The Bible as a Source of Authority
For Christians the Bible is the word of God, but they do not all read it the same way. Learn what is inside the Bible, how Christians use it, and the different views on how much authority it holds.
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The Christian holy book 📖
For Christians, the **Bible** is the most important source of wisdom and authority. Many call it the **word of God**. It shapes their worship, their beliefs and the way they try to live.
Inside the Bible 🔑
The Bible is a library of many books in two parts:
Two ways to read it ⚖️
Christians hold different views on how to read the Bible.
Inspired words 🎯
Second Timothy 3:16 teaches that all scripture is...
- Inspired by God and useful for teaching
- Written by humans with no link to God
- Too old to be of any use today
- Meant to be kept secret from believers
Which part? 🔗
- Books of the Law
- Books of the Prophets
- The Gospels
- The Letters
- Teachings and commandments such as the Ten Commandments
- Messages calling people back to God
- Accounts of the life and teaching of Jesus
- Guidance written to the early Christian churches
The Bible and the Church 💡
Christians differ on where authority sits. Roman Catholics teach that the Bible and the tradition of the Church together carry the word of God, guided by the teaching authority of the Church, as the document Dei Verbum explains. Many Protestants follow sola scriptura, meaning scripture alone is the highest authority.
Using the Bible ✅
Which THREE are ways Christians use the Bible?
- Reading it aloud in worship
- Seeking moral guidance for decisions
- Finding comfort in times of trouble
- Predicting next week weather
- Choosing lottery numbers
Making a decision 🪜
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Complete the sentence 🧩
The Bible has two parts: the Old _____ and the New Testament. Many Christians call it the _____ of God. A _____ Christian reads every word as exactly true, while others say it is _____ by God but written by people. Christians also use their _____ to help make moral decisions.
True or not? 🖍️
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Sources of authority 🔀
- The Bible
- Church tradition
- Conscience
- Jesus, the Word of God
- The written scriptures Christians treat as authoritative
- The teaching handed down through the Church
- The inner sense of right and wrong, guided by reason
- The living example Christians try to follow
Which source? 🧭
An interactive activity.
Order of the Bible 📜
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Explain the authority ✍️
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