I would like to start by apologizing for a lack of blogs this month. I have encountered more technical difficulties and have found myself, once again, without a computer to type blogs out on. I have a couple of blogs that I have written by hand that I hope to have posted soon!
This month in Nepal has probably been my favorite month of the World Race. We did ministry with an amazing family in a town called Hetauda, handing out tracts. I will talk more about that in a future blog. For now, I wanted to share another project my team is working on.
Our main ministry contact this month is Bhuvan Devkota, the head of Nepali Youth Ministries. He has a vision to have copyright free teaching material for new Christians and pastors, explaining basic beliefs of Christianity. Our team is staying with him for a couple of nights helping to write this material. I wrote a short piece about the history of the Bible, how it is organized, and why to read it. I thought it would be something cool to share with you all as a tangible result of our work here in Nepal. So here it is! Please give me feedback on it if you have any.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
The Bible is the Word of God. As Christians, it is our handbook for life and a major source for our beliefs. Though the Bible was written by man, it was inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21), and therefore is truth. The Bible is more than just a book; it is a source of teaching, encouragement, correction, history, and more. It may have been written two thousand years ago, but it is 'living and active,' and even today can judge the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Through an ever-changing world, God's Word is constant, never-changing (Isaiah 40:8).
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16
But know this, first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:20-21
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
The Bible was written by approximately 40 people over the span of about 1600 years, yet it agrees perfectly with itself. It contains 66 books split into two sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament consists of 39 books spanning from the creation of earth to the centuries prior to the birth of Christ. The New Testament is 27 books and covers the life of Jesus, the early church, and prophecies of the end times. Every book of the Bible is separated into chapters, and each chapter is separated into verses. These separations help us to find specific verses more easily.
The books of the Bible are organized in a specific order, known as the canon. The books are separated into different categories, based upon subject matter. This can be helpful if you are looking to read about a specific subject. For example, if you want encouragement through a difficult time, you would look to Wisdom literature, to the book of Job or Psalms. Or, if you want to learn more about Jesus' life, you would look to the Gospels. This organization of the Bible also helps it to flow when reading.
The first five books, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, are known as the books of the Law, or the Pentateuch. These books highlight the history of creation and the early world as well as the laws God gave to His people.
Following that are the books of history, Joshua through Esther. These twelve books give the history of the nation of Israel, of the Kings, of the wars they fought, and of their captivity in Babylon.
The books of Job through Song of Solomon are considered wisdom literature. They contain poetry, songs and narratives that explore questions of life and give encouragement for living for God. They tackle difficult topics like why God allows people to suffer (Job), holding fast to God through difficult times (Psalms), and the vanity of the world (Ecclesiastes). These books also point the reader to true wisdom, which can only come from God.
The rest of the books of the Old Testament, from Isaiah to Malachi, are the books of the Prophets. These books are prophecies and messages given by God to men concerning various topics, from warnings of destruction to forgiveness and hope. They covered coming events in history, including the fall of Israel, the life of Christ and even the end times. These books don't just contain predictions of the future, but rather God's messages to His people.
The New Testament begins with five books of History, Matthew through Acts. These books include the life, miracles, death and resurrection of Jesus, the start of the early church as well as the missions of the early church. Many Scriptures about the life of Jesus perfectly line up with prophecies given about Him centuries before.
Most of the rest of the New Testament, Romans through Jude, is composed of the Epistles, or the Letters. These letters serve as guidebooks to early churches as well as rebuke ungodly behavior and clarify the law. They encourage new and mature Christians alike to hold fast to the promises of God. The Bible ends with a final book of Prophecy, Revelation. Revelation is a largely metaphorical book that covers the end times.
I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. Ephesians 1:17
There are two main ways to read the Bible: Canonical (in order) or Chronological (in order of history). Both serve different purposes and can encourage the reader in different ways.
The Bible can seem intimidating to read at first, but if you approach it with diligence, you can receive so much from its pages.
The first key to understanding the Bible is to ask God for understanding. Pray before reading Scripture, and ask God to give you wisdom to understand what you read. Pray while reading, especially if you come across something that you don't understand. And pray when you finish reading a passage, that God would continue to reveal its meaning to you.
When reading the Bible, it is also important to take its words literally. When you read that Jesus healed someone from leprosy, it means that Jesus miraculously healed that person from the disease. Scripture will generally reveal when it is using metaphors, and aside from those times, it means what it says.
There are also countless resources in existence to help deepen your reading of the Bible. Many verses relate to other verses that expound upon a subject, so that reading both verses gives you a better understanding. There are also resources that can give you background knowledge of the customs of the times, which can better explain the significance of certain passages.
Whatever approach you take to the Scriptures, allow God to speak to you through it and reveal Himself to you. Hold it in your heart, and speak it out as truth.
The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching. Romans 10:8
The Bible is the Word of God. As Christians, it is our handbook for life and a major source for our beliefs. Though the Bible was written by man, it was inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21), and therefore is truth. The Bible is more than just a book; it is a source of teaching, encouragement, correction, history, and more. It may have been written two thousand years ago, but it is 'living and active,' and even today can judge the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Through an ever-changing world, God's Word is constant, never-changing (Isaiah 40:8).
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16
But know this, first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:20-21
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
The Bible was written by approximately 40 people over the span of about 1600 years, yet it agrees perfectly with itself. It contains 66 books split into two sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament consists of 39 books spanning from the creation of earth to the centuries prior to the birth of Christ. The New Testament is 27 books and covers the life of Jesus, the early church, and prophecies of the end times. Every book of the Bible is separated into chapters, and each chapter is separated into verses. These separations help us to find specific verses more easily.
The books of the Bible are organized in a specific order, known as the canon. The books are separated into different categories, based upon subject matter. This can be helpful if you are looking to read about a specific subject. For example, if you want encouragement through a difficult time, you would look to Wisdom literature, to the book of Job or Psalms. Or, if you want to learn more about Jesus' life, you would look to the Gospels. This organization of the Bible also helps it to flow when reading.
The first five books, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, are known as the books of the Law, or the Pentateuch. These books highlight the history of creation and the early world as well as the laws God gave to His people.
Following that are the books of history, Joshua through Esther. These twelve books give the history of the nation of Israel, of the Kings, of the wars they fought, and of their captivity in Babylon.
The books of Job through Song of Solomon are considered wisdom literature. They contain poetry, songs and narratives that explore questions of life and give encouragement for living for God. They tackle difficult topics like why God allows people to suffer (Job), holding fast to God through difficult times (Psalms), and the vanity of the world (Ecclesiastes). These books also point the reader to true wisdom, which can only come from God.
The rest of the books of the Old Testament, from Isaiah to Malachi, are the books of the Prophets. These books are prophecies and messages given by God to men concerning various topics, from warnings of destruction to forgiveness and hope. They covered coming events in history, including the fall of Israel, the life of Christ and even the end times. These books don't just contain predictions of the future, but rather God's messages to His people.
The New Testament begins with five books of History, Matthew through Acts. These books include the life, miracles, death and resurrection of Jesus, the start of the early church as well as the missions of the early church. Many Scriptures about the life of Jesus perfectly line up with prophecies given about Him centuries before.
Most of the rest of the New Testament, Romans through Jude, is composed of the Epistles, or the Letters. These letters serve as guidebooks to early churches as well as rebuke ungodly behavior and clarify the law. They encourage new and mature Christians alike to hold fast to the promises of God. The Bible ends with a final book of Prophecy, Revelation. Revelation is a largely metaphorical book that covers the end times.
I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. Ephesians 1:17
There are two main ways to read the Bible: Canonical (in order) or Chronological (in order of history). Both serve different purposes and can encourage the reader in different ways.
The Bible can seem intimidating to read at first, but if you approach it with diligence, you can receive so much from its pages.
The first key to understanding the Bible is to ask God for understanding. Pray before reading Scripture, and ask God to give you wisdom to understand what you read. Pray while reading, especially if you come across something that you don't understand. And pray when you finish reading a passage, that God would continue to reveal its meaning to you.
When reading the Bible, it is also important to take its words literally. When you read that Jesus healed someone from leprosy, it means that Jesus miraculously healed that person from the disease. Scripture will generally reveal when it is using metaphors, and aside from those times, it means what it says.
There are also countless resources in existence to help deepen your reading of the Bible. Many verses relate to other verses that expound upon a subject, so that reading both verses gives you a better understanding. There are also resources that can give you background knowledge of the customs of the times, which can better explain the significance of certain passages.
Whatever approach you take to the Scriptures, allow God to speak to you through it and reveal Himself to you. Hold it in your heart, and speak it out as truth.
The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching. Romans 10:8
