This section of the Manual is devoted to the careful reading, understanding, and faithful handling of Scripture. It equips ministers to approach the Bible with clarity, reverence, and responsibility by attending to its historical setting, literary form, and theological message. The goal is not speculation, but sound interpretation that honors the intent of the biblical authors and serves the Church faithfully.
Whether preparing sermons, teaching Bible studies, or responding to difficult questions, this section provides a stable foundation for interpreting God’s Word accurately and wisely.
This section focuses on how Scripture is read and understood. Formal doctrinal conclusions and systematic theology are addressed within the Doctrine and Theology section of the Manual.
Use this section as a reference as you study Scripture, prepare messages, and guide others toward a deeper and more faithful understanding of God’s Word.
1. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” – Matthew 6:25 2. “Look at the birds of …
One Sentence Memory Line Ephesians proclaims the eternal plan of God to unite all things in Christ and calls the Church to live as a holy, unified people who display the wisdom and glory of God to the world. Historical Setting The Epistle to the Ephesians …
The First Epistle to the Corinthians One Sentence Memory Line First Corinthians reveals how the gospel of Jesus Christ corrects division, restores holiness, and forms a unified church grounded in love and resurrection hope. Historical Setting The city of Corinth was one of the most influential …
One Sentence Memory Line Galatians proclaims that sinners are justified by faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by works of the law, and that true Christian freedom results in a Spirit empowered life of holiness and love. Historical Setting The Epistle to the Galatians was written …
The Gospel According to Matthew The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus Christ as the promised Messianic King who fulfills Old Testament prophecy and inaugurates the kingdom of heaven through His teaching, death, and resurrection. One Sentence Memory Line Matthew proclaims that Jesus is the promised King …
The New Testament is the second part of the Christian Bible and is composed of 27 books. Here is a list of the books of the New Testament in the traditional order: 1. Matthew 2. Mark 3. Luke 4. John 5. Acts 6. Romans 7. 1 …
One Sentence Memory Line Second Corinthians reveals how authentic Christian ministry is marked not by worldly power or prestige, but by sacrificial service, suffering, reconciliation, and the transforming grace of God working through weakness. Historical Setting Second Corinthians was written by the Apostle Paul to the …
Summary of The New Testament One Sentence Memory Line The New Testament proclaims the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ and establishes the foundation for the church’s mission, doctrine, and hope. Historical Setting The New Testament emerged during the first century within the complex …
The synoptic gospels are the first three books of the New Testament of the Christian Bible: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They are called synoptic because they share a similar structure, content, and even wording in many places, suggesting that they were written using similar sources and …
Among the individuals briefly mentioned in the New Testament, Gamaliel stands out as a figure of considerable influence and intellectual authority within first century Judaism. Although the New Testament records only a small number of references to him, those references reveal a man who held a …