Abundant LIFE Lessons
Track 1 – Essentials to Christian Living
Lesson #1 – The Bible: Life’s Instruction Manual
Objective – This lesson is designed to give a basic understanding of the
reliability and importance of the Bible in the everyday life of a Christian.
Format – The format is an individual daily exercise of reading and answering
questions concluding with a weekly discussion in a LIFEgroup setting. (There is
no reading or questions for Sunday.) The LIFEgroup leader will take role and
keep track of the disciple’s progress and faithfulness. Each disciple must recite
the scripture memory to the LIFEgroup leader at the LIFEgroup meeting. Those
who complete each track will receive a Certificate of Completion at an awards
ceremony on a weekend service.
Note – It may be a wise investment to holepunch the left hand side of the
lessons and organize them in a three-ring binder. Write questions in the margins
during your devotional time to ask at LIFEgroup. Take notes during discussions
for future reference so you can use them when you disciple another new believer
in the future.
Scripture Memory
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to
make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works. ” (2 Timothy 3:15–17)
Day #1 Reading
It is the general consensus of our society that human knowledge has two distinct
sources—reason and experience. Reason tells us, for instance, that if fire will
burn fuels such as paper, wood and gasoline, it will probably burn me, too.
Experience is gained after I put my hand in the fire and I’m nursing a wound.
Although, each of us possesses these very practical sources of knowledge, these
same sources fail to answer some of our most important and challenging
questions, like: “Where did I come from?” “Why am I here?” “Where am I
going?”
There is another source of knowledge we must turn to in order to answer these
more challenging questions. This source is called revelation. There are two
types of revelation. These are general revelation and specific or sometimes
called special revelation. General revelation has been given to all people,
regardless of their beliefs or religious background. General revelation is given in
the form of Creation. Look up and read Psalms 19:1-6 in your Bible and mark it
for future reference. Creation alone is enough evidence of God’s existence that
we are all without excuse. Because of the declaration of Creation, no one will be
able to stand before God and claim ignorance on the Day of Judgment. Look up
and read Romans 1:18-20 and mark it for future reference. The second type of
revelation is called specific or special revelation. This type involves a more direct
communication or revealing of truth to man. In times past, special revelation has
been given by angels, through dreams and visions and through Jesus Christ
when he was here on earth. However, we have the completed revelation from
God to man in the Bible. The Bible is inspired by God. It is from God’s Word that
we get our instructions for life. Look up and read 2 Timothy 3:15-17 in your Bible
and mark this passage.
Day #1 Questions
1. What are the two generally accepted sources of human knowledge?
2. What are the three most important questions in life these sources fail to
answer?
3. What is the only source that will answer these questions?
4. What are the two types of revelation?
5. How do they differ from each other?
Write out your Scripture Memory
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
Day #2 Reading
It is the Bible that shows mankind his need of a Savior. It reveals to us what our
relationship with God is like before salvation and how to receive the gift of eternal
life. It is the Bible that teaches us what Heaven is like, what Hell is like and how
to live so as to please God and be successful in this life. Apart from the Bible we
can never truly know the heart and will of God. What we believe about the Bible
will ultimately determine what we believe about everything else in life.
Everyone has a final authority. Some people choose to make their parents or
their feelings or what a particular religious institution has taught them the final
authority. Since the Bible is inspired (God-breathed), it is the foundation for our
lives—our final authority for matters of faith and life. Recall this week’s memory
verse.
God’s word warns us against human philosophy and tradition. Look up and read
Colossians 2:8. Mark it for future reference. The word spoil in that verse comes
from a military analogy that means to take the loot from the enemy after a victory
in battle. Perhaps you’re familiar with the expression, “the spoils of war.” Men
will try and steal from you through philosophy and tradition.
Solomon, Israel’s wisest king told his son to make his law the apple of his eye; in
other words, the center of his life, and it would bring him life. “Keep my
commandments, and live; And my law as the apple of thine eye. ” (Proverbs 7:2)
We would be wise to do the same with God’s word, the Bible. It is important that
each of us hide God’s word in our heart and never let a day pass without
spending time in it. Look up and read Psalm 119:9-11. Mark it for future
reference. A wise person once said concerning the Bible, “This book will keep
you from sin, or sin will keep you from the book.”
Day #2 Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What can we discover about our relationship with God by reading the Bible?
What can we discover about God by reading the Bible?
What, for you, is the final authority for matters of faith and life?
What does God warn us to beware of in Colossians 2:8?
What does it mean to make God’s Word the Apple of your eye?
Write out your Scripture Memory
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
Day #3 Reading
The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of
sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding,
its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be
safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and
comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the
soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here paradise is restored, Heaven opened,
and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the
glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it
slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river
of pleasure. It is given to you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and will be
remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor,
and condemns all who trifle with its holy contents. Author unknown
It is important to make the Bible an every day part of our lives. Without it, we will
drift back into carnal thinking patterns, fulfill the lusts of the flesh, ruin our
testimony, make bad decisions and even bring a reproach on our Savior’s name.
In other words, we will not be as successful in life as God intends for us to be if
we fail to read and study the Bible. Look up and read Joshua 1:8. Mark if for
future reference. Consistency in God’s word renews our minds. Look up and
read Romans 12:1-2. Mark it for future reference. The following are a few
quotes about the Bible from some of our founding fathers and other influential
men from our country’s history.
George Washington: “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God
and the Bible.”
Andrew Jackson: “That book, sir, is the rock on which our republic rests.”
Abraham Lincoln: “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to
man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through
this book.”
Horace Greeley: “It is impossible to mentally or socially enslave a Bible-reading
people. The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom.
Day #3 Questions
1. What do you believe George Washington meant by his statement?
2. What is the catalyst for the renewing of our minds?
3. What causes success according to the Bible?
Write out your Scripture Memory
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
Day #4 Reading
The Bible is a unique book for many reasons. For one thing it is unique in the
way it was compiled. It is comprised of 66 books divided into two sections.
Thirty-nine of the books are part of the Old Testament. The other 27 make up
the New Testament. It was penned by 40 different men over a period of
approximately 1500 years without a single contradiction in its theme or purpose.
These men penned the very words of God exactly as they were given to them.
This is called inspiration. We say the Bible was inspired, or God-breathed. Look
up and read 2 Peter 1:19-21. Mark it for future reference. The following are
some passages that deal with the accuracy of the Bible.
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the LORD is
sure, making wise the simple. ” (Psalm 19:7)
“Thy word is true from the beginning: And every one of thy righteous judgments
endureth for ever. ” (Psalm 119:160)
“Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. ”
(Proverbs 30:5)
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: But the word of our God shall stand for
ever. ” (Isaiah 40:8)
“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. ”
(Matthew 24:35)
Day #4 Questions
1. How many books are in the Bible?
2. How many of them are Old Testament?
3. Over how many years were the Scriptures penned?
4. How many penmen participated?
5. What does the word inspiration mean?
Write out your Scripture Memory
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
Day #5 Reading
The Bible is not only unique in the way it was compiled, but also unique in the
way it has been kept. We call this preservation. God’s word is inspired and it is
preserved. Psalm 119:89 says, “For ever, O LORD, Thy word is settled in
heaven. ” Recall Matthew 24:35 from yesterday’s reading. Also, look up and
read 1 Peter 1:23-25. Mark it for future reference. Within the first century, all of
the books we have in the Bible today were in existence and were being
circulated, copied and distributed among the Christian churches. These faithful
men and women risked their lives—and many gave their lives—for the
publication and distribution of the Bible.
Many people are confused and have believed false conjectures that the Bible has
lost its accuracy over the years because of the repeated copying and the
potential for mistakes. But, this is actually quite contrary. Because of the
enormous scope and range of its distribution, the number of manuscripts
available today allows for accurate assessment of the manuscripts and any
scribal errors are fairly easily recognized.
To illustrate, look at your hands. You can recognize what a hand should look like
because you have seen yours so many times, you would know if any scars or
deformities were to develop. Further, you have seen so many hands in your
lifetime, that although they all may be slightly different in size, color and
aesthetics, you can tell when a hand has a deformity when you see it. This is
what linguists and literary scientists call textual criticism. It is the study and
comparison of Bible manuscripts based on the vast amount of texts and
manuscripts available. The enormous distribution rate—even before the printing
press—is how God used history to preserve his word.
Day #5 Questions
1. Will we ever lose the Word of God?
2. Where is the Word settled?
3. What is the process of manuscript evaluation called?
4. The Bible has been inspired by God, but it has also been what?
5. What illustration was used to demonstrate textual criticism?
Write out your Scripture Memory
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
Day #6 Reading
The Bible is not only inspired and preserved, but it is also inerrant. This means
that it is completely accurate in what it teaches and declares. While people are
still arguing about their origin, Christians are secure in the fact that God is the
Creator, because the Bible declares it. How do we know we can trust the Bible
about Creation? Everything from science to archeological discoveries has only
confirmed the Bible’s declarations. For example, in 1799 doctors bled George
Washington to death trying to cure him. Had they read the Bible sitting on his
nightstand near the bed where he died, they would have learned from Leviticus
17:11 that the life of the flesh is in the blood. Another example is that of
Christopher Columbus. In 1492, he sailed the ocean blue. He wasn’t afraid to
fall off the earth as the common people believed he would because the Bible
claimed the earth was round and hung on nothing and he believed the Bible.
The book of Daniel foretells the rise and fall of specific world empires with
stunning accuracy 400 years before they happen. Stories like these as well as
the fact that archeological and scientific discoveries have consistently confirmed
the Bible’s declarations demonstrate its inerrancy.
Day #6 Questions
1. The Bible is inspired, preserved and completely what?
2. In what book of the Bible is world history outlined before it happens?
3. According to our memory verse what are the four things the Bible is good
for?
4. Did Christopher Columbus believe he would fall of the earth? Why?
Write out your Scripture Memory
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________
________________________________________________________________
________