Read the Bible for Life by George Guthrie - Chapter 1 - Cameron Jungels 1-13-2013

Read the Bible for Life by George Guthrie Chapter 1 If we are going to read the Bible as a guide for all of life… We must have a commitment to:

The Bible comes from God.

The Bible is true and without error.

The Bible is my authority.

The Bible is my authority. 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 Tim 3:16-17 NIV) Baptist Catechism #5 Q. May all men make use of the holy scriptures? A. All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted to read, hear, and understand the holy scriptures (John 5:38; Rev. 17:18, 19; 1:3; Acts 8:30). How do we know the Bible is the Word of God? The Bible evidences itself to be the Word of God by the heavenliness of its doctrine, the unity of its parts, and its power to convert sinners and edify saints. But only the Spirit of God can make us willing to agree and submit to the Bible as the Word of God. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. (1 Cor 2:13-14 NIV)

We must allow our thinking and view of the world to be shaped by the truth of the Bible.

God’s view of the world is reality.

The Bible’s truth and authority touches on every area of life.

We don’t just read and interpret the Bible; it interprets us.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Heb 4:12 NIV)

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. (James 1:22-24 NIV)

If the Bible is going to shape our view of the world, we need purposeful and constant exposure to it.

Unexpected Tornadoes

Not an encyclopedia, but daily food

Life Habits

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom 12:1-2 NIV)

If the Bible is going to be our guide for life, we need to discipline ourselves to read it well.

Misinterpretation

Misapplication

Reading our situations into the Bible

Failing to see the big picture

As we read the Bible to shape our view of the world, we have to read the parts in light of the whole.

Bible’s Big Story

Creation, Fall, Redemption, New Creation

Progressive Revelation

Unfolding of Covenants

As the Word shapes our view of life and provides light for our path, it will also provide strength and encouragement for the journey.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. (Rom 15:4 NIV)

Reading the Bible as a guide for life is more about a whole-life commitment than a quick-fix methodology.