The Bible in Our Lives

OBJECTIVE

To have the students understand that the Bible is not just a book, but the Word of God. Students should know what the Bible is and what it is not in order to fully benefit when reading the Bible. Students will understand what it means to say that the Bible is Divinely Inspired but humanly expressed.

INTRODUCTION - 5 Minutes

We must understand first what the Bible is and what it is not before reading the Bible. The Bible is not a historical or scientific textbook, nor does the Bible or any church father claim that it is any of these things.

We must understand that the Bible is Divinely Inspired but humanly expressed Humans wrote and expressed what they wrote in their own way and style of language. Just as a human writes personally in a journal or in a letter for others, the writers of the scripture wrote and were not attempting to be scientifically flawless, nor were they attempting to be historians (although there may be science and history in the Bible, the purpose of the Bible was not to be in this way). So if a person took the Bible and read it in the wrong way, and in a way in which it was not intended to be read (as many people in our society do) then they can conclude with may false understandings

CONTENT (KEY POINTS)

What is the Bible?

We believe that the Holy Scripture is the divinely inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). It is the story in which God reveals His love for man throughout the history of mankind.

The Old Testament tells of the history of that revelation from Creation through the Age of the Prophets. It contains 39 books which are divided into five sections: the books of History, book of the Law, the books of poetry and Wisdom, and the books of prophesy).

The New Testament records the birth and life of Jesus Christ, sets forth the writings and works of His Apostles, and documents the history of the early Church. The New Testament books contain 27 main books, which were written from about 50 to 95 A.D.

The Coptic Orthodox Church prefers the Septuagint (LXX) for the Old Testament and a literal translation of the Greek Textus Receptus, such as the New King James Version, for the New Testament.

The earliest writings of all the New Testament books as we know them today is found in the 33rd Canon of a local council held at the city of Carthage in 318 AD. and in the Paschal Letter of St. Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 AD. A local council, probably held in Rome at 382, set forth a complete list of the canonical books of both the Old and New Testaments.

The Scriptures are at the very heart of Orthodox worship and devotion. Its verses are declared in each of its sacraments, memorized and inscribed on the hearts of its people.

God's Revelation to Us

God reveals Himself to us through the scriptures. The greatest revelation being Jesus Christ, God Himself.

People often feel disconnected from God and many times it's because they don't know Him. They often see scripture as something unrelatable but in reality, God is revealing Himself through the scriptures to us. He reveals His characteristics and traits. He reveals His love towards us. He reveals His patience with mankind and our very own uniqueness. In learning about Him, this disconnect often subsides.

"In all things that you find in the Holy Scriptures, seek out the purpose of the words, that you may enter into the depth of the thoughts of the saints and understand them with greater exactness. Do not approach the reading of the Divine Scriptures without prayer and asking the help of God. Consider prayer to be the key to the true understanding of that which is said in the Holy Scriptures." (St. Isaac the Syrian, Sermon 1)
"When you begin to read or listen to the Holy Scriptures, pray to God thus: "Lord Jesus Christ, open the ears and eyes of my heart so that I may hear Thy words and understand them, and may fulfill Thy will." Always pray to God like this, that He might illumine your mind and open to you the power of His words. Many, having trusted in their own reason, have turned away into deception." (St. Ephraim the Syrian)

What the Bible is Not

The Bible is not a quote book. The Bible is not a book to be memorized intellectually but rather it is to be understood spiritually. It is vain to have verses and references memorized simply in words; this is intellectual memorization, and has minimal benefit. To be understood spiritually, the Bible must be lived. So when you read, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" it does nothing for you if you only have this memorized and know it is in Mathew chapter 5. What matters is; are you attempting and struggling to become a peacemaker in every aspect of your life? The benefit of memorization comes when we apply that which we have put effort into memorizing.

Understanding Context

Some people pull verses from the Bible and are scandalized by it, however the issue is when a passage is pulled out of its context, it is impossible to know the meaning.

For example, if you were to for one day join another culture and see their tradition, you can easily draw conclusions about what you experience that are completely incorrect because you are interpreting it in your own context, understanding and knowledge. But a person who is part of the culture and tradition will understand the correct meaning of what is occurring and draw out a different but correct understanding, although they are experiencing the same thing as you are.

This is the same with the Bible; if I am reading a story and judge it based on my limited interaction with it I will never understand the meaning. So to read the Bible, we must first understand the context and ask ourselves when reading in any book of the Bible, "where is this happening in the context of God's relationship with man"

It is important to remember that the Bible was put together by the early Church Fathers with God's wisdom. The Bible was not a book sent down from heaven (although we know that what the Bible contains is the true Word of God). The Church compiled the many books, which were used in the first centuries and handed down to them as tradition. They chose the books, which they were assured were authentic.

So when the Bible was put together, it was put together in the context of the Church, since the Church existed before the Bible. The Bible was compiled in the context of the Church, which had liturgical worship, tradition and the church fathers who learned from the apostles who learned from Christ.

Therefore, if we take the Bible out of the context of the Church, the tradition, the liturgy and the Fathers then the Bible will not be understood properly

LIFE APPLICATION

In the Book of Revelation, there is a verse which summarizes what our relationship should be with the word of God. It says:

"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keeps those things which are written in it; for the time is near." Rev 1:3.

This verse from the Book of Revelation tells us:

That this relationship requires us first to read the word of God. For how can I have a relationship unless I meet with them on a regular basis? This means that my reading must be a regular and even daily occurrence.
It requires us to hear the word of God, and this means to obey His word in our daily lives.
It requires us to keep the word of God, and this means to apply His word in our daily lives.
Finally it says, for the time is near, meaning that in reading, hearing, and keeping His word, we are then ready for when He comes and wishes to meet with us.

So I must read the word of God in the right spirit and in this I will achieve the most benefit to myself. How do I study the word of God therefore? The answer...

With the spirit of prayer.
With the spirit of humility and awe.
With the spirit of hearing and obedience.
With the spirit of patience, perseverance and longing.
With the spirit of faith.
With the spirit of faithfulness.
With the spirit of learning.
With the spirit of completeness.
With the spirit of approaching the Holy of Holies.
With the spirit of the forefathers.
With the spirit of the Holy Spirit.
With the spirit of truth.

Where to Start and How to do it?

Always receive guidance on what to read, when to read, how to read, and how much to read from your Spiritual guide or Father in Confession.
Let Bible reading be part of your prayer life, because prayer is your relationship with God so Bible reading becomes part of your time spent with the One you love, so don't treat it like a duty, and do it prayerfully
Have a specific place, time, and routine when you read
The point of reading the Bible is not to just read it because it is something intrinsically holy to read those words. The Bible is meant to meditate on as we see in the tradition of our Holy Fathers. They did not just read to read but they entered into the depths of meditation. It is only through regular and consistent meditation that one will hear God speaking to you.
When Philip asked the Ethiopian, "Do you understand what you are reading?" he replied "How can I, unless someone guides me?" so he then invited Philip to sit beside him you understand (Acts 8:31)

"Persist in and honor reading if possible more than prayer. Reading is the spring of intelligent prayer" Pope Kyrillos VI, cf. St. Isaac the Syrian

Using Scripture as My Spiritual Defense

E.g. Temptation of Christ: Jesus thwarts the devil by using scripture. Satan, in the temptation on the mountain, could not stand the words of God and could not respond to any of it.

The Holy Bible is not just a message of consolation but also a weapon:

For each sin there is a commandment that you can place before it. You will find that the sin becomes weak while you gain strength from the commandment.. How strong is the word of God, even when brief.

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword" (Heb 4:12).

Scripture as a Comfort

Scripture provides us with comfort and hope. Oftentimes, when we're going through a difficult time, scripture provides us with hope and a reality of God's presence in our life. It shows us purpose and grounds us and puts things in perspective.

Memorizing verses engraves the promises of God into our soul and subconscious, and become a source of comfort and support when needed when we recite them faithfully. They don't have to be chapters but can be very simple.

The Lord is my light and salvation, whom shall I fear? (Psalm 27:1)
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want (Psalm 23:1)
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in (Psalm 121:8)
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. (Isaiah 43:2)

ACTIVITY

See Attached handout below.

CONCLUSION

If you read in such a way, it will teach you to pray and give you more of a desire to pray. Now when one stands in front of God they know more about Him, and in knowing more about Him you begin to love Him more and want to spend time with Him. Now God becomes an actual Being rather than just an idea in your life.

"Persist in and honor reading, if possible more than prayer. Reading is the spring of intelligent prayer. For, as I had previously told you, reading for a good purpose will show you how to walk on the virtuous path. Whoever reads the books to understand the path of virtue, this path will be opened before him." --St. Pope Kyrillos VI

The Bible has everything, for everyone and for every situation.

No matter what your circumstances are, what psychological state you are in, you will find in the Bible a message that gives you comfort. You will find in it all that you need and what suits you. It is sufficient, for example, to take the Book of Psalms that expresses all types of feelings and prayers. The Book of Proverbs has all kinds of advice. Each book contains a specific message for you, if you choose it well and understand it..

The Bible is ALWAYS relevant and relevant to me and my life.