The Heart of God: Introduction (4)

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24.27

Read and reflect on John 5.39 and Luke 24.13-32.
The Bible came into being over a period of some 2,000 years. It was written by perhaps 40 different people, in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek), and on three different continents (Africa, Asia, Europe). This alone, as we might expect, makes for great diversity within the pages of Scripture. But the diversity of Scripture takes other forms as well.

For reflection
1.  For example, consider the various literary genre in which the Scriptures were written. How would you describe the dominant literary genre for each of the following?

1 Kings:

Psalms:

Matthew:

Ephesians:

       1 Timothy:

Revelation:

2.  The Bible also demonstrates uniqueness and diversity in the wide variety of subjects it addresses. For example, see if you can provide a reference in the Bible relating to each of the following topics:

The meaning and purpose of human life:

What is love?

Worshiping God:

Good government/bad government:

Ethics and values:

Why do people act the way they do?

The nature and purpose of the cosmos:

3.  The Bible consists of two “Testaments” – the Old and the New. While in many ways these two Testaments are alike, in other ways they differ. What are some ways the Old and New Testaments differ?

4.  Can you think of some ways that the Old and New Testaments are alike?

5.  At the heart and core of all Scripture, everywhere and anywhere you turn in Scripture, is the revelation of God in Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself confirmed this, as we see in John 5.39 and Luke 24.13-32. How should knowing this affect our approach to daily reading and meditating in God’s Word? How does 2 Corinthians 3.12-18 guide you in thinking about this question?

Summary
The Bible is filled with rich diversity – literary, thematic, cultural, historical, affective, aesthetic, and more. But at the heart of Scripture is revealed the very heart of God, the revelation of Himself and His will, especially in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. In what ways can all the various forms of diversity in Scripture help us in getting to know the heart of God? How would you describe your approach to getting to know the heart of God in His Word to this point?

Closing Prayer
Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
“Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
“Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”
“I will declare the decree:
The LORD has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”
Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Psalm 2

Next steps – Conversation: Talk with someone in your Personal Mission Field about how they balance their reading and study of Scripture.

T. M. Moore

Two books can help you gain a fuller understanding of the terrain we will be covering in this series. Kingdom Documentsprovides a concise overview of the primary teaching of the Old and New Testaments, and shows, through early Church creeds, how our forebears understand the primary teachings of God’s Word. (click here to order). I Will Be Your God develops more fully the idea of God’s covenant and leads us to consider the practical implications of our covenant relationship with God (click here).

Visit The Ailbe Seminary, where our course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, offers a parallel study of our theme in this series, using brief video presentations and the workbook God’s Covenant: An Introduction. All courses at The Ailbe Seminary are available without charge.

We are happy to be able to offer each week’s Scriptorium studies in a free weekly PDF, suitable for personal or group use. You can download all the studies in this series by clicking here. Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.