A Kiss from Rose | Teaching Lesson: The First Bible Study
- alstonshropshire3
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
1. When Was the First Bible Study?
The concept of “Bible study” as we know it today didn’t exist in the earliest days, because the Bible was not yet fully compiled. However:
Old Testament Times:
The first form of “Bible study” took place in ancient Israel.
Ezra the scribe (around 5th century B.C.) gathered the people of Israel to read and explain the Law of Moses.
Scripture: “They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.” (Nehemiah 8:8).
This was one of the first organized public Bible study sessions.
2. What Religion Was It?
At that time, it was Judaism, since Christianity did not yet exist.
The Jewish people studied the Torah (first 5 books of Moses) and the Prophets.
Rabbis and scribes were responsible for teaching and interpreting the Scriptures.
3. The First Christian Bible Study
After Jesus’ resurrection, the early Christians began to gather and study the Scriptures together.
They didn’t yet have the New Testament (it was still being written), so they studied the Old Testament (the Law, Psalms, and Prophets) in light of Jesus being the Messiah.
Example: In Luke 24:27, Jesus Himself gave the first Christian Bible study:
“Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.”
Later, the Apostles held Bible teachings regularly in homes and synagogues (Acts 2:42; Acts 17:11).
4. Where Was It Held?
In Judaism: synagogues, public gatherings, or open-air assemblies.
In Christianity: homes, small groups, and sometimes synagogues until Christians began to separate from Jewish traditions.
5. Why Is This Important?
The very first Bible studies were about understanding God’s Word clearly and applying it.
Bible study was never just reading—it was explaining, teaching, and living it out.
From Ezra in the Old Testament to Jesus and the Apostles in the New Testament, Bible study was always about drawing people closer to God through His Word.
✅ Summary:
The first recorded Bible study was led by Ezra in Nehemiah 8 (Judaism, Old Testament).
The first Christian Bible study was led by Jesus Himself in Luke 24.
Both focused on helping people truly understand the Scriptures.
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