BIBLE OVERVIEW

 

authority of scripture

The Bible is the authoritative and inerrant Word of God; it is God’s revelation about Himself to man (Numbers 23:19, Psalm 12:6, Proverbs 30:5, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:16). It is historically accurate and internally consistent, telling one story of redemption pointing to Jesus Christ. God used over 40 different authors to write the 66 books of the Bible, all being divinely directed by the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1:20-21). The Bible is the living Word of God, applicable to all time, and is not only the measure and standard of truth, but truth itself (2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12).

 

TRANSLATIONS

The Bible was not originally written in English. That means is has been translated from its original language for modern-day readers who do not speak Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek. Each translation has a unique goal in mind. Some translators attempt a word-for-word translation from the original language to English. This leads to an accurate but sometimes clunky reading experience. Other translations favor an idea-based translation that does its best to maintain the original text’s heart and intent.

Mission City Church recommends the following translations for personal study and growth:

  1. New Living Translation (Most often used in Sunday teaching due to its accessibility)

  2. New International Version (Idea for Idea)

  3. English Standard Version (Word for Word)

 

STUDY TOOLS

The Bible can be intimidating to newcomers. It’s big. It’s old. It’s a daunting task to begin. Sometimes it’s nice to have helpful tools to assist you in your journey. There are many brilliant and dedicated scholars who have dedicated their lives to making the Bible accessible and applicable. Below is a list of recommended study tools to help you in your journey:

Study Bibles

(loaded with notes, references, and explanations to help you understand what you read)

  1. NLT Study Bible

  2. ESV Study Bible

  3. Tony Evans’ Study Bible

COMMENTARIES

(deep dives into particular books of the Bible)

  1. Tim Keller’s Bible Study Guides

  2. Exalting Jesus Commentary Series

  3. Seamless: Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story

Journaling Bibles

(for the creatives and the note takers)

  1. ESV Journaling Bible

  2. NLT Journaling Bible

Digital and Audio Bible

There is a digital and audio bible included free in the Mission City app!

Bible for Families

The Jesus Storybook Bible is an excellent way of introducing scripture to people who are new to faith. Both through the storytelling and illustrations, the author shows that all of God’s Word draws us close to Jesus.