The Bible – God’s Word
Many new believers wonder how they can get closer to God. We also want to know what He wants us to do and how we should live. God reveals Himself to us through His Word, the Holy Bible. He also shapes our hearts and lives through His Word. Learn to rest in it and find truth. The Bible is a living message from God that never gets old or outdated. Spending time in it gives us a roadmap for living, helps us overcome temptation, transforms our lives, and brings us closer to God.
The Bible is the inspired Word of God given to men to write and record. It is God’s true word – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The Word of God is also living and relevant to this day so that we can interact with it – “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
All believers, especially new ones, should read and study the Bible every day. As with any book, we must read it in context, and in its entirety, to truly understand its meaning and what God is saying. This is dramatically easier and more fulfilling when we do that with experienced believers that can help us see what is being said and why. You are not trusting an old, outdated book when you choose to live by the Bible – you’re aligning your life with the Creator of the universe and living a life He says is best for you and one He wants to bless.
We must learn to understand what the Bible is and what it is not. The Bible is not an ordinary book that reads smoothly from cover to cover. It’s actually a library, or collection, of books written by different authors in several languages over several thousand years. The books are “shelved” by type and topic, just as in a public library: history, the Law, the Prophets, poems and wisdom literature, eyewitness accounts of Jesus (the Gospels), collections of letters, and apocalyptic descriptions of the past, present and future.
Lastly, many new believers wonder where to start and how to go about reading the Bible. That can feel a little overwhelming at first. Many choose to start with books focused on Jesus himself. The book of Mark is quick and fast-paced, while John focuses on the things Jesus claimed about himself. Mark tells about what Jesus did, while John tells about what Jesus said.
We encourage you to read the article on 10 things to do before studying the Bible. These things are critical for setting your heart and mind up to get the most out of your time in God’s Word.
