<p>Why Should We Read and Study the Bible? Hope Center Pastor BJ Wilmoth November 20, 2013 1</p><p>"Why Should We Read and Study the Bible?"</p><p>Our Spiritual health like our physical health is dependent on a number of personal actions that we must discipled to do daily. Prayer, reading and mediating on scripture will help with our Spiritual life. Here are thirteen reasons for you as a disciple of the Lord should read and study the Bible.</p><p>1. We should read and study the Bible because it is God's ______to us.</p><p>2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: </p><p>2. We should read and study the Bible because it is totally reliable and without ______.</p><p>The Bible is unique among so-called "holy" books in that it does not merely give moral teaching and say, "Trust me." Rather, we have the ability to test it by checking the hundreds of detailed prophecies that it makes, by checking the historical accounts it records, and by checking the scientific facts it relates. </p><p>3. We should read and study the Bible because God does not change and because mankind's nature does not change; it is as ______for us as it was when it was written. </p><p>Ecclesiastes 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. </p><p>4. We should read and study the Bible because there is so much ______teaching. </p><p>5. The Bible tells us how one truly gets to______. </p><p>John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. </p><p>Ephesians 2:1–10 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. </p><p>6. God's Word shows us just how much God ______us </p><p>Romans 5:6–8 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. </p><p>And it is in learning this that we are drawn to ______Him in return </p><p>1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us. </p><p>7. The Bible ______us to serve God</p><p>2 Timothy 3:16–17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. </p><p>Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: </p><p>Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. </p><p>8. It helps us know how to be ______from our sin and its ultimate consequence </p><p>2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. </p><p>9. Meditating on God’s Word and obeying its teachings will bring ______in life </p><p>Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. </p><p>James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. </p><p>10. God’s Word helps us see sin in our lives and helps us get ______of it </p><p>Psalm 119:9–11 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee. Why Should We Read and Study the Bible? Hope Center Pastor BJ Wilmoth November 20, 2013 3</p><p>11. It gives us guidance in life, making us ______than our teachers </p><p>Psalm 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. </p><p>Psalm 119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: For thy testimonies are my meditation. </p><p>Proverbs 1:5–7 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; And a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; The words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction. </p><p>12. The Bible keeps us from ______years of our lives on that which does not matter and will not last </p><p>Matthew 7:24–27 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. </p><p>13. Reading and studying the Bible helps us see beyond the attractive "bait" to the painful "hook" in sinful temptations, so that we can learn from others' ______rather than making them ourselves. </p><p>Experience is a great teacher, but when it comes to learning from sin, it is a terribly hard teacher. It is so much better to learn from others' mistakes. There are so many Bible characters to learn from, some of whom can serve as both positive and negative role models at different times in their lives. </p><p>The Bible is a book that is not merely for reading. It is a book for studying so that it can be applied. Otherwise, it is like swallowing food without chewing and then spitting it back out again—no nutritional value is gained by it. The Bible is God's Word. Studying the Bible can be compared to mining for gold. If we make little effort and merely "sift through the pebbles in a stream," we will only find a little gold dust. But the more we make an effort to really dig into it, the more reward we will gain for our effort.</p>