Introduction
Welcome to this Bible study!
This Bible study, called the Word, is designed for a mixed group of believers.
The purpose of this course is to bring clarity, to address doubts and unbelief, and to build confidence in God’s Word. It is also meant to to unify believers and to build relationships.
Each lesson follows the same structure: a short preparation note with an introduction, key doctrines, key bible passages and some advice for preparation.
We encourage every participant to read the key doctrines and the listed Bible verses before each gathering, and to write down any questions that arise.
Prayer
Prayer is a vital part of our preparations. Prayer is our response to God as an answer to Him speaking to us through His Word. But before we are able to respond to God, we must first make sure that we understand His Words correctly.
To achieve this, we need the Holy Spirit to illuminate Scripture so that we are enabled to understand, interpret, and apply God’s Word in our lives (1 Corinthians 2:10-16, John 16:13, Ephesians 1:18).
But to us God revealed them through the Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
1 Corinthians 2:10 (LSB)
How then can we make sure that the Spirit works in us? We need to remove all obstacles that stand between God and us. Sin distorts our relation with God. Sin blocks our communication with Him. Sin blocks the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Isaiah 40:3-5 (KJV)
How to Use This Student Guide
This guide serves two purposes:
- As a table of contents for the printed course. When exported to PDF, the links above will become clickable jumps to each lesson.
- As a reading guide. Each lesson is self-contained, but they build on one another. Lesson 1 establishes the authority of Scripture. Lesson 2 explains why it cannot fail. Lesson 3 shows that it is sufficient for all of life. Lessons 4 and 5 complete the picture by explaining how Scripture came to us and how God has preserved it.
A Note on the Group
This study is meant for mixed groups. This means that some are new to the faith and that some might have walked with Christ for decades. Our denominational backgrounds might also differ.
The goal of this course is to grow closer to God by increasing our knowledge of Scripture.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28 (LSB)
We are to test all things by the Word of God, as the Bereans did (Acts 17:11).
This is an important commandment; so important that we even put it on the top of our website.
Other biblical sources such as preachers, teachers, confessions and traditions are valuable but only insofar as they faithfully represent and submit to Scripture.
Once we understand the importance of Scripture; that Scripture is Gods Word and that it therefore bears Gods authority, we can start to use Scripture to examine our thinking, our belief and our traditions.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may approve what the will of God is, that which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (LSB)
Preparation for Each Gathering
Before each gathering, please:
- Read the key doctrines and the Bible verses listed in the lesson.
- Study and meditate on those verses.
- Write down any questions that arise, so we can discuss them together.
The goal is not to master information. The goal is to know God, to trust His Word, and to love one another.
Course Lessons
Lesson 1 The Bible is God’s Word
Preparation
Along with this workbook you need a Bible and a journal or notebook from the message you hear.
Each lesson discusses a bible topic with the following goals:
- The topic is clearly explained with a robust biblical foundation.
- Questions from you or other participants about the topic are clearly answered.
To achieve these goals you need to prepare yourself for each course. To prepare yourself, you will receive the key doctrines and some of their related Bible verses, including one or more questions. These doctrines and Bible verses will be explained during the course, and the questions will be used for a group discussion.
To get the most out of the course it is important to read the preparation material and to pray and meditate on the questions and the Bible verses. Write down any other questions that arise so that we can discuss them in our group.
To help you study the first lesson, ask yourself this question as you read:
Question
The world offers many things that can make us feel better for a time: psychology, science, philosophy, entertainment, self-help. These are not necessarily evil, but they cannot change our nature. Human knowledge and human remedies have the goal to improve the old man, while the gospel kills him and raises him new.What is the difference between trying to make your flesh a little better and believing that your old nature has been crucified with Christ?
And how would that difference show up in the way you respond to your own failures this week?
Introduction
In this lesson we are going to discuss the authority of God’s Word. We will base this lesson on Psalm 19:7-14.
The law of Yahweh is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of Yahweh is sure, making wise the simple.
Psalm 19:7 (LSB)
Key Doctrines
Inerrancy of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The Bible is without error in the original manuscripts and is entirely trustworthy in all its teachings.
For teachers and deeper study
If you are leading this lesson or want to study the material more deeply, a separate Teacher’s Guide is available here
Lesson 2 Infallibility of Scripture
Preparation
Read the bible verses that come with the key doctrines. Then study and meditate on the bible verses and the doctrines. Write down any questions that arise so that we can discuss them in our group.
To help you study, ask yourself these questions as you read:
Question
If God’s Word could fail, our salvation would depend on ourselves. If God’s Word cannot fail, our salvation depends on God’s sovereignty, and it will be as certain as God’s own character.When you think about your own assurance of salvation, are you resting on your performance or on God’s unbreakable promise?
What would change in your daily life if you truly believed that God’s Word cannot fail?
Introduction
The Bible is infallible because it is the very Word of God, and God cannot make a mistake.
Key Doctrines
The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience. (Isaiah 8:19-20, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Luke 16:29, 31, Ephesians 2:20)
The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of men. (2 Timothy 3:15-17, Galatians 1:8, 9)
For teachers and deeper study
If you are leading this lesson or want to study the material more deeply, a separate Teacher’s Guide is available here
Lesson 3 Sufficiency of Scripture
Preparation
Read the bible verses that come with the key doctrines. Then study and meditate on the bible verses and the doctrines. Write down any questions that arise so that we can discuss them in our group.
To help you study, ask yourself these questions as you read:
Question 1
Scripture is sufficient. Mixing it with worldly influences (science, psychology, philosophy, tradition, charismatic experience) distorts the truth. But we have already discussed that these things are not inherently evil and can be useful in their proper place.Where is the line between using something like psychology or tradition as a tool and allowing it to become an authority alongside Scripture?
How would you know if you had crossed that line in your own life?
Question 2
God’s Word is a complete and sufficient guide, and we do not need to search for a secret word from God or rely on human wisdom alone.When you face a decision or a struggle, where do you actually go first?
Do you open the Book, or do you look for something else? And if you truly believed Scripture was sufficient, what would change about the way you seek guidance?
Introduction
The Bible is sufficient for all matters of faith and practice, and it is the ultimate authority for the believer’s life.
Key Doctrines
The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience. (Isaiah 8:20, Luke 16:29, Ephesians 2:20, 2 Timothy 3:15-17)
All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of them. (2 Peter 3:16, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Timothy 3:14-17, Psalm 19:7-8, Psalm 119:105, 2 Peter 1:19, Proverbs 6:22-23, Deuteronomy 30:11-14)
For teachers and deeper study
If you are leading this lesson or want to study the material more deeply, a separate Teacher’s Guide is available here
Lesson 4 Inspiration of Scripture
Preparation
Read the bible verses that come with the key doctrines. Then study and meditate on the bible verses and the doctrines. Write down any questions that arise so that we can discuss them in our group.
Introduction
The Bible is inspired by God through the work of the Holy Spirit, ensuring that the Scriptures are God’s Word to humanity.
To help you study, ask yourself these questions as you read:
Question 1
Is everything Christian inspired by God? Are hymns, worship songs, or your pastor’s sermons inspired by God in the same way that Scripture is? If not, what is the difference?
Question 2
Does inspiration only mean that there is a moral or spiritual message behind Bible texts? Do we need to be inspired ourselves in order to receive that message?
Question 3
How do we test whether a message is truly from God? If a sermon, a tradition, or an inner impression claims to be from God, what standard do we use to examine it?
Key Doctrines
Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments, which are these:
Old Testament New Testament Genesis Matthew Exodus Mark Leviticus Luke Numbers John Deuteronomy Acts Joshua Romans Judges 1 Corinthians Ruth 2 Corinthians 1 Samuel Galatians 2 Samuel Ephesians 1 Kings Philippians 2 Kings Colossians 1 Chronicles 1 Thessalonians 2 Chronicles 2 Thessalonians Ezra 1 Timothy Nehemiah 2 Timothy Esther Titus Job Philemon Psalms Hebrews Proverbs James Ecclesiastes 1 Peter Song of Solomon 2 Peter Isaiah 1 John Jeremiah 2 John Lamentations 3 John Ezekiel Jude Daniel Revelation Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi All of which are given by the inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life.
It pleased the Lord at sundry times and in divers manners to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his church; and afterward for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of God’s revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.
Since God is the true author of the Scriptures, they can be and are written with the distant future in mind (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11).
For teachers and deeper study
If you are leading this lesson or want to study the material more deeply, a separate Teacher’s Guide is available here
Lesson 5 Preservation of Scripture
Preparation
Read the bible verses that come with the key doctrines. Then study and meditate on the bible verses and the doctrines. Write down any questions that arise so that we can discuss them in our group.
To help you study, ask yourself these questions as you read:
Question 1
Has God preserved His Word perfectly, or has He preserved it sufficiently? If the original manuscripts no longer exist, how can we be confident that the Bible we hold today is the same Bible that was written?
Question 2
Who decided which books belong in the Bible? Did the church create the canon, or did it merely recognize what God had already given?
Question 3
Why are there so many translations, and does a translation count as the Word of God? If a translation is not inspired, how should we use it?
Introduction
God has preserved His Word through the centuries, and the Bible we have today is the same as the Bible that was originally written.
Key Doctrines
The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and by his singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentic; so as in all controversies of religion, the church is finally to appeal to them. (Romans 3:2; Matthew 5:18; Isaiah 8:20; Acts 15:15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 10:34-36)
But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have a right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded in the fear of God to read and search them, therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner, and through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope. (Deuteronomy 17:18-20; Proverbs 2:1-5; 8:34; John 5:39, 46; 1 Corinthians 14:6, 9, 11, 12, 24, 28; Romans 15:4; Colossians 3:16)
For teachers and deeper study
If you are leading this lesson or want to study the material more deeply, a separate Teacher’s Guide is available here