Bible Basics: Why Should I Read the Bible?

    Why should I read the Bible? We read the Bible because it contains God’s truth....
    August 19, 2020

    Why should I read the Bible?

    We read the Bible because it contains God’s truth.

    The Bible is the means through which God has engaged the world with the message of Jesus Christ. It also points to the sovereignty of God over all peoples throughout all times. By the virtue of it being “God-breathed” it is an outflow of the very nature of God. He has chosen to reveal His truth to us through the text of Scripture and we are called to be still and listen.

    We read the Bible because it changes us.

    “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). When we repent of our sin and turn to Christ in faith for forgiveness, we enter into a relationship with God Almighty. He engages with us through His Word and therefore changes us through His Word. As we read the Scriptures, our sin is exposed, and the grace and love of God is displayed in the person and work of Christ. When we read Scripture, we are hearing from God and we cannot be unchanged. We grow in our relationship with Him through reading what He has recorded for us in the Bible.

    We read the Bible because it builds up the community of faith.

    Not only does Bible reading have personal implications, but it is also beneficial for the church as a whole. One of the main things we do when we gather for worship is to sit under the reading and teaching of God’s Word. Even when we meet together in smaller groups, we open the Word together because it proves to be a mighty tool of God for the fostering of God-honoring relationships. Paul urges Timothy in 2 Timothy that the Word is useful “for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). This happens within the context of the community of faith. The Bible is the ultimate source of truth and will encourage us to grow in our faith, both individually and communally.

    We read the Bible because it urges us to share the Gospel.

    One final reason we read the Bible is because it encourages us to share the gospel. As Christians, our goal in this life is to glorify God and we do that by worshipping him and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. As we read the Scriptures, our view of God is transformed, and we begin to see Him as He truly is – the Lord of all Creation. We also begin to see ourselves in a different light as we are changed by our relationship with God. We are encouraged by the growth and friendship of our fellow believers and these things lead us to share our faith with others.