Lesson I: The Bible As God’s Word in Life and History

A. Scripture:
The Bible tells us of God revealing himself in Human History. It is about the
saving acts of God experienced first as a promise and then realized in concrete
events in the course of human history. God revealed himself as a God of mercy and
compassion. His final saving act is the sending of His Son, whose passion, death and
resurrection assured as of God’s saving love forever in the whole course of history
and in our present life journey.
The Bible was written over many centuries by different people. God inspired the
writers in such a way that their words revealed His loving will and plan. It was
written in the language of the people of the time and was to be originally
understood in the light of their history. The Biblical truth lies primarily in the
intended meaning of the sacred authors – the saving message God wants to convey.
To have a proper appreciation of the truths in scripture, one must have a proper
appreciation of the various ways truth is communicated through different literary
forms.
Some examples of literary forms used in the Scripture are the following:
1. Myths
2. Folklore
3. Legends
4. Legal documents
5. Sermon
6. Political Speeches
7. Epics
8. Elegies
9. Contracts
10.Narratives, Prose and Poetry
11.Psalms, Proverbs
12.Prophecy
13.Prose Prayers
14.Parables
15.Letters
The Bible is divided into two parts: the Old Testament and the New
Testament. The word testament is from the Latin word testamentum that
translates the biblical word for “covenant”, which means a close bond between God
and His people. The Old Testament recounts God’s covenant with Israel which was
marked by His unfailing love and faithfulness despite Israel’s disobedience, while
the New Testament recounts God’s covenant made available to all in Christ through
His life, passion, death and resurrection (Luke 22:20).
I. The 46 books of the Old Testament with their abbreviation are the following:
a. The First Five Books: The Law or the Pentateuch
1. Genesis (Gen)
 2. Exodus (Ex)
3. Leviticus (Lev)
4. Numbers (Num)
5. Deuteronomy (Dt)

b. The Historical Books

1. Joshua (Jos)
2. Judges (Jgs)
3. 1 Samuel (1 Sm)
4. 2 Samuel (2 Sm)
5. 1 Kings (1 Kgs)
6. 2 Kings (2 Kgs)

c. The Prophetic Books

1. Three major prophets (longer books)
a. Isaiah (Is)
b. Ezekiel (Ez)
c. Jeremiah (Jer)

2. Twelve minor prophets ( shorter books)

a. Hosea (Hos)
b. Amos (Am)
c. Jonah (Jon)
d. Joel (Jl)
e. Obadiah (Ob)
f. Micah (Mi)
g. Nahum (Na)
h. Zephaniah (Zep)
i. Zechariah (Zec)
j. Haggai (Hg)
k. Malachi (Mal)

d. Thirteen Later Books (The Writings)

1. Psalms (Ps)
2. Proverbs (Prv)
3. Job (Jb)
4. Daniel (Dn)
5. Ezra (Ezr)
6. Nehemiah (Neh)
7. 1 Chronicle (1 Chr)
8. 2 Chronicle (2 Chr)
9. Song of Songs (Sg)
10. Ruth (Ru)
11. Lamentations (Lam)
12. Ecclesiates (Eccl)
13. Esther (Est)
 e. The Seven Deuterocanonical Books
1. Tobit (Tb)
2. Wisdom (Wis)
3. Baruch (Bar)
4. 1 Maccabees (1 Mc)
5. 2 Maccabees (2 Mc)
6. Judith (Jdt)
7. Sirach (Sir)

II. The 27 Books of the New Testament:

a. The Four Gospels

1. Matthew (Mt)
2. Mark (Mk)
3. Luke (Lk)
4. John (Jn)
b. Acts of the Apostles
c. Fourteen Epistles or Letters written by Paul or his disciples
1. Romans (Rom)
2. Galatians (Gal)
3. Ephesians (Eph)
4. Colossians (Col)
5. 1 Timothy (1 Tim)
6. 2 Timothy (2 Tim)
7. Hebrews (Heb)
8. 1 Corinthians (1 Cor)
9. 2 Corinthians (2 Cor)
10.1 Thessalonians (1 Thes)
11.2 Thessalonians (2 Thes)
12.Titus (Ti)
13.Philemon (Phlm)
14.Philippians (Phil)

d. Seven other letters or Epistles which were written by Apostles to a more

Universal group.
1. James (Jas)
2. 1 John (1 Jn)
3. 2 John (2 Jn)
4. 3 John (3 Jn)
5. 1 Peter (1 Pt)
6. 2 Peter (2 Pt)
7. Jude (Jude)

e. The last book

1. Revelation or Apocalypse (Rv)

B. Church Teaching
Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum), 11

Those divinely revealed realities which are contained and presented in Sacred
Scripture have been committed to writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
For holy mother Church, relying on the belief of the Apostles (see John 20:31; 2 Tim.
3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-20, 3:15-16), holds that the books of both the Old and New
Testaments in their entirety, with all their parts, are sacred and canonical because
written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they have God as their author and
have been handed on as such to the Church herself. In composing the sacred
books, God chose they made use of their powers and abilities, so that with Him
acting in them and through them, they, as true authors, consigned to writing
everything and only those things which He wanted.

That scripture is inspired means that its writing was under the guidance and
direction of the Holy Spirit, who made use of the powers and abilities of the human
authors that they may write only what He wanted them to write for our salvation.
Therefore, the scripture have both divine authorship and human authorship. Since
God is the divine author, who acted in and through the human authors, Scripture is
preserved from error insofar as the truths it contain are for our salvation.
C. Summary of Key Points
1. The Bible as God’s Word unfolds the great love of God for His people who, in
their own times, struggled to respond to this love with and in His grace. It is
an inspired written work born of the drama of life itself, understood and
interpreted in the light of faith.
2. Authored by men who were inspired by God, the Bible contains the truths
which God wanted to be written for our salvation.

ACTIVITY # 1
NAME: __________________________________ SUBJECT:
___________

1. What is the bible? How did you first come to know about the Bible?

2. When was the first and the last time you read it?

3. Which story in the bible have you found most meaningful? Why

4. Is it valuable to read the Bible? Why?

5. If you are to tell someone who had no religious education what the Bible is
and what it is all about, what are you going to tell him/her?

6. Go over the book of Psalms and choose one that expresses what you wish to
say to God in prayer. Copy the Psalm on the space below and explain why you
chose this Psalm.
 “The Sacred Scriptures are the inspired record of how
God dealt with His people, and how they responded to,
and interpreted that experience”
CFC, 75

LESSON 2: THE BIBLE AS THE STORY OF GOD MAN ENCOUNTER

A. Scripture: Exodus 19: 1-8
This passage speaks of the spiritual relationship of Yahweh and Israel. Because
of the covenant God made with the people of Israel and their descendants, they
were given a special identity and destiny: God’s special possession, a holy nation, a
people dedicated to God.
Proclaimed in this passage, one of the most beautiful in the Old Testament, is the
mystery of the divine choice of Israel as God’s covenanted people. They enjoy a
special and unique relationship with Him, but in turn, much is required of them.
They are to be holy as their God is holy.
The Old Testament contains the collection of inspired oral and written accounts
which describe the religious experience of the Jewish people through the marvelous
turn of events in their history. These accounts reflect the character of the nation in
its sacred covenant with God. They demonstrate forcefully the faithfulness of God
despite Israel’s unfaithfulness. It was this divine faithfulness which sustained Israel
through the darkest years of its history.
B. Church Teaching
Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, (Dei Verbum) 14-15
 https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat
-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.html
The books of the Old Testament reveal who God is and the ways in which He,
being just and compassionate, deals with His people. Containing sublime teachings
about God, wisdom-saying about human life, narratives of sacred events and a
wonderful collection of prayers, the Old Testament books disclose the mystery of
our salvation. We regard the Old Testament with great respect, for it contains the
revelation of God in His saving words and deeds in the history of Israel towards the
fullest disclosure of Himself in Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
C. Summary of Key Points.

1. The scriptures which contain the revelation of God in His saving words and
deeds, is an inspired sacred book which we must read with great respect
so that we may grow in our understanding of who God is and deepen our
faith in Him.
2. The Old Testament is an account of the special covenant between God and
His chosen people. It presents to us the truth about the call of Israel to be
God’s special possession, a Kingdom of Priest and a holy nation. It also
tells us about God’s great love and compassion for Israel, His faithfulness
despite Israel’s unfaithfulness.
 ACTIVITY # 2
NAME: __________________________________ SUBJECT:
___________

1. What is the central message of Exodus 19:1-8?

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2. How does this message speak to you personally?

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3. Why is the Old Testament truly an inspired sacred books? Why is it a book for
all men and women of faith?

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4. Read and reflect prayerfully on Isaiah 55: 10-11 and write a prayer of praise
for the power of God’s word to realize its purpose.

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LESS0N 3: God’s Promise to Abraham

A. SCRIPTURE: Genesis 12: 1-3
In ancient times, there was a man who did not believe in what the people around
him believed in. These people Idolized many gods. His ancestors or forefathers in
fact must have worship the moon and the sun but he recognized and listened to
only one God. He obeyed and followed this God in a way which no one had ever
done before.

This man was Abraham. He was born in Ur but his father moved his entire family
to Haran where they settled for a living. Here Abraham encountered God in a deep
faith experience which brought about a big change in his simple life and in the lives
of many others

History dramatically unfolded when in one special time of his life. God made
Himself known and told him, “ Go out from your land and your clan and your
father's house and go to a land that i will show you” (Gen 12: 1). The passage
clearly shows that it was God who first reached out to Abraham. The initiative was
God’s, not Abraham’s. What God asked of abraham was not easy. He was to leave
the land of his birth, all that he had known in all his life and go to an unknown land
that God will show him. Abraham left Haran, took his wife Sarai, his brother's son,
Lot, and his relatives and his possessions. Stories tell that Abraham did not have as
many possessions like the city dwellers but that he was rich in livestock’s, silver and
gold (Gen 13:2)
 Abraham went ask the lord instructed. He responded with faith. He trusted the Lord
saying “yes” sure of nothing except that it was God who called. And so began his
“journey of faith”

God's reward for his faith is his special divine blessing for him and all his
descendants

I will make of you a great nation, and i will bless you;

I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
i will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you.
All communities of the earth, shall find blessing in you.

Abraham will be the father a people who will receive a land, will grow into a
great nation and enjoy a special relationship with God. Through this promise, God
made a covenant with Abraham and his offsprings.

B. Church Teaching

National Catechetical Directory of the Philippines, 154

It is clear, then, that coming to know God in faith is accomplished only

through grace. that faith itself is a grace, i.e. an unmerited gift.

Abraham was blessed with a knowledge of the God who called him to be the
“father of his people”. In faith, he followed the command of God. His call is a gift
coming from the initiative of God's saving love. His response of faith to God’s call to
leave everything behind must have been made with the support of grace. On His
own strength, Abraham could not have been able to say “yes” to God's demand
which required a great act of faith.
God freely calls us by revealing Himself to us. The holy spirit inspires us to
understand and accept God's self-revelation. It is through grace that we are able to
respond freely to his revelation in an act of faith

C. Summary of Key Points

1. The response of obedient faith of Abraham to the call of God was not only in words but
in deeds. He left his country and all that was dear to him of the land of his forefathers.
He went forth to the strange land where God told him to go.

2. The faith of God was rewarded with the great promise that he would be blessed as the
father of a people who would become a great nation. All people shall find blessing in
him.

3. The response of faith is made possible by the support of the grace of God. Thus, faith is
a gift to which one responds freely.
 ACTIVITY # 3
NAME: ______________________________________ SUBJECT:
___________

1. What was essentially God’s call to Abraham? Why did his response require a
great act of faith?

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2. What was the promise of God to Abraham? Why do you think this promise
was truly a great blessing and reward for Abraham’s faith?
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3. Why do we say that our response to God’s call is supported by God Himself?
Why can we not respond on our own efforts and strength?
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 4. Does prayer help us obey God? Why? How?
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“Walk in my presence and be blameless. Between you

and me I will establish my covenant.” Gen 17:1-2

LESSON 4: GOD’S COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM

 Scripture. Genesis 17:1-11;15-16

 In God's third encounter with Abraham he renewed his promise to make him the
father of many nations . The change in name means that the covenant of God with
Abraham has made him a different man from Abram to Abraham- which means
“father of a multitude”. The sign or symbol of the sealing of God's covenant with
Abraham and his descendants is the rite of circumcision. The right makes every
individual Israelite a member and part of the covenant community inasmuch as his
submitting himself for circumcision is an expression of his acceptance of God's
covenant. The circumcised is recognized as God's covenant partner.

God announced to Abraham the good news that Sarai will bear a son and
him also He will bless. Sarah also shares in the covenant blessing and thus her
name is changed from Sarai to Sarah.

In the entire passage, we see the sealing of the covenant between God and
Abraham, God and Israel through the rite of circumcision. This becomes the symbol
of the covenant band of God with every Israelite.

B. Church Teaching

Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions,

(Nostra Aetate), 4

The church of Christ acknowledges that according to the mystery of God's

saving design, the beginning of her faith and her election are already found among
the Patriarchs, Moses, and the prophets. She professes that all who believe in Christ,
Abraham's son according to faith (cf. Gal 3:7), are included in the same patriarch’s
call, and likewise that salvation of the church was mystically foreshadowed by the
chosen people’s exodus from the land of bondage.

The church recognizes the beginnings of the Christian faith are traced back to
the covenant faith of Israel in God. The mystery of God's saving plan was first
realized in God's love for Israel and his call for Israel obedience. The church of Christ
was foreshadowed in the formation of the people of faith in the old testament. All
those who believe in Christ are men and women of faith who are truly sons and
daughters of Abraham, the father of faith.

C. Summary of Key Points.

1. God revealed to abraham specific promises of his covenant:

a. He will give Abraham many descendants.
b. Many nations will descend from him.
c. He will keep his covenant with Abraham descendants.
d. He will give Abraham and his descendants the land of Canaan.

2. God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants was sealed in the right of
circumcision.
3. The change of the names of Abram and Sarai into Abraham and Sarah, respectively,
signified a true change in their persons and of their way of life because of God's special
covenant with them.

4. the plan of salvation which began in Abraham reach its fullest realization in Christ. We,
who are believers in Christ, are truly sons and daughters of Abraham. for there is only
one plan of salvation for all humankind.

ACTIVITY # 4
NAME: _____________________________ SUBJECT:
_________

1. What is the significance or meaning of the rite of circumcision?

______________________________________________________________________________
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____________________________________________________________’

2. What do you think could be an appropriate sign or symbol of the covenant

between God and the Filipinos? Explain.
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3. What is the significance or meaning of the change of names of Abram and
Sarai? Why does a special relationship with God change or transform a
person? Explain.
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_________________________________________________________.

4. How is Christ’s saving humankind related to Yahweh’s loving and saving Israel
through the Patriarchs and the Prophets? What does this say about the
mystery of God’s love and His plan of salvation? How do you feel about being
part of this great story of salvation?
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LESSON 5: ABRAHAM’S FAITH TESTED

A. SCRIPTURE: Genesis 22: 1-28
Abraham faced trials which challenge and put to test he's faith in God. The
first trial occurred when there was famine in the land and Abraham was forced to
“seek refuge in Egypt”. While in this strange place, he risked the honor of his
wife in his attempt to save his own life (Gen 12: 10 to 20). The second trial
involved a family conflict over land with his nephew, Lot, which led to their
parting ways . Lot decided to take the Jordan valley while Abraham remained in
 Canaan. (Gen 13: 5-12). The third trial came when after 10 years of
childlessness, the promise of a son was not fulfilled. Sarah took matters into her
hand by giving Abraham her personal servant to bear the child. Abraham and
Sarah resorted to the providence of the law (a sterile wife is allowed to take
another woman to bear her husband a child) rather than to the providence of the
divine promise (Gen 16: 1-16)

The greatest and ultimate trial came when God asked him to offer his own
son Isaac as a sacrifice to God. Isaac, the “reward of faith” becomes now the “test
of that same faith”. But as he was about to fulfill God's command in the most extra
ordinary act of faith, Abraham was told not to lay his hand on his son. A ram caught
by its horns was sacrifice in place of Isaac. God swearing by Himself, affirmed once
again his promise to Abraham. (Gen 22: 16-18)

The story of Abraham tells us that complete faith and trust in God is the only
acceptable offering to him.

B. Church Teaching

National Catechetical Directory of the Philippines (NCDP) , 142

Faith is one’s initial and basic positive response to the revealing God. It is
the person’s total “yes” to God's total gift of Self in Christ, a response of “utang na
loob” to “kagandahang loob” and “tuloy po kayo” to Christ who stands at the door
and knock (cf. Rev 3:29). It is the total surrender of oneself to the God who is
trusted completely

God freely calls us through his loving revelation and the Holy Spirit inspires
us from within to fully grasp and accept the signs of His revelation. Encouraging,
Inspiring and Uplifting, faith moves us to give of ourselves to God as our loving and
grateful response to His love and goodness.

C. Summary of Key Points

1. Abraham's faith in God's faithfulness to his promise was put to test in God's
demand for him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. The test was to strengthen
and deepen his faith commitment to God

2. The only sacrifice that is truly acceptable to God is the offering of one's self
to Him, in complete faith and trust in the firmness of his promise.

3. Faith is basically a response of gratitude to god's loving and goodness

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ACTIVITY # 5
NAME: _________________________________________ SUBJECT:
__________
 1. Why was the sacrifice of Isaac the greatest test of Abraham’s faith? If
Isaac was sacrificed, would that mean that God is not a good God who
is faithful to His promise? Why?
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2. Why would it be frightening if God were not a faithful God?
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3. Why is faith a response of gratefulness or “utang na loob” to God?

What are we grateful to God for?
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LESSON 6: THE PROMISE OF GOD FULFILLED

A. SCRIPTURE: Genesis 25: 21-34
Genesis 27: 1-45
Genesis 28: 10-15
Genesis 32: 23-29
In the bible narrated a family drama which unfolded the deep conflict over
the elder son’s birthright. The story is about Jacob whose twin (older) brother Esau
was the favored son of the father , Isaac. Jacob, the mother’s favorite, wished that
the birthright of his brother be given to him. Taking advantage of Isaac old age and
his failing sight, Jacob and Rebekah conspired to get Isaac to give Jacob the blessing
that belong rightfully to Esau, being the eldest son. Upon learning of the deception
and conspiracy which denied him forever of his father's blessing, Esau planned to
kill his brother Jacob. But with Rebeka's protection, Jacob escaped his brother's plan.
At Bethel, away from his father's home, and despite the sins he committed
against his family, Jacob through a dream, was given the reaffirmation of the
promise God made to Abraham and his father, Isaac (Gen 28: 13-15). This was the
promise of land and of divine protection. “Know that I am with you; I will protect you
wherever you go, and bring you back to this land. I will never leave you until I have
done what I promised you” (Gen 28: 15).

Fleeing from the danger of his brother, Esau, Jacob took his entire family and
stayed at a place called Jabbah. After he brought his family to safety, Jacob was left
alone. A mysterious being (called an angel by the writer) wrestled with him until the
break of dawn. Jacob was purified by the strength of God. Having come to his
conversion, his name was changed into Israel, a name that will stand for the
descendants God has promised.

Jacob conversion led to his tearful reconciliation with his brother Esau. He
went back to Bethel in the land of Canaan, the place where he experienced God's
presence in a dream and where he was blessed with the same promise of God to his
forefathers “the land I once gave to Abraham and Isaac I now give to you and to
your descendants after you will I give this land”

The story about Jacob is a real as the stories of Abraham and Isaac. It gives
witness to the faithfulness of God to his promise despite sin. Deeper is His promise
that the sins of men, and stronger is his faithfulness than their unfaithfulness.

B. Church Teaching

Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum), 13

 In the sacred scripture while the truth and holiness of God
always remain intact, the marvelous “condescension” of eternal
wisdom is clearly shown “that we may learn the gentle kindness of
God, which words cannot express, and how far He has gone in
adapting His language with thoughtful concern for our weak human
nature”

National Catechetical Directory of the of the Philippines (NCDP), 123

The revelation of God through saving acts and words constitutes a real
self-giving, or grace

God's very own self is involved in our life and history. He takes our side,
becoming our partner against anything that blocks our growth as persons and
Christians. He looks upon us with great mercy, ever mindful of our weak human
nature. Through his saving words and deeds, He offers Himself as our true salvation.

C. Summary of Key Points

1. Jacob whose new name Israel means “he is struggle with God” stayed
close to God and trusted in his faithfulness despite his own sin of
infidelity. He trusted and depended on God who continued to bless him
and took a firm hold on him

2. The promise of God to Abraham was realized through Jacob, despite the
sin of Jacob. It is God's love and fidelity that makes it possible for us to
become better person despite our sinfulness

3. God is involved in our life. He always takes our side against all the forces
that make it difficult for us to become good and loving person. He is a
faithful God. he never turns his back on us despite the many times we
turn our back on him.

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ACTIVITY # 6
NAME: _____________________________________ SUBJECT:
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1. What does the story of Jacob and Esau tell you about what can hurt
and destroy relationship?
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2. What is the meaning of the change of the name of Jacob? What made
possible the conversion of Jacob ?
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3. What did you come to learn about God, the way He deals with us in the
story of Jacob and in the Church Teaching?
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