This week’s Monday School is something near and dear to my heart. It’s why I started Monday School in the first place, and the Bible study I’m going through touched on it this week.
My hope with Monday School is to make all of us more and more curious about the Bible so that we’ll read and study the Bible. Unfortunately, many view Bible reading as outdated and unnecessary. According to this LifeWay Research study, even among American church attendees, less than half read their Bibles daily.
There are several reasons to read and study our Bibles, and none of them include checking it off our Christian “to do” lists. The Bible is God’s Word to us and the way we get to know Him better and better. We read the Bible to know and enjoy “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:8
First and foremost, we read the Bible to deepen our personal relationship with Jesus. Another reason was pointed out in the No Other Gods study this week.
In order to identify a lie we must know the truth. Jesus claimed in John 14:6 that He is the truth. Therefore, if we’re to navigate this world’s vain philosophies, empty promises, and wounding deceptions, we must be well acquainted with the revelation of Jesus and His word.
Kelly Minter in No Other Gods
Bible reading is necessary in our fight against idols. Behind every false god is a lie. Behind every idol is deceit and intimidation. How can we know the truth if we don’t read the truth? How can we resist being deceived by false gods if we don’t know the truth to begin with? How can we know we’re listening to false teaching if we don’t know the real thing?
We can’t.
We spot the lies when we know the truth. We know the truth when we read and study the Bible for ourselves.
Whether we’re long-time followers of Jesus, brand new to the journey, or somewhere in between, we’re called to continue in the truths of the gospel. Brothers and sisters, let us ask God to give us a hunger for His Word and discipline ourselves to read it. Let’s examine the Scriptures as the Bereans did, who searched them daily to see if what Paul told them was true (Acts 17:11). And let’s trust the Holy Spirit to teach us all things (John 14:26).
By your words I can see where I’m going;
they throw a beam of light on my dark path. Psalm 119:105 MSG
______________________________________________________________________________
I’d be happy to share the resources I’ve used to keep me on track with my Bible reading. Leave a comment or reach me through the contact page.
Critical reminder, Marie. Thanks. On this same note, it struck me last week that the enemy primarily tempts us through lies. “Did God really say?” So, a daily diet of reading God’s Word undercuts the deceptive power of temptation.
I agree, Roger. Thank you.