Alpha | Session 6 | Why and How Should I Read the Bible?

The Bible is the most…

• Popular
• Powerful
• Precious (Psalm 19:10)

… book in the world.

‘People do not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:4).

1. BRINGING REVELATION – GOD HAS SPOKEN

• Bible – collection of books by 40+ authors over 1600 years • Inspired: God-breathed

‘All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true; to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.’ (2 Timothy 3:16).

But what about difficulties in the Bible?

• Jesus is the interpretive key
• It’s authoritative (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
• Practical wisdom:
  • Guidelines for living
  • Guidance for good decisions

2. BUILDING RELATIONSHIP – GOD SPEAKS

The Bible is like a love letter from God:

• To those exploring faith (Romans 10:17; John 20:31)
• To those who are Christians
  • Become like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18)
  • Joy and peace in the midst of a storm (Psalm 23:5) – Guidance (Psalm 119:105)
  • Health/healing (Proverbs 4:20–22)
  • Defense against spiritual attack (Matthew 4:1–11)
  • Power (Hebrews 4:12)
  • Cleansing (John 15:3)‘Reading the Bible generates life. It produces change. It heals hurts.
    It builds character. It transforms circumstances. It imparts joy. It overcomes adversity. It defeats temptation. It infuses hope. It releases power. It cleanses the mind’
    RICK WARREN

 

3. HOW DO WE HEAR GOD SPEAK THROUGH THE BIBLE?

• Make a plan
  • Find a time
  • Find a place (‘a solitary place’, Mark 1:35)
• Find a pattern
  • Ask God to speak: read a short passage, Bible reading notes, Bible in One Year app – bibleinoneyear.org
• Ask yourself:
  what does it say to me? what does it mean to me? how does it apply to me?
• Respond in prayer
• Put it into practice (Matthew 7:24)