Why Read the Bible?

27 books in the NT (Matthew-Revelation, 4 Gospels, Acts, Paul’s Letters, General Letters, and Revelation) - Written by the Apostles after the death of Jesus

These 66 books tell the grand story of human history from creation, fall, rescue, and restoration of how the one true God of the universe so loved the world that he would save his creation by becoming the man Jesus Christ to restore His Kingdom on earth for all eternity.

It is fully inspired by God being fully truthful and without error.

ILLUSTRATION:

movie back in the day where a man find outs that he is going to have his first child, a son. But he is also diagnosed with an untreatable cancer and he will die before his child is born. So the dad buys a video camera and begins to make films to tell his son about who he is, and to teach him all the things he would have taught him.

The Bible does the same kind of thing. God, our Creator and Lord, our heavenly father, reveals himself to us through the Bible. We learn about him. His nature and character, his love for us, and his plan for us. But instead of our Father being the one who is dying, he reveals to us that we are dying because of sin and facing an eternal death. And that he has made a way that we can not only escape death, but be reunited with him for eternity.

How is it described

English Standard Version Psalm 19

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the testimony of the LORD is sure,

making wise the simple;

8 the precepts of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the LORD is pure,

enlightening the eyes;

9 the fear of the LORD is clean,

enduring forever;

the rules of the LORD are true,

and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold,

even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey

and drippings of the honeycomb.

11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

Why Read the Bible?

Ultimate Purpose

It is not to be a better human being.

Is IS to make you alive,

John 20:30–31 ESV

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God

1 Cor 15:

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 ESV

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

Believing you may have life in his name

Acts 4:12 ESV

12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Romans 10:9 ESV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Blessings that come

2 Timothy 3:15–17 ESV

15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

1 John 5:13 ESV

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

Reinforce: verse 15, the Bible is able to make you wise for salvation

Reinforce: All of Scripture is breathed out by God, inspired by God

Teaching/Instruction

Reproof/Testing/Exposing

Correction/Restoring

Training in Righteousness

So that....be made complete and equipped for every good work

How?,

Joshua 1:8 ESV

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Read

Meditate

Memorize

Study

Challenge from Scripture,

Ezekiel 37:3–6 ESV

3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

To be equipped to do the greatest good work of the Word by bringing people to life with the Word.

Personal Time (10 mins)

Read (5 Times)

What does this verse say?

What questions does this verse lead me to ask?

What is this verse teaching me?

What does this passage encourage me to pray?