Seeking Path · Lesson 3: Can the Bible Be Trusted?
This lesson in one sentence: First hear what the Bible says about itself, then read it for yourself, questions and all; the Bible points all the way to one person.
Timing (about 55 minutes)
- Food and catching up10 min
- Read Together10 min
- Discussion25 min
- To take home and think about5 min
- Closing (prayer optional)5 min
Read aloud at the start: you don’t have to speak · you can ask anything · no pressure
Opening
Is there a Bible in your home? When did you first open it?
Read Together
Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 · WEB
“You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.”
John 5:39 · WEB
Discussion
- What was your impression of the Bible before? Where did that impression come from?
- The Bible says, “Every Scripture is God-breathed,” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) yet does not deny that people wrote it. What do you make of those two things together?
- “these are they which testify about me” (John 5:39)—if the centre of the Bible is a person, what difference does that make when you read it?
To take home and think about
This week, try reading John chapter 1. Note down what you don’t understand, and we will talk about it next time.
Closing
The leader prays briefly (optional), or simply thanks everyone for coming and agrees the time for next session.
Tips for the leader
- Someone may raise hard questions about the Bible (apparent contradictions, history, science). Note them down; there is no need to settle them on the spot. You can say, ‘I don’t know everything either; let’s look into it together.’
- Don’t pile up figures and facts to ‘prove’ the Bible. The point of this session is to invite people to read it for themselves.
General principles for leaders
- The leader is not a teacher but someone who walks alongside everyone.
- Give everyone a chance to speak; with someone who talks a lot, you can gently say, ‘Let’s also hear from friends who haven’t spoken yet.’
- Don’t rush to give answers. If someone is silent, wait a few more seconds.
- For a question you can’t answer, you can say, ‘I don’t know either; let’s look it up together,’ and note it down for next time.
- What is said in the group stays in the group.
- At the opening, the leader can give their own answer first, showing that it can be simple and honest.