The Bible: What’s It Good For?

Memory Verse: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”  2 Timothy 3:16

Monday: Understanding Our Memory Verse

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”

The Bible is not a collection of stories, fables, myths, or merely human ideas about God. It is not a human book. Through the Holy Spirit, God revealed His person and plan to certain believers, who wrote down His message for His people. This process is known as inspiration. The writers wrote from their own personal, historical, and cultural contexts. Although they used their own minds, talents, language, and style, they wrote what God wanted them was in control to write. Scripture is completely trustworthy because God was in control of its writing. Its words are entirely authoritative for our faith and lives. The Bible is “God-breathed.” Read it, and use its teachings to guide your conduct. Make an effort to memorize this verse this week.

Tuesday: Using the Bible for Correction

Joshua 1:7-8 

What is your definition of success? Does it line up with what we are taught in God’s Word? How strange to equate success with obedience! For many, success is controlling others; for Joshua, it meant being controlled by God. God told Joshua that to succeed he must obey the rules for living found in God's law. Often we can't see what the results or future benefits of following God will be. When we are not certain what to do, obedience to what God has revealed in the Scriptures is the only sure step we can take. Resolve to set aside time each day to read and think about God's Word. Remind yourself of God's words day and night. Act today on what you know God has said and God will assure your success in carrying out His purposes.

Wednesday: Spiritual Fruitfulness Through Our Study of the Bible

James 1:22-25

It is important to listen to what God's Word says, but it is much more important to obey it, to do what it says. We can measure the effectiveness of our Bible study time by the effect it has on our behavior and attitude. Do you put into action what you have studied? Pray and ask God for guidance in applying His teaching to your life. Rely on God to help you apply your knowledge to specific situations. Hide His words in your heart so that when you are faced with tough situations, you can recall the Biblical truths needed to help you respond with a Christ-like heart.

Thursday: The Bible; Full of Fulfilled Prophecy Always Points To Our Savior

Luke 24:44-46

The Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms is a way to describe the entire Old Testament. In other words, the entire Old Testament points to the Messiah. For example, His role as prophet was foretold in Deuteronomy 18:15-20; his sufferings were prophesied in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53; His resurrection was predicted in Psalm 16:9-11 and Isaiah 53:10,11.

Read each prophecy listed above and find areas in the New Testament where those prophecies are fulfilled. Can you find other prophecies in the Bible and the location of their fulfillment?

Friday: Applying the Bible in Our Daily Lives

2 Timothy 3:16-17

The whole Bible is God’s inspired Word. Because it is inspired and trustworthy, we should read it and apply it to our lives. The Bible is our standard for testing everything else that claims to be true. It is our safeguard against false teaching and our source of knowledge about how we can be saved. God wants to show you what is true and equip you to live for Him.  How much time do you spend in God’s Word? Read it regularly to discover God’s truth and become confident in your faith. Develop a plan for reading the entire Bible, not just familiar scriptures. 

There are many different plans for reading through the Bible in one year. Here are a few ideas…

Beginning to End: Read the Bible from start to finish, from Genesis to Revelation. Bible Gateway From Beginning Plan

Chronological: Read the Bible as its events occurred in real time. For example, Job lived sometime after the beginning of creation (Genesis 1) but before Abraham was born (Genesis 12). As a result, the Book of Job is integrated into the Book of Genesis.  Bible Gateway Chronological Reading Plan

Historical: Read the books of the Bible as they were written historically, according to the estimated date of their writing. Bible Gateway  Historical Reading Plan

New then Old: Read through the New Testament first, then read through the Old Testament.

Old and New: Each day, include a passage from both the Old Testament and New Testament. Bible Gateway Old/New Reading Plan

Links to other Reading Plans:
52 Week Reading Plan
Blue Letter Bible Blended Reading Plan 
American Bible Society Reading Plan