The Word of God - Doctrine in Twelve Weeks
A Study on The Word of God - Leader Guide and Handout
Consider beginning your study with a devotional reading of Psalm 19:7-14, reflecting on the beauty and perfection of God's Word and our right response to it.
In our first three sessions, we explored the nature of God as Trinity. Now, we turn our attention to how God reveals Himself to us. This week, we focus on the inspired Word of God, the Bible. As Christians, we believe that both the story and the very words of the Scriptures are true, as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Let's explore the key aspects of this doctrine.

What does the Bible say about Itself? (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Ask a study participant to read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 aloud. Discuss how this passage informs our understanding of Scripture's nature and purpose.
The Bible consistently affirms its own divine origin and authority. Jesus Himself regularly used the Old Testament in His teachings, setting a pattern for His disciples to follow. In Luke 24:27 and 24:44-47, we see Jesus showing His disciples how all of Scripture testifies about Him. The apostles, like Paul, continued this practice, using Scripture to prove that Jesus was indeed the prophesied Christ (Acts 17:2-3, 18:28).
Who Wrote the Bible? (2 Peter 1:16-21)
Ask a study participant to read 2 Peter 1:16-21. Discuss the powerful confluence of eyewitnesses testimony and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in the writers of the New Testament.
The Bible is a unique collaboration between divine inspiration and human authorship. As 2 Peter 1:21 states, the authors of Scripture were "carried along by the Holy Spirit." This divine-human partnership explains why we call the Bible "God's Word." While each book was written in a specific historical context by individuals with diverse writing styles, every word is a revelation from God and is inspired by God for the edification of His people.
This is true both of the Old and New Testaments. While the New Testament is full of references to the authority of the apostles, the way that Peter talks about Paul’s letters in 2 Peter 3:16 makes it clear that these apostolic writings used for the teaching and edification of the church are also “Scriptures”. In a similar vein, the apostle John concludes Revelation with a prophetic warning not to add or remove anything “from the words of this book of prophecy” (Rev. 22:18-19). While this warning most clearly applies to the book of Revelation, it is a clear indication that John’s prophecy is held to the same standard as the Word of God revealed by prophets of old (see also Deuteronomy 18:20-22).
Is the Bible True? (John 17:17)
Lead a discussion on what it means for the Bible to be "true." How does this impact our daily lives and faith?
The Bible's truthfulness stems from its divine origin. Since God does not lie (Titus 1:2), His Word is inherently true. This truth encompasses multiple aspects:
Historical truthfulness: The historical accounts described in Scripture actually occurred.
Theological truthfulness: The Bible accurately reveals God's nature and character.
Anthropological truthfulness: The Bible accurately reveals human nature.
Moral truthfulness: Scripture provides the true standard for Christian faith and practice.
In light of these facets of truth, any Christian teaching, practice, or belief should be held to the standard of Christianity: the Bible. In this way, the Bible’s truthfulness causes it to be rightly held in the highest regard by Christians as the central, uniting teaching of Christianity.
The Bible is Authoritative (Hebrews 4:12)
Pose this question to the study group: “Why is it important that we, as a study group, believe that the Bible is authoritative in our lives?”
As God's Word, the Bible carries the weight of divine authority. We, as Christians, should view the Scriptures as God's very words to us, submitting to their teaching and guidance in the same way that we submit to God. Hebrews 4:12 beautifully describes the power and authority of God's Word, emphasizing its ability to penetrate our innermost being, judging our very thoughts and intentions. By respecting the authority of the Bible, we are better able to live in the unity and peace with one another (1 Corinthians 1:10, Ephesians 4:3, 1 Peter 3:8).
The Bible is Sufficient (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
Ask the group to consider what it means for the Bible to be "sufficient." How does this impact our understanding of additional revelation or other Christian guidance?
The Bible contains everything necessary for knowing God and living a Christian life. While it doesn't contain all knowledge, it provides sufficient revelation for Christian faith and practice, enough for the right knowledge and worship of God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 affirms that Scripture equips believers for "every good work." The Bible is not only a sufficient revelation of God in general, but specifically, the sufficient revelation for Christianity. The sufficiency of Scriptures indicates that there is no further need of additional revelation of God.
It is worth reflecting on what this means, as it is clear that the Bible does not contain all knowledge, or all that is revealed about God, or even all that Jesus said and did (John 21:25). While the Bible certainly is the central standard of revelation, God additionally shows Himself through a variety of other ways as we will study in the next couple of sessions (consider Romans 1:20-21).
The Bible is Christ-centered (Luke 24:27, John 5:39)
Read Luke 24:27, and discuss with the other study participants how it is the case that all of the Old Testament may be rightly understood as being about Jesus.
The entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, points to Jesus Christ. On the road to Emmaus and later with His apostles, Jesus explained how Moses and the Prophets wrote about Him, His life, death, and resurrection. The Scriptures find their ultimate fulfillment and meaning in Christ, the very fulfillment of the law and prophets (Matthew 5:17).
Conversation Starters
After working through the key teachings about the Bible, engage the study group with some of the following conversation starters.
How does understanding the Bible as God's Word impact your approach to reading and studying it?
In what ways can we apply the authority of Scripture to our daily decision-making?
How should you treat the Bible in your day-to-day life if it is really God’s Word?
How does seeing the Bible as Christ-centered change the way we read both the Old and New Testaments?
Do you measure your Christian beliefs and practices against the standard of Scripture, or are you simply practicing the Christianity of your culture?
How might a deeper appreciation of the Scripture's nature transform our worship and relationship with God?
Consider closing with this responsive reading from John 1 and Colossians 1, reading the normal text while the group responds aloud with the text in bold.
Leader: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
Group: And the Word was God.
Leader: He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him,
Group: And without him was not anything made that was made.
Leader: In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Group: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Leader: He was in the world, and the world was made through him,
Group: Yet the world did not know him.
Leader: For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth,
Group: Visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities.
Leader: All things were created through him and for him.
Group: He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Leader: To him be glory forever and ever.
All: Amen.
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