Building Our Foundation.

Course one lesson one

Worker Name:

The Way Home Ministries Worker E-mail:

Welcome --------------------Thank you for deciding to study the Bible with The Way Home Ministries. Know that you are an important part of this school and an honored student.

Use this Introductory Lesson to get familiar with The Way Home Ministries.

The Way Home Ministries is a non-profit organization that helps people, worldwide, study the Bible for free.

þ Its completely FREE

1 Its for beginning and advanced students

2 Study E-Mail

3 Study where you want

4 Study when you want

With the Way Home Ministries, you will find great things because The Way Home Ministries builds your knowledge of God and the Bible. Its fast. Its easy. Its instructive. The Way Home Ministries uses a study system that will satisfy three needs.

First, our need to be established in the First Teachings of the Bible. These kinds of courses are found in level one, Building Our Foundation.

Second, our need to be matured in our understanding of the Bible. These kinds of courses are found in level two, Completing Our Building.

Third, our need to be enabled to help others understand the Bible. These courses are found in level three, Enabling Our Builders.

The Way Home Ministries is a straight forward, orderly, accurate, simple and exciting way to study the Bible.

How can this be free? The Way Home Ministries is run totally by volunteer workers. They freely give their time and resources to provide you with Bible training. You should never be charged for any course from The Way Home Ministries. The Way Home Ministries does not sell courses to students.

What can The Way Home Ministries give me?

Knowledge of the Bible - which is the reason for your studying.

Time to Learn - These courses are self-paced so that you can spend whatever amount of time you need to clearly understand each Bible lesson.

The Power to Decide - You make the decision of where and when to study. You pick the time and the place. You choose to study By e-mail

Certificates of Honor - Receive honorary certificates for completing levels. Receive a The Way Ministries graduation certificate when you successfully complete all three levels.

Opportunity - Successfully complete all level one courses and the First Teaching Qualifying Test, and you can become a The Way Ministries Worker.

How does it work?

1. Receive access to a course.

2. Read it and complete the test that goes along with it.

3. When The Way Home Ministries receives your answers, a The Way Home Ministries Worker will correct them and give you access to the next course.

1. You are ready and willing to do your best to study the Bible.

2. You can read English.

3. You plan to at least finish level one, which includes this introductory lesson, 3 courses, and the First Teaching Qualifying Test.

If you agree with these three requirements, please complete this Introductory Lesson and submit your answers for correction. Submitting your answers for the Introductory Lesson means you say, "Yes, I agree" to these requirements.

Be sure to read every page in this Introductory Lesson, and then complete the test.

Be sure to finish each of the three available levels in this school program. That is how you can reach your full potential. You will be glad you did. You will know much about the Bible and Gods will for your life. Plan on graduating from The Way Home Ministries. Get started today!

There are no known original manuscripts of any of the books of the Bible. All we have are copies of the originals. No one knows for certain why the original manuscripts have perished. One very likely reason could be that the material on which they were written deteriorated and needed recopying. Or, that they were destroyed by the copyists when they made a new copy from it.

One thing we know for sure is that the Good News message within the Bible is more important than the technicalities of how we actually got a copy of it. For example, the Bible says, "Faith comes from hearing (Romans 10:17)." That verse teaches that a person can learn to trust God by hearing or reading the Bible for themselves, and not by studying historical evidence or lack thereof. After reading the Bible for yourself, then by faith you may begin to trust that the Bible is from God. It is the message in it that convicts people. Belief in the Son of God does not come by any other means than hearing the message of Him.

Many Bibles are translated into modern day languages from the earliest copies of the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek Bibles. For example, the Septuagint is a Greek copy of the Old Testament. It dates from about 250 B.C.

Another, the Codex Sinaiticus is a Greek copy of the Bible. It contains both Old and New Testaments and is dated from around 400 A.D. Another, the Codex Vaticanus, is dated from around 340 A.D.

Even some book fragments of the New Testament exist that are dated a little beyond 100 A.D. Those fragments are just a generation away from when the New Testament unfolded for the first time.

Other interesting copies exist, like the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Dead Sea scrolls were discovered in 1947 by an Arab shepherd boy who threw a stone into a hillside cave, and heard what sounded like the breaking of pottery. He went into the cave and found pottery jars that contained carefully wrapped scrolls. More than one third of these are books of the Old Testament. They are considered to be older by at least 1000 years than the earliest known Old Testament copies.

One of the best preserved of these scrolls contains the book of Isaiah from the Old Testament. Its considered to be second century B.C. It agrees in almost every respect with other traditional Hebrew texts, such as the ones used in translating the King James Version.

Because the Dead Sea Scroll book of Isaiah almost entirely matches other translations today, we have much more confidence in trusting the copymaking process used by scribes over the centuries.

Therefore, we can be sure that even though we do not have the original manuscripts, we do have reliable and remarkably accurate copies that were made from them.

Bibles tend to fall into two or more specific categories. For example, some Bibles are said to be more of a word for word translation from the early copies. Others are said to be more of an interpretation, explanation, or amplification of the early copies. Therefore, some Bibles can tend to more accurately reflect the words of God, and some cannot.

The ones that try to add more words or meaning to the passages, explaining them in greater detail than what is in the early copies, are loosely translated, and can tend to reflect more of what man thinks, and not what God said.

Any Bible, whether its more of a word for word translation or one that is more loosely translated, can put footnotes and commentaries from men near the words of God. Therefore, these notes and commentaries need to be carefully tested as to whether they have any merit.

It seems that the best Bible to have and use is one that is understandable to the reader, and accurately translated; more of a word for word translation.

A more accurate Bible, a potential more accurate faith of the one whom is reading it.

It truly is a book of books because the word Bible means "Books". The Bible is made up of 66 separate books. They were written at different times over a period of several hundred years.

The Bible is divided into two separate testaments or wills. One is the Old Testament, the other is the New Testament. The Old was mainly written in Hebrew and Aramaic. The New was written in the common Greek language of the day of Jesus.

Thirty nine books are in the Old Testament. Twenty seven books are in the New. Both Testaments can be looked upon as a set of rules for walking with God. Rules that were given to help us have an honorable relationship with Him and our fellow man. These Testaments can be called the Old Rules and the New Rules. This helps clearly define two things. First, which part of the Bible is not in effect, the Old Rules. Two, which part of the Bible is in effect today, the New Rules.

Even though both testaments were written by several inspired men from different generations, each book of both the Old and New Testaments fits together like a finished puzzle. They are woven together like one multi colored cloth, showing forth a unified picture of past, present, and future. No wonder the Bible is said to be inspired.

Moses wrote some of the first five books of the Old Testament, if not all five. These five books are called the Law, or the Law of Moses. Its called the Law of Moses because he is the one who received it from God to write down and pass on to the Jewish people (Ex. 24:4). In many verses, the New Testament refers to the Law of Moses when it is trying to teach that it is not in effect any more (Col. 2:14; Rom. 10:4). Several other inspired men wrote the rest of the Old Testament. For example, Solomon wrote most of the book of Proverbs, the Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes (Prov. 1:1; Ec. 1:1; Sol. 1:1). King David wrote most of the book of Psalms, which were songs about his joys, sorrows, and needs. He also spoke of the Christ in them (Ps. 2:7; Ps. 22).

Several men called "prophets" spoke words from God that were written down; men such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. King David was also called a prophet (Acts 2:29, 30). Others contributed to the writings. The Jews were the keepers and collectors of these writings. All of them have been copied and translated over the years and delivered to us today.

The New Testament was written by eight inspired men. Seven of them were Jews, Matthew, Mark, John, Paul, James, Peter, and Jude. One of them, Luke, was believed to have been a Gentile. Fourteen of the books in it are believed to have been penned by Paul, one by Matthew, one by Mark, two by Luke, five by John, one by James, two by Peter, and one by Jude.

The books were written approximately between 33 A.D. and 120 A.D., and were circulated amongst the gatherings of believers (Col. 4:16). In his first letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul actually quotes from the Gospel of Matthew (1 Tim. 5:18). Therefore, Matthews Gospel must have been circulated during the first century. These books were written in the Greek language of that day.

Matthew, John, and Peter were apostles. Apostles were twelve specially chosen men who were eyewitnesses of Jesus when he was on the earth (Luke 6:13; Mark 3:14; 1 Cor. 12:28; 2 Cor. 12:12). In this way, they could be the best witnesses to credibly tell others about the Lord.

Paul also was a specially chosen eyewitness of Jesus and an apostle (1 Tim. 2:7). Yet Paul only saw Jesus in a vision (Acts 9:1-7). Mark was a traveling companion of the apostle Paul (Acts 12:25). Mark was also called John. Luke traveled with Paul also.

Luke, when writing the book of Acts, sometimes used the word "we" to indicate that he was with the apostle Paul when he traveled (Acts 16:10). Both Mark and Luke would have understood first hand from the apostle what the new message was all about.

James and Jude were followers of Jesus and actual brothers to Him (Gal 1:19; Mark 6:3; Acts 1:14). Therefore, they would be credible witnesses and writers of their New Testament books.

In A.D. 397, the Council of Carthage gave their formal acceptance of the 27 books in the New Testament.

Two excellent reasons can be given for why other books are not included in the Bible. First, they are not considered to be inspired by God. For example, several books appeared between the period of both the Old and New Testaments. These have been grouped into what is called the Apocrypha. The Apocrypha has been widely disputed as to whether it is inspired or not. The Catholic Bible includes some of the Apocrypha books. Yet most any other Bible does not. A second reason why other books are not included in the Bible is studied in the lesson "If the Bible Was a Person...".

If the Bible was a person, you could ask him questions and he would tell you what he thinks. Lets pretend the Bible is a real person and that youre going to ask him questions. Below are some questions you may want to ask him. The only way he can answer you is by quoting from his own pages. In this way, he is telling you what he thinks. In this way you will know what is in him.

Know that the Bible is not afraid to tell you what he really thinks. He will not hide anything from you. He will tell you exactly what he thinks.

YOU ASK: Who wrote you?

BIBLE SAYS: "Know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of ones own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God (2 Peter 1:20, 21)."

"The gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it (Galatians 1:11, 12)."

YOU ASK: Why should I believe you?

BIBLE SAYS: "These have been written that you may believe...and that believing you may have life (John 20:31)."

"All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing crooked or perverted in them (Prov. 8:8)."

YOU ASK: Why have you been around so long?

BIBLE SAYS: "My words ...shall not depart...from now and forevermore (Isa. 59:21)." "Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away (Matthew 5:18)."

YOU ASK: Are you a myth?

BIBLE SAYS: "We did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty (2 Peter 1:16-18 )."

YOU ASK: Are you a dead letter that was written only for people long ago?

BIBLE SAYS: "The word of God is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12)."

"For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off (Acts 2:39)."

YOU ASK: Why do so many phony people teach the Bible?

BIBLE SAYS: "a pretext for greed...seek glory from men, either from you or from others (1 Thess. 2:5, 6)."

YOU ASK: Why do religious people not always do what the Bible says to do?

BIBLE SAYS: "for the sake of...tradition. IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP...TEAC-HING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN (Matt. 15:6, 9)."

YOU ASK: How can you help me?

BIBLE SAYS: "To know wisdom (Proverbs 1:2)."

"All Scripture is...profitable for teaching...that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16, 17)."

"The word implanted...is able to save your souls (Jam. 1:21)."

"With most of them [the Jews], God was not well pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened as examples for us, that we should not crave evil things, as they also craved ...and they were written for our instruction (1 Cor.10:5-6, 11)."

YOU ASK: Why are no other books included in your Bible?

BIBLE SAYS: "I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered (Jude 3)."

"Even though we [an apostle, preacher, teacher, evangelist, or prophet], or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed...I say again...let him be accursed (Galatians 1:6-9)."

"I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book (Rev. 22:18, 19)."

YOU ASK: People say you contradict yourself and that you are inconsistent. Is this true?

BIBLE SAYS: "The untaught and the unstable distort...the Scriptures (2 Peter 3:16)." "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15 NIV)."

YOU ASK: Do you think God really can see me?

BIBLE SAYS: "There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do (Heb. 4:13)."

YOU ASK: How can I get Gods help in my life?

BIBLE SAYS: "To this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word (Isaiah 66:2)."

"He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His (2 Chron. 16:9)."

"If anyone serves Me [the Son], the Father will honor him (John 12:26)."

YOU ASK: Do you think God really loves me and wants me to live?

BIBLE SAYS: "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life [life everlasting] (John 3:16)."

YOU ASK: Whats the best way to study the Bible?

BIBLE SAYS: "Meditation all the day (Psalm 119:97)."

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked...But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night (Psalm 1:1, 2)."

YOU ASK: What great things can I do for God?

BIBLE SAYS: "They said therefore to Him, What shall we do, that we may work the works of God? Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent (John 6:28, 29)."

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You have two ways you can complete the test.

1. You can copy the test and put it in a new email, entering your answers below each question. Then email your answers to your BBS worker for correction.

2. You can print out this email, and complete it, and then postal mail it to your BBS worker.

This test has three required pieces of information. Please carefully complete all three.

(A) Contact Information
(B) 15 Finish the Bible Verse Multiple Choice Questions
(C) 3 Discussion Questions

(A) Contact Information
Your First Name:
Your Last Name:

(B) Finish the Bible Verse Questions
Finish the Bible verse by looking up the verse listed with each multiple choice question. Then type your choice (A, B, or C) below the question. For example:

[Proverbs 1:7] The fear of the Lord is the beginning of...(A) punishment, (B) knowledge, (C) cowardlyness.
Answer B

1. [Rom. 10:17] Faith comes by...

1. estimating the date materials were written,
2. hearing,

(C) seeing.

1. [John 20:31] These have been written that you may...

1. believe,
2. judge them,

(C) have another story book.

1. [John 20:31] Believing you may have...

(A) money,

1. a painless life,

(C) life.

1. [Isaiah 59:21 ] My words...shall not...

1. depart,
2. be heard,

(C) continue.

1. [2 Pet. 1:16-18] We did not follow...

1. the Lord,
2. cleverly devised tales,

(C) the crowd.

1. [1 Cor. 10:5-6, 11] We should not crave...

1. evil things,
2. righteousness,

(C) spiritual gifts.

1. [Rev. 22:18, 19] This book...if anyone adds to...God shall...

1. be pleased,
2. add to him the plagues,

(C) glory.

1. [Rev. 22:18, 19] If anyone takes away from...this book...God shall take away his...

1. sin,
2. part from the tree of life,

(C) punishment.

1. [2 Pet. 3:16] The untaught and the unstable...

1. do not read the Scriptures,
2. speak accurately about the Scriptures,

(C) distort the Scriptures.

1. [2 Tim. 2:15 NIV] Do your best to present yourself to God as...

1. one approved,
2. unstable,

(C) untaught.

1. [Isaiah 66:2] To this one will I look, to him who...

1. has no fear of Scripture,
2. prays,

(C) trembles at My word.

1. [2 Chron. 16:9] He may strongly support those whose heart is...

1. deceived,
2. completely His,

(C) doubtful.

1. [John 3:16] Whoever believes in Him should not perish, but...

1. live forever in the flesh,
2. have eternal life,

(C) not suffer.

1. [Psalm 1:1, 2] Blessed is the man...he meditates...

1. on weekends,
2. day and night,

(C) on Sunday.

1. [John 6:28, 29] This is the work of God, that you...

1. offer sacrifices,
2. give,

(C) believe.

Answer--------------------

(C) Discussion Questions
1. How did we get the Bible? (required at least 25 characters)

2. Is the Bible Reliable? (required at least 25 characters)

3. What did you learn from this introductory Bible lesson? (required at least 25 characters)

Important Note: You may want to print or save the your answers. Then you will have a copy in case you need them for future reference or use.