the rest of the Scriptures. One scripture or prophecy cannot stand on its own apart from or in contradiction with the other scriptures and prophecies.

55. "First of all you must understand this, that no
2 Peter 1:19-21
"First of all you must understand this, that no
prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own
interpretation" (RSV).
"There is no prophetic teaching found
in Scripture that can be interpreted
by man's unaided reason" (TCNT).
The Revised Standard Version, and the Twentieth Century New Testament offer the clearest translation. (read slide)

56. preacher is presenting
12. How can we know if a
preacher is presenting
truth or error?
a. Acts 17:11
Read question #a then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.

57. preacher is presenting
12. How can we know if a
preacher is presenting
truth or error?
a. Acts 17:11
b. Isaiah 8:20
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.

58. Does the teaching (doctrine) agree with God’s law?
One major clue for determining if someone is a false teacher is if they disregard God’s law. Ask the question: Does the teaching (doctrine) agree with God’s law?
Does the teaching (doctrine) agree with God’s law?

59. 13. Does God ever change His word?
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
13. Does God ever change His word?
Isaiah 40:8

60. 14. Is all the Bible, Old and New Testament, relevant for us today?
a. 2 Tim. 3:16,17
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.

61. 14. Is all the Bible, Old and New Testament, relevant for us today?
2 Tim. 3:16,17
b. Rom. 15:4
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.

62. 14. Is all the Bible, Old and New Testament, relevant for us today?
2 Tim. 3:16,17
Romans 15:4
Luke 24:27
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.

63. 14. Is all the Bible, Old and New Testament, relevant for us today?
2 Tim. 3:16,17
Romans 15:4
Luke 24:27
John 5:39
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.

64. When Jesus instructed the disciples to “search the scriptures,” the only scriptures available were the Old Testament writings. Jesus made the first Christians by teaching from “Moses and all the prophets.”

65. Paul’s reference to “all scripture” in 2 Timothy 3:16,17 must include the Old Testament, because the New Testament had not been compiled.
ALL SCRIPTURE

66. 15. What warning does Jesus give to those who disregard
the writings of Moses
and the Prophets?
(Luke 16:31)
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.

67. Jesus warned that people who reject the writings of Moses and the prophets (Old Testament writings at the time He spoke) would not be believers, even if a prophet rose from the dead and told them to believe. The same principle applies to those who reject the teachings found in the Old Testament while claiming to follow the New Testament.

68. found in the Scriptures?
16. What wisdom can be
found in the Scriptures?
(2 Timothy 3:15)
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.

69. “There is but little benefit derived from a hasty
reading of the Scriptures. One may read the whole
Bible through and yet fail to see its beauty or
comprehend its deep and hidden meaning. One
passage studied until its significance is clear to
the mind and its relation to the plan of salvation is
evident, is of more value than the perusal of many
chapters with no definite purpose in view and no
positive instruction gained.”
(Steps to Christ pg. 90)
Read slide

70. BIBLE STUDY TIPS Read a chapter/chapters in the Bible.
a. Compare several versions.
b. Write your thoughts in a journal.
2. Use a concordance and reference book to find other texts that relate to the one you are studying.
3. Look up the Hebrew / Greek words in a lexicon. Compare other places that original word is used.
4. Make text clusters. (list texts that relate to each other or provide broader understanding)
Read slide. Fly in #’s 1-4 and read each one.

71. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who
2 Timothy 2:15
“Be diligent to present yourself
approved to God, a worker who
does not need to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.”
(Read slide, then comment.) What does Paul mean when he said, “Be diligent” and “rightly divide?”

72. “BE DILIGENT” KJV = “Study” Greek = “spoudazo” “to use speed –
make effort –
be earnest”
“Be diligent” comes from the Greek word “spoudazo” and is translated “study” in the King James Version. It means to use speed, to make effort, or to be earnest.

73. “dissect (expound) correctly
RIGHTLY DIVIDING
Greek = “orthotomeo”
“make a straight cut”
“dissect (expound) correctly
“Rightly dividing” is translated from the Greek word “orthotomeo.” It means to “make a straight cut, to dissect correctly.” When applied in context to studying God’s word it means to expound the word correctly.

74. Paul exhorts / encourages Study 2. Come to the correct conclusion
on what the Scriptures teach.
Paul is encouraging us to 1) Study the Scriptures, and 2) Come to the correct conclusion on what the Scriptures teach.
(click to fly in the word “why”) Why does he encourage us to do this? The answer is found in the words of Jesus.
WHY?

75. “You search the Scriptures,
Read slide.
“You search the Scriptures,
for in them you think you have eternal life.”

76. Then Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom
When Jesus presented a difficult teaching to the people the Bible says that many of them left Him. They could not accept His doctrine. Jesus asked the disciples, “Will you also go away? (Read slide)
Then Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom
shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
John 6:68

77. Jesus, the Word of God, has eternal life
Jesus, the Word of God, has eternal life. That is why we need to be diligent in our study, and “rightly divide” – that is, come to the right understanding of the Scriptures. Because in them we will find the way to eternal life. (Note to presenter: You may end here or add your own appeal)