What Is the Bible?
Psalm 119:105

The Bible Is a Library
• Old Testament has 39 books divided into the categories of law, history, poetry, wisdom, major prophets, and minor prophets
• New Testament has 27 books divided into the categories of stories, letters, and poetry
** The Old Testament is the story of God building a nation, Israel, so that in the New Testament, He could send His son, Jesus. It is God’s progressive revelation, with His full revelation coming in Christ.

The Bible Is a Miraculous Book of Literature
• Contains didactic and epic poetry, historical and theological prose, letters, parables, proverbs, allegories, and more
• Written in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic by over 40 authors from all walks of life over a period of 1,600 years
** The master theme from Genesis to Revelation is Jesus Christ, God’s Revelation to man.

The Bible Is a Landscape
• We get a great perspective for life – 360 degrees.
• As we explore the Bible, we discover God is speaking to us.

The Bible Is a Law
• The Hebrew word “Torah” implies instruction or guidance.
• The Bible gives effective life principles “handed down” by a loving Father to His family.

The Bible Is a Light
• The foundation of western culture’s ethics is based on Scripture.
• A shift in values has occurred, fueled largely by three 18th Century philosophers.
o Kant and “rationalism” – Use your brain – intellect, thought
o Rousseau and “romanticism” – Use your heart – feelings, emotions
o Nietzsche and “will to power” – God is dead – Use your own will and power
• Choices between darkness and light lead to a gray world, and in a gray world, the lowest moral choice possible is consistently made.
• The Bible takes the gray world and illuminates it! The Bible is a light!

“…if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

“Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

Think It Over
• What are some reasons you’ve heard people give for not reading the Bible? What has kept you from reading it more?
• Have you found yourself making too many “gray world” decisions? How can the Bible help you with your approach to decision making?
• In light of 1 John 1:7 and Psalm 119:105, how can reading the Bible, God’s Word, keep you from stumbling and keep your life on course?