Terry Glaspey - Bible Basics for Everyone

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. The NIV and New International Version trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society.

Cover by Harvest House Publishers, Inc .

Thanks to Peggy Wright, Steve Miller, and Carrie Sue Halupa for their invaluable help and insight.

BIBLE BASICS FOR EVERYONE

Copyright 2013 by Terry Glaspey

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97402

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

ISBN 978-0-7369-5359-7 (pbk.)
ISBN 978-0-7369-5733-5 (eBook)

All rights reserved . No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any otherwithout the prior written permission of publisher. The authorized purchaser has been granted a non-transferable, non-exclusive, and non-commercial right to access and view this electronic publication and agrees to do so only in accordance with the terms of use under which it was purchased or transmitted. Participation in or encouragement of piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of author's and publisher's rights is strictly prohibited.

Contents

The Bible. Its the book that everyone quotes from, most people say they respect as the Word of God, and few people actually read. Its the source of much of our law, our art, and, of course, our faith. It isnt always an easy book to read and understand, but it is a book worth reading .

Sure, its long. And much of it seems foreign to us. Some of it is kind of confusing. Some of it is hard to understand. Some of it frankly seems a little weird to the modern reader. The events recorded in it took place a long time ago, and it was originally written in languages that few speak or write today. But it is a book worth reading.

Countless people through many generations have found it to be a life-giving book, filled with hope, help, and strength for dark times. I know that I have! In its pages we glimpse the majestic glory and tender heart of its main characterGod. And in its pages we are offered the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ, His Son. So, yes, it is a book worth reading.

But maybe you need a little help getting started. Well, the book you hold in your hand is intended as a guide to help you get more out of the Bible by 1) understanding how it all fits together, 2) discovering how you can get more out of reading and studying it, and 3) exploring how it can change your perspective on lifes struggles. All these features are put together in sections that can be read in one minute or less. Think of it as a compact tourist guidebook for seeking out the treasures of the most amazing volume ever penned, or as CliffsNotes for the Scriptures .

Ive tried to keep it simple, straightforward, and practical. My prayer is that youll find within these pages the background you need to have to read the Bible with greater understanding. I also pray that it will deepen your appreciation for the miracle that is Gods Word. Hopefully it will be fun too. So join me for this journey through the worlds greatest book, one definitely worth reading.

1. The Scriptures give us spiritual insight . (Psalm 119:30; James 1:2)

2. The Scriptures give us guidance . (Psalm 119:105)

3. The Scriptures produce faith in us . (Romans 10:17)

4. The Scriptures help us face temptation . (Psalm 119:11)

5. The Scriptures teach us wisdom and equip us for life . (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

6. The Scriptures are a mirror to our soul . (Hebrews 4:12)

7. The Scriptures nourish us . (1 Peter 2:1-2)

1. It contains a unique message from Godno other book can claim to be the Word of God. It is an inspired (2 Timothy 3:16-17) account of God dealing with His people and the written record of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who was Himself the eternal Word of God (John 1:1). If its Gods book, isnt it worth your time to explore?

2. It is filled with practical wisdom about how human beings should live their lives . In its pages youll find advice on how to build a stronger relationship with God and with others, as well as the ethical rules necessary for living a more healthy and successful life. It shows us the best way to live.

3. It teaches us the truth about God, about ourselves, and about the world we live in . The Bible is a wonderful mirror in which to see our own limitations as human beings and learn to depend on God. It is a book that transforms lives!

4. It is the single greatest fountainhead of Western thought and culture . You cant really understand the history of philosophy, law and politics, the meaning of much of our great art and literature, or even the significance of countless common English expressions without some knowledge of the Bible.

5. It makes for a fascinating read! Really! Whoever told you that the Bible was boring and irrelevant evidently hadnt read very much of itor maybe they just read those tedious bits in Leviticus and the genealogies. The Bible is full of amazing stories, challenging teachings, and intriguing ideas. Give it a chance, and youll see what I mean!

1. Reading at Random . This is how many people read the Bible. They simply pick up their Bible, let it fall open to a random page, and then start reading. The problem with this is youll often miss the all-important context of the passage and overlook many of the wonderful nuggets that youd find with a more systematic approach.

2. Reading Chapter-by-Chapter . Many people (myself included) have discovered the joy of making a commitment to reading a chapter of the Bible every day. It adds inspiration to your life and helps you explore the entire Bible.

3. Reading Book-by-Book . We need to remember that the Bible was not originally written with chapters and verses. These were only added later to help us find specific sections and passages. Instead, each book was its own scroll. There is a lot to be said for setting aside a significant block of time and reading a whole book of the Bible at one sitting. Its the way wed read any other book, so why not read the Bible this way?

4. Reading by Themes . Another interesting way to explore the Bible is to trace various themes throughout the whole Bible, discovering everything it has to say about any given topic. You can use your concordance or a topical Bible to help in your exploration.

5. Reading with Prayer . There is an ancient Christian practice called Lectio Divina, which teaches the art of meditating on a verse or short passage and praying it into your life. Phrase-by-phrase you can praise God for the truth you see written on the page, examine your own life in view of what you are reading, and ask God to make it real to you .

1. A Study Bible . It can be of great assistance to have some explanatory notes, book introductions, maps, and charts right there between the covers of your Bible. There are a number of good ones available, but my personal favorite is The NIV Study Bible, or if you want something simpler, The Student Bible .