Foundations of Faith: What Does It Mean to Be a Christian?Sample

God's Word: His Big Plan

The Bible, which is the Word of God, reveals God's plan for every person. God’s Word is His love letter to us, His people. Scripture is designed to teach, redirect, and train.

The Bible is God’s Word, and “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” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV).

The Bible is made up of 66 books and is divided into two sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. With about 40 authors, God used these men to prophetically record His Word to His people in a unifying way. The Bible tells the story of God’s creation and how He has redeemed mankind through faith in Jesus Christ’s birth, death, burial, and resurrection!

God wants us to understand His message. He had the Old Testament writers use Hebrew so the Hebrew people could understand them. The New Testament writers used Greek which was the common language of Jesus' day.

Today, a few people know both Hebrew and Greek. But godly people have translated the Bible into more than 2,280 languages. Some languages have several translations so that everyone can understand the message. It is common to find different wording in different translations. But God’s message is the same.

Most Bible apps have several translations available within the app. Try reading different translations to find the version that speaks to you best. As you grow in your faith, your Bible translation preference may change.

God’s Word transcends time. God’s Word is infallible – meaning it’s incapable of being wrong or making a mistake.

“Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.”

- Proverbs 30:5

We’ll learn even more about the Bible tomorrow, but for now, check out these scriptures to learn more about the importance of reading it.

• Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
  - Psalms 119:105
• People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
  - Matthew 4:4
• For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
  - Hebrews 4:12
• God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says…
  - Revelation 1:3
• How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
  - Psalms 119:9
• All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
  - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
• In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.
  - John 1:1-3
• He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.
  - 1 Peter 2:24
• Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
  - Ephesians 6:17
• And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
  - John 8:32
• Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
  - Matthew 24:35