Go to the source! Discover what the Bible says about …
These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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Words have an impact on us beyond our expectations. There are words that build up and there are words that destroy; there are words of truth and there are lies; there are words that harm and words that heal. The Bible is God’s word, it is powerful and affects us in ways that we would not imagine. It it not surprising that it is both the world’s most printed book each year, and the most banned book.
Bible Zone
God uses the Bible in our lives in many ways. The Bible is about God and each of the subjects below is an entry way to a new angle both on the Bible and God who is its source.
- Get into Bible - Starting out with the Bible
- God’s Words - The Bible is God’s word
- Words for the heart - The Bible nourishes the heart.
- Words for growth - The Bible develops us and helps us to grow.
- Words of truth - The Bible is Truth.
- Live the Bible - As we live the Bible, God builds a foundation for our lives.
- Word of grace - as we live it, God uses it for transformation.
- Bible Lite - Gaining an overview of the Bible.
- Depth in the Bible - Going deep into a passage of the Bible.
- Study the Bible - How to go deep into a Bible passage.
- Jesus’ View - If Jesus considered the Bible true, then believe with confidence.
- Writer’s integrity - The writers intended to speak what they saw as true.
- Text how accurate - How could the Bible come to us unaltered?
- Choose a Bible - Which version is best for you?
The process of meditation or reflection on Bible passages does more than merely give deeper insight. Have a look at the outworking of meditating on the Bible from Psalm 1.
- What sources of counsel are contrasted in the Bible?
- What is the writers’ attitude to the Bible?
- What impact does the Bible have? What is the Bible equated to?
- How could I meditate or reflect like that?
Psalm 1:1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
Meditation on the Bible is what we do as we get into the Bible. Listen to it, read, study and memorise it. Take the extra time to think about what has been said. Reflect on it and compare it to your life. Ask God how He thinks you are doing and what you should do about what is written.
A broader perspective on Get into Bible.
The Bible is God’s Word to us. Being God’s Word it is not just a collection of Words, these words are words of life, and when we take them seriously then God is able to use them to feed us with His life.
- How has the Bible, the Scriptures, come to us?
- What is the purpose of the Bible?
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
More on the Bible as God’s Word
God’s words speak to our heart, from His heart. They are words that tell us He loves us, words that affirm our place with Him. Since they show us His heart, they encourage us to share our hearts with Him, and indeed one another.
- How do God and His words affect the writers of the Psalms?
Psalm 45:1 Beautiful words stir my heart. I will recite a lovely poem about the king, for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet.
A broader perspective on Words for the Heart
The Bible is spiritual food. As someone spends time reflecting or meditating on its words God builds them up. This effect is seen through the fruit of encounters by people with God’s Word. As someone commented, “Whenever I had problems I became weaker, but when this friend of mine who spent time with God in His Word had problems, he became stronger.”
- How does the psalmist describe feeding on God’s word?
- What is the outcome of feeding on God’s word?
Psalm 1
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
A broader perspective on Word’s for growth
The Bible is Truth. It is the truth about life. When we live our lives by it we discover that it makes sense of life, and also that it reorders us so our lives make sense.
- How does Jesus describe the effect of following His teaching?
John 8:29-33 29 And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him."30 Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
A broader perspective on Words of Truth
Faith is seen when we live what we believe and take God at His word. This is counter cultural. Time and again I have met people who put forward a belief system, and casually remark, ‘Of course, this has no bearing on the way I live.’ Jesus challenges this attitude. He explains consequences of living or not living what He says.
- What is the difference between the two people in the parable?
- Why would our actions, and not just beliefs be so important?
Luke 6:47 I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it.48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.49 But anyone who hears and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins."
A broader perspective on Live the Bible
The Bible is a living book, it effects those who read it. We live in a materialistic world that has difficulty accepting this life, but when we experience it, there can be no doubting. This impact of the Bible on life is not some magical attribute, or amoral power to be used as we desire. The Bible is the Word of God; as we live in unity with Jesus, then His Word begins to affect us.
- How does Paul describe God’s Word?
- What is God able to do in a person’s life through His Word?
Acts 20:32 "And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.”
A broader perspective on Word of Grace
Reading the Bible from cover to cover gives you a breadth of knowledge in which to evaluate new ideas and teachings.
- What motivation does God give to those who read His Word?
Revelation 1:3 God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.
A broader perspective on Bible Lite
It is good to gain depth. With a deep understanding of the Bible we have a closer more accurate picture of what God actually said, not mere first impressions. In going deep, God’s Spirit has the opportunity to work His Word into our lives. It is this transformation, as against knowledge that we seek.
- What are we counselled to do with God’s Word?
- How could that happen in your life?
Colossians 3:16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
A broader perspective on Depth in Bible
In exploring a new country the tourist routes give an overview and a superficial understanding of the cultural issues. Going by myself to meet real people, and battling with poor understanding of language and culture gives a whole new understanding. In coming to the Bible there is a similar difference. The guided tours presented through teachers are helpful, but nothing compared to the depths gained by searching for ourselves. The difference is invaluable. We can understand our God and how to walk with Him, and the life He leads us into.
- What motivation does God give to those who take His Word seriously?
Mark 4: 24-25 24 Then he added, "Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given*—and you will receive even more.25 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them."
A broader perspective on Search Scriptures
What does Jesus say? There are many who question the authority of the Bible, and many arguments one way or another, but the crux of the issue comes down to Jesus. Jesus the Son of God speaks with authority. He affirmed the Scriptures that had been written up to His time and authorised the Scriptures that were to follow. We can trust the Bible.is God’s word.
- What opinion does Jesus hold on the Bible?
- How safe is it to hold / not hold the same view?
Matthew 5:17-19 17 "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God's law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
A broader perspective on Jesus’ view
To begin reading the Bible one does not need to believe that it is God’s inspired word. It is enough to know that the people who were writing were close enough to the events that happened to be trusted to write an accurate account.
- What did the writers claim about what they were writing?
John 19:35 (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also can believe.*)
John 21: 24 This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.
A broader perspective on Writer’s integrity
The huge wealth of Bible manuscripts from ancient times makes the Bible the best preserved ancient document by a factor of thousands. Literally nothing comes close. No serious historian would doubt the text we have today! It is so close to the original there is no room for discussion about meaningful changes over the centuries.
A broader perspective on Text - How Accurate?
Try reading passages from different Bibles using: www.biblegateway.com
Try comparing these passages - John 3 (A narrative passage.), Romans 3 (A teaching passage.), Psalm 45 (A poetic passage pointing to Jesus). The Biblegateway web site will also sell you a Bible.
A broader perspective on Choose a Bible.
GOD’S WORD - THE BIBLE
