Making Sense of Scripture October 2nd through November 13th
MAKING SENSE OF SCRIPTURE
October 2nd through November 13th
We know we should read the Bible, and maybe even have tried, but somehow we don’t find ourselves pulled into its pages the way we have been by other books. We hope this message series and accompanying study group materials will change that. By offering perspectives and tools we want to equip people to not only read the Bible but discover life and light and love through its pages.
October 2
What Is the Bible?
Mark 16:1-8
Chances are we all own a Bible. But do we really know what kind of book it is? While some view the Bible as a divine reference book and others treat it as a supernatural history or science text book, we value it as the story of God’s historic and ongoing work in the world, a story that seeks to draw us into its pages today.
October 9
Is the Bible True?
Luke 14:15-24
As Christians we affirm that the Bible is true. The question is how is the Bible true? And what do we mean when we say that the Bible is true? Do we mean that it’s factually accurate or do we mean something else? As we read the Bible, God speaks and the Spirit leads us to know ourselves and Jesus, the Truth.
October 16
How is the Bible the Word of God?
John 1:1-18
When we affirm that the Bible is the Word of God we begin, not with the Bible as such, but with Jesus, God’s Word made flesh. The Bible is the Word of God because it witnesses to Jesus Christ. If the Bible did not point us to Christ, it would cease to be the Word of God.
October 23
Where Did the Bible Come From?
Luke 1:1-4
The Bible is God’s book through which God accomplishes divine purposes. At the same time the Bible is a very human book written by inspired witnesses in a particular time, to a particular people, and for a particular purpose.
October 30
How Can I Read the Bible With Greater Understanding?
1 Corinthians 2:6-16
The gap between reading and understanding the Bible can sometimes feel like a chasm that’s too wide to cross! But just as the right tools can make any job easier, the right interpretive tools can break open the meaning of the Bible in ways that enlighten our mind and feed our soul. While there are certainly skills to be learned, the Holy Spirit is ultimately the One who opens our eyes and our minds to understanding.
November 6
Is There a “Center” to Scripture?
John 3:16-21
In most great stories there are multiple plot lines, but one is always central. Is that true of the Bible, too? Is there a primary theme to the biblical story, a core lens through which we can view and perhaps make sense of the larger story – especially those parts of the story that are difficult or confusing? YES!
November 13
What Kind of Authority Does the Bible Hold?
John 6:53-69, Romans 10:14-17
Why do we read the Bible? What can we expect when we do? And what authority should the Bible have in our lives? We believe that the heart of the Bible’s authority is not inherent in the book itself, but in what God does in us through it.
November 20
Reading the Bible for a Change
Psalm 119:9-16; Hebrews 4:12-13
Knowing about the Bible is one thing. Getting into the Word and allowing the Word to get into us is where the adventure really begins! The Bible is a relationship that changes us in profound and wonderful ways.
November 20
Reading the Bible for a Change
Psalm 119:9-16; Hebrews 4:12-13
Knowing about the Bible is one thing. Getting into the Word and allowing the Word to get into us is where the adventure really begins! The Bible is a relationship that changes us in profound and wonderful ways
