Why and How should I read the Bible?
• According to the Guinness Book of Records, The Bible has been the biggest bestseller of all time.
• The Bible is also the most powerful book around.
o Many people have had their lives changed by reading the Bible
• It is ALSO the most precious book around.
o Many people risk their lives to keep a copy of the Bible.
• The Bible is really a whole library of short books slipped into one cover
• It is divided into two sections:
o The Old Testament covers the history of the Israelite people up to the birth of Jesus.
o The New Testament covers the life of Jesus and his first followers who set up the church.
• If we combine both sections there are 66 books in total.
o Some of these books are like history books; others are full of poetry and love songs.
• It is full of stories…
o Stories of amazing people and amazing events
o Romance, war, revenge, love, sacrifice, murder, sex etc.
o And they are true stories!
• Key fact: It is no ordinary book
o It is God’s Book
o Christians believe that the Bible was written through an amazing partnership between God and its human authors
1. An instruction manual for life. (2 Timothy 3:15–17).
• We all need instructions- not everything comes naturally
• Just like the activity just now, many people live lives clueless of what to do and what the purpose of life is. I’m sure you felt that you could use some instruction.
• Because God created us, he knows what is best for us, how we can get the best out of life.
• The Bible can show us how to live for God.
• The Bible can correct us when we are living wrongly.
• Sometimes we humans want to be free from any instruction and we think the Bible correcting us and instructing us is boring. We want freedom. Not realizing that the instruction and correction is for our own protection. Just like the goldfish.
• But you may say...it’s so old? How would it apply to me?
• It provides us with principles that won’t change with time.
2. A way of relationship
• Written communication can also lead to real relationship.
• The Bible is about relationship with God. It is like a love letter, SMS, email, MSN all rolled into one. It is how we will get to know Him. Through the Bible we hear from God and we get to know Him.
• God speaks through the Bible before we are Christians to bring us to Jesus.
o And when we are Christians, God speaks through the Bible
to build the relationship
• The Bible-
o Helps us become more like Jesus
o Helps us when the going gets tough
o Helps us to know what is right
o Helps us towards health and healing
o Helps us beat evil
o Helps us to be clean on the inside
o Helps us by giving us power
3. How do we hear God speak through the Bible?
• In any form of communication, the right conditions are important.
• Choose a time when you are not rushed or stressed-if possible make it a regular habit
• Choose a place where you are relaxed and where you won’t be disturbed. (Mark 1:35)
• Begin by praying: Ask God to speak to you through what you read.
• Don’t switch of your mind and wander.
Ask yourself: what does it say about God?
What does it say about me?
What does it say about what I should do?
• Put what you have read and learned into practice
• God speaks to us in many different ways. The most common way is through the Bible.
• The Bible is an instruction manual for life
• It’s a way of relationship with God.
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