Intro (Bookshelf)

Ask them what their goals for the study are. Read the Introduction aloud and remind them of your goals for the study including that they would become a radical, fired-up, crazy-in-love-with-Jesus disciple by being able to read the scripture on their own and not be limited by their church, parents, culture, and other peoples’ beliefs, etc. Tell them the point of the study is to discover Jesus for who he really is.

The best way to study each topic is to take each passage chunk by chunk and ask them what they think each section or verse means. Also, remember to assign the homework after each lesson and review the previous week’s homework at the beginning of each study (unless otherwise suggested, like in the case of the Grace study HW which is to be read toward the middle of the Faith & Obedience study).

Take a look at the bookshelf. Remember to explain that the Bible is not a book but rather a collection of writings. It has over 60 books written by more than 30 authors over a period of more than 1500 years! So just like you wouldn’t go to a library and start reading from one end of a book shelf to another it’s not recommended that a new reader should start with Genesis and read through Revelation. Instead, we should begin at the Gospels and work out from there.

Ask the question how much of the bible have you read/ studied? Have them point out the specific writings they have read and/ or studied.

Explain that the Bible is not divinely organized and that it never claims that about itself. So while the writings are divinely inspired, the organization is based on the type of writing, chronology, and whether it is a part of the Old Testament, meaning covenant or contract, and the New Testament.

Also, you might want to point out how the Old Testament is just as much about Jesus as the New Testament as it records some of the story of God working through a specific group of people to make himself known to the entire world.

If you feel comfortable doing so, you can explain as much as you know about each of the books they have not studied, ideally paying particular attention to major themes throughout the scripture. For example, if I were to explain Genesis I might focus on how God constantly challenged societal norms (particularly the norm that says that power is inherited by being first) such as choosing the youngest child to work through in the stories of Jacob and Joseph.

The key here is to explain as much as you know while not trying to play bible scholar or go beyond your knowledge.

A basic explanation would include mentioning that there are different kinds of literature contained within the Bible: poetry, history, law, prophecy, allegory, proverbs, psalms, songs, letters, biography, narrative, etc.

The first five books are also called the Torah or Pentateuch and are Jewish sacred books. They include the story of God choosing Abraham and promising to make his descendants into a nation later called Israel, delivering His people from the bondage they experienced, and giving them the law that governed their lives and how they were to relate to him.

Next are the history books detailing some of the major events that took place with the Israelites with a specific focus on contrasting Godly versus worldly leadership.

Then the books of poetry include an allegory about a man who suffered greatly, a collection of songs and poetry written to God by mostly David and Moses, a collection of simple, axiomatic phrases involving wisdom, a piece of literature about the meaningless all non-Godly pursuits, and romantic poetry representing our relationship with God. The major (longer) and minor (shorter) prophets are named according to their length not their importance. The main theme of the prophets is God reminding his people of his purpose and nature in the midst of their sin and worldliness.

The Synoptic gospels discuss Jesus’ life chronologically. John is more thematic as it covers specific important concepts from Jesus’ ministry.

Acts could be called acts of the Holy Spirit as it is really a story of the Spirit coming on believers. It is a sequel to Luke.

Paul’s letters, or epistles, are mostly written to specific churches in specific cities or regions. Paul also writes four letters to pastors or leaders of churches.

John and Peter write a few epistles mostly to the suffering church at large.

Jesus’ physical brothers, James and Jude write a letter a piece.

Hebrews is an excellent explanation of the Old Testament and how it relates to Jesus, but we don’t know exactly who the author is.

Revelation is a book of prophecy written by John, but also has a largely pastoral purpose.