WEEK ONE - MONDAY - "WHY READ THE BIBLE?"

For most people, struggling to read the Bible consistently comes down to two main reasons: lack of information and lack of motivation.
 

S. M. Lockridge said that the Bible should do four things, he said it should:

             1.     Stretch Your Mind

2.     Stir Your Heart

3.     Provoke Your Will

4.     Tan Your Hide

 The Bible is not just another book.  It’s not some novel or some fictional phenomenon about Vampires and Werewolves ready to be made into a box office smash.

The Bible is the Only Book that makes real demands on our minds and our hearts that initiate change into our very nature.  We need some basics of reading the Bible.  We need some basic information to help us grow in the skill of reading the Bible in a way that allows us to not only comprehend the words of Scripture but to hear what God is saying through the Scripture.

We need this information to not just read the Bible but read the Bible well.

We need to read the Bible so that we hear what God is saying in such a way that it is life changing.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a young German theologian who stood against Hitler and brought many to Christ through His testimony and teaching.  He told his students “When you read the Bible, you must think that here and now God is speaking with me.”

SO WHY READ THE BIBLE?

As you begin your study today I want you to take a moment and clear your heart and mind.  Ask God to cleanse you and take away anything that would stop Him from hearing you and anything that would stop you from hearing Him.

Now, ask yourself – and prepare to be honest – What is my motivation for reading the Bible?  Reading the Bible is a skill and a discipline that takes serious work and practice to develop.  But as you read the Bible and it becomes a consistent thing to read it well, you will find a greater joy than you’ve ever know in reading God’s Word.

As you learn to read the Bible more effectively and the Word of God becomes highly valued in your life, you will grow in consistency, understanding, and obedience to the Word of God.

Part of developing the skill and discipline is to Realize The Benefits of Reading The Bible.  Understanding the benefits of God’s Word will motivate us to a deeper commitment to His Word.  PSALM 1 is one of the passages that identifies the blessings of the Word of God.

*LOOK AT TODAY’S TEXT*

Psalm 1:1-3

In your Bible, as you read each word carefully:

Circle the main benefits of Scripture that is pointed out in this passage.  What do these word pictures mean?

Draw a box around the attitude of this person toward God’s Instruction.  What evidence is there that indicates someone is delighting in God’s Word?

Underline the description of the active involvement of this person with God’s Word.  How can this translate into something practical for you today?

These verses teach us that being a Person of God’s Word creates the foundation for a “happy” (verse 1) or “blessed” life.  It provides Spiritual Endurance like a “tree planted” beside the water.  But in order to see this in our lives we must give the Word of God a Central Place in our lives.  It’s not a matter of “checking in” but rather being immersed in God’s Word.  Becoming so deep in His way and His words that it becomes part of the way we think.

Use the words of Psalm 1:1-3 to pray about your attitude toward God’s Word and about ways to change your interaction with His Word.

“Dear God,

Guide my steps in your Word.  Don’t let me walk in the way of the world.

Don’t let me listen to the voices of the wicked around me.

Help me God, to find joy and delight in Your Word alone.

Keep Your Word in my heart and mind, day and night.

Establish me in Your Word.  Don’t let me wither away but help me to Grow By Your Words!

God, help me to be faithful to the reading and doing of Your Word.

Keep it in my heart and keep me in your way.

Amen…”