Lesson 1 of 4
What kind of book is the Bible?
Read
Study objective: Understand the Bible as a collection of books written over many centuries, and what it says about its own purpose.
Reading: Luke 1:1–42 Timothy 3:14–17
Luke 1:1–4 WEB
1Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, 2even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us, 3it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus; 4that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.
2 Timothy 3:14–17 WEB
14But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. 15From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 17that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Background and context
The Bible is a library rather than a single book: 66 books in most Protestant Bibles, and more in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, which include the Deuterocanonical books. It was written over many centuries, mostly in Hebrew and Greek, with some Aramaic, and it is divided into the Old Testament (before Jesus) and the New Testament (about Jesus and the first churches). It contains stories, laws, poems, proverbs, prophecies, letters and more.
Observe
- Luke says he carefully investigated everything and wrote an orderly account (Luke 1:3).
- Luke names the person he is writing for and the reason: so that he may know the certainty of what he was taught (Luke 1:4).
- Paul reminds Timothy that he has known the Scriptures since childhood (2 Timothy 3:15).
- Paul says Scripture is useful for teaching, correction and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Words, people and events to notice
- Testament
- An old word for covenant. The Old Testament is the Scripture of Israel; the New Testament tells of Jesus and the early church and speaks of a new covenant. Jeremiah 31:31Luke 22:20
- Canon
- The list of books a church accepts as Scripture. Traditions agree on most books and differ on the Deuterocanonical books.
Understand
- According to 2 Timothy 3:15, what are the Scriptures able to do?
- Why does Luke write his Gospel (Luke 1:4)?
- What does it change to think of the Bible as a library of different kinds of writing?
Connect
- John 20:30–31
John states why he wrote his Gospel: that you may believe and have life.
- Psalm 119:105
A psalm describing God’s word as a lamp and a light.
Reflect
- What are you hoping to find as you read?
- What has made Bible reading hard for you in the past?
Key takeaways
Editorial summary, not Scripture.
- The Bible is a collection of many kinds of writing from many centuries.
- Its writers say why they wrote: to teach, to give certainty, and to lead people to faith and life.
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