Understanding the structure, authority, and interpretation of Christianity's sacred text
Before we dive into the Bible, let's check what you've learned recently.
Don't worry if you don't know much about the Bible. Just list whatever comes to mind.
How many books of the Bible can you name?
Examples: Genesis, Matthew, Revelation. Just write whatever you know.
Many people know a few Bible stories (Adam and Eve, Jesus, Jonah) but don't realize the Bible is actually 66 separate books written by different people over 1,500 years. Today you'll discover its structure and why Christians see it as so important.
The Bible has two main parts:
Written before Jesus was born. Covers the history of Israel, God's laws, poetry, and prophecies about a future Messiah.
Main sections:
Written after Jesus's life. Focuses on Jesus, the early Church, and Christian teachings.
Main sections:
The Bible isn't one type of book. It's a collection of many different kinds of writing:
Stories of what God did and what happened to God's people. Examples: Genesis (creation, Abraham), Exodus (Moses, freedom from Egypt), Kings (Israel's kingdoms).
God's commandments and rules. The most famous: the Ten Commandments. But the Torah contains 613 commandments covering worship to food to business.
The Psalms are hymns and prayers, full of emotion and beauty. Used in worship. Not meant to be read literally—they use metaphor and emotion.
Proverbs and Job explore questions about suffering, meaning, and how to live. Practical advice mixed with deep questions.
Stories of Jesus's life, teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection. Four different accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) tell slightly different stories from different angles.
Paul and other leaders wrote letters to churches, answering questions and giving instruction. These became Scripture.
Messages from God about future events or calls to repentance. Often mysterious and symbolic (like Revelation).
Visions of the end of the world. Revelation is the main example: cosmic battles, symbols, and mysterious imagery.
What: The creation story, Adam and Eve, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. Foundational stories for Judaism and Christianity.
Type: History/narrative with theology mixed in.
What: Moses leads the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. God gives the Ten Commandments. The founding story of Israel.
Type: History, law, and theology.
What: 150 hymns and prayers. Express joy, sorrow, anger, praise. Used in worship for 2,500+ years.
Type: Poetry/liturgy.
What: Four accounts of Jesus's life, teachings, and resurrection. Each Gospel has a different audience and angle.
Type: Biography/narrative.
What: Paul's letter to the Church in Rome. His most important theological letter, explaining faith, grace, and salvation.
Type: Letter/theology.
What: A prophetic vision of cosmic battles, judgment, and a new heaven and earth. Often interpreted symbolically.
Type: Apocalyptic vision.
Churches follow a lectionary (schedule) that reads through the Bible over a 3-year cycle. A passage is read aloud in every service.
Many Christians read the Bible alone each day for spiritual growth and connection to God.
When facing decisions, Christians ask: "What does the Bible say about this?"
Many Christians have Bible verses memorised. "Jesus wept" (shortest verse). John 3:16 is probably the most famous verse.
Churches run Bible study groups where members discuss passages together and explore meaning.
The Psalms are sung in worship. Many hymns are based on Bible passages.
Every word of the Bible is exactly as God intended. It's inerrant (without error). Should be read literally. No contradictions exist—if there seem to be, we're just misunderstanding.
The Bible is inspired by God, but written by humans in specific historical contexts. It contains eternal truth, but we interpret it for our time. Some parts are metaphorical. Contradictions exist and that's OK—they show different perspectives.
Fall somewhere in the middle. They see the Bible as authoritative and God-inspired, but also recognize it was written by humans and requires interpretation. They take some parts literally (especially moral laws and Jesus's teachings) but interpret other parts (like apocalyptic visions) more freely.
The Bible is sacred, but not the only source of authority. The Church Tradition (teachings of the Magisterium) and the Pope also have authority. Scripture + Tradition = complete revelation.
Below are 8 facts about the Bible. Click each fact to reveal whether it belongs to the Old Testament or New Testament. Try without peeking first.
1. The Torah (5 books) Old Testament
2. Jesus's life and teachings New Testament
3. Story of Moses and Exodus Old Testament
4. Paul's letters (Romans, etc.) New Testament
5. The Psalms Old Testament
6. Revelation New Testament
7. 39 books total Old Testament
8. 27 books total New Testament
Read these three short Bible passages and identify what type of writing each is. What does that tell you about how to read it?
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
What type of writing is this?
Narrative/history (though some see it as theological poetry)
What does that mean for how we read it?
It's presenting a foundational story. Different Christians interpret whether it's meant to be scientifically precise or theologically true (or both).
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters."
What type of writing is this?
Poetry/metaphor
What does that mean for how we read it?
It uses metaphor (God is like a shepherd). It's expressing emotion and spiritual truth, not literal facts. You're meant to feel comforted, not imagine God herding you like sheep.
"For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law."
What type of writing is this?
Letter/theology
What does that mean for how we read it?
Paul is arguing a theological point to a church. It's meant to explain Christian belief, not tell a story. You're supposed to think critically and understand the logic.
Pick one topic and explain it in exactly 3 sentences, as if you were explaining it to a 10-year-old:
How would you explain the 66 books, Old Testament vs New Testament, and the different types of writing in simple terms?
Explain why some Christians read the Bible literally and others interpret it, without using big words.
Pick at least 2 and write 3-4 sentences for each:
Christians believe the Bible is "God-breathed," meaning God guided the authors. But humans still made choices about what to include. Does that make it less divine? Or can God work through human writers?
The Bible was written in Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament). Translation requires choices. Should translators be literal or readable? Does it matter which translation you read?
Science says the universe is 13.8 billion years old. Genesis says creation was 6 days. Can both be true? Does Genesis have to be scientifically accurate to be spiritually true?
A Christian says "the Bible is all I need for guidance." A Humanist says "I can find guidance through reason, ethics, and science without any sacred text." Who do you find more convincing, and why?
Decide: Do you agree or disagree? Then explore both sides.
Q1: What is polytheism?
Belief in many gods
Q2: Name one Hindu festival and what it celebrates.
Examples: Diwali (festival of lights, victory of good over evil), Holi (festival of colors, spring), Navratri (honoring the goddess)
Q3: How many books are in the Bible?
66 books total: 39 Old Testament, 27 New Testament
Q4: What does "God-breathed" mean?
The belief that God guided or inspired the authors of the Bible through the Holy Spirit
How much can you remember in 90 seconds? Write down as much as you can.
Write down:
What surprised you about the Bible? What question do you still have?