Bible study n.1

Bible – The Word of God 

Introduction: The Bible is God’s own words for all the men, and that is why we should take it seriously, respecting and loving each word written in it. The Bible brings us peace, comfort, safety, relief, meekness, exhortation, clarifications about life and death, orientation and a lot more. 

However, we should not carry it as an amulet, or even a book of “magic”, we should not carry it everywhere we go so it brings us protection, or build it an altar so it will protect our houses; the book in itself has no power whatsoever. Many people have burnt the Bible (object), and throughout human history we see persecutions towards it. During medieval times large bonfires were built with the purpose to burn these books. Satan has incessantly tried to extinguish the Bible, all in vain, because today we have the Bible translated in hundreds of languages, for children with pictures, for blind people in Braille, for the elderly in large print, for women, on the internet, etc. 

The power is not in the book, in the paper, but in the words written in it. In order for these words to be powerful in our lives we need to read the Bible, to put each verse in our hearts and minds. We need to understand each word. This way, whenever we need help, the verses will be in our minds to calm our hearts down and bring us peace and joy! 

How careful should we be with the Bible? 

• We should have it always close by so we can have a daily reading. Developing a good habit out of this. 

• We should not add or detract anything that is written in the Bible: 

“Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.” Deuteronomy 4:2 

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” Revelation 22: 18 and 19 

• We should not misinterpret it, or interpret it in the most convenient way for us, for the Bible is like a magnifying glass that shows us our good qualities and faults more clearly. Very often we don’t want to see our faults and we end up reading from the Bible as too see our merits only. But the Bible is there to help us in our Christian path, to grow as people who want to be like Jesus!! 

What does the Bible say about itself? (some topics, not all of them) 

Seed – “The seed is the word of God” Luke 8:11 

In this passage Jesus tells the parabola of the Seed and to explain it He starts by saying that the word of God is the seed, and as such it falls to the ground, which is our heart, and depending on the type of soil, or heart, that it falls to, it might germinate, grow, and become a beautiful and fruitful tree. This means that if our hearts are open to understanding the Bible and we water our lives with it daily, we will be fruitful people with a fantastic purpose in life!! 

Shield – “ Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” Proverbs 30:5 

In several moments of our lives we need a powerful shield, especially against Satan, and often against ourselves, so we don’t do things that do not please God or so that we do not surrender to temptation, which might hurt us. The Bible can guide us and help us in these moments, protecting us like a shield against enemies. 

Lamp or Light – “Your  word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” Psalm 119:105 

The Bible lights our minds, bringing understanding about its verses and guiding us in the decisions we need to take. However, as every lamp or torch, we need to light it up and let it shine. This is how the Bible works, we need to read it so we can be illuminated by its light! 

Food – “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with  the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:13,14 

In these verses the writer is, in fact, disciplining the Hebrew Christians who continued feeding from milk even when already grownups, teaching them that it was necessary for them to mature in the Word of God. The bible is the food, when we accept Christ as our only savior we need to feed from the Bible daily, just like a baby needs the mother’s milk. But with time we need to feed from more solid food and we need to study the Bible more deeply and put the words into practice, otherwise we will grow weak of faith, like a malnourished person. 

Cannot be broken – “and the Scripture cannot be broken.” John 10:35b 

The Word of God is not contradictory, does not lie, it does not make mistakes. If in any moment we notice any contradiction, it is because we are misinterpreting it. 

Stands forever – “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8 

It does not matter what happens in human history, the Bible will still be there, even if it’s only in our hearts, for God promised it and He does not lie. 

 

Who wrote the Bible? 

The Word of God was written by men chosen by Him. They were inspired by God, this means God told them what to write. The authors were simple men (fishermen, etc), rich men (Job, etc), kings (David, Solomon), musicians, prophets, youngsters, elderly, doctors, judges, etc. All sinners like us, but who had their moments with God and turned their lives to Jesus, and could be used by God so His Words can reach us today. 

“All Scripture is God-breathed …” 2 Timothy 3:16 

What is the Purpose of the Bible? 

The purpose of the Word of God is to teach us. It is our instruction manual; it is the manual God uses to get us working properly. We should follow it as the only valid rule in our lives. We should obey it always. 

“All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16,17 

Conclusion: 

We should read and practice everything that is written in the Bible, for reading it is the same as God speaking to us. In order to have a happy life, with a real purpose, and to be more like Jesus, 

WE SHALL READ THE WORD OF GOD WITH OPEN HEARTS TO LISTEN TO HIS VOICE!!!