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sunday

What Was God’s Reason For Creating The Bible?

The Bible, known and accepted as the written word of God, is an important way God communicates with people in order to develop their relationship with God and to give life direction. Jesus demonstrated the importance of God's word by strategically quoting from the Old Testament throughout his earthly ministry.

Deuteronomy 8:1-11 and
Matthew 4:1-11

• According to Deuteronomy 8, what did God promise God's people if they obeyed God's instructions (commands and laws) as written in the Scriptures?

• Think of a time when, as it did for Jesus in the wilderness, God's word came alive and made a strong difference as you faced a difficult situation or temptation. What happened?

monday

What Can Help Me Understand The Bible Better?

The Holy Spirit actually comes to live within you when you open your life and heart to Jesus. The presence of the Spirit makes a personal relationship with God possible, and all of life begins to change, including your ability to grasp the meaning of God's written word and apply it to your daily living.

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 and
Psalm 119:1-16

• According to 1 Corinthians 2, what effect does the Holy Spirit have in helping you understand spiritual truths from the Bible?

• From Psalm 119, list at least three transforming results that happen in your life as you internalize the Bible's message (here also called statutes, precepts, laws, and commands).

tuesday

How Important Is God's Word, The Bible, To My Daily Life?

Most people want a life of meaning, fulfillment, and purpose—a life matching what God designed it to be. Yet your tendency may be to react to life experiences rather than to proactively seek the will of God. Every day, every follower of Christ needs to stop and think about where his or her life is headed, and that is best done in the revealing light of God's word—the Bible.

2 Timothy 3:10-17 and James 1:19-25

• What purpose does Bible study serve in the life of a believer (2 Timothy 3:16-17)?

• Just as you physically look into a mirror every morning before you face the world, James encourages you to do a daily spiritual check. As you look into the mirror of God's word, what needed adjustments to your life direction do you believe God is revealing to you?

wednesday

How Can I Prepare Myself To Get The Most Out Of The Bible?

The old saying "You only get as much out of something as you put into it" is especially applicable when it comes to Bible study. As a follower of Jesus, you can't expect your life to have maximum spiritual growth and impact in others' lives without your first immersing yourself in God's training manual, the Bible. In today's reading, the Israelites had disregarded their copy of the Scriptures many years before. But when God's word was rediscovered and its truths read, King Josiah went to work setting all things right according to what God desired.

2 Kings 22:1–23:25

• How did King Josiah respond personally to the newfound book of the Law, God's word? What actions did he take in response to hearing God's word for the first time?

• Is there anything in your life that needs to be "cleaned up" in order to line up with God's word, just as Josiah had to "clean up" his nation and the sinful activities they were practicing? If so, what?

thursday

What Results Can I Expect As I Study And Apply The Bible To My Life?

As you hear God speak through God's word about needed change in your life—and respond in obedience and surrender to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit—you will gradually begin to see yourself change, bit by bit, to take on the character and purpose of Jesus. Old habits will fade away, new habits reflecting God will take their place and a clearer picture of God's purpose for your life will begin to form.

Mark 4:1-20 and Deuteronomy 30:11-20

• Jesus understood the tendency to make excuses and rationalize disobedience. In Mark 4, what were the reasons preventing three of the seeds from producing a crop? What was the result of hearing and accepting (applying) the word, as symbolized by the fourth seed?

• In asking for full obedience as described in Deuteronomy 30, is God asking you to do something impossible? Why or why not?

friday

Why Do Some Christians Refer To The Bible As Their "Sword"?

Paul, perhaps inspired by the Roman soldiers surrounding him during his imprisonment in Rome, used a sword to symbolize the word of God. Paul was very aware of the spiritual attack by forces of evil that comes against those who follow Jesus. The "sword of the Spirit" is the sharp instrument that helps you come against the enemy of evil, and it penetrates and judges your spirit as well.

Ephesians 6:10-18 and
Hebrews 4:12-13

• Why do you think Paul chose to use the image of a sword when describing God's word, the Bible, to us?

• Read today's verses from Hebrews again. Think of a truth you have read in the Bible that has penetrated your heart and brought you new insight. What was it? How did it change your thinking and your actions?

saturday

What Did Jesus Have To Say About The Bible?

Jesus validated the Scriptures as God-inspired and as God's means of communication with humanity. He presented the word of God as alive, transformational, and consisting of one central message—that Jesus was God's plan to reconnect and be in relationship with the people God loves. Jesus confronted the misuse of Scripture that reduced it to an intellectual exercise or a belief system made up of rules that judge and divide, rather than the living word of God that frees and transforms.

John 5:36-47 and 2 Timothy 2:15

• In John 5, Jesus was speaking to Jewish leaders. How were they misunderstanding and thereby misusing the Old Testament Scriptures?

• The "word of truth" in 2 Timothy is a reference to the Bible, God's word. If this verse describes God's expectation of you, what steps can you take to help yourself become better and better at being a "workman" as described?