THE BIBLE - 1/50

	THE BIBLE                          1/50                                                                                                                          Cambodia Basic English Series.                                                                                                                        Ref: NIRV.  Slideshow available.     1.       History of the Bible. The Bible is very old and took more than a thousand years to write. It has two parts, the Old Testament that was written in the Aramaic and Hebrew languages and the New Testament that was written in Greek.  There are 39 pieces of writing in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Some are long and others are very short. Different people wrote these including shepherds, farmers, fishermen, a tent maker, a doctor, prophets and kings. The Bible has been translated into hundreds of languages. God wants His Word to reach people all over the world. Psalm 113:3. From the sunrise in the east to the sunset in the west, may the name of the Lord be praised.  2.       We Can Understand The Bible. Bible in Khmer Old Version        (Hammond Version 1954, 1962.)                   Bible in Khmer Standard Version (2005)                                           You can read the Bible in your own language. There are two versions that are shown above. If you can afford it you can get an app for your iphone. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/khmerbible/id594741997?ls=1&mt=8 or read the Bible online at http://biblecambodia.org/home.html
	When we read the Bible our understanding will grow and God’s message will become clear to us if we ask God to help us. Then we are able to make an informed choice. Will we follow Jesus or not. Everyone makes a choice. The Bible is the best guide for life.  Since God made us, He knows what is best for us. Psalm 119:73. You made me and formed me with your own hands. Give me understanding so that I can learn your commands. Romans 15:4.  Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. The Scriptures give us strength to go on. They cheer us up and give us hope. Psalm 119:105. Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way. It is like a light that guides me. 3.    Prophecy. The Bible has information about what will happen in the future. God spoke to people through prophets a long time ago. These prophecies are in the Bible for us to read today. Many of these things have already happened.  For example the people of Israel were scattered all around the world and then came back to their own land nearly 2000 years later.  In 1948 Israel became a country again. Show this date on the timeline on the last page. Isaiah 54; Jeremiah 32:37-44; 33:6-11.   4.    Why we need to read the Bible. The Bible can teach us how to live a good life and how to find true happiness.  It also teaches us to think differently, to follow the teaching of Jesus Christ and to believe that God can give us wonderful things. In 1863 Cambodia became part of French Indo-China. French rule lasted 90 years until 9th November 1953. After 1975 many Cambodians died and suffered Just like the Jews have. Cambodians were also scattered all around the world. See if you can show these dates on the timeline (next page). God wants us to read and think about the Bible carefully and to understand it properly. God will help us if we ask Him by praying. 2 Timothy 3:16 God has breathed life into all of Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right.   What is right, What is not right,  Getting it right, and  Staying right. We recommend that candidates study Learn to Read the Bible Effectively and God’s Plan With Man (Cambodia friendly versions) before preparing for baptism. Slideshows and translated versions of these are also available. See Lessons 13 and 14: Maps.