1. What is the Bible all about?

2. What are we doing this semester? Today... The Bible – What is it? The Bible – What is it good for? The Bible – How does it work? The Bible – An overview of its contents

3. “This book I hold in my hand is God’s message to the world. It is a collection of 66 books. Its message applies to our generation as any other generation and its message can change your life” Billy Graham

4. A collection of 66 books Written over 1,600 years Written by humans (2 Peter 1:21) Three original languages Hebrew Aramaic Greek

5. Approximate datesDynasties Early Culture 2070-1600 BCXia 1600-1046 BCShang 1046-256 BCWestern Zhou Eastern Zhou Spring and Autumn Period Warring States Periods 221-207 BCQin 206 BC-9 ADWestern Han 9-24 ADXin 25-220 ADEastern Han 220-280 ADThree Kingdoms

6. Useful! (2 Timothy 3:16-17) The Biggest question of life: “How do I know God?” Rituals? Reasons? Experience? Words!

7. God is speaking ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

8. Old Testament The first 12 books (Genesis to 2 Kings) The next 4 books (1&2 Chronicles to Ezra-Nehemiah) Esther Five books of “poetry” Isaiah to Malachi

9. New Testament “Gospels” Acts 22 Letters

10. It’s Scope: From the Beginning to the End Genesis 1:1 Revelation 21 Focus on Israel and Jesus God has spoken “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets in many and various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son,...” (Hebrews 1:1)