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.
14. Taking Stock – Lessons from 1 Samuel
  An insight into the transition from being led by “Men of God” – as represented by Samuel the Prophet - to the stark choice of wanting a king to lead them – and the consequences’ of that.
15. Failure and Success – a second look at 1 Samuel
  Tracing the respective reigns and achievements of Saul and David in the first Book of Samuel showing how the one was a failure while the other represented true leadership
16. Lessons for Leadership – 2 Samuel
  Contrasting David’s exemplary achievements as a humble ‘apprentice’ king with the vulnerability he experienced when on the throne: showing the downside of position as sole criterion for leadership.
17. Hidden Dangers – Lessons from 1 Kings
  Continuing with the theme of the potential dangers of position alone as the basis of leadership; and showing how self interest can overshadow the sense of responsibility - as demonstrated in the life of Solomon.
18. Mediocrity Reigns – Lessons from 2 Kings
  Covering the dismal record of the many kings of Israel and Judah, with an occasional glimpse of hope as one and another decides to ‘return to the old paths’ as exhorted by the prophets.
19. Look at it another way – Lessons from 1 Chronicles
  The two books of Chronicles cover the same events as the books of Samuel and Kings, but from a different perspective. This first book shows hopeful signs in the leadership provided by David.
20. The Failure Tendency - Lessons from 2 Chronicles
  The second of these two books demonstrate the slide into failure that was precipitated by Solomon’s pride and the disastrous sequels to that history; but not without some glimmers of hope after punishment through Captivity.
21. Get up and Go! – Lessons from the Book of Ezra
  With the Captivity over this book tells of the return to Jerusalem and the endeavours which resulted in setting up the Altar and the Temple as the central places of worship for the restored people.
22. Count on me – the example of Nehemiah
  Continuing the respiration story Nehemiah shows his concern with rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and securing the city for God. He does that by example, initiative and with significant defence tactics in the face of enemy action.
23. Stand Up for Jesus – the story of Esther
  Providence has already played a significant part in the restoration story of the people of God. Here that aspect and human commitment combine to demonstrate triumph in spite of adverse circumstances in the beautiful story of Queen Esther and the fate of the Jews.
24. Praise the Lord, O my Soul: the Books of Experience
   Having completed the history nooks of the Old Testament, the next section - Books of Experience or Poetry and Wisdom Literature is introduced before looking at each book in turn.
25. What’s going on here? An outline of the Book of Job
  Job deals with the perplexing experiences of life and why things happen to us. The book provides us with the context of the conflict that Job endured and helps to set such experiences against a wider – and more significant – perspective.
26. Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so! – The Book of Psalms
This collection of the ‘hymns’ of the people of God in the Old Testament has interesting aspects which, separately, help in understanding experiences of God and, together, teach us lessons about the progression of that experience.
27. Come to Think of It! – Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs
  Following the poetic expression of the Psalms the book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings based on the observations of life lived "in the fear (respect) of God”. Drawn mainly from Solomon’s experience, the collections of wise sayings in this book illustrate the secret of knowing how to live effectively in a variety of ordinary situations; or, as one has expressed it succinctly: “knowing where to put your feet in the dance of life.”
28. Seeking to understand – Musings from the Book of Ecclesiastes
  In contrast to the certainties of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes is a reflective soliloquy where “the Preacher” (presumably Solomon and one who tells others) questions the value of following the path of discipline and integrity outlined in Psalms and Proverbs. The theory sounds good but the reality is often confusing. Yet, while concluding that outwardly 'all is vanity ' he comes down firmly into acceptance of the challenge and emphasises duty, diligence and commitment.
29. No tongue can tell – Adoration from the Song of Solomon
  The Song of Solomon is an enchanting and intriguing love poem rich in its imagery and expression of love and devotion, reflecting the exquisite, ecstatic, yet delicate, relationship of a believer with God, based on an analogy of two lovers. All three books – Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Songs – are associated with Solomon and represent the potential of excellence (of Christian experience) where “the half has never been told.” That is the potential: the reality is often less so. Reinforcing that reality the books which follow – are the austere writings of the Prophets.
30. Comfort ye My People - Lessons from the Book of Isaiah
  We now come to a new set of books – those of the Prophets, who feature in the second half of the Old Testament. Their task is to warn the people to turn from their wicked ways, repent and restore their relationship with a loving God. The first of four ‘major’ prophets Isaiah pleads with the people to “come and reason together’ and seek forgiveness. When that is not forthcoming he warns, in the second part of the 66 chapter book, that judgement will come but also there will be redemption achieved through the intervention and work of the Suffering Servant in the graphic presentation in Chapter 53. This book is a Bible in miniature, with its OT warnings in 1 – 39 and NT presentation of a Saviour in 40 – 66.
31. Mould Me and Make Me - Lessons from the Book of Jeremiah
  Coming much later, when judgement was not only inevitable but imminent, Jeremiah pleads with the people to accept what is coming and submit to the cutting down process as a preparation for potential new growth. Despite its dismal overtones the book is full of promise, both in pictures, like the tree with its roots reaching out to the water source and subsequently flourishing, to the promise that the punishing exile will terminate after 70 years and that “the plans I have for you are to give you a hope and a future”.
32. He's got the whole world in his hands. - Lessons from the Book of Daniel
  Although this book comes after Ezekiel in the Old Testament we include it here because chronologically and logically this is where it fits best. It is different from the other Major Prophets in that it concerns Daniel, the prophet himself, more than the situations he represents. Coming third in the Major Prophets’ sequence of: warning that judgement will come (Isaiah); encouraging them to go through with it and accept what is their due(Jeremiah); and before the new beginning (Ezekiel) Daniel shows the protection that is offered in captivity when stands are taken and compromise is rejected; and extends that to the security of Providence and the confidence that “He’s got the whole world in His hands.”
33. Then they will know that I am the Lord - Lessons from the Book of Ezekiel
  Judgement and punishment – in this case in the form of exile – is intended to lead to restoration. God is redemptive. Ezekiel illustrates that, first with a recital of the reasons for the judgement (sins are catalogued in 3 – 24) then assurance of protection from scavenging neighbours while that process is taking place (25 – 32) and finally vivid pictures of God restoring His people (33 – 48). None is more graphic than the revitalising of the dry bones into new life forms. That is then channelled into a description of the new Temple, with its river of blessing flowing out for the healing of the nations and the wonderful summarising descriptor: The Lord is there.
34 Lord speak to me: Introducing the Minor Prophets
The major prophetic books are followed by 12 shorter, or minor, prophets. Virtually nothing is known of their authors but the messages they contain are powerful. Like their major counterparts, they vary in focus and situation but are united in a common theme: that God evaluates their behaviour and punishes when the deliberately do wrong, yet offers redemption in response to repentance and then effects a restoration. The twelve books which follow will be presented in sets reflecting the time period to which they relate.
35 Coming face-to-face with God – Hosea, Joel and Amos
The first three Minor Prophets – Hosea, Joel, Amos - belong to the early period in the life of the nation. The country is at peace, is prosperous but complacent. That indifference is challenged by these three in different ways. In Hosea it is a personal plea based on the loving nature of a forgiving God. Amos is the opposite - a warning to prepare to meet your God and to face the consequences of their sinful falling away. Joel brings these together by using the occasion of a natural calamity to bring them to a point where they rend their hearts not their garments and to experience restoration after the devastation caused by locusts.
36 Light in the darkness- Obadiah, Jonah, Nahum and Habakkuk
Despite the strong pleas of the earlier three Minor Prophets the situation has not changed. These four, while accepting the inevitability of punishment, are perplexed as to how that will be carried out, especially if pagan nations are involved. Yet, these nations have limited jurisdiction. Though pursuing their own ends, they are, nevertheless, instruments wielded by a Sovereign God to fulfil His purposes – not an easy concept for the people to accept.
37 Light in the Darkness - Micah and Zephaniah.
Belonging to the same historical period as Obadiah and co these two Minor Prophets represent a more positive perspective on what is happening. Through the confusion presented by a Holy God using heathen nations these two manage to see the purpose of that process. Though thoroughly deserved, the punishment experience is intended to be redemptive.
38 Get On With It! - Haggai and Zechariah
These two Minor Prophets belong to a period much later in the Old Testament story. Back from the punitive captivity there has been a new start and resettlement. However, initial endeavour has weakened and complacency becomes the norm. These two present a serious challenge to that situation; and they do so in two different ways. Haggai is a straightforward warning: Zechariah a motivational insight.
39 They that feared the Lord – Malachi
The final Minor Prophet in the Old Testament is Malachi. Coming much later again than Haggai and Zechariah it represents two contrasting scenarios. On the one hand there is arrogant defiance from a nation that is now well established, but which has forgotten its purpose: they resent any interference from God. On the other hand there are the faithful few who do remember the purpose and who long to see its fulfilment. Their vigil will soon end and salvation will be realised.
40 Looking Back - a Review of the Old Testament
Having covered all the books of the Old Testament we now draw conclusions from the story, songs and sermons to highlight the unfinished nature of that presentation and its anticipation of fulfilment in the New Testament.
   
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