TTC Examination Overview Grade IX

1. TTC Examination Overview Grade IX Presented by Marina M. Mathew

2. The Holy Bible – “Biblia” • “Record of the revelation of God to man, through the prophets and Jesus Christ.” • Inspired by the Holy Spirit • Different parts originally written in Hebrew or Greek • 66 books together – Not including Apocrypha • 39 Old Testament • 27 New Testament

3. Old and New Testaments • Old Testament • Hebrew • Clay bricks, later leather scrolls • Moses = first writer • New Testament • Greek (except St Matthew) • Papyrus scrolls • Codex: costly manuscripts of papyrus scrolls • St Paul = first writer

4. Categories of Books of the Old Testament • The Pentateuch Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy • The Historical Books Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther • The Poetical Books Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon • The Prophetical Books Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

5. Categories of Books of the New Testament • Historical Books 4 Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John & Acts of the Apostles • Instructive Books –Letters of Paul: Romans , 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus , Philemon, Hebrews • Universal Letters James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter,1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude • Prophetic Book Revelation

6. Apocrypha a.k.a Deuterocanonical • Apocrypha = “Hidden” (Not accepted by Jews) • Deuterocanonical = equally cannon • “cannon” = measuring rod; rules or criteria (ie. Valid) • Accepted by Orthodox and Catholic Churches • Council of Trent • Roman Catholic Church accepted Aprocrypha • 7 books • Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, 1&2 Maccabees, Sirach, Baruch.

7. Biblical History • Many translations • Hebrew—Greek—Syriac—Latin----English • Latin “Vulgate” • Revised edition of Holy Bible by Bishop Jerome • Official Roman Catholic Bible • First complete English Bible = 14th century • “King James Version” – 1611 • King James I of England • Basis of Malayalam Bible today

8. Biblical History (cont) • Malayalam Bible • Valia Mar Dionysius Metropolitan • 4 Gospels published in 1811 • CMS missionary Benjamin Baily • Published first complete Biblical translation • Kottayam

9. Significance of the Bible • Prophet Isaiah: The Bible is “the book of the Lord” • Known as “the scriptures” • All scripture is inspired by God • Reaffirms our faith and assures the promises of God • Bible is widespread • French leader Voltaire claimed Bible would not be read for more than a few hundred years

10. Authenticity of the BIble • Compiled work of many writings inspired by the Holy Spirit • Cohesive: message of coming Redeemer • Christ gave Apostles authority to teach and give authority to others • In the Bible, words of Christ and teachings which follow are given authority and validity through this authority • Is considered the ‘living Word of God”

11. Scientific Accuracy of the Bible • The Bible’s purpose is to reveal the will of God to man • Not everything in the Bible is to be taken literally; the messages of the Bible are more important • There are many examples where Bible has proven to be scientifically accurate • Job 26:7 “He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing” - Earth is suspended in space. • Job 25:5 ”Behold even the Moon is not bright” - The moon is not a source of light. • Proverbs 8:27 “He set a compass upon the face of the deep.“ - Indicates earth is round. • Job 28:7 - Vultures seek their prey by keen eyesight not smell .

12. The Church, the Bible, & Tradition • Apostles had written and oral traditions, which are entrusted into the Church • Church Traditions do not contradict the Bible • Any custom which does contradict the Bible is discarded • It is given great significance by the Church • The Church is considered custodian or the Bible

13. The Prophets • Isaiah • Son of the Amos • Known as greatest prophet of Israel. • He gave hope about the redeeming Messiah • Jeremiah – “the Lamenting prophet” • Wept about the injustice of the people and the persecution he had to face. • Spoke about the new covenant which was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. • Author of books Jeremiah and Lamentations.

14. The Prophets continued C. Amos – “the Prophet of justice” • Spoke with great courage against Kings, priests, lords and rich men. • If people did not give up violence and injustice and turn to the true God, everybody including the King and the slave would be destroyed. D. Hosea – “the Prophet of love and mercy” • Son of Beeri • Gave the assurance that God is always willing to accept if we confess and return to Him

15. Parable of the Sower • God’s word is ‘planted’ among the people in this world. • World = a field • God’s words = seeds scattered in the field • Types of people = different places where the seed falls • Growth is determined by the type of ‘soil’ ‘seeds’ are scattered in

16. Parable of the Sower explanations • There are people who… • Will not produce fruit from the Word of God. They neither hear nor understand it. • Accept the Word upon hearing it, but acceptance is destroyed once the world’s troubles come along • Accept the Word upon hearing (also) but wordly desires distract them and ‘choke’ any desire to follow the Word • Receive and obey the word upon hearing. They accept the Word throughout hardship and bear fruit.

17. Parables of the Lost and Found • Jesus explains why he associates with sinners to the Pharisees in these three parables. • Parable of the lost sheep: The loving shepherd brings the sheep back on his shoulders. • Parable of the lost coin: The owner finds it out. • Parable of the prodigal son: The father is expressing his great love for his lost son who repents and come back.

18. Moral of the Parables • “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44 • “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46

19. Parable of Talents • Each of us has God-given talents or abilities • Those talents should be used for the benefit of the Church and His Kingdom • Our talents should be developed, like the men who invested the money they were given to the best of their abilities.

20. Parable of the Wheat and Weeds, Good & Bad Fish • Wheat & Weeds • A man sowed good seed • As the good seed grew, weeds sprouted along with them • When the harvest came , he tells the reapers to gather the weeds first and burn them. • Good & Bad Fish • A net was cast • All the fish gathered are not taken • Only the good ones are taken. • Christ at his second coming will separate good and the evil. • Those who wait for him and died in his faith will inherit the Kingdom

21. The Departed Souls • St. John 6: 40 “for this is the will of my father, that everyone who sees the son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will rise him up at the last day” • Faithful departed : those who have lived righteously before God (They are the “Great Cloud of Witnesses”) • Faithful departed are with Christ in Paradise • Sheol: Old Testament description of final resting place for departed

22. Departed Souls (cont) • The Bible says… • The departed will rise on the last day • They will never eat nor sleep • Do not marry, like the angels • Christ assures us that we will rise with Him if we follow Him