Lesson 5 of 7: Inspiration of Scripture
SERIES: WHY FAITH MAKES SENSE
Key Scriptures for this Study: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Psalm 119:97-105*

1. What does the word “revelation” mean when used of the Bible? Why do human beings need
revelation?

2. Explain the significance of the following words found in 2 Tim 3:16-17 (NIV): Scripture, Godbreathed (inspired of God, KJV), instruction in righteousness, equipped for every good work.

3. Contemporary conversation also uses words that need to be understood correctly. Explain
the meaning of the following: diversity, pluralism, relativism. Which of these terms, if any,
do you find threatening or inconsistent with the claims of Christianity?

4. Read 2 Peter 1:16-21 very carefully. Why is it important to know that the New Testament
literature reflects first-person testimony? What specific event does Peter refer to that took
place on “the sacred mountain”? (Cf. Luke 9:28-36). It is critical to understand that the
events of the Bible took place in space-time history and were witnessed by human beings.

5. Peter adds a second layer of evidence for the reliability of Scripture. Beyond the first-person
experience and testimony of people such as himself, John, Matthew, and others, he appeals
to the Old Testament prophets and the “completely reliable” message they gave that had
been fulfilled in the life of Jesus. Name a few of the OT predictions about Jesus that were
made hundreds of years before his arrival that he fulfilled. The fact that the Bible is Godbreathed is proved by divine omniscience (i.e., only God can know the future) that is displayed in the predictive prophecies of Holy Scripture.

6. The process of inspiration allows for a human writer’s personality, life background,
vocabulary, and the like to be evident in Scripture, but the assurance we have is that the
end product communicates the mind and will of God – not the human writer’s
interpretation of events. The same verb translated “carried along” at 2 Pet 3:21 is used by
Luke at Acts 27:15 and 27:17 (“driven along”). Read the verses. What is suggested to you by
this term in these two settings?

7. The entirety of Psalm 119 is a meditation on the preciousness of the Word of God (Torah,
law, instruction). Read at least the following verses and give your own reflection on the
claims made: 5-6, 14-16, 37, 49-50, 97, 105, 129-130, 160, 171-172.

*Suggestion: If you use this video for personal, class, or small-group study, please view the video in its
entirety, then read and reflect on the “Key Scriptures” as they relate to the video, and then work
through the questions above. This process is likely to generate the greatest value for your study.