CHAPTLR - 1

1. What the three sub-divisions of the Torah?

are

Torah, Nevi îm and the Ketuvim.

2. Why do some people doubt the authorship of Moses?
a) Moses' death and the events after his death are recorded
n Deuteronomy- a book that is widely considered to be
written by Moses.
b)
b) Different books (Pentateuch) mention different names for
God.
c)
c)Repetition of the same stories and explanations in
different places.

3. Why did the people of Israel give importance for gathering and
preserving writings?
Their faith and history were related with it. Also, they felt the
need to preserve these texts in order that their future genera-
tions could learn their history.

4. Are the people of Israel the only chosen race? What is the mean
ing of Israel? Discuss this in the light of Amos 9:7, Is. 19:21-25
Israel means the one who wrestled with God. (Gen. 32:28)
Choose the right answer

1. What is the name of the Hebrew Bible? (Torah/Tanakh)

2. The number of books written by Moses (4/5
3. The work of God, the Creator is complete with Creation. (True/False)
God the Creator is still working through his involvement in
the history of mankind.
on Mt. Sinai?
4. To whom did God give the Commandments
(Abraham/Moses)
 1. What is the main message in the
ctivities prophetic writings?
Turn to God, auway from false gods and obey the covenant
laws.
2. What are the sub-divisions of the Ketuvim?
Psalms/ Liturgical Poetry, Wisdom Literature, History, Short
stories and Apocalyptic Literature.
3. Write briefly about the Old Testament Canonization.
Canoialon' a ConsndeiLd tobe. a
and
sul a moue to ue clasly
to Celarn books Go as Zob
dee uäotly,o
hankaan tndatd
4. Who were the former prophets?
mlhs a l h -
0sknaa Jadgu, /+2 SamueL, 142 ng
old eotment tanp Maon LwanRfn Paju*

Fill in the blanks

1. The meaning of the word Canon .RAd Sick 0L Jenesal
lale
2. The Old Testament is written in the ...ekka..
Language.
3. Nevi means
4. Daniel comes under the ...ap.oakpdac. ...section of
Ketuvim.

5. Ketuvim means Whaln.

Ihlingg
6. Job and Proverbs, are...dAAm..ha ade
...literature.
7. Psalms is .... guicak..oeliy. ok.
 Canon
The Old Testament
The historical books could have been compiled during th-
reign of King Josiah (BC 640 609)
The Torah was recognised by the 5th century BC

By BC 200, the prophetic books were compiled

The letters were adapted at the Rabbanic Council of Jamnial

(Israel) in 90AD.
 Chaplen - 2
1. What made the early church think seriously about the
codification of the New Testament Canon?

Though the books of the New Testament were limitedly avail-

able after the 3rd century, some of the books were not ac-
cepted universally. This made the Early Church to seriously
think about it.

2. When did Bishop Athanasius write the letter containing the list
of the 27 books of the New Testament? for whom ?
A.D 367, To the churches in Egypt

3 What were the criteria in selecting the New Testament books?

The books which should have acknowledgement of apostolie
tradition that they are acceptable in matters relating to worship
and teachings.
The books should have the contemporariness of the apostolic
life time and properly fit in with the Old Testment books.
The letters send by the apostles and the Epistles of Apostle
Paul had already gained wide publicity among the early church
community.
 Chaplr-3
1. Why did the Christian Church accept the authority of the Old
Testament?
The Christian Church believes that the Old Testament was in-
spired by God. The Church sees the perfection of God's prom-
isesin these books. The Church believes this as a sign of the
things to come, namely- Kingdom of God, The day of the Lord,
New Covenant, New Jerusalem, the pouring out of the Spirit,
renewal of the world and so on.

2. Evaluate the authority of the Bible from your own experience.

For a believer, God's word governs human life and nature.
Salvation through Jesus Christ is also revealed to us through
the Word of God. In other words, God speaks to us through
the Word. Therefore, I believe that the Holy Bible is authori-
tative.

3 What
3. was Jesus' perception on the Hebrew Book which is the
Old Testament?
Jesus interpreted the Old Testament as His scripture and that
which prepared His path. He accepted it and declared that He
came to fulfil the Law and not to abolish it. He also used it for
learning and interpretation throughout His ministry. He also
stressed on the unchanging nature of God's word
 Chapler - #
1. How does the New Testament become authentic?
A) The authority of the Sacraments.
B) The authority of the Oral traditions.
C) The authority of the preaching of the Apostles.
D) The authority of God's Commission
E) The authority of the Gospels and the Epistles.

2. What are the qualities for the authority of the Bible?

A) Divine Inspiration
B) Canonization
C)The Holy Bible is a means for our salvation and renewal.
D) God is the authority of the Scriptures.
E) God speaks to us through the Scriptures.
The interpreter and winess of the Holy Bible is the Holy Spirit.

3. Only if the Bible is interpreted with the help of the Holy Spirit
will it be authentic in our life. Discuss.
God's chosen people are inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Holy
Bible was written in different ages and times. Therefore, we,
submit to the Holy Spirit, must interpret the present events in
the true nmeaning of the written Word. Only then will the Word
become meaningful and authoritative.
 CKaple - 5
1. The Laws were given by God through Moses to the people of
Israel. "You shall not give false testimony against your
neighbour" (Ex. 20:16). How would you interpret this law?
Do not plot evil against your friend, or cheat him. It is sinful to
show false love and think evil against a friend. We must
include all our fellow beings and creation in the word friend'.
One must not harm or pain the other, physically or psych0-
logically.
2. What did Jesus interpret to the disciples who were going from
Jerusalem to Emmaus? (Luke 24:27)
Jesus interpreted and explained to them what was written
about Him in the Scriptures by Moses and prophets.
 Chaple 66
a. In 2 Samuel 12:1-6 Prophet Nathan tells David a story. What
message do we get from that story?
God doesnot favour those who overpower the weak and those
who do evils in society.
b. What acts of restitution did Zaccheus the tax man do for his
sins?
He repented and promised that he would give half of his
wealth to the poor and return four fold, that which he unlaw-
fully took.
age:
Choptn-6
His prophet while he was herding his
Whom did God call
as
1.
sheep?
Amos (7:15)
the evils that came to the attention of Amos?
2 What were

They wait to see tho

the innocent and the righteous.
They sell the poor and den
destruction of the weak. They trample upon
lead immoral lives. They make the Lord
them justice. They
altar unholy. (2:6-8)
To whom did Amos say that they will die in a pagan land?
3
Amaziah (7:17)
4 What evils did the rich Samaritan women do?
They oppressed the poor, crushed the needy and instigated
their husbands to do evil. (4:1)

5. During which King of Israel did Amos prophecy?

Jeroboam (7:10; 1:1)

6.
6. What was the punishment that God gave the people of God who
did injustice to others?
in Israel will be destroyed and
The high places of worship
there will be a war against the house of Israel. (7: 9)
1. Who said ?
a. "Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn you
a
bread there and do your prophesying there."
Amaziah to Amos (7:12)

38
 D. Twas neither a prophet nor of a prophet, but I was
the son
a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees.
Amos to Amaziah (7:14)
2. Who was the priest of Bethel who brought allegations against
Amos?
Amaziah (7:10)

3. What is the message that we get from Amos' stand against the
religious leaders and the rich?
God does not favour the politics of the wealthy and the reli-
gious leaders who stand for injustice, exploitation and cor-
ruption. God desires for social justice. We need to be agents of
justice and peace in the societies we live in.
4. Can we compare the modern day to the days of Amos?

Today's world also exploits the weak, overpowers the helpless

and exploit them, using power and wealth. It is the people who
are in power and the rich who are behind the
injustices in soci-
ety.
 Chapta -#
1. Which character of God is evident when God gives Moses the
authority to free the people of Israel from Egypt as recordei
in Ex. 3:7-9?
God does not favour slavery or exploitation.

times?
2. Why did God appoint judges at various
To save His people from suffering9.
3 What is our attitude to people who hurt others?
(Allow the students to share their views. Stress on how no
one should take sides with the exploiters)
1. Which are
Chapter -7
the two nations referred to in this
Edom, Judah passage
2. About whom did the Lord
declare,"Though you soar like the
eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will
bring you down"?
Edom
3. What were the injustices committed
the Israelites? (Ob.
by the Edomites against
12-14)
They gloated over Judah's misfortune, rejoiced in the day of
their destruction, boasted in the day of their trouble and seized
their wealth.
4. What is the message you get from last verse of the vision?
Edom's punishment and the
redemption of the House of Judah.

Jacob :Son of Isaac and patriarch of the Israeli nation.

Edom : Descendants of Esau

1. What the wickedness God saw in the Edomites?

were

The pride of their heart (v3), Violence

against their brother
(v10), rejoicing and gloating in their brother's misfortune,
and seizing their uwealth (vi2-13),
killing their fugitives (v14)
2. InObadiah's vision which is the creative portion?
The holy deliverance of God's people, and the
kingdom of God.
(U17,21)
3 What are the punishments awaiting Edom who
difficulties of Jacob?
rejoiced in the

God will bring them down from the heights (v4), shame will
be upon them (v10), they will be
destroyed forever (v10), the
evil that they did to others will befall upon them
eigners will possess their lands (v19).
(v15), for-
4. Today, in which areas do we see
people whose attitude is to
gain fortunes for themselves while causing grief and disaster
for others?
In all of Social, economicand religious
students to share their vieuws also)
spheres. ( Allow the
 in the light of tod
Mary's song (Luke 1:46-55)
5. Evaluate
passage.

He has scattered the proud, brought down rulers from thei

from th.

thrones and lifted up the humble.

He will help on
bring help and
deliverance to his servants.