Reflecting on the ocean of truth found in the incarnation of the Son of God

John 1:1-3 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being."

Introduction: An Ocean of Truth about Jesus Christ

I'll never forget the first time I saw the ocean. I thought I knew things about the ocean. All through grade school, high school and college years I had taken classes that told me various facts about life here on this earth and the ocean. Whenever a documentary would come on television about anything to do with science or about deep sea exploration - I would watch with rapt attention. I've had friends throughout the years who specialized in various fields of life-science who could tell me specific details about the ocean. As wonderful as all that was - when I saw the ocean for the first time - I suddenly realized that all of the aforementioned learning and conversation told me things about the ocean - but to experience it for myself resulted in my realizing how much more there was to know. 

When we look at John's opening introduction in his Gospel - John 1:1-18, we are confronted with much the same type of experience at a more profound level. This introduction to John's Gospel - called by Bible teachers "The Prologue" - confronts us with the truth of the Person of Jesus Christ. Whatever you and I may think we know about Jesus is shown to be pale and small in comparison to the profundity of these 18 verses. 

As I have been meditating on John 1:1-18, I've come to realize that in so far as I have been knowing Jesus Christ and following Him in faith for some thirty years - there is so much more I need to and want to know about Him. John the Apostle presents to us an ocean of truth about Jesus Christ that is crammed into the cup-sized portion of John 1:1-18. 

John's prologue brings to us truth about the distinctions we can make between the titles: "God the Son" and "Son of God". Both titles refer to the same Person - Jesus Christ, but explain two amazing truths that present a complete picture about His amazing Divine identity. Additionally, John's prologue aims to reveal how God the Son as Son of God came to incarnate Himself in the true humanity of Jesus of Nazareth. My aim today is to reflect on what these truths entail and to provide for the reader two life-practical applications of these profound but necessary truths. 

The title "Son of God" is theological shorthand for defining who Jesus is in relationship to the Trinity

As we begin to consider this prologue, we are introduced to the Son of God in Eternity. The whole purpose of John's Gospel is summarized near the end of his book in John 20:31 "but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name." Jesus Christ as the "Son of God" speaks of His relationship to the Heavenly Father as they both share in the same, undivided, Divine nature within the Trinity. Included in such sharing is a third Person - the Holy Spirit (see Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14). 

As "Son of God", Jesus Christ shares the same qualities of being with the Father and the Spirit. Such qualities include omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, eternality and all the attendant attributes that makes Him truly God along with the Father and the Spirit. 

What John is doing is introducing us to the Son as He was before His incarnation (that is - prior to His coming to assume humanity in the identity of "Jesus of Nazareth). He is the Person of the Son who is in relationship with the Person of the Father, who is God. When we come to John 1:1-3, we see the Son of God described by the title "Word". 

As the "Word", the focus of John's opening verses is to make known to us how Jesus as "The Son of God" functions within the Godhead to express in an intelligible way the glory of the Father. Other biblical passages such as Hebrews 1:1-3 describe this activity. John 1:18b captures this profound truth with amazing brevity: "the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him." This is what is meant by the title "Son of Son". 

The title "God the Son" is theological shorthand for describing what kind of Person Jesus Christ is

We have considered the meaning of the title "Son of God" as referring to Jesus' relationship, function and Divine identity within the Trinity. However, there is a second similar sounding title that Bible teachers have come to use: "God the Son". This title "God the Son" highlights the truth of what kind of Person the Son is in-an-of-Himself. This title is theological shorthand for describing how Jesus Christ, "The Word", is God revealed, expressed and truly lived out by the Person of the Son. 

Perhaps expressed another way - the title "God the Son" serves to express the "Godness" or "Deity" of the Son as He has existed from all eternity. Thus, when Jesus explains Himself in John 8:58 by the phrase: "before Abraham was, I am", He is expressing how He is truly Divine. 

How "God the Son" as "Son of God" ever remained such when He became the incarnate Jesus of Nazareth 

The Apostle Paul in Colossians 2:9 states - "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form." The truth of the Son being "God the Son" never changed nor diminished once He took unto Himself a human nature. In like-manner, He being the "Son of God" in perpetual relationship with the Father and Spirit never altered when He assumed unto Himself humanity. The term "nature" can be defined as the way-in-which a living being expresses its life and existence. When God the Son, eternally existing in relationship with the Father and Spirit as the Son of God - came to be "enfleshed" and revealed as Jesus of Nazareth, He now would express Himself in two ways - as truly God and truly man. 

A helpful illustration of this point is seen in how a piece of metal heated by a torch begins to glow. The flame prior to its contact with the metal is a flame. Once both are brought together, the flame's heat makes the metal glow. Together, the metal expresses the flame's light and heat while still remaining metal. In like manner, the flame is still a flame in its light and heat while expressing itself through the metal. 

We find these words in the midst of John's prologue, John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." Unless the Son has willingly incarnated Himself in human flesh, there would had been no salvation nor capability of Personally knowing nor interacting with Him.

Practical Applications concerning God the Son as Son of God incarnating Himself as the man Jesus for you

My prayer is that this meditation on John's Prologue has evoked wonder in the reader about Jesus Christ. Just as experiencing the ocean for the first time made me realize how much more there is to know about the ocean - so too diving into a text like John 1:1-18 ought to drive us to know Jesus even better. With that said, what ought we to take away from these reflections on the titles "God the Son", "Son of God" as it relates to the incarnation of Jesus on our behalf?

a. Joyful Worship. 

Truly we ought to be blown away and on our knees and faces before Jesus Christ. A recent theological statement on the Person of Christ by Ligonier Ministries called "The Word made flesh" describes this attitude of worship: "We confess the mystery and wonder
of God made flesh and rejoice in our great salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. With the Father and the Holy Spirit, the Son created all things, sustains all things, and makes all things new. Truly God, He became truly man, two natures in one person." The link for the full Ligonier statement can be found at: http://christologystatement.com/

b. Joyful fellowship

My first-time experience of the ocean caused me to be overwhelmed by its immensity and ground-shaking waves. However I also found myself walking along the shoreline and into the the ocean itself to enjoy the sprays of water issuing forth from the waves. Recognizing Jesus Christ as "God the Son" who is "the Son of God" revealed in true humanity means I can fellowship and walk with Him. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 summarizes it this way in its final statement about "God the Son": "He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord." http://www.sbc.net/bfm2000/bfm2000.asp

Worship and fellowship go hand-in-hand. We ought not to grow too familiar with Jesus nor too remote from Him. In His incarnation, God the Son who is the Son of God is both worthy of our worship and willing to be in fellowship. Such truths ought to drive us to know Him more and and make Him known. 

The Son of God is God the Son in eternity and revealed in the Old Testament - some thoughts

John 1:1-5 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."

Introduction:

I'll never forget the time we were living in Florida and when we had underwent the devastating effects of hurricanes going through our area. Electrical power had been knocked out for a 150 mile radius. Our home area at the time had been plunged into thick, humid darkness. The first day after the first hurricane had passed through, I stepped outside our house - exhausted and ready for sleep. Suddenly my jaw dropped. Though there was no lights, yet I could see my hand. How? The Milky Way Galaxy stretched as a diamond tennis bracelet across the jet-black sky. It was if I had been launched into the cosmos and was beholding the vast expanse of space. For a better part of an hour I stared into the sky, beholding each star, gas-cloud and patch of brightness. It is amazing to think that the portion of the Milky Way that I was beholding represents a small part of the entirety of its structure. For 100,000 light years of space the Milky Way sprawls its galactic arms of 400 billion stars. 

All at once everything I thought I knew about the night sky was dwarfed. I felt as if I knew next to nothing. Though I had studied astronomy in college and had read about it in journals and books, heard lectures and watched documentaries and had even viewed various objects through telescopes - none of that prepared me for that night. I realized that I possessed at best an infantile knowledge of the vastness of space. Moreover, the glory of God's power, nature and creativity was opened up to me. 

How I approach John 1:1-18

As I approach John's prologue of John 1:1-18, I feel much like I did that night. John 1:1-18 is a Milky Way Galaxy of truth, and my theological understanding of Christ is infantile in comparison. 

When we consider the Son of God (the purpose of John's Gospel is to introduce us to Jesus Christ as "The Son of God"), we must understand that the Son of God is God the Son. The first title "Son of God" is short-hand for "The Son who-is-equal-to-and-in-relationship-with-the Father-who-is-God." Jesus Christ as the Son of God describes Him as He is relative to His role and function within the Trinity. The second title "God the Son" is short-hand for "God-as-expressed-and lived-through-and-subsisting-in-the Person of-the Son". This second title describes Jesus Christ as He is with respect to Himself. He is in the words of the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 "The Eternal Son of God". 

John 1:1-18 introduces us then to Jesus Christ, the Son of God as God the Son. He is eternal with respect to His divine nature with-which-He shares with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amazingly, the Son, known in eternity as "The Word", who reveals the glory of the Father (see John 14:8; Hebrews 1:1-3); never ceases being such upon His assumption of humanity in His incarnation. How Jesus does this is not revealed by the prologue. All we know is that the Person of the Son never ceased nor diminished His deity when He took unto His Person the true humanity of the man Jesus of Nazareth. Conversely, the man Jesus of Nazareth was truly human, since He was the human expression of the Person of the Son, who is forever God (see Romans 9:5). 

As we come to John 1:1-18, we ought to conclude right away that there is so much more about Jesus that needs to be known. Not just information, but transformation. Jesus Christ cannot be exhausted. We need His written word to make sense to us the Living Word. 

The Son of God is God the Son in eternity

So when we consider the first part of John's prologue - John 1:1-9, and even more specifically John 1:1-3, how can we begin to construe the incredible revelation of Jesus Christ as God the Son? Below I will provide just an outline, since further study and reflection will need to be done to even do justice to this amazing text.

1. God the Son in eternity. John 1:1-3

a. The phrase “God the Son” is short-hand for “God expressed and existing as the Person of the Son”. In John’s opening verses, God the Son is called by the title “The Word”.

b. “The Word” that is equally God. John 1:1-2

-Psalm 33:6; 45:6  -Hebrews 1:1-3  -Rev 19:13

c. Working forth creation as God.  John 1:3

-1 Cor 8:6-7    -Colossians 1:16    -Heb 1:8

The accompanying passages in the outline represent cross-references that can illuminate John's words. We won't say anything more at this juncture about John 1:1-3, only to note that John here is presenting the Son of God as God the Son in eternity. 

The Son of God is God the Son revealed in the Old Testament

Amazingly as John proceeds from John 1:4-9, we discover his summary of the activity of the "Word", the Son of God, as He was prior to His incarnation. In other words, Jesus Christ made various appearances in and throughout the Old Testament era. Below is a summary outline:

2. God the Son in the Old Testament

a. Personal designer of life. John 1:4, 8:12,

b. Promised light.  John 1:5,9; Rev 22:16

c. Prophecy’s LORD. John 1:6-8; Mal 4:2

Again, we won't go into too much more detail. As it stands, the activity of "The Word" indicates that Jesus Christ pre-existed before His incarnation, working and "coming into the world" as it were. He appeared to Jacob in Genesis 28 as a ladder stretching from heaven to earth (compare John 1:51). Later on in the wilderness wanderings of the nation of Israel, the striking of the rock by Moses to release water to the thirsty people was apparently the Person of the Son disguised somehow in the rock (see 1 Corinthians 10:1-6). Or again, the revelation of the tabernacle and later on the temple somehow illustrates the Person and work of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9). Over a dozen times in the Old Testament we find reference to a mysterious figure called "The Angel of the Lord" who is likely a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. 

At any rate, John uses John the Baptist's testimony and references to Jesus as "the light of men" to summarize the work of the Son in the Old Testament. In short, the Son of God is God the Son not only pre-existent in eternity but revealed in the Old Testament. 

We ought to be blown away by Jesus Christ

In an attempt to not make today's post longer than necessary, I realize how mind-blowing the prologue of John's Gospel is to me. Jesus Christ ever merits not only our pursuit and our study - but more so our worship! How else can we view Him as worthy of our worship unless we find our theological and spiritual breath taken away! I admit that the above thoughts are but an outline. However, it is hoped in future posts down the road, I'll be able to write further with better clarity. A lifetime is truly insufficient to fully appreciate the glory and grandeur of Jesus Christ. I suppose this is why for the Christian, an entire eternity will be required for us to gaze at this Milky Way Galaxy of the revelation of the Son of God, who is God the Son.  

P3 - The Bible is God's Book by virtue of its accuracy

2 Peter 1:19 "So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts."

Introduction:

What makes the Bible worthy of the title "Book of God"? Over the past two posts we have considered the Bible as God's authoritative book and alive book. Today's post will attempt one final time to unpack Peter's words here in 2 Peter 1:16-21 by noting three reasons why we can consider the Bible as God's Book. Today we will consider the third and final reason why we can call the Bible "God's Book", namely that: the Bible is an accurate book.

The Bible is an accurate book

How accurate are the books of the Bible? In the Old Testament we find archaeological corroboration for such sites as the Tower of Babel in the records of Strabo the Roman historian and the site known as "Ur-Nammu", which records the construction of a large ziggurat structure prior to the days of Abraham. The existence of King David was confirmed by documentary evidence in pottery shards recovered from the "tel-Dan" site in Israel in 1993. Other cultures claimed to be mythological turned out to be real people-groups. For years critical scholarship viewed the Book of Joshua as fiction until the discovery of ancient sources such as the Armana letters recording a group of raiders in ancient Canaan known as the "Habiru" (more on these people can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habiru )

We also find for the New Testament confirmation of the existence of such figures as Herod, Pilate, Caiphas and towns such a Bethsaida, Siloam and other places previously believed to had been non-existent. Archaeology provides ample circumstantial evidence to bring us to the reliability of the Biblical text. 

It is in the areas of fulfilled prophecy that we find incredible confirmation of not only the Bible's accuracy but Divine inspiration. No other book in the world has one example of historically verified fulfilled prophecy. The Bible has not only just one, or dozens but hundreds of examples. One such example is the amazing prophecy of Daniel 9:23-27 and the predictions made about Jesus' first coming. Details of this particular prophecy can be found at http://www.growingchristianresources.com/2013/11/daniels-seventy-weeks-in-summary.html

Undeniably we can infer from the nature of the Bible's predictive prophecy its amazing accuracy and can glean enough from Biblical archaeology to provide reasonable warrant for holding such a conclusion.

However, there is a third consideration which is the most-important when asserting the Bible's accuracy - namely what Jesus Himself had to say about scripture and the character of God Himself. 

Jesus time and time again pronounces His view of scripture as being inerrant or totally true (Matthew 22:29; John 17:17); infallible or totally effective, ever-trustworthy (John 10:35) and indestructible or preserved in all copies of the originals (Matthew 5:17-18). His living out or quotation of nearly 600 Old Testament passages as well as the promise to His apostles of being able to produce Spirit-inspired scripture free-from error (John 16:12-15) demonstrates His high view of scripture. 

Closely related to Jesus' view of scripture is the character of God Himself as a God who cannot lie (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). Since God is a God who cannot lie, and Jesus was revealed as God-incarnate - then it stands that inerrancy of the scriptures as originally given should follow suit. Conservative Biblical scholars such as Dr. Daniel Wallace of Dallas Seminary have drawn together this link (see: https://danielbwallace.com/2013/11/26/a-bibliology-grounded-in-christology/ ). 

Thus our view of the scriptures as originally revealed by God must include inerrancy, since the source of them - God, as well as the affirmation of such by Jesus - issues forth from the only source that is perfect - God Himself. The Baptist Faith & Massage makes such a big deal about this point that three of its five sentences about the Bible assert Biblical inerrancy: "It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy."

Conclusion:

We have considered over the past few days how the Bible is God's book. We first of all looked at its authority. Next, we observed how the Bible is alive or a living book that changes lives. Then in today's post we realized that the Bible is an accurate book - henceforth being inerrant, infallible and indestructible or, stated positively, totally true, always trustworthy and preserved. My prayer is that these last several posts will instruct and encourage God's people to have a higher view of scriptures and the God who inspired them. 

P2 - The Bible is God's book by virtue of it being alive

2 Peter 1:19 "So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts."

Introduction:

What makes the Bible worthy of the title "Book of God"? Today's post will attempt once again to unpack Peter's words here in 2 Peter 1:16-21 by noting three reasons why we can consider the Bible as God's Book. We looked the last time at the first reason why the Bible is God's Book: namely by virtue of its authority. Today we will consider a second reason: namely that the Bible is an alive book. 

The Bible is a living Book

When we say the Bible is alive, what do we mean? As testimony to itself, the books of the Bible tell us that in regards to how the Word of God functions in a person's life - it operates like a living person! Consider for example Proverbs 4:20-23  "My son, give attention to my words;Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body.
23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life." Notice what the text says in verse 22 - "For they are life...". Or again consider an even clearer text, Hebrews 4:12 - "For 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."

Peter himself describes the Bible as having living qualities in 2 Peter 1:19 "So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts." The scriptures are the "prophetic word", quite literally the voice of God in written form, shining light and confirming the matters of God to the heart and soul. 

In reflecting on these passages, I'm reminded of a quote I heard a preacher say one time: "My Bible has hands that grab me, feet that chase me, eyes that sees me and breath that revives me." All other books of religion and philosophy prescribe ways of living, but as I read the Bible, it is the only book in the world that lives through me. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 notes in its first article on the Bible: "All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation." People give testimonies. The scriptures have this same trait and are referred to as the testimony of God (see Psalm 19:7ff). As a living book, the Bible is the instrument used by the Holy Spirit to convert sinners (Psalm 19:7; 1 Peter 1:23) and strengthen saints (Psalm 19:8-12; Colossians 3:16). 

Henceforth we can say the Bible in all its books and whole is the Book of God by virtue of its authority and by it being alive. In the next post we will consider one final reason from 2 Peter 1:16-21 as to why the Bible is the book of God. 

P1 - The Bible is God's Book by virtue of its authority

2 Peter 1:19 "So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts."

Introduction:

What makes the Bible worthy of the title "Book of God"? These last couple of posts have dealt with the doctrine of sacred scripture. We have looked at the character of the Bible as "The Holy Bible". We also considered practical reasons why anyone ought to retain the attitude of the old children's song: "The B.I.B.L.E, yes that's the book for me". Today's post will attempt to unpack Peter's words here in 2 Peter 1:16-21 by noting three reasons why we can consider the Bible as God's Book. Notice first of all that the Bible is the....

Authoritative Book.

Peter writes in 2 Peter 1:16-18 of how he and his apostolic associates did not follow "cleverly devised tales" nor deliver to his readers second-hand information. Rather, everything is written from an eye-witness perspective. The Bible as the Book of Books is set-apart by God as His authoritative written revelation. 

As we have seen already in previous posts, the Bible throughout its history was treated as a set-apart or holy Book. As each book of the Old and New Testament was revealed, inspired and delivered to God's people - they immediately or almost immediately received it as God's authoritative, written revelation. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 explains this idea of Biblical authority in its first article: "It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried."

When one reads the early church records of the early church fathers like Irenaeus of Lyons or Eusebius, we discern several ways in which the people of God recognized the 27 books of the New Testament and the 39 books of the Old Testament as God's authoritative, inscripturated record. 

a. Was it composed by a prophet/apostle or an associate

b. Correspondence with earlier revelation

c. Containing prophecy and evidence of fulfilled prophecy

d. Converting power for the soul

e. Clearly show Jesus Christ

Jesus Himself viewed the Old Testament in this fashion as seen by how He explains it as revealing things about Himself (Luke 24:44) as well as setting it over and against the traditions of men (Matthew 19). Paul too took the scripture to be the authoritative embodiment of God's voice to the people of God in shaping their lives and his preaching (Ephesians 2:20; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). Then of course we see Peter codifying the New Testament letters of Paul as being on par with respect to their authority to that of the Old Testament in 2 Peter 3:16. 

Tomorrow we will consider how the Bible is the Book of God by virtue of it being an alive book. 

A children's lesson: How The B.I.B.L.E is the Book of God

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up."

Introduction:

Today we consider once again some reflections on important truths from God's Word that can be taught to children. Our template for these lessons derives partly from the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. In a past post we considered how we could teach children about how the God of the Bible is made known to everyone, and how they - knowing about Him - can come to know Him on a personal level. The link for that first lesson is found here:http://www.growingchristianresources.com/2016/05/a-childrens-lesson-how-everyone-knows.html

In today's post we are not only considering the "God of the Book", but also "The Book of God". How can we communicate the truth contained in the first article of the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 about the Bible so that children can grasp the character of sacred scripture? 

A simple way to begin explaining how the Bible is God's revealed Word might be through two old-familiar songs. The first is the beloved children's Sunday School Song: "The B.I.B.L.E". Once we introduce children to this song, we can then lead them in a second song, such as the one we as adults have either sung or heard others sing in times past: "Jesus loves me". These two songs capture in sum the total teaching of the BFM 2000 article on the Bible: namely that the Bible is the Word of God and that it's main point is to reveal Jesus Christ. Here is the link to the BFM 2000 on "The Scriptures" for adult teachers to study themselves as they break it down for children in the proposed lesson below: http://www.sbc.net/bfm2000/bfm2000.asp 

Once the teacher begins the class with songs such as these, the lesson can begin to unfold. As the opening passage in today's post suggests - we ought to be passing on to the next generation not only the truths of God's Word, but God's Word and ways in which to study it and apply it to one's life. 

Proposed children's lesson: The Book of God - How the "B.I.B.L.E" is the Book of God

1. Begin with two songs: "The B.I.B.L.E" and "Jesus Loves Me"

2. Have a flashlight, an apple or ball and a towel. Have the children guess what is under the towel before revealing the object. Then take the flashlight and shine it on the towel while taking the towel off to reveal the object. This can be used to show children how the Bible reveals to us what God wants us to know. The Bible uncovers His good things for us, just as the towel uncovered the apple or ball, which are good for us. (This corresponds to the first sentence in the BFM 2000 article on "The Scripture")

3. Have the children take turns drawing as straight of a line as possible. Have them hang their pictures on a wall or lay them out on a table in the class room. Then take a ruler and compare their drawings to the ruler. Remind them that we cannot know what is a straight line unless we have a ruler. We cannot know the truth about God and His plan to rescue us from our sins by Jesus except by the Bible. Explain how this illustrates what we call "truth". The Bible is true and doesn't make mistakes nor contain any mistakes. (This is a suggested way of introducing children to the concept of inerrancy, an emphasis in the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 article on "The Scripture).  

Conclusion:

It is hoped that this suggested lesson can be used to introduce children to such vital concepts as the Bible being God's revelation to human beings and it being totally true or without error. The Bible's point of revealing salvation in Jesus Christ ought to be emphasized. Without a doubt, closing out the class with a Gospel presentation that is age-appropriate is also suggested. May God be glorified as we aim to communicate His Word to the next generation.  

The B.I.B.L.E is the book for me

2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

Introduction:

I can recall growing up as a child and singing in Sunday School: "The B.I.B.L.E.". It went something like this: "The B.I.B.L.E, yes that's the book for me, I stand alone on the word of God, the B.I.B.L.E.". In our last post we considered what is meant by the term "Holy Bible". Today I want to look further into the character of the Bible itself by taking that acrostic "B.I.B.L.E" and briefly express why it should not only be the book for me, but also for you. 

Book of God

This was the primary focus of yesterday's post. As the "Holy Bible", the Bible is God's book. Henceforth it is holy because it is set-apart as unique from all other religious and non-religious books. It is also holy because of its Divine authorship. Then finally, the Bible is the Holy Book of God due to the fact the like the nature of its author, it contains no errors. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 states: "The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy."

Inspired by God

Inspiration is the act whereby God places the revelation of His mind to men into the words of men. Passages such as 2 Peter 1:20-21 and 2 Timothy 3:16 speak to this point. Under the heading of inspiration we can include other "in" words: "inerrant" and "indestructible".

Book of men

This third reason for why the B.I.B.L.E is the book for me is because it is a book of men. What do I mean by this? It is important to realize that in as much as the Bible is the Book of God revealed by God, it is a book of men through which God so composed His words. Just as the gulf stream runs its course from the Atlantic into the Gulf of Mexico, affected by the mighty ocean and yet at the same time affects storms blowing in from East to West, so we see the mystery of God's Sovereignty and human volition working together in the production of scripture. As a book of men, the Bible is the only international book that claims to be Divinely inspired. It is written in multiple languages, on multiple continents and covering nearly two millennia with respect to its authorship. God saw fit to use 40 different people to ensure that His message would reach as many people as possible. 

Living Book

The Bible is the Book of God, Inspired and is also a Book - containing books - Divinely inspired through men (hence "a Book of men"). But lets add a fourth thought - namely, the Bible is a living book. Passages such as Isaiah 34:16 and Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Bible is not a static book - but an influencing, living, breathing book. The Person of the Holy Spirit oversaw its composition through the 40 authors and ever-attends in its preaching and teaching. I may read all other books which tell me how to live, but the Bible is the only book that can live through me.

Exalts Jesus Christ

I love the final sentence of the BFM 2000 concerning the Bible: "All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation." All other so-called holy books claiming to be Divinely inspired or about Jesus refer to Him, but do not focus on Him. The Book of Mormon may mention their version of Jesus here and there, however, Jesus is more like a footnote to their portrayal of history. Moreover, the Book of Mormon proceeds about 3/4 of the way through before one even gets to see Jesus - which is a different Jesus altogether when read against the backdrop of Mormon doctrine. The Bible on the other hand from Genesis to Revelation points to and focuses upon Jesus Christ. Think about it in this way:

The Law points to Jesus

The historical Books prepare for Jesus

The poetic books praise Jesus

The prophetic books predict Jesus

The Gospels portray Jesus

The Acts preach Jesus

The epistles explain Jesus

The Revelation exalts Jesus.

These five reasons are why the B.I.B.L.E is the book for me. I pray they may be the reasons for the Bible to be the book(s) for you too.