The Bible is God's living word that communicates to humanity and tells the story of God and God's people. It details salvation history from the Old Testament through the life of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. The Old Testament developed from oral tradition and storytelling, to writing, compiling, and editing over centuries. The New Testament records Jesus's life and teachings, the apostles' preaching and living as Christians, and other writings that were ultimately inspired. The Bible reveals God, God's relationship with people, and how to experience God.

1. Bible
God’s living word for us
II Tim 4: 1-5
Luke 24
NCDP
Key Concepts
Sacred Scriptures
 Bible used by God to communicate to us
 Sacred Books
 The Bible is about God (basically)
The Bible is about God’s people
The Bible is about salvation history
The Bible is about us
The Bible is about our God-experiences
Biblical Formation Stages
Old Testament
1. Story Telling (God’s Experience, Life experience), Oral Tradition
2. Writing (King David – Scribes)
3. Exilic Period – retelling (586 BCE)
4. Rewriting (Post-exilic Period, Nehemiah & Ezra)
5. Compiling, arranging editing copying > Inspired
New Testament
1. Life (& Teachings) of Jesus
2. Apostolic Preaching (living their lives as a Christian)
3. Writings > Inspired