You and Your Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to man. It reveals the plan of God for all of mankind. It reveals the nature of God, the sinfulness of man, the plan of salvation in Christ, the place called heaven for the saved, the doom of the unsaved in hell. The Bible is the guidelines for the Christians to follow in order to live and act as we should. We are to love it, learn it, and then live by it.
How We Got The Bible
God has communicated with man in different ways. Men like Joseph of the Old Testament were spoken to through dreams. Daniel also had dreams from God. Men like Isaiah and Ezekiel had visions from the Lord. Normally in the Old Testament, God spoke to people through His prophets, the preachers of that day.
In New Testament times, God speaks through His Word, the Bible. Hebrews 1:1-2 tells us that God spoke in different ways in the Old Testament, but has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, who is called in the Bible, THE WORD OF GOD. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
God used some 40 men over several hundred years to record His word. God supervised His writing through these men of God. Even though men are not perfect, God did not allow these men to make errors when recording His word for the generations to follow. The Holy Spirit directed these men. It was not just their ideas and thoughts. 2 Peter says in l:21, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” Every word and every thought in the Bible is put there and approved by God Himself.
God has preserved His Word down through the years so we could have it to live by. The critics have tried to destroy it, but have failed. Matthew 24:35 says it will always stand, never to be done away with. God is the author of the Bible and He has given it to us.
The Importance Of The Bible
God puts great emphasis on His Word. In fact, the longest chapter in the whole Bible (Psalm 119), speaks entirely about the Bible and its place in our life. God wants to talk with us and teach us. He cannot do this unless we read His Word. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that all scripture is “inspired” of God and is profitable to us. This is called the doctrine of the “inspiration of Scripture”. It means every word that the writer wrote down was exactly what God wanted written. This is also called the doctrine of “verbal plenary inspiration”, or in other words, every word was inspired by God and was without error.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:17)
l. The Bible Is Our Food
The Bible is spiritual food to the Christians and is absolutely necessary if you are to grow and develop into a strong and mature Christian. We must have physical food to live, but also must have spiritual food to stay healthy spiritually. A new believer in Christ is called in the Bible a spiritual babe. Peter tells us that new babes in Christ are to desire the sincere milk of the word that they might grow thereby (I Peter 2:2). The only way a baby can develop and grow to adulthood is to eat properly.
A Christian needs to feed on the Bible every day. A baby is not fed once or twice a week but has to be fed constantly.
2. The Bible Is Our Light
The Bible is called a light because it guides our daily walk with God. It tells us what to do and know how to live. David said in Psalm 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” The Bible will be our guide through this life.
3. The Bible Is Our Spiritual Weapon
Ephesians 6:11, 17 says we are to put on the whole armor of God that we might stand against the tricks of the devil. When Jesus was tempted by Satan, He met every temptation with God’s Word (Matthew 4:3-11). We can do the same. The Bible is our sword in the battle against Satan’s temptations.
Psalm 119:11 says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
How To Study The Bible
Since the Bible is God’s Word to us, and He is the author, then we must read and study it to know what He wants to tell us. The Bible is very important to us and is very profitable to us. We must, therefore, study it and live by it. There are different ways to feed on God’s word in order to grow spiritually.
1. Study The Bible By Hearing It
Romans 10:17 says, “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. We need this faith in order to live properly for the Lord. One of the best ways to study the Bible this way is to hear it preached and taught at church. That is why it is so important to be in church every Sunday, not just Sunday, but also Wednesday night.
2. Study The Bible By Reading And Meditating On It
Paul told Timothy in 4:13 to “. . . give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” Every Christian should read the Bible every day of his life. When we read the Bible, God is speaking to us. We must set aside a time every day to read and study the Bible. Normally the best time is first thing in the morning. Get up a little early so you can spend some time with the Lord in reading His word and praying.
The best way to read the Bible is to have a plan and a goal. Some plan to start reading at Genesis and read through the entire Bible in one year. This is very good. But for a new Christian, it is usually better to first start in the New Testament. Here is a suggested order to begin in the
New Testament:
Gospel of John, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Philippians, etc.
But we must do more than read, we must study the Bible. Think about what you are reading. AS a new Christian, don’t expect to understand all you read. It may not all seem to make sense at first, but if you are patient and sincerely study, you will find the Bible fits together. But a casual or brief glance once or twice a week, will not teach you the Bible.
As you read, underline verses in the Bible that is special to you. Keep a small notebook beside you when you read and write down thoughts the Lord gives to you. Have a Bible reading schedule and mark it as you read.
Lesson 4 Assessment
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You and Your Bible