Knowing the Scriptures

overview of the bible

PREPWORK
Consider 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Consider also John 5:39-40 and other passages like it, which show us that all the Scriptures testify about Jesus Christ. How might these two truths about Scripture elevate each other? Consider as you prepare for the next session.

CLASSWORK

LESSON SUPPORT MATERIALS
- Presentation Slides

HOMEWORK

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (optional but recommended):

- Watch How to Read the Bible Practically by David Platt (video)
- Watch How to Read the Bible Well by John Piper (video)
- Read Your Whole Bible is About Jesus by Matt Smethurst (Article)
- Watch Knowing Scripture by R.C. Sproul (12-Part Free Video Series)
- Read One to One Bible Reading by David Helm
- ReadThe Gospel and Kingdom by Graeme Goldsworthy
- Read Can I Trust the Bible? by R.C. Sproul (Book)
- Read How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth by Gordon Fee & Douglas Stewart (Book)
- Read How We Got the Bible by Timothy Paul Jones (Book)
- Try the MAPS approach to reading to the Bible (guide below)

  • We meditate on God’s Word because it is perfect, trustworthy, right, and radiant.

    • Because God’s Word gives us life, makes us wise, brings us joy, and helps us see.

    • Because God’s Word is more valuable than money and more satisfying than food.

    • Because God’s Word guards us from danger and leads us to treasure.

    How do we meditate on God’s Word?

    Read the Bible prayerfully, humbly, and reflectively. Ask and labor to answer:

    • “What does this passage teach about who God is?”

    • “What does this passage show me God is doing or has done?”

    • “What does this passage teach about who I am?”

    • “What does this passage teach about how to follow Jesus?”

    Dangerous approaches to reading the Bible:

    The emotional approach: “What feels right to me?”

    The mystical approach: “What deep, hidden meaning is there for me?”

    The pragmatic approach: “What works best for me?”

    The superficial approach: “What does this mean to me?”

  • Head: How does this passage transform your thoughts?

    Heart: How does this passage transform your desires?

    Hands: How does this passage transform your actions?

  • Praise according to God’s Word.

    Repent according to God’s Word.

    Ask according to God’s Word.

    Yield according to God’s Word.

  • “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
    - Deuteronomy 6:6-9

    “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
    - Matthew 28:19-20

    Intentionally look for opportunities to talk with others about what the Lord is teaching you in the Word.