The Bible is more important than you know, yet the average believer doesn’t read the Bible. Why is it so important to read your Bible and why don’t people regularly do it?

2020 Was a Good Year for the Bible. More people read the Bible regularly that year than in the last 10. More than half of America believes the world would be worse off without the Bible. About 11% of America reads the Bible every day according to Barna Research (2021). I believe Bible reading and reflection are VERY important to a healthy and balanced faith. Without it, faith becomes internal, and only a creation of one’s own mind. The Bible is filled with new ideas, new approaches, and fresh thinking. It’s challenging. And we need to be challenged - don’t we?

What is Your Moral Authority? What determines right and wrong for you? Are you the final authority for your life? Because that is the world’s doctrine. Be anything you want to be. Do what makes you happy. Find your power. You decide who, what, where, why, you will be. You decide.

But, is that really true? Did you pick your parents? Nationality? Place of birth? Gender? Your appearance? Birth order? Siblings? Your time in History? Your mental capacity? Your lifespan?So you do command the universe? Do you command your own life?

- Why do you read your Bible? What are some of the key benefits you get from reading it?

- What is your moral authority? Why? How does it help you make decisions?

What is God Like? You can’t just invent a Jesus, a God, or a Spirit of your own making.

The desire and hunger to know God is the greatest and most satisfying pursuit of all. There is always more of Him. There are infinite depths to everything about Him. And, your Bible is the only revelation of Him that is fully available to you. Sure, others can testify, preach, write books, but the Bible is first hand. The Bible is personal witness/testimony of what God has done, is doing, and will do.

How Do I Know God’s Voice? This glorious God has SO MUCH to say to you. But, your Bible is the beginning. It teaches us what God’s voice sounds like. The Bible reveals God’s character and nature. So much of what is attributed to God these days is not consistent with His character or nature; people don’t know what God is like. We tend to only reflect upon His words until His spirit, and the mind of Christ opens those words to us. 1 Corinthians 2 and 3 have much to say about it.

Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing. The New Testament, as well as the Old, was primarily heard. People would gather and the scriptures would be read aloud. Listening to preaching which is filled with truth and hope is powerful. Sharing testimonies of ways God has revealed himself to us is very encouraging. And, honest discussion of the things God is showing us helps us hear God’s word.

- How do you know God’s voice from all of the other voices that we hear in life and in our minds?

- Do you believe that God has things to say to you? What is something you believe God has said to you in the past?

Let There Be Light… When God speaks, when Jesus speaks, and when the Holy Spirit speaks, it is powerful! God’s word can never return empty, it can’t fail, it can’t be destroyed, and it can’t be corrupted. God’s word is beyond powerful.

What happens when that word is in your mind? In your mouth? On your tongue? God’s word, spoken under Jesus' authority, and empowered by the Holy Spirit causes things to happen - IN you, and AROUND you.

- How is the Bible a weapon? How does the Bible “tear down” lies and wrong beliefs?

- How does the Bible keep the Devil at bay? How does the Bible embolden us to do what is right?