1. Understanding the Scriptures. We all agree, no doubt, that God gave us the Scriptures as a witness, but was a witness to what? And to whom? What role did the Greek language play in sharing the words and content of the Bible with the then known world? Does it ever trouble you that many languages exist beyond the ones most familiar to us? Do you believe that all people, even those with widely different language backgrounds, have access to the Word of God? Are you sure about that?

2. Words and their Meanings. Two words from the Hebrew language are chosen to help us begin to understand some of the complexity of the words of the Bible. They are A. chesed (mercy), and B. shalom (peace). You might enjoy finding other Hebrew words from the Bible that come with a list of meanings. On any list, chesed ranks near the top for richness. What are the meanings of this word in describing God’s attitude toward His people? Have you picked up the word, “shalom,” when greeting friends at church on Sabbath? Try it! Spend some time with a Bible (or the web) to discover other Hebrew expressions of interest to all Christians.

3. Repetition, Word Patterns, and Meanings. Instead of punctuation, what language tools did or Hebrew scholars use to convey concepts? What lesson is embedded in the Hebrew word, bara (to create) and its repetition three times? Compare that with the three-fold repetition of the word “holy” in Isaiah 6:3. Look up Daniel 3 and notice the repeated use of the Hebrew expression, “the image which Nebuchadnezzar set up.” Have these repeated words taken on
new significance to you as you study this lesson?

4. Text and Context. If you’ve ever studied the Bible in a college setting or developed some writing or speaking tools to use in teaching or witnessing activities, you have been exposed to the importance of context in good writing—and understanding. Think of a word or expression that
loses meaning when it is taken out of context. Look closely at your lesson’s explanation of the word for “man” that can mean Adam or humanity in general. How does context make the meaning clear?

5. Books and their Message. When was the last time you read the whole Bible through, one book at a time? I’m doing that now, and have just reached the book of Amos, a short book packed with word pictures and messages to and from God. Other Old Testament books I’ve read include long lists of people involved in warfare or famine, and long descriptions of who did what. And still others such as Daniel and the Psalms glow with word pictures of what it means to be one of God’s children. As I read the books, I try to decide why this book is in the Bible, and what its message is for me.

And just a note. Many are predicting that the current state of humanity is so horrible that we have to go back in the USA to the Great Depression of 1929 for a more glum picture. You may have experienced very hard times in another part of the world. What are some of the benefits of
belonging to God at such a time as this?