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Unit1 Session4 Leade About the Writers Matt Chandler lead pastor of The Village Church in Dallas, Texas The Gospel Project® Adult Leader Guide ESV Volume 2, Number 2 Winter 2013-14 Marty Duren social media strategist at LifeWay in Eric Geiger Nashville, Tennessee Vice President, Church Resources Ed Stetzer Christian George General Editor professor of religious education at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma Trevin Wax Managing Editor Philip Nation J. D. Greear lead pastor of The Summit Church in Raleigh- Director, Adult Ministry Publishing Durham, North Carolina Faith Whatley Director, Adult Ministry Adam Harwood professor of theology at New Orleans Send questions/comments to: Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisiana Managing Editor, The Gospel Project: Adult Leader Guide, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0102; Michael Kelley director of discipleship at LifeWay in or make comments on the Web at www.lifeway.com. Nashville, Tennessee Printed in the United States of America Philip Nation adult publishing director at LifeWay and The Gospel Project®: Adult Leader Guide ESV teaching pastor of The Fellowship in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee (ISSN pending; Item 005573550) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President. © 2013 LifeWay Christian Resources. Mary Jo Sharp professor of apologetics at Houston Baptist For ordering or inquiries, visit www.lifeway.com, or University in Texas write LifeWay Church Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0113. For subscriptions or subscription address changes, e-mail [email protected], fax (615) 251-5818, or write to Trevin Wax managing editor of The Gospel Project at LifeWay the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, e-mail [email protected], fax in Nashville, Tennessee (615) 251-5933, or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any Keith Whitfield mixture of error, for its matter and that all professor of theology at Southeastern Baptist Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay’s doctrinal guideline, please visit Theological Seminary in Wake Forest www.lifeway.com/doctrinalguideline. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the English Standard Version® (The Holy Jarvis Williams professor at The Southern Baptist Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Afshin Ziafat lead pastor of Providence Church in Frisco, Texas WRITERS SEssION 4 By Keith Whitfield The Bible (Part 2) Can We Trust the Bible? Summary and Goal In this session, we will examine three common questions about the Bible’s truthfulness. First, we will consider the claim that there are contradictions between the biblical accounts. Then, we will examine the claim that historical and scientific research have proven the Bible untrue. Finally, we will look at several reasons why we can and should trust the Bible as truth without any mixture of error. Steps to Prepare 1. Read the main passages for this lesson, recording your insights and questions: - Matthew 1:1-17 - Luke 2:1-3; 3:23-38 2. Study the Expanded Lesson Content (pp. 46-53). - Determine what elements of this lesson are most applicable to your particular group. - Consider ways to personalize the lesson content for you and your class. 3. Review the Teaching Plan (pp. 44-45). - Refine the lesson plan based on your group’s particular needs. - Adjust the plan if necessary. 4. Pray for the Lord’s guidance as you lead your group through this material. Lesson Outline 1. Doesn’t the Bible contradict itself? (Matt. 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38) 2. Hasn’t the Bible been proven untrue? (Luke 2:1-3) 3. Why should I trust the Bible? Session 4 43 © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute within the license agreement with purchaser. Teaching Plan The Bible (Part 2) Session 4 Introduce the Lesson For Further Begin by telling the story of Herman Rosenblat and the “fake memoir” he Discussion created about the Holocaust and his wife (leader p. 46; personal study p. 37). What is the connection between a person’s Do you enjoy reading memoirs? In what ways does knowing trustworthy character a story is true enhance your reading? What are the signs a and the validity of their testimony? person’s testimony is true? Exaggerated or imagined? Connect the story about Rosenblat to the common claim that the Bible contains errors. Summarize the goal of this lesson (leader pp. 46-47; personal study p. 37). For Further Discussion 1. Doesn’t the Bible contradict itself? What objections to the List some of the common objections people have when it comes to the Bible’s Bible’s trustworthiness do you encounter most often? trustworthiness: That just can’t happen. That’s not the way the world works. That contradicts what someone else says over here (leader p. 47; personal study p. 38). What objections or apparent contradictions have you seen For Further cause doubts in the trustworthiness of the Bible? Discussion Use “Further Commentary” Return to the objection about the Bible’s contradictions. Ask your group to (p. 47) to discuss the look carefully at the genealogies of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38 differences between the accounts of Jesus and (leader pp. 47-49; personal study p. 38). the centurion. What are the biggest differences between the genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke? What other differences between accounts have you found in the Bible? Explain the differences between these two genealogies by appealing to the purpose of each author as well as the different ways lineages could be traced (leader pp. 49-50; personal study p. 39). How does understanding the author’s purpose help us make sense of apparent differences between biblical accounts? Walk through the six “Recommendations for Dealing with Difficult Texts in the Bible” (leader p. 49; personal study p. 38). 44 Leader Guide | Winter 2013-14 2. Hasn’t the Bible been proven untrue? Some skeptics believe the Bible has been proven untrue historically and For Further scientifically. Start with the historical objection by using Luke 2:1-3 and the Discussion setting for Jesus’ birth (leader p. 50; personal study p. 40). What are some charges made against Christianity Let’s say you’re having a conversation with a friend who that often come around Christmas and Easter? has seen a documentary questioning the biblical account of Christ’s birth. How would you respond? What resources would you turn to in order to answer the charge? For Further Explain the possible solutions to the Quirinius reference (leader p. 51; Discussion personal study p. 40). In what ways does focusing on Jesus (keeping the Have you ever been tempted to question the authority and “main thing” the main thing) help us avoid endless truthfulness of the Scriptures? What was your view of God debates over little details during that time? of the Bible? Now turn to the objection that miracles do not and cannot happen. Explain how this objection assumes the Bible’s testimony is untrue from the start, and emphasize the importance of one’s posture and approach to God’s Word (leader pp. 51-52; personal study p. 41). How does your view of who God is affect the way you approach the Scriptures? 3. Why should I trust the Bible? Highlight the main reason we as Christians trust the Bible’s testimony— because Jesus Himself did (leader p. 52; personal study p. 42). How does Jesus’ perspective on the Scripture’s reliability help us trust the Bible in places we don’t understand? Mention three additional reasons we trust the Bible: its remarkable unity, its central message, and its transforming power (leader p. 53; personal study p. 42). In what ways does the transforming power of the Scripture lead us to greater missionary fervor? Why is it important for Christians to be equipped to deal with difficult passages as we share the gospel? Conclusion Close the lesson by referencing this classic line from Francis Schaeffer— God is there and He is not silent. These assumptions are essential before we can trust the Bible and engage in God’s mission (leader p. 53; personal study p. 42). Session 4 45 Expanded Lesson Content The Bible (Part 2) Session 4 Opening Illustration and Introduction In recent years, publishers have dealt with the problem of “fake memoirs.” While literary forgery is nothing new, this particular form draws a great deal of attention. People present details from their lives that simply are not true. Readers believe the stories and sometimes are personally affected by them. Then, when the lies are revealed, there is a public outcry. One of the most famous examples was a story told by Herman Rosenblat, Voices from a Holocaust survivor. He developed a love story about a little girl throwing the Church apples to him over the fence of his concentration camp every day for a few “Trusting testimony is months. Years later, he went on a blind date and discovered the woman was not an irrational act of the same little girl. He proposed to her on the spot, and they were married. faith that leaves critical rationality aside; it is, on Rosenblat’s story earned him an invitation to “The Oprah Winfrey the contrary, the rationally Show.” Later, he sought to publish his memoir. Plans for a movie were in appropriate way of responding to authentic the works. Before the memoir was released, however, it became clear that testimony. Gospels although he had met his wife on a blind date, many other details of the story understood as testimony are the entirely appropriate were false—no little girl; no apples.
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