1. By what name, did Jesus refer to the writings of the Old Testament-the Bible of His day? Matthew 21:42. _______________________________________________________
2. What other title is given the revelation of God to man? Luke 8:21. ________________
3. How were the Scriptures given? 2 Timothy 3:.16. ____________________________
4. For what is all Scriptures profitable? 2 Timothy 3:16. _________________________
5. What was God's design in thus giving the Scriptures? 2 Timothy 3:17. _____________
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6. List three avenues God used to reveal His will to man? 2 Peter 1:21; Hebrews 1:2;Revelation 1:1._________________________________________________________________
7. What did Jesus preach from? Luke 24:27, 44, 45. ____________________________
8. What did Jesus say about His Word? Matthew 24:35. _________________________
9. What did Jesus say we must do to the Scriptures? John 5:39. ____________________
10. What is the purpose of the Scriptures as written in the Gospels? John 20:30,31. _____________________________________________________________________
11. Why must we study? Fill in the blanks: 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to ______ thyself __________ unto God, a workman that needeth not to be _________, but rightly dividing the ________ of truth.

12. What is God's Word to us on the path of life? Psalm 119:105. ___________________
13a. Where did the Psalmist say he hid the Word of God? Psalm 119:11. _____________
13b. For what purpose? Psalm 119:11. _______________________________________
14a. What did the brethren in Berea do with the Scriptures? Acts 17:11. ______________
14b Why? Acts 17:11. ___________________________________________________
15. How long will the Word of God last? 1 Peter 1:24, 25; Isaiah 40:8 _______________

Before the entrance of sin, Adam and Eve enjoyed open communion with their Maker; but since man separated himself from God by transgression, the human race has been cut off from this high privilege. By the plan of redemption however, a way has been opened whereby the inhabitants of the earth may still have connection with heaven. God has communicated with men by His Spirit, and divine light has been imparted to the world by revelations to His chosen servants. "Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21.

During the first twenty five hundred years of human history, there was no written revelation. Those who had been taught of God communicated their knowledge to others, and it was handed down from father to son through successive generations. The preparation of the written word began in the time of Moses. This work continued during the long period of sixteen hundred years - from Moses, the historian of creation and the law, to John, the recorder of the most sublime truths of the gospel. Inspired revelations were then embodied in an inspired book. This book is called the Bible; its writings are called the Word of God, Sacred Writings, Scriptures, Oracles of God, (Romans 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:15 (RSV); Romans 3:2; Hebrews 5:12). Generally we refer to its writings as the "Bible."

The word of God involves the scriptures of both the Old and New Testament. One is not complete without the other. The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed. The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. The Old Testament serves as foundation for the new. It provides the key to unlock the New, while the New explains the mysteries of the Old. Christ declared that the Old Testament is as important as the New. The Old Testament through prophecies and symbols, reveals the gospel of the Saviour to come; the New Testament, through the life of Jesus, reveals a Saviour who came?the gospel in reality.

Christ was as much man's redeemer in the beginning of the world as He is today. Christ as manifested to the patriarchs; as symbolized in the sacrificial service; as portrayed in the law, and as revealed by the prophets is the riches of the Old Testament. Our Saviour the outshining of the Father's glory is both the Old and the New Testament.

The scriptures of the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament is divided into three sections: first, the law of Moses; second, the prophets; third, the poetical books and the Psalm. The twenty seven books of the New Testament contains the four gospels recording the life and teachings of Jesus, the Acts of the Apostles, the founding of the Christian church, the work of its first leaders carrying the message to the world, the epistles and the book of Revelation.
There are about 400 years of silence between the last book of the Old Testament and the first book of the New Testament, so there could be no collusion between the prophets of the Old Testament and the apostles of the New Testament.

The scriptures were written by about forty men, over a period of about fifteen hundred years; and since the Holy Spirit inspired the writers, God, then, is the author. 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, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16,17

Though written generations apart, the truths of the Old and New Testaments remain inseparable. They do not contradict each other. The two Testaments are one, as God is one; both reveal the same God.
The Bible points to God as its author (Hebrew 1:1), yet it was written by human hands and in the varied style of its different books it presents the characteristics of the several writers. The truths revealed are all "given by inspiration of God" (2 Tim 3:16); yet they are expressed in the words of men. The Infinite One by His Holy Spirit has shed light into the minds and hearts of His servants. He has given dreams and visions, symbols and figures, and those to whom the truth was thus revealed have themselves embodied the thought in human language. The Ten Commandments were spoken by God Himself, and was written by His own hands. They are of divine and not of human composition. But the Bible, with its God given truths expressed in the language of men, presents a union of the divine and the human. Such a union existed in the nature of Christ, who was the Son of God and the Son of man. Thus it is true of the Bible, as it was of Christ, that " the word was made flesh and dwelt among us." John 1:14.

Written in different ages, by men who differed widely in rank and occupation, and in mental and spiritual endowments, the books of the Bible present a wide contrast in style, as well as diversity in the nature of the subjects unfolded. Different writers employ different forms of expressions. Often the same truth is more strikingly presented by one than by another. As several writers present a subject under varied aspects and relations, there may appear to the superficial, careless, or prejudiced reader, to be discrepancy or contradiction, where the thoughtful reverent student, with clearer insights discerns the underlying harmony. As presented through different individuals, the truth is brought out in its varied aspects. One writer who is strongly impressed with one phase of the subject, grasps those points that harmonize with his experience or with his power of perception and appreciation; another seizes upon a different phase; and each, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit presents what is most forcibly impressed upon his own mind - a different aspect of the truth in each, but a perfect harmony through all; and the truth thus revealed unite to make a perfect whole, adapted to meet the wants of men in all the circumstances and experiences of life.

God has been pleased to communicate His truth to the world by human agencies, and He Himself, by His Holy Spirit, qualified men and enabled them to do this work. He guided the men in selecting what to speak and what to write. The treasure was entrusted to earthen vessels, yet it is, nonetheless, from heaven. The testimony is conveyed through the imperfect expression of human language, yet it is the testimony of God; and the obedient, believing child of God beholds in it the glory of a divine power, full of grace and truth.

In His word, the Lord has committed to men the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures is to be accepted as an authoritative, infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the revealer of doctrines and the test of experience. "Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be complete, furnished unto every good work (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

The Bible is the most instructive history that men possess. It comes fresh from the fountain of eternal truth, and a divine hand has preserved its purity through all the ages. In the Bible, we behold the power that laid the foundations of the earth, and that stretched out the heavens. In it alone can we find the history of our race unsullied by human prejudice or human pride; In it is recorded the struggles, the defeats and the victories of the greatest men the world has ever known. In the Bible the great problems of duty and destiny are unfolded. The curtain that separates the visible from the invisible world is lifted and we behold the conflict of the opposing forces of good and evil from the first entrance of sin to the final triumph of righteousness and truth. The Bible unfolds the principles that are the cornerstone of a nation's prosperity; principles with which is bound up the well being of society, and which are the safeguard of the family. Principles without which no man can attain usefulness, happiness, and honor in this life, or can hope to secure the future, immortal life. There is no position in life, no phase of human experience, for which a knowledge of the Bible is not an essential preparation. Studied and obeyed, the Word of God would give to the world, men of stronger and more active intellect than will the closest application to all the subjects that human philosophy embraces. It would give men of strength and solidity of character, of keen perception and sound judgment - men who would be an honor to God and a blessing to the world.

How to study the Bible:
A superficial reading of the scriptures will yield a superficial understanding of it. When read in a superficial way it may appear to be a jumble of stories, sermons, and history; But those who by the power of the Holy Spirit search the scriptures as for hidden treasure will find a gold mine of eternal truths. King David, in the psalm said that "God's word is a lamp unto his feet and a light unto his path." He also said that he "hid the word of God in his heart so that he would not sin against God" (Psalm 119:105, 111). In order to hide the word of God in your heart you have to study it.

There are various ways to enjoy the study of the Word of God. First, get a Bible with a good concordance if possible.

1. Read the Bible straight through from beginning to end. Read it as an interesting letter from a dear friend. Do not just jump around here and there, but lay claim to all its contents. There is a purpose running through the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation that ties the 66 books together. Do not read to fast or too much at a time. Read with one object in view - to know the Word and to obey the truth revealed therein. Dwight L. Moody used to say, "learn to feed yourself." Too many people want to receive all their truth from some ecclesiastical spoon. Acts 17:11 says that the brethren in Berea were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they receive the Word with all readiness of mind, but they searched the scriptures daily to see if the things they heard were so. In 2 Timothy 2:15; and 2 Timothy 3:15, in Paul's charged to Timothy, he told him to study to show himself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, but rightly dividing the word of truth; and that from a child he had known the scriptures which is able to make him wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2. Study a book at a time: Take for example the book of Matthew find the main outline of the book by reading it through several times.
3. Study by chapter: Most chapters are long enough for a morning or evening period of devotion. Don't be frightened if a chapter has long words or list of ancestors. Never leave a chapter until you have read all of it carefully. You usually find some great truths in every chapter. As you go on to other chapters, refer back to the first chapter from time to time and you will see more light in it. Sometimes the hardest chapter brings the greatest blessings later on.

One well-known Bible student suggested ten questions to be asked on each chapter:
(a) What is the principle subject of the chapter?
(b) What is the leading lesson?
(c) What is the best verse?
(d) What does the chapter teach concerning Christ?
(e) Who are the principle persons?
(f) Is there in this chapter an example for me to follow?
(g) Is there in this chapter an error for me to avoid?
(a) Is there in this chapter any duty for me to perform?
(b) Is there in this chapter any promise for me to claim?
(j) Is there in this chapter any prayer for me to echo?

4. We may study the Bible by paragraphs.

5. We may study the Bible by subjects; taking the prayers of the Bible; parables of the Bible; Miracles of the Bible; conversations of Christ from various paragraphs; etc.

6. We may study the Bible by verses; noticing the special words in each verse. For instance, Romans 8:28, "and we Know that all things work together for good to those that love the Lord, to them who are called according to His purpose." There are four verbs "know" "work" "love" and "are." Notice the thoughts that are revealed by these four words.

7. We may study the words in the Bible: for example, take the word "believe" take your concordance and trace it through the Bible, and you will find details for many Bible study sessions.

Take the titles of Christ such as "Word" "Bread" "Light" "Vine" "Door" "Sun" "Saviour" "Life" "Lord" "Shepherd" and "Lamb" etc.

8. We may study Bibliographies: It is estimated that there are at least 2,930 different men and women linked with the Bible. Take the life of one person and study him/her from the cradle to the grave. There are 30 persons in the Old Testament by the name of Zechariah, 15 characters by the name of Jonathan. The New Testament has eight characters by the name of Judas, seven by the name of Mary, five different men called James. These are different samplings of people whom we may become interested in. We may also study anonymous characters in the Bible such as : servants of the Bible, great leaders in the Bible, friends of Jesus, and those souls whom Jesus touched, etc.

9. Another most interesting study is finding "Christ" in all the Scriptures. Reading 1 Peter 1:7-11, we see that Christ is the subject of all the Bible. He was revealed in the prophecies of the Old Testament as well as in His own teachings in the gospels, and that of the apostles in the epistles and the book of Revelation. Jesus declared that the scriptures from Moses and all the prophets expounded concerning Him, Luke 24:27. All Scriptures testifies of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:39). The study of the life, character and work of Christ is the supreme study of the Scriptures.

10. We may study the prophecies of the scriptures and their fulfillment; the doctrines of the scriptures - such as creation, character of God and His Son-the Lord Jesus Christ; the Holy Spirit; the inspiration of the scriptures; the plan of salvation; redemption; the atoning sacrifice of Christ upon the cross; the Saviour's second coming; the Sabbath; baptism; hell and heaven; and how to be save; etc. These and many other important doctrines are subjects for study. There are many other ways of studying the Scriptures and reading the Word of God.

God graciously calls us to become acquainted with His word. In it we find the rich blessings of the assurance of our salvation. Study the word of God every day. As our physical life is sustained by food, so the Word of God sustains our spiritual life. Always pray before you begin. We should carefully study the Bible, asking God for the aid of the Holy Spirit, that we may understand His Word. We should take one verse and concentrate the mind on the task of ascertaining the thought that God has put in that verse for us. We should dwell upon that thought until it becomes our own and we know what the Lord is saying to us.

Ask God to teach you the wonderful truths out of His word. He will reveal His will to you. Be prepared by His grace to do His will.