Breakdown Your Bible Challenge: Night 1

Introduction

• Host: Alan Parr
• Purpose: Equip participants to defend the Bible over three nights
• Goal: Prepare attendees spiritually and intellectually
• Event features:
  • Night 1: Defend the Bible to skeptics
  • Night 2: Study the Bible like a theologian
  • Night 3: Unlock God’s purpose through the Bible

Overview of Night 1

• Focus: How to defend the Bible to a skeptic
• Key Topics:
  • How to defend the Bible’s authenticity
  • Address claims of errors and tampering
  • Equip with answers to common skeptic questions

Key Points and Takeaways

Why Defend the Bible?

• Internal Confidence: Strengthens personal belief
• External Confidence: Ability to confidently answer skeptics
• Importance: Other religious groups are well-trained in their beliefs
• Biblical Basis:
  • 2 Peter 1:5: Add knowledge to faith
  • 1 Peter 3:15: Be ready to defend faith

The Bible Under Attack

• Enemy’s Strategy: Question God’s word (Genesis reference)
• Societal Examples: Bible being removed from schools, skepticism about authenticity

Four Central Questions Addressed:

1. How was the Bible written?

   • Inspiration: Process by which God communicated His word
   • Theories: Dictation, Dynamic, Verbal-Plenary
   • Conclusion: Verbal Theory accepted as God inspired words through human authors’ personalities

2. How did we get the Bible?

   • Canonicity: Selection of books included in the Bible
   • Key Questions for Canon:
     • Authorship by apostles or their associates
     • Consistency with Christian teaching
     • Acceptance by early church
     • Evidence of divine inspiration
     • Endorsement by Jesus or apostles
   • Result: 66 books universally accepted

3. Has the Bible been tampered with?

   • Oral and Written Tradition: Preservation methods
   • Scribes and Manuscripts: Introduction of minor variants
   • Evidence of Integrity:
     • Dead Sea Scrolls
     • Comparison with other historical texts
   • Conclusion: Bible has been accurately preserved

4. How can we trust the Bible is true?

   • Fulfilled Prophecies: Over 300 about Jesus
   • Unity of Scripture: 40 authors, 1600 years, consistent message
   • Non-Biblical Evidence: Historical records align with biblical accounts
   • Archaeological Evidence: Confirms biblical events
   • Eyewitness Accounts: Validity from contemporaneous witnesses
   • Disciples’ Faith: Willingness to die for their beliefs

Additional Information

• Challenge Success Kit:

  • Includes slides, recordings, and workbook
  • Priced at $5 for extended learning

• Community Engagement:

  • Encouragement to join the Facebook group
  • Interaction and discussion among participants

Conclusion/Actions

• Assignments:
  • Write answers to four key questions
  • Share biggest takeaway in the Facebook group
• Next Session Preview: How to study the Bible like a theologian
• Closing Prayer: Emphasis on equipping and transformation through God’s word

These notes capture the essence and details of Night 1, serving as a comprehensive overview and study guide for participants.