Emmanuel Lutheran Church & School

Humans’ Problem And God’s Solution:
The Major Theme Of The Bible

Welcome To This Internet Bible Study!

We are honored for you to be a part of this Bible study on Human’s Problem and God’s Solution and encourage you to work through this four part examination of The Holy Bible. The study is designed for those with an interest in learning about the Bible and those who want to refresh their knowledge.

The only requirement for this study is that you have access to a Bible*. In using your own personal Bible you have the advantage of becoming familiar with its particular organization and structure, and to be able eventually with regular use to easily navigate its pages. However, if you choose to use an Internet Bible, the English Bible translation is user-friendly.

The Bible Study can be completed within your own timeframe. The questions after each part, give you the opportunity to reflect on what you have learned during the lessons. We welcome you to email or postal mail this lesson to us with your comments and any questions you might have.

May God, the Holy Spirit, bless your work on this Bible Study that you may learn His word and know Christ as your Savior.

*Bibles are available at your local Christian bookstore, the Internet at www.bible.com and other internet sources. First time visitors to Emmanuel Lutheran Church will receive a free personal Bible on request.

I. What The Bible Is?
II. What The Bible Is Not?
III. What Prevailing Problem Does The Bible Address?

I. WHAT THE BIBLE IS?

ORGANIZATION
The Holy Bible of the Christian Church is composed of two main divisions, the Old and New Testaments.

How many books compose the Holy Bible?

Hint: See the Index or Table of Contents of your Bible to find the answer for this and the next several questions.

How many books are in the Old Testament?

How many books are in the New Testament?

In the rest of these Bible studies many questions will have you find and read a portion of the Bible. It will state this in a normally used format identifying in order: Book of the Bible, Chapter, Verse or Verses.

For example, in the first question asked below in Section IIA, it refers you to 2 Timothy 3:16. This means that you would first find the “book of 2 Timothy”, then “Chapter 3”, and then “verse 16”. Sometimes you will see multiple verses referred to which will be designated for example 2 Timothy 3:16-19, referring you to read verses 16 through 19 of the 3rd Chapter of 2 Timothy. Usually if more than one reference in a row is taken from the same Biblical book, the Bible book will not be repeated, only a semi-colon followed by Chapter and Verse designation, for example 2 Timothy 3:16; 4:1 which would ask us to read not only Chapter 3, Verse 16 but also Chapter 4, Verse 1 of 2 Timothy also.

WHO’S WORD?
There are many opinions about what the Bible is. See what the Bible says about itself:

What does God say about the source of all the words of the Bible in 2 Timothy 3:16?

What does the Bible say is its main purpose in 2 Timothy 3:15?

What does the Bible say about the accuracy of its statements in John 17:17?

FOR WHAT PURPOSE WAS THE BIBLE WRITTEN?

How does John 17:3 answer this question?

What does John 5:39 have to say in answer to the question: for what purpose is knowing who this one true God is?

WHOSE WORDS ARE IN THE BIBLE?

What claim does the Bible make about each and every word of the Bible as to its “inspiration” in the first part of 2 Timothy 3:16?

Also, what does 2 Peter 1:21 say about this?

II. WHAT THE BIBLE IS NOT?

Does not reveal all of God’s knowledge and wisdom. What is suggested in Deuteronomy 29:29?

Does not claim to be answers to every question in every area of knowledge, but specifically directing humans to ponder what kind of questions as written in Ecclesiastes 3:11?

III. WHAT PREVAILING PROBLEM DOES THE BIBLE ADDRESS?

GOD’S REQUIREMENT FOR EACH PERSON
What requirement does God demand of each of us (to be in His presence and receive His fellowship, blessings and protection) as taught in Leviticus 19:2?

WERE HUMANS EVER IN SUCH A “HOLY” RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD NATURALLY?
Before Genesis 3, what does the Bible say about all that God created, including the first humans in Genesis 1:31?

LOSING THIS HOLY RELATIONSHIP WITH A HOLY GOD
What did God promise in Genesis 2:16-17 would happen if they did not keep this command?

HOW DID THIS LOSS OF HOLINESS BEFORE GOD HAPPEN?
Read Genesis 3:1-6. Who tempted the first humans to fall out of this holiness?

What tactic was used to challenge and deceive these first humans to fall?

THE SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF THE CHILDREN OF THESE FIRST FALLEN SINNERS
The Biblical record of the first offspring of Adam and Eve describes that these children were not born “into the image of God (i.e. “holy”) but what in Genesis 5:3?

WE CALL THIS “ORIGINAL OR INHERITED” SIN
Jesus teaches this in John 3:6. That naturally the children (offspring) of two unholy/sinful humans beginning with Adam and Eve can only give birth to the same. So the word Jesus uses here “flesh” we could correctly say equates to what requirement we must have to be and remain in God’s presence?

Psalm 51:5 states that this spiritual condition begins when for each human?

THE PENALTY FOR THIS ORIGINAL, INHERITED SIN?
Romans 6:23 maintains that what is the result for each of us as a result?

WHAT PREVAILING SOLUTION DOES THE BIBLE PRESENT?
THE PENALTY MUST BE PAID IN FULL FOR EACH PERSON!
Read Hebrews 9:22. What does it say about how this penalty would be solved for each person, by the shedding of what?

OLD TESTAMENT FORESHADOWING OF THIS PAYMENT
To learn of the foreshadowing of the ultimate payment/penalty of this problem of sin, read Leviticus 17:1-16. In verse 11, what does it say about the blood, specifically about what is in the blood? What it is to be for?

NEW TESTAMENT FULFILLMENT OF THIS PROMISE TO MAKE PAYMENT/PENALTY FOR SIN
Read Matthew 1:20-21. What in verse 21 does it say Jesus’ name means?

HOW JESUS PAYS THE PENALTY FOR OUR SIN
Read Romans 5:8-10. Who does it say in verse 8 “died for us?”
What does it say in verse 9 “justifies us” or “frees us” from the penalty of sin? (Hint: see section B above) What does it say this frees us from in verse 9? Why do you think it calls us “enemies” of God in verse 10? What two things does verse 10 say have reconciled us?

WHOSE SIN IS PAID FOR BY JESUS’ DEATH?
Jesus’ blood and death were done for every human. A famous Biblical passage, John 3:16, says that God gave Jesus (on the cross to die) for whom? Also, what how many does it say in 2 Corinthians Christ (Jesus) dies for?

But not everyone has the penalty for their sin paid for, i.e. forgiven, saved. As an example, let’s assume that an entire community has been poisoned, but an effective anecdote has been found that cures this poison. However, those that refuse the anecdote will still be poisoned. What has the power to save any person according to Romans 1:16? What does 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 say is this gospel? What does verse 2 say saves a person?

WHAT DO I DO NEXT?
If you believe in the gospel, then God wants two things to occur so that He can continue to grow and strengthen your faith. What two things does Matthew 28:19-20 speak of?

Read Luke 8:4-15. How can you relate these verses to humans’ problems?

Which verses relate to God’s solution? How?

Read Romans 11-17. Write down the next steps you will take to continue your study of the Bible.

Christian churches teach the Word of God in its purity and practice the Sacraments as God has instructed. We would be happy to connect you with such a church in your area or direct you to another Bible Study.

Our prayer for you is that you would continue to grow and strengthen your faith and to know the love of Christ and the assurance of eternal life with Him. May God richly bless you and grant you peace.