Why study the Bible? As Christians, we study the Bible for many reasons, including learning about who God is, who we are and our purpose for life. The Bible is divine revelation, God's Word to us. 2 Timothy 3:16 from the Message says, "Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another, showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way."

If you don't have a regular time of Bible reading and prayer, I'd like to suggest a method I've been employing. First thing in the morning and last thing before you go to bed, take at least five minutes to read Scripture of your choice. Read, listening to what God has to say to you. How much you read is less important than reading to draw closer to God. Start AND end your day with God's Holy Word!

Plan to join us this Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. OR go to our FB page to link to YouTube live on Sunday mornings or anytime on our website redoakpresbyterianchurch.com

Questions to Ponder:

Many of today's questions are from Adele Ahlberg Calhoun's book Spiritual Disciplines Handbook.

1. Adele Ahlberg suggests several ways to study the Bible. One of them is the treasure-seeker method.

When reading Scropture, consider the following application questions:

Is there an example here for me to follow?

Is there a promise to claim or a command to obey?

Is there a truth to be applied? Is there a prayer for me to pray? Is there a sin to be confessed? Is there a question God is asking me?

Take time and use this method this week while reading a Scripture passage.

2. How has God spoken to you through the study of His Word?

3. What are you looking for when you read Scripture - information, comfort, understanding, guidance, a word from God, communion with God?

4. Experiment with different ways of reading/listening to Scripture.

Read the Bible out loud. Listen to the Bible on CD or online. Print a verse on a card or make a Bible verse as your screen saver on your computer or the wallpaper on your phone.

5. When the Word of God seems dry to you, what do you make of this season in your life?

6. How and when have the Scriptures been the voice of God to you? How have they brought you into the presence of Christ?

7. Why do you think it's important to study God's Word?