Introduction Have you ever wondered about the difference between the Old and New Testaments in your Bible? What covenant are we under today and why? In this lesson we will examine how God gave us the Bible, what testament applies to us today, and what attitudes are necessary in order to be pleasing to God as we read the Bible. I. WhichTestament Are We Under Today A. John 1:17 1. Who gave us "The Law"?_____________________ 2. Grace and truth came by whom?_____________________ B. Acts 13:38-39 1. Could the Law of Moses (the Old Testament, including the ten commandments) set us free from sin?____________________ C. Romans 7:7 1. Is the Law (Old Testmament) sinful?_______________________ D. Romans 8:2-3 1. Since the Old Law could not set us free from sin and death, what did God do?__________________________ E. Hebrews 9:15-17 1. Is Jesus the mediator of the New Testament?________________ 2. When did the New Testament go into effect?___________________ F. Hebrews 8:6-7 1. Is Jesus the mediator of a BETTER covenant?___________ 2. If the first covenant (Old Testament) had been faultless, (capable of setting men free from sin and death) would God have replaced it with a better covenant?___________ G. Hebrews 10:9 1. In order to establish the New covenant, did the first covenant have to be taken away (taken out of force)? _________ H. Galatians 3:19-25 1. Was the purpose of the Law (Old Testament) to lead us to Christ?____________ 2. Now that Christ has come, are we still under the jurisdiction of the Old Law?_________ I. Is it your understanding that we are no longer under the Old Testament jurisdiction (including the ten commandments)?___________ II. The New Testament Of Jesus Christ A. Matthew 7:28-29 1. Did Jesus teach as one who had authority?______________ B. John 8:28 1. Did Jesus say that He got His authority from God the Father?____________ C. Matthew 17:5 1. Was God the Father well-pleased with what Jesus spoke?______________ D. Matthew 28:18 1. Does Jesus have ALL authority in heaven and on earth?___________ 2. If He has ALL authority, is there any authority that He does not have?___________ E. Hebrews 1:1-2 1. Did God speak to the Fathers ( in the Old Testament) in various ways and in different times?______ 2. How does God speak to us in these days?____________________________ F. John 12:48-49 1. Did Jesus say that His word would be the standard of judgment on the last day?_______ G. John 17:7,8,14,17 1. Did Jesus tell the Father in this prayer that He gave His word to the apostles?_________ 2. Did Jesus say that His apostles received His word?______________ 3. Did Jesus say that His word is truth?___________ H. Mark 16:20 1. Was the word confirmed to be true?____________ How? I. Jude 3 1. How many times has the word been delivered and confirmed?___________ 2. Once a thing is proven to be true, does it have to be continually proven?__________ J. Ephesians 3:2-4 1. Did these inspired men write the word down when they received it?_____________ 2. (for additional verses on this see 3 John 9; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 4:6) 3. Can we understand what these inspired men wrote down?_____________ K. 2 Peter 1:20-21 1. Did these inspired men have their own private interpretation of the word when they were writing it down?_____________ 2. Should we have our own private interpretation of the word?____________ L. 2 Peter 3:15-16 1. Can some people distort the teaching of scripture and destroy themselves?___________ M. Galatians 1:6-9 1. Are there people who distort the Gospel of Christ?__________ 2. What will happen to us if we change the teaching of the Gospel?__________________ N. Revelation 22:18-19 1. Is God pleased if we change His word?_________ III. Our Attitude Toward The Word of God A. James 1:19-25 1. With what attitude should we receive God's teaching?_______________ to hear, ______________ to speak, and _________________ to become angry. 2. Why have this attitude (verse 20)? 3. Are you to humbly receive the teaching of the word (verse 21)? _______ Why? 4. Is the written word able to save your soul when correctly received and obeyed?___________ 5. If a person hears the teaching of the Word and does not do what it says, is that person deceiving himself (verse 22)? ________________ B. 2 Peter 1:3 1. Has God given us EVERYTHING pertaining to life and godliness?___________ 2. Has God given us everything through the true knowledge of His will?__________ C. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 1. Does the Bible (Scripture) equip us for EVERY good work?_____________ 2. Since the Bible equips us for every good work, do we need additional revelations and visions to make us complete spiritually?__________ 3. Do we need the Book of Mormon to make us complete spiritually?_________ 4. Do we need church traditions, manuals, creed books, or confessions of faith to make us complete spiritually?__________ 5. Since God has given us all we need in the Bible, should any other source be used as our religious authority?_________ 6. These verses teach that the Word of God is adequate or profitable for four things. What are they? ________________, ________________, ________________, and _______________. 7. How should you feel when you are instructed, and corrected from the Word? D. Hebrews 5:8-9 1. Who does Jesus save?______________ 2. Will you obey whatever the Bible teaches you to do?_________________ IV. Review A. Is it your understanding that the New Testament is the Law spiritually binding on us today?________ B. Is it your understanding that the Old Testament (including the ten commandment law) was taken out of force when Jesus died?_________ NOTE: The Old Testament is still to be studied (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11-12). It is full of examples of godly living and shows how God dealt with people. We can still learn many useful things from the Old Testament, but we are not bound by its teaching (ie. animal sacrifices, Sabbath observances, temple worship, etc.). C. Is it your understanding that God gave His word to Jesus who gave it to His apostles, who in turn wrote it down by inspiration of the Holy Spirit?_________ D. Is it your understanding that the written word (Scripture) is just as authoritative as if God Himself was personally speaking?___________ E. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 1. Is it your understanding that you must obey the Gospel of Christ in order to be pleasing to God?________ 2. Will you obey God's will for your life as you learn what He expects from you?_______ The Word of God "Building Your Relationship With God" 1