Who wrote the Bible?
Words are important. We trust the sincerity of words spoken in love (think wedding vows) and the certainty of words bound by law (think contracts). In whatever circumstance, words are often the foundation upon which we build relationships. The same applies when it comes to our relationship with God. Why do we believe that God is loving and kind? Why do we believe in life after death? Why are we confident of justice on the final day? These, and a myriad of other questions, can arguably be explained with a simple because that’s what God said. This is not a retreat from intellectual rationality. Rather, it comes as a result of a rigorous exercise of our minds in conjunction with the work of the Spirit in our hearts. Because that’s what God said is a profound conviction and as it should be for Christians have literally given their lives in commitment to this truth.
1. How do you react when you hear of people claiming to have spoken with God? Why does it draw out that reaction from you?
2. On a scale of 1 – 10, rate your knowledge of what the Bible says about God. Would you agree that the more you know your Bible, the better you will know God?
3. In other words, do you believe the Bible to be authoritative? Where do you think this idea came from?
4. On a scale of 1 – 10, rate your knowledge of what the Bible says about the Bible. 😊
Read 2 Peter 1:16-21
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son,[i] with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
5. According to Peter, what makes him a reliable source of information about the Lord Jesus Christ?
6. How many cases can you recall in the Bible where God was heard speaking audibly? What does this teach us about the nature of the divine?
7. What does Peter see is the benefit of having personally heard the voice from heaven? (Hint: v.19)
8. Why do you think Peter emphasizes Scripture (the prophetic word) over miraculous displays (like on the mountain)?
9. What is your understanding of who wrote the Bible? Why does it matter?
A fundamental belief in Christianity is that Scripture is the Word of God. It is important for any Christian to understand that the Bible in their hands is not man-made, but a result of God’s miraculous work through the Holy Spirit in the very people whose words have been recorded in history. Nevertheless, the question is not can you trust the Bible, but do you trust the Bible. For that, there is no better source that the Bible itself.
Read Psalm 119:105 - stanza Nun.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to keep your righteous rules.
107 I am severely afflicted;
give me life, O Lord, according to your word!
108 Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,
and teach me your rules.
109 I hold my life in my hand continually,
but I do not forget your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,
but I do not stray from your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
for they are the joy of my heart.
112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes
forever, to the end.
10. What is one truth from this part of Psalm 119 you will think about for the rest of the day?