Day 4 - The Bible

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

The Bible is filled with the words of God. These same words spoke all of creation into existence – isn’t that powerful!? The Bible is a book, or really a collection of books, that were written by human beings who God inspired. Every bit of it gives us help for our journey with God.

There are two sections inside the Bible – the Old Testament, which is all about people and events before Jesus came to earth, and the New Testament, which tells us about Jesus’ time on earth and the early Church. The most important thing to learn about your Bible is to get into it! Make it part of your daily routine.

First thing, find a translation of the Bible that you can understand. Some of the most common are NIV, ESV, KJV, or MSG. Each says the same thing, with a different emphasis or approach and format.

Next, figure out where to start. A great idea is to read the scriptures from Sunday’s service and reread them to understand their context better. There are many great ways to read through your Bible. Some apps send you daily verses or devotionals that focus on a specific theme, even a study guide that will take you through one book. This is the fun part – try new things and find out what works for you. Regardless of how you do it, consistency is key.

When reading your Bible, what you ask will make a big difference in what you take away. Here are some questions to use while reading to get you started:

• How would I say this in my own words?
• What does this scripture tell me about who God is?
• What does it tell me about who I am?
• How am I going to apply this scripture to my daily life?

Build: Psalm 1:2-3, Romans 15:4

Prayer– Dear Jesus, thank you for your living Word, for your Holy Scripture that leads to life and godliness. Create in me a desire to know you more, teach me your ways and help me to apply them. In your name, Amen.