WHAT IS THE

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

A FACT AND A FABLE?

Fact – A thing that has actually happened or that is really true

Fable – A fictitious story meant to teach a moral lesson – a myth or legend

Fact – Absolutely True

Interesting – general guidance

X

Entirely False

How should we

study the Bible?

How can we know what the truth of the Bible is?

How can we formulate our beliefs so they

agree with what God has intended?

FACT OR FABLE: HOW TO KNOW BIBLE

TRUTH

1. How does God speak to us?

a. Amos 3:7

1. How does God speak to us?

a. Amos 3:7b. Hebrews 1:1,2

“The Word made flesh.”John 1:14

2. How did the Scriptures

come into existence?

2 Peter 1:20,21

“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables,

when we made known unto you the power and coming

of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of

His majesty” 2 Peter 1:16

God quoted directlyInformation revealed in a vision or dream

The author’s own account of God’s inspiration

3. How much of the Scripture

is inspired by God?

2 Timothy 3:16,17

4. What is God’s Word? John 17:17

5. What heavenly agent helps us

discover Bible truth?

John 16:13

6. Through the study of the “truth”

(the Scriptures), of what three things

does the Comforter (Holy Spirit) bring

conviction to the heart of man?

John 16:8-11

7. What will truth do for us? John 8:32

8. From what will we be set free? John 8:33-36

“Therefore if the Son makes you

free, you shall be free indeed.’”

John 8:33-36

9. Why should we

study the Scriptures?

John 5:39

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ

whom You have sent.” John 17:3

10. What can we formulate by

using the Scriptures?

2 Timothy 3:16,17

11. How should we study the Scriptures? a. Isaiah 28:9

NO POWER TEXTS

11. How should we study the Scriptures? a. Isaiah 28:9 b. 2 Peter 1:19:21

Private interpretation = idios epilusisMeaning - private, separate,

or one's own explanation or application

2 Peter 1:19-21

"First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own

interpretation" (RSV).

"There is no prophetic teaching found in Scripture that can be interpreted by man's unaided reason" (TCNT).

12. How can we know if a

preacher is presenting

truth or error?

a. Acts 17:11

12. How can we know if a

preacher is presenting

truth or error?

a. Acts 17:11

b. Isaiah 8:20

Does the teaching (doctrine) agree with God’s law?

13. Does God ever change His word?

Isaiah 40:8

14. Is all the Bible,

Old and New Testament,

relevant for us today?

a. 2 Tim. 3:16,17

14. Is all the Bible,

Old and New Testament,

relevant for us today?

a. 2 Tim. 3:16,17

b. Rom. 15:4

14. Is all the Bible,

Old and New Testament,

relevant for us today?

a. 2 Tim. 3:16,17

b. Romans 15:4

c. Luke 24:27

14. Is all the Bible,

Old and New Testament,

relevant for us today?

a. 2 Tim. 3:16,17

b. Romans 15:4

c. Luke 24:27

d. John 5:39

ALL SCRIPTURE

15. What warning does Jesus

give to those who disregard

the writings of Moses

and the Prophets?

(Luke 16:31)

16. What wisdom can be

found in the Scriptures?

(2 Timothy 3:15)

“There is but little benefit derived from a hasty reading of the Scriptures. One may read the whole Bible through and yet fail to see its beauty or comprehend its deep and hidden meaning. One passage studied until its significance is clear to the mind and its relation to the plan of salvation is evident, is of more value than the perusal of many chapters with no definite purpose in view and no positive instruction gained.”

(Steps to Christ pg. 90)

1. Read a chapter/chapters in the Bible. a. Compare several versions. b. Write your thoughts in a journal.

2. Use a concordance and reference book to find other texts that relate to the one you are studying.

3. Look up the Hebrew / Greek words in a lexicon. Compare other places that original word is used.

4. Make text clusters. (list texts that relate to each other or provide broader understanding)

BIBLE STUDY TIPS

2 Timothy 2:15

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.”

“BE DILIGENT”

KJV = “Study”

Greek = “spoudazo”

“to use speed – make effort – be earnest”

RIGHTLY DIVIDING

Greek = “orthotomeo”

“make a straight cut”“dissect (expound) correctly

Paul exhorts / encourages

1. Study

2. Come to the correct conclusion on what the Scriptures teach.

WHY?

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life.”

Then Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

John 6:68