OBJECTIVES

1. Participants will understand how the Bible was composed and roughly when
2. Participants will understand how the New Testament was compiled
3. Participants will learn some of the reasons why the Bible is accurate
4. Participants will understand the role the Holy Spirit played in the composition of
the Bible and plays in our reading of it today
5. Participants will learn about different translations of the Bible, geared towards
personal use
6. Participants will learn and use the practice of lectio divina
BEFORE WE GET STARTED
Lesson Plan in relation to Curriculum
This is the third of four lessons. This week we will be focusing on the reliability of the
Bible and its use for today. This leads into next week, when we will examine the Holy
Spirit and the hurch.
Background Information
!espite the importance, teaching about the Bible can be a difficult and o"erwhelming
task. There are so many issues and #uestions that you may not feel you are able to
answer. !o not be afraid. $any of the issues will be co"ered in the material. Howe"er,
many #uestions regarding this topic rely on faith. %s you are teaching this class, answer
the #uestions you can and tell learners you will look into the ones you cannot. &et,
remember you can point towards the Bible as 'od(s )ord and authority regardless of not
ha"ing answers to e"ery #uestion. *emember the words from + Timothy ,-./0.1.
Learning Environment
The best space will include a room with a whiteboard as well as tables and chairs. &ou
will ha"e handouts to gi"e and it would be nice for people to ha"e a place to put them. Be
sure to remind people that sharing and differences of opinion are encouraged and that
this is a space safe for all.
MATERIALS
a2 $arkers for whiteboard
b2 Pens
c2 3S4 Bibles
d2 Cristian Beliefs! 2" Basic Beliefs Ever# Cristian $ould %no& by )ayne and
3lliott 'rudem 5for reference2
e2 Handouts
.. 67s the Bible *eliable89
+. 6:: Prophecies ;esus hrist <ulfilled9
,. 6The New Testament9

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PRINCETON ALLIANCE CHURCH
FOUNDATIONS OF CHRISTIANITY
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:. Bible Timeline and Translation
5. Lectio 'ivina
1. . ;ohn .-/0.@ and >uke .A-.0.@
AGENDA (for a A@ minute lesson)
Introduction / min.
Building Communit# ./ min.
Encounter and Investigate // min.
Ponder te Possi(ilities ./ min.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Introduction B / $7N
Begin by welcoming people back to the class, asking them how their week was.
=pen with reading + Peter .-.10+. and + Timothy ,-./0.1, followed by a prayer.
Building Communit# B ./ $7N
)1* Briefly summariCe the pre"ious week(s session
)2* %sk the class if they ha"e any #uestions pertaining to the pre"ious week(s materials
)3* %sk the class if they ha"e any #uestions pertaining to the book Cristian Beliefs
)4* Break the class into groups of +0, and ask them to answer these #uestions-
5a2 !o you think the Bible is reliable8 Name one reason or concern relating to your answer.
5b2 )hy is it difficult for you to read and apply the Bible to your life8
%fter a few minutes, bring the class back together and write some of their answers on the whiteboard.
Encounter and Investigate B // $7N
1. Pass out the 67s the Bible *eliable89 handout and begin to walk through it with the class
Not- !o not feel pressure to co"er e"ery single point on the handout. Howe"er, please
make sure to touch on the main points. %lso, feel free to include additional material you
find useful.
Not! 7t is "ery important to note that while you will be leading the class through this
outline, please make room for discussion and #uestions. Be conscious of reactions and the
needs of the class. Time is allotted for you to respond to #uestions or comments of
participants, so take your time through the material.
". %s you get to the section on page . regarding the fulfilled prophecies of ;esus, pass out the 6::
Prophecies ;esus hrist <ulfilled9 handout. !o not feel the need to go o"er e"ery fulfilled
prophecy, rather point the class towards the Bible "erses and encourage them to study this on
their own time. 7t may be helpful, though, to explain +0, of these prophecies.
3. %fter finishing the pre"ious two handouts, pass out 6The New Testament9 handout. Speak on
the dates of the New Testament and how ;osephus a ;ew 5and not a hristian2 wrote about
;esus 5another proof2. Then examine how the New Testament was compiled and its accuracy.
%t this point, be sure to emphasiCe the work of the Holy Spirit in confirming these works.
#. <rom here, talk about the fact that while the pre"ious information is important, it does not
help "ery much if we lea"e the Bible on our shel"es. &ou may want to reread + Peter and +
Timothy. 3mphasiCe the importance of daily Bible reading and application.
0 <eel free to offer a person story about the impact the Bible has had on your life.
$. 'i"e the 6Bible Timeline and Translation9 handout, detailing differences in translation. )e
recommend translations that are closer to 6)ord for )ord9, but also something in
contemporary language. )e use the 3S4 "ersion. >earners may also want to ha"e a secondary
copy of The $essage or The >i"ing translation.
Not- The Bible Timeline is a resource for participates, not something that needs to be
co"ered.

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Ponder te Possi(ilities + ./ $7N
1. Pro"ide the 6Lectio 'ivina, handout and spend some time detailing this practice of reading
Scripture. Stress that this practice is not the only way to read Scripture, but has been "ery
helpful for many centuries.
". Then offer the 6. ;ohn .-/0.@ and >uke .A-.0.@9 handout.
5a2 ?sing lectio divina- ask the class to break into groups of +0, and spend fi"e minutes doing
this exercise on o%&' o% of the passages of their choice.
5b2 %s a large group, spend another fi"e minutes sharing about the experience and any
insights recei"ed.
3. 3ncourage the class to take the core course .e Book as it spends a significant amount of time
detailing how to read, interpret and apply the Bible to e"eryday life. Please look at the class
schedule to share when the class will be offered.
#. lose in prayer.

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