Worship

Unlocking the Bible:

One of the main resources for spiritual development is the Bible. It is not an easy book to read, but over the centuries it has proved its worth as people have read it regularly in order to obtain help and support in their Christian life.
The Psalmist says: Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Christians have always found individual verses, like “The Lord is my Shepherd” or “Seek ye first the kingdom of God” both helpful and challenging. The same is also true of stories or incidents, like the Good Samaritan or the Burning Bush. But, it is also good to see the Bible as a whole and understand the framework, the context and the themes and emphases that characterise it. These, too, are helpful in providing guidance, help, correction and encouragement.

This feature, which we are calling Unlocking the Bible tries to do what it says. It opens the way to approach and enjoy this wonderful, but formidable Book.
It is aimed at helping you get a grasp of that overall purpose, structure and message. It looks at what the Bible is by providing an overall picture of the whole, including the two testaments – Old and New – and offering a brief summary of each of the 66 books which comprise it.
It starts with an introduction to the Bible and how it is structured. It then provides an overview of the Bible in its entirety and of the Old Testament (The New will come later) and offers a simple summary of each of the books in the Old Testament,(to be followed later by those in the New).

These originally appeared in the church Newsletter and are reproduced here for you to access.

1.	What the Bible is: 1
	An introduction to the kind of book (or books) the Bible is, how it came to be written and the form in which it has arrived with us.
2.	What the Bible is: 2
	A look at how the Bible is structured, how each part elates to the others and the characteristics of each section.
3.	How the Bible introduces itself
	An examination of how the Bible introduces itself, presents God as Creator and Redeemer of mankind, setting the scene for all that follows.
4.	The Old Testament
	Introducing the structure, types of content and characteristics of the Old Testament, seeing how it is arranged and how the different sections and elements relate to each other.
5.	In the beginning: The Book of Genesis
	An overview of the Book of Genesis as the catalogue of beginnings of God’s work in the world following the Fall of man and the existence of a sinful world order.
6.	Escape to Life: The Book of Exodus
	An overview of the Book of Exodus and its story of the miraculous release of the children of Israel from bondage in Egypt and the whole process of rehabilitation through the wilderness.
7	Live like this: The Book of Leviticus
	An overview of the complex Book of Leviticus with its detailed laws and regulations on how to behave and function as God’s people.
8.	Ready, Steady, Go: The Book of Numbers
	An overview of the Book of Numbers, complementing Leviticus and following on from Exodus, but with an emphasis on order and strategy.
9.	Take a second Look: Deuteronomy
	An overview of the Book of Deuteronomy reviewing some of the experiences after the release from Egypt and offering some reflection on the journey and its purpose.
10.	Challenge and Response: Joshua
	An overview of the Book of Joshua seeing how Moses’ faithful successor led the children into the occupied Promised land and began to settle the tribes in their quarters.
11.	Vulnerability and Vocation: Judges
	An overview of the Book of Judges tracing the struggle to remain established in the land in the light of external and adverse pressure; and recording the committed exploits of individual ‘judges’ who exercised initiative and enterprise providing real, even if short-lived, relief.
12.	A Matter of Significant Choice: Ruth
	An overview of the fascinating little Book of Ruth with its touching story of tragedy being turned to triumph following the courageous decision of Ruth to follow Naomi back to the land of Israel.
13.	Ebenezer - A review from Genesis to Ruth Ebenezer
	At a significant stage in the History of the people it is time to pause and see the lessons which emerge from the period of leadership by individuals to the more institutionalised time of the monarchy which marked both the high and the lowest points of the nation’s story.
	These articles may be used for private use only - see Legal Notice.

Help for Spiritual Development:

• Mr. Fiddes' Kingdom of God sermons
• Sunday@Seven
• Unlocking the Bible
• Mr. Fiddes' Colossians sermons

The Kingdom of God sermons are available in booklet form from the Church office at a cost of £1.00 to cover publishing expenses.

The Colossians sermons have now been incorporated into a booklet entitled "Christ in you, the hope of glory", and copies are available from the Church office with a suggested contribution of £2.50 to cover the cost of publication.

A booklet summarising the teachings on "The Armour of God" covered during the fourth series of Sunday@Seven can be made available on request. Please contact the Church office.

 

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