Messages

Week 1 - Can I Trust the Bible

The Bible is an old book.  Its full of stories about places I've never been to and people I've never met.  Its been quoted, manipulated and abused by those that would use the respect people have for it to their own ends.  As scholars have learned to analyze and dissect ancient documents, we've come to doubt whether George Washington really did cut down a cherry tree, Honest Abe was really that honest.  Is the Bible is anything more than an excellent collection of moral fables? How can you trust the Bible if we can't trust the reliability of stories much closer to our time?  Discover the evidence that will help you and those you know decide if you can indeed trust the Bible.

Small Group lesson #1 - Pronounce It!

Memory Text - Colossians 3:16a (NKJV)

Notes

Week 2 - The Bible in 3D

People use the Bible in lots of different ways.  For some its a sledgehammer to pound home a point.  For others its a safety blanket to make me feel warm and safe.  Some treat it like a personal horoscope to tell them the future.  Others see it more like the Pirate's Code, more like suggestions than rules.  So what's the point of the Bible?  With so many different authors, is there one theme to be found?  See the big picture the Bible reveals and discover the single point of the entire book.

Small Group Study #2 - Picture It!

Memory Text - Psalm 119:18 (NIV)

Notes

Week 3 - What am I Supposed to do With This?

Some quick witted soul once said that Bible stands for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.  Cute, but how am I supposed to apply what I'm reading to my life.  After all, this stuff was written a long time ago.  Is it still relevant?  Discover the great news that not only is the Bible still relevant, you've got help to figure it all out.  Its called God's Word for a reason and you'll hear it speak to you.

Small Group Study #3 - Probe It!

Memory Text - James 1:22 (NIV)

Notes

Week 4 - Your Truth, My Truth, God's Truth

Two major world religions hold the Bible, or portions of it as the sacred word of God and yet differ radically.  Within Christianity itself there are hundreds if not thousands of denominations and sects all which claim to follow the Bible.  Of course, each one claims to know what the Bible says, and yet sometimes they see exact opposite meanings.  Today, a lot of people say there is no one interpretation.  All interpretations are equally true.  But does that actually work?  And if it doesn't, what hope to we have interpreting the Bible correctly?  Find some solid ground to work from as we look at tools from the Bible itself that will teach us how to interpret this book.

Small Group Study - Paraphrase it!

Memory Text - Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

Notes

Week 5 - Laying My Foundation

Sometimes we treat the Bible like bran flakes.  Perhaps that statement deserves an explanation.  Most people know a lot more about being healthy than we actually practice.  For instance, I know bran flakes are much healthier for me than Fruit Loops.  But that doesn't mean I like to eat them.  Knowing about the Bible and knowing what it says is a lot different than living what it says.  And I think its because we apply the same emotions we do to eating healthy.  It may be better for us, but it won't be any fun.  But what if living the Bible turned out to feel good as well as be good for me?  Discover how to let the Bible begin seeping into every part of my life.

Small Group Study - Personalize It! Pray It!

Memory Text - Matthew 7:24 (NIV)

Week 6 - There When You Need It

I buy used cars.  Which also means I pay for repairs to those cars more often, or at least I would if I weren't also a cheapskate when it comes to car repair.  So for each vehicle in my possession, I also own a copy of the shop manuals for those vehicles.  As impressive as that might seem, I've discovered that having a lot of information at your fingertips isn't very helpful if you don't know how to find what you are looking for.  Feel at all like your experience with the Bible?  Lots of information that is probably very useful, but you've got to know where to find what you're looking for.  The last week of this series will give you great tools for putting the Bible to good use in life's little challenges as they come at you.

Small Group Study - Six Principles of Interpretation

Memory Text - Psalm 119:105 (NIV)