Reading the Bible
2021-03-092 Timothy 3:15 NCV
Getting into God’s Word is so important, but we can sometimes feel intimidated by the Bible. We might feel overwhelmed because it’s such a big book and we just don’t know where to start. We might think that because it’s such an ancient book, spans such a long historical time period, and includes so many themes, it’s too complicated for us to understand. So today, let’s look at how to simplify it and make it feel a bit more manageable.
1) Think of the Bible as a library of smaller books. It’s a collection of 66 books of different lengths, written over a period of 1,500 years by more than 40 people from all kinds of cultural and educational backgrounds. But what binds them together is that the words of each book were ‘breathed out by God’ (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV).
2) When they’re put together, the books of the Bible tell of God’s amazing love for us, culminating at the cross. Paul wrote to Timothy: ‘You should continue following the teachings you learned. You know they are true, because you trust who taught you. Since you were a child you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus’ (v.14-15 NCV).
3) The Bible is the story of God’s love for you. Every time you read it, allow it to unfold in your heart as a love letter written to you by God. Even if you can only manage to read one chapter, or even one verse, at a time, get into the habit of spending time with God’s Word every day, and let it speak into your life.