The Bible is: A Library, Not a Single Book It's comprised of various genres - history poetry wisdom prophecy letters — written over centuries, which are read and understood differently. The Bible is: Written For Us, Not To Us The Bible was directed to specific audiences in particular historical and cultural contexts. Understanding these contexts is crucial for accurate interpretation. The Bible is: Not to Be Read in Isolation Isolating verses without considering their broader context can lead to misunderstandings. The Bible is: A Unified Story Pointing to Jesus God’s Big Picture of the Bible centers on Jesus Christ, with both Old and New Testaments contributing to this unified story. ‘The Bible is: a Library, not a Single Book’ & ‘The Bible is: Written For Us, Not To Us’ Paul’s Conversion to Christ in Acts 9 Acts 8:3 ESV But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison Acts 7:52 NIV “Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him.” Galatians. 1:13-14 NIV For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. Galatians 2:16 NIV that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. Galatians 3:11 NIV Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith. ‘The Magna Carta of Christian Liberty’ Romans 3:22-25 NIV This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. Galatians 3:13 ESV Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” Grace Unmerited favor (aka-Unearned) especially the gift of salvation that God gives to believers through faith in Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:6 NIV So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Galatians 4:5 NLT God sent him (Jesus) to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children Galatians 5:13-14 NIV You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:15 NIV If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Galatians 6:1-2 NIV Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:18 NIV The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters.