LESSON 2: The BIBLE - Why should we read the Bible?
Matthew 4:4 New International Version (NIV)
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[a]”
In the last lesson, we have learned that the Bible is true, reliable, and can be trusted. But even though many Christians understand and believe this, still a small percentage of Christian believers really take time to read and meditate on it. According to Jesus in Matthew 4:4, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”.
This verse emphasizes the need of every man to read and meditate on the Word of God (Bible) to be able to live a life with a purpose and victory. Joshua 1:8 describes the Bible as a success book for life for those who will follow it carefully.
Joshua 1:8 New International Version (NIV)
8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Keeping this in mind, let us continue to understand why we do need to read the Bible?
1) Reading the Bible helps us to have a better view and understanding of God's Perspective and Character.
Many Christians nowadays base their understanding and belief on what other people say or what message they have grown up with. Even though it is not totally wrong, God is encouraging us to know Him personally by knowing His Message first hand. It is also a good safeguard to know if the person is really telling the truth regarding who God is to our life by confirming it to the Word of God itself since many people had been led astray because of the prevalent wrong teachings roaming around our society today.
Also, God doesn't leave us blinded with regard to His character and will for our lives. God gave us the Bible as a love letter so we can know His Love for us personally and respond to Him accordingly as we put our faith and trust in Him.
Acts 17:11 New International Version (NIV)
11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
How do you think the Bible will help us to have a better view and understanding of God's perspective and character?
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2) Reading the Bible helps us transform our way of thinking.
Due to the prevalent selfish nature of man, many people don't experience the life of victory God has originally designed for us. They disapprove of God's will and find it very unpleasant and not applicable to their life. This is mainly due to the wrong concept of life they have. They start their life journey with questions from their selfish nature instead of God's original plans from them.
Romans 12:2 New International Version (NIV)
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
How will the Bible help us to transform our way of thinking?
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3) Reading the Bible gives us a sense of purpose and direction.
As God’s people, God doesn’t leave us in the dark towards our life and purpose on this earth. Many people now are frustrated, disappointed, and confused due to the lack of a sense of purpose and direction in life. They keep on trying different stuff and activities to be able to feel a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. But doing it our own way will only make things worse.
It is God who made and created us, so ultimately, He is the author of life and He knows why we exist.
Psalm 119:105 New International Version (NIV)
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path
What do you think is our purpose in life?
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4) Reading the Bible equips us how we should live our life.
God gave us the Bible, so we can be fully equipped in every aspect of our life by living in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16-17New International Version (NIV)
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a]may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The Bible also contains a lot of life principles we can use. True to life examples of people who walk with God and those who walk away from Him.
These stories reveal to us the true character of God, and through them, we can learn how to live a life according to His will and standard.
5) Reading the Bible helps us to see our life conditions and areas in our lives we need to improve.
Just as we use the mirror to reveal our face’s current condition, so the Bible can show if there are some areas or things we need to remove to be able to give a good projection of oneself. The Bible also is a tool that God is using to reveal our life current condition so we can improve and grow in areas in our life to be able to walk in righteousness faithfully.
James 1:23-25 New International Version (NIV)
23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
6) Reading the Bible helps us to strengthen our faith and devotion to Him.
The Bible consists of thousands of promises of God which encourage and strengthen us, knowing that God is with us in our life journey. As we continue to meditate on God’s Word in our life, we will see how faithful and good God is to our life, which will help us to face our life journey with joy and courage.
Romans 10:17 New International Version (NIV)
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
1 Peter 2:2 New International Version (NIV)
2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation
7) Reading the Bible helps us define who we are.
Many people are confused about who they are. That is why many people lose their real identity just to follow other people’s character, thinking, and way of life, which is far away from what God has made them.
1 John 5:4-5 New International Version (NIV)
4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
In all of this, the Bible helps us to live a life according to our calling. It changes us and strengthens us so we can be victorious in every aspect of our life. It is also reminding us that we are not alone in this life journey that we have, and we have a God who is a loving, good and faithful Father.
So what shall we do as Christian Believers?
Joshua 1:8 New International Version (NIV)
8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
READ, MEDITATE, SPEAK and DO what the Bible is telling us.
Practical Applications:
1) Now that you understand the reasons why we should read the bible, what are the things you need to do to start your Bible reading journey?
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2) Among all the reasons why we need to read the Bible, what is the most important thing to you?
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Prayer Points:
1) Pray that as you read the Bible you found the ultimate purpose of your life
2) Pray that the Bible becomes the anchor and the ultimate source of truth of your life.
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All quotations from scripture in this training material unless otherwise indicated are taken from the
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