Southwest church of Christ
Understanding the Story of the Bible #1
Introduction
The Bible claims to be the Word of God and teaches that God created man on earth and desires to have a
relationship with him. The Bible tells the story of God’s creation of man and His dealings with man since
Creation. The Bible says that before the foundation of the world God had a plan for saving man so he could
live with God for eternity and that plan is revealed in the Bible (Ephesians 1:4). The purpose of this study is
not to prove the Bible is the word of God but to present the story of God’s dealings with man. Prior to
presenting the story, this study will present basic information about the makeup of the book called the Bible.
The study is not intended to teach you how to study the Bible. If you need information on how to study the
Bible contact the author of these studies at butchredmond@gmail.com. It is my prayer that these studies will
bless your life and encourage you and help you in your relationship with God.
The Bible
The Bible is not a book even though we have it in book form. The Bible is a collection of writings from God
who used men as His writers (2nd Peter 1:21). This collection of writings, over the years since God began giving
them to men, have been collected and put into “book form” by men. We call this book “The Bible.” The actual
meaning of the word from which our English word “bible” is derived means “the books.” So the Bible is a
collection of writings from God, written by men who God guided by His Spirit, (1st Corinthians 2:12-13), that
have been collected and put into book form.
Everything contained inside the covers of a Bible is not from God. Over the years, after these writings were
collected and put in book form, men have added information they believe would help a person as they read
and studied the Bible. Some of these things are study guides, dictionaries of Bible words, introductions to the
different books, information about some of the people in the Bible, as well as other study helps and tools. It is
important to remember that only the inspired writings are God’s word. Because something is contained inside
the cover of the book we call the Bible does not mean it is God’s Word.
Your copy of the Bible is a translation. Another word meaning the same thing is version. A translation is the
work of men and women who are scholars in ancient languages, who have taken copies of these writings from
God that were written in different languages, and translated them into the languages of today, such as
English. Since most people today do not read Aramaic, Hebrew or Greek, scholars of these ancient languages
translated those writings into modern day English. Because the language we speak, English, is a living language
it is necessary for these scholars to continually work on updating these translations or producing new
translations. A living language is a language where the meanings of words change. Since the meaning of some
of our English words have changed, and continue to change over the years, these translators continue to
translate. For example, did you know that when the King James translation was produced in 1611 the English
word spelled “let” meant “to prevent.” This is an example of an English word, “let,” whose meaning changed
completely, from “keep from” or “stop,” to “allow.” So the work of Bible translators is to keep presenting the
Bible in current English, the language that we speak and understand. Not that many of our words change
meanings rapidly, but some do, so there will continually be a need for newer translations. Some of the Bible
translations you may encounter are: the King James Version; the New King James Version; the New
International Version; the New American Standard Version; the New English Translation; the New Revised
Standard and the English Standard Version. (Remember, “version” is just another word for “translation.”) This
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list is neither exhaustive nor intended to imply these are the only good translation. It is given so you can see
there are many translations of the Bible available today.
If you are not familiar with Bible translations ask someone who is an older, more mature Christian to help you
pick out a good translation or ask the minister of the church where you attend what is the most commonly
used translation in that congregation. The quotations of scriptures in this study are from the English Standard
Version. However, you do not have to have or use an English Standard Version of the Bible to complete this
study.
The words from God in your Bible can be found in 66 writings that men have collected and placed in two
categories: Old Testament and New Testament. The word “testament” means book, law or covenant.
Contained in the Old Testament are 39 writings from God that were written before the life of Jesus. These
writings of the Old Testament were collected and put in book form at least 200 years before the birth of Jesus.
The Septuagint, a translation of the Old Testament into Greek was accomplished by a group of scholars in
Alexandria, Egypt and was available and quoted from by Jesus. During the life of Jesus, the Word of God was
the Old Testament and Jesus often quoted from these writings and told the people God’s real meaning in
these writings.
In the New Testament are 27 writings from God written from the time of the life of Jesus to about 60 years
after His death, or about 100 A.D. Sometimes you will see a collection of the writings from just the Old or New
Testament brought together and published in book form. They generally are just called Old or New
Testaments. However, these are still the words of God but they are just part of the words of God. Men are the
ones who put together Bible translations and determine in what form these books will be published, not God.
However, regardless of the published form, the information contained in these writings is the Word of God.
Books of the Old Testament – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges,
Ruth, 1st Samuel, 2nd Samuel, 1st Kings, 2nd Kings, 1st Chronicles, 2nd Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah,
Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel,
Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah
and Malachi.
Books of the New Testament – Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1st Corinthians, 2nd
Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 st Thessalonians, 2nd Thessalonians, 1st
Timothy, 2nd Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1st Peter, 2nd Peter, 1st John, 2nd John, 3rd
John, Jude and Revelation.
More information about some of the books, the men God used to write them, the approximate time of their
writing and the general theme of the writing, will be discussed in later studies.
The writings in this book, the Bible, when collected and put in book form were not arranged in chronological
order. That is, the first book does not start telling the story of God’s dealings with men and then the story
continues in chronological order, the order that the events took place, in the next book and then the next and
the next. When men collected these writings from God and put them in book form they were arranged by
subject matter, not in the chronological order of the story. For example, the first five books of the Old
Testament are called Books of Law. The Books of Law are writings that deal with God’s law to men of that
time, particularly the law that God gave to the Children of Israel. More information about the subject matter
of each writing will be presented in later studies.
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However, you can read your Bible and get the basic story of the Bible just like you read a novel, starting at the
beginning of the story and reading through to the end of the story by reading these books in this order:
From the Old Testament Read - Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy chapter 34 (only this
chapter of this book), Joshua, Judges, 1st Samuel, 2nd Samuel, 1st Kings, 2nd Kings, Ezra
From the New Testament Read – Luke and then Acts.
This will give you the complete Bible story of God’s dealing with men from the time He created and placed
man in the Garden, until about 60 years after the crucifixion of Jesus and the promise of His return. If you are
not familiar with this story, as you complete these lessons, please be reading this story by reading the books in
the order they are listed above. This presentation of the story of the Bible will be presented from the above
listed books and along with the story will be references to where the other writings fit into and provide
additional information about the story.
The following lessons will tell the Bible story, pointing to information that should help you understand God
and His dealings with man. At the beginning of each lesson, you will see some scripture notations, like
“Genesis Chapters One Through Three”. Please read the noted scriptures before you start that lesson. If you
just need to read a part of the book the scripture notations will be expressed in the following form: Genesis
1:1 – 3:24. This is saying “from the Book of Genesis, start reading in the first chapter, the first verse, and read
through the third chapter, the twenty-fourth verse. After each lesson you will find a Question Sheet to help
you reconsider the information you have just studied.
The above information is technical information about Bible translations and the makeup of the Bible, the way
it is put together. This lesson was not intended to prove the Bible is the Word of God; rather it was designed
to help you understand the Bible makeup and give you a simple way to read the Bible to obtain the overall
story of God’s dealing with man. However, believing the Bible is the Word of God and knowing the story of
God’s dealings with man is not sufficient. In order for the Bible to be for you what God intended for it to be,
you must understand why God gave you the Bible. About itself, the Bible says “All Scripture is breathed out
by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the
man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2nd Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible is breathed
out by God so that it can fashion and form God’s people to do His work in the world. In other words, the Bible
isn’t there simply to be an accurate reference point for people who want to look things up and be sure they’ve
got them right. It is there to equip God’s people to carry forth His purpose on earth as you live in a relationship
with Him.
Knowing the story of the Bible will not give you a relationship with God. That only comes through obedience
to His plan and purpose as revealed in the Bible. If at any time during these studies you have questions about
your relationship with God, please contact me, Glenn Redmond, at butchredmond@gmail.com and I will be
glad to discuss your questions and concerns or put you in touch with someone who can assist you with your
concerns.
May God bless your efforts as you study and learn about Him.
You may send any questions you have during this study or questions about the material to
butchredmond@gmail.com.
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Understanding the Story of the Bible #1
Lesson Questions & Study Sheet
1. What is going to be the standard by which God will judge men at the final judgment?
2. What is the original meaning of the word “Bible?”
3. Who wrote the Bible?
4. How many different writings (books) are there in the Bible?
5. What are the major divisions of these writings in the Bible?
6. How did men arrange the writings in the Bible?
7. What is a Bible translation?
8. My Bible translation is ____________________________.
9. My questions from this study:
You may e-mail Glenn Redmond at butchredmond@gmail.com if you have questions or would like to
discuss the material in this study.
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Understanding the Story of the Bible #1
Question Answers
1. What is going to be the standard by which God will judge men at the final judgment? The Bible, the Word
of God.
2. What is the original meaning of the word “Bible?” – The Books
3. Who wrote the Bible? God is the author of the Bible but He used men, guided by His Spirit, to put it in
written form.
4. How many different writings (books) are there in the Bible? There are 66 writings or books in the Bible. 39
of these writings are contained in what we call the Old Testament; 27 of the books are contained in the New
Testament.
5. What are the major divisions of these writings in the Bible? The Old and New Testament
6. How did men arrange the writings in the Bible? By subject matter, not in chronological order of the time
the events recorded took place.
7. What is a Bible translation? A translation of all the books/writings from God that make up the Bible, from
the ancient languages to current languages. Generally the publishers include more information, like study aids,
a concordance, maps and many other useful study tools in their translation. Translations are also called
Versions.
8. My Bible translation is ____________________________. The translation used in this study is the English
Standard Version. Yours may be different but you can do this study with any Bible translation.
9. My questions from this study:
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