The Dead Sea Scrolls: How They Were Discovered and Why are They Important

Film Focus: In this video, Dr. John Bergsma details the finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947. He explains that the finding of these scrolls is not only of historical relevance but also great importance to Biblical studies.

Text Focus: Pages 450-451, 464-465

Discussion Questions:

1. Explain how the Dead Sea Scrolls were uncovered. Have you ever found something that was important unexpectedly? How did you feel?
2. How might these scrolls have ended up in these caves? Use your knowledge from the Old Testament and of what was happening historically to hypothesize how these scrolls came to be lost in these caves.
3. Why was the finding of the Book of Isaiah significant?
4. What might biblical scholars learn by examining older manuscripts and comparing them to other known manuscripts?

*Permission to link to this video for use in the classroom as part of the accompanying lesson has been granted by the producer.