Why is the Bible Important?

 

    The Bible is important to know ho to resist Satan, understand what sin is, and to know God.  The Bible was designed to feed your soul.  If you spend a little time in it everyday, then you will find that you are sustained.  The more time you spend in God's Word, the more it helps you.

    The entire Bible was inspired by God.  It starts with God's creativity.  Then God created people to have a relationship with Him.  We allowed sin into the world which destroyed the close relationship.  People had to face the consequences to sin.  God gives people rules and regulations for humanity to work, but it really just shows us how much we need him.  

    Everything God did was to try to have a relationship with His people.  He sent Jesus to give people a message of hope.  Jesus lived out God's commandments to make it where it was not work based, but relational.  Jesus became the connection to help people understand God better.  The problem is people try to humanize God, but He is not human.  His ways never change.  

    What God was saying throughout time is recorded in the Bible.  He is our inspiration.  He breathed life into us.  God speaks to the heart and soul.  His words flow out from there.  The mind interprets the Bible and our emotions effect our experiences influenced by the Holy Spirit.

    God's Word is important because they are sacred.  They give wisdom and open the doors to salvation.  God's Word is living.  It affect to remove evil.  It convicts thoughts and heart condition.  God's Word renews life, gives wisdom to experiences, gladdens the heart, and directs your eyes to Jesus.

    When you read the Bible, you should be eager to see what God will reveal today.  Jesus is your salvation.  He is the only true salvation.  Your heart should desire to be in God's Word as it is being transformed.  Your heart will affect your mind.  As you read the Bible the mind will affect the heart.   It leads to Godly living and service through discipline and instruction.  

    God makes us complete and the Bible has a big role in that.  How can you know God without the Bible?  You can't.  If you want to know God, then you have to know the Bible.

Deuteronomy 8:1-5, Psalms 19:7-11, Hosea 4:4-7, Matthew 4:1-11, Ephesians 4:14-16, 6:1-4, 2 Timothy 3:14-17, & Hebrews 4:12-13

Jesus is the Key

 

    The old testament and new testament are in the same Bible because they go together.  Both parts portray who Jesus Christ is in relationship with God and the Holy Spirit.  It was not always understood correctly.  Some people thought that Jesus was a prophet.  Very few understood that they bore witness to who Jesus really is.

    The new testament is considered the new covenant by revealing Jesus as the redeemer.  Jesus is the way to life and salvation.  He is the beginning of Christianity.  He taught us how to live out God's commandments.  He gave us the plan for eternity.

    The Gospels are the history books of the new testament.  Matthew wrote about the life of Jesus for the Jews by revealing Jesus as the Messiah.  Mark revealed Jesus as the obedient servant of God.  He rote to the Roman world.  Luke revealed Jesus as the perfect man.  Jesus was fully human and fully God.  He wrote to the Greek world.  

    John revealed Jesus as the son of God.  His book is very evangelical, so it is the most commonly used in churches today.  John wanted people to believe in Jesus as the Messiah, son of God.  John also wanted people to connect Jesus to life through His name.

    Acts is the history of the early church.  The book could also be called "Acts of the Holy Spirit".  This church was unlike any other church.  It consisted of followers of Jesus.  They lived together, worked together, and everything else together.  They were a community with the sole purpose of getting the good news to as many people as possible.  It is still used as an evangelical tool today.

    The 21 Letters of Epistles were written by individuals to other believers of Jesus.  They normally wrote to churches that were developing to encourage and convict them of their responsibility as a Christian.  Then the new testament ends with the prophecy of Revelations.  They all show that Jesus is the key.    

    To conclude, the Bible uses the law to reveal the promises of Jesus.  History, poetry, and prophecy give anticipation of Jesus.  The Gospels are the manifestation of Jesus.  The NT history and letters reveal the church of Jesus.  Revelations is the coronation of Jesus.

Luke 24:25-27, John 5:39-40, 20:30-31, Colossians 2:1-5, & Revelations 1:17-18

Introducing the Bible

 

    To get to know the Bible, you need to have a Bible.  It is good to have a journal to record what you learn, prayers, or anything else related that comes to your mind so that you can focus.  The Bible is the greatest treasure you can ever have.  It is God's Word in writing to inspire people to His teachings, reproof, correction, and righteous training.  It is a true book on love.

    When you read the Bible, pay attention to the details in the versus.  Every phrase touches on words to help you in your daily life.  That does mean that you have to learn a little context about the times it was written.  This is a life journey.  It can't be learned in a day, week, or even a year.  God uses this book to reveal Himself to you.  Relationships take time.  The focus of the Bible is God's glory in man's redemption.  It becomes more clear with Jesus.

    The Bible is truth that you can trust.  Allow the Holy Spirit to work in you as your read God's Word. It was written by approximately 40 different men in several countries.  It has a touch of different cultures.  It went into writing around 1400 BC and finished around 90AD.  Depending on when and by whom, it was written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.  

      The Bible is broken down into groups.  The first section is the old testament.  It contains 34 books starting with the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.  It is the beginning of creation, God's people delivered, atonement, wondering, and the Promised Land.  

    The next set is the History of God's People:  Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.  Then comes the poetry: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs.  

    Then the Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel.  They are no more important than the minor prophets.  The books are just longer and hold more information.  The Minor Prophets come after the Major Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nabam, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.  

    Malachi ends the old testament because God goes silent for about 400 years until it is time to introduce Jesus into the world.  Jesus opens the door to the new testament.  The ew testament is about the life of Jesus, salvation, beginning of Christianity, lifestyle of a Christian, and the future.  

    The new testament has 27 books beginning with the Gospel: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  These contain the life of Jesus on earth.  Next is the history of the early church: Acts.  Then comes Paul's Letters:  Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.  

    Paul wrote the most letters, but he is not the only writer of how Christians should live.  After Paul's letters, comes the general letters:  Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude.  The Bible ends with the Prophecy Letter: Revelations.  This prophecy has not come to pass yet.  It is about the return of Jesus, his reign, his glory, and the eternal state of believers and unbelievers.  Since the Bible is true, you can trust that this will happen.         

Proverbs 3:1-7, 2 Timothy 3:14-17, 2 Peter 1:19-21, & 1 John 2:1-6

Giving Your Testimony

 

    Your testimony is your story with God.  It is that simple.  There is no reason to make it more complicated.  When you have an opportunity to share what God has done in your life, share it.  If you have something in your story that will help someone else, then share it.  You never know how God will use your story to help or convict someone else.

    Your testimony can start with what God is doing in your life right now or you can go back to the beginning.  Use the situation to know how to give your testimony.  It is personal.  That means that when you share it, your are opening up to that person.  Use relationships to know how to share.  If it is a stranger, then share what you are convicted to say and then pray.

    If you start from the beginning, then start with who you were before you encountered Jesus in a personal way.  Then share the encounter and how it changed you forever.  If you do not have that part of the story, then you need to turn to Jesus in prayer and scripture.  It may just mean that you still need to know Him in a personal way.

    How has Jesus changed your life?  What is He doing in your life right now?  What has God accomplished through you?  These are important questions.  They tell people how involved Jesus is in your daily life and if you appreciate the relationship.  

    The testimony can end with what Jesus is doing in your life right now.  If you are praying and are in God's Word everyday, then you should be able to account for what He is doing in your life.  You may not understand it.  You may not know where it is going, but you do know that He is working in your life.  

Isaiah 43:10-13, Matthew 5:13-16, John 9:25-41, Philippians 4:18-20, 1 Peter 3:13-17, & Revelations 12:10-12

Identity In Christ

 

    Christ is Lord and Savior.  That means you have to acknowledge Jesus as your Lord to have salvation.  As Savior, he rescues you from your sins and condemnation by his substitutionary death for your sins.  Submitting to Jesus is to give in to his authority through faith.  He is where you find your true identity.  This identity is fixed and cannot be changed.

    Jesus sacrificed himself to free people from the chains to death.  His blood purchased the freedom of everyone who submits to his authority in faith.  Once you are free, you are expected to live freely.  That means you live a lifestyle worthy of His Name.  You are his representative in this world.

    When you place your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you become a new person.  Your salvation means you are willing to obey any command that God gives you.  It starts with proclaiming your faith and being baptized, but it grows from there as you mature in your faith.

    Baptism is the first act of faith.  If you do not obey in that simple act, then how can God trust you with bigger responsibilities.  Disobedience hinders your growth with Jesus.  Baptism is a public display of your union with God.  It should be celebrated as you unite with Jesus in death, burial, and resurrection.  Your ascension will come.  Baptism is the beginning of your symbolic life with Jesus.

Matthew 28:16-20, John 5:24, 10:25-30, Romans 6:1-4, 10:5-13, 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, & Galatians 2:17-21

Engaging the Bible

 

    Engaging the Bible means that you have an approach to reading God's Word.  Christians need to make an effort to reading the Bible out loud and silently, study different translations, memorizing verses, praying scriptures, and journaling thoughts and prayers.  When you are with other Christians you should discuss what you have been reading and study God's Word together.  

    The way you engage the Bible reflects your adoration for God.  If you don't have any alone time with him, how can you love Him?  Reflecting on what you read means you are listening to what He is saying to you today.  Spending time in God's Word is a form or worship.  You worship God for who He is and His great Character.

    When you worship God, confess any sin or just your need for Him.  Take a real look at yourself and who you are without Him.  See your sinful nature.  It is the only way you will ever ask for forgiveness.  You have to ask and ready to change for God to be able to forgive you.

    Hold onto thanksgiving in your heart for all of God's beautiful blessings.  Praise Him for your salvation.  When you are able to acknowledge all He is doing for and in your life, you can go to Him with confidence for supplication.  Supplication is asking God for help in meeting needs or to work in someone's life.

    The sooner you start reading the Bible, the easier it gets.  The Bible is God's Word.  It is broken down into books and scriptures.  This helps you memorize verses or passages.  The more you are in the Bible the more you have revelation, inspiration, illumination, conviction, and training.  God's Word causes transformation from the inside out.

    Salvation comes from hearing God's Word and believing.  Once you have salvation true transformation begins with the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  The more you submit to obedience to God, the more you will grow spiritually.

    Training by God's Word is important.  It is learning expectations and how Jesus lived.  Training is learning to accept reproof and correction to be more righteous.  Teaching helps you grow in truth.  Reproof gives discipline.  Correction gives restoration.  You need all this to face temptation, life problems, and pressure and not crumble.  You have to be intentional and committed to the Bible to be able to utilize all the tools that God has given you.

1 Chronicles 16:34-35, Psalm 51:7-15, 139:23-24, 145:1-3, 147:1-6, Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 6:18-20, Philippians 2:12-13, 4:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, 2 Timothy 3:14-17, & 1 John 1:9-11

Spiritual Growth Part 2

    Salvation is only the beginning.  Once you receive salvation, the relationship with Jesus begins.  You will be put into the fires of life pretty quickly to burn away all the things that keep you from being who God created you to be.  The Holy Spirit is with you ever step of the way to help you grow in grace and knowledge of the Bible.  When you start understanding the Bible, you start to understand who God really is and your wisdom develops.

    To follow Jesus is to grow in your faith.  Your faith grows as God's grace is poured into your life.  You see it for what it is because you are spending time in your Bible getting to know God.  Trials push you into growth or to run away.  If you choose growth, then you will find it through prayer and Bible Study.  

    Prayer develops your relationship with God through communication.  The more you pray the easier it becomes because you are getting to know your creator.  He loves you more than anyone ever could.  Understanding that is humbling.  He knows everything there is to know about you and He still reaches out to have a relationship with you.  He meets you where you are and helps you find your way.

    Jesus is God and he prayed.  He was not in Heaven with his father.  He was on Earth reaching out to people to show them the way.  He prayed to have communication with his father.  By doing so, he taught people how to do the same.  Prayer is real.  It is powerful.  It is life changing.  It is intimate.

    The power of prayer is knowing that God will respond.  The closer you are to God, the more intimate your prayers become.  You pray knowing that God will respond.  It develops adoration.  When you sin, you confess to get clean again.  You proclaim thanksgiving.  You give God your supplications.  Prayer is the most powerful thing you can ever do.  You can't help but grow spiritually if you pray to get to know God better.

Matthew 6:7-15, Mark 1:35-39, Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 4:11-13, Philippians 1:3-6, Colossians 1:9-10, & 2 Peter 3:17-18