What's the Point of the Bible?
If you miss this, you miss everything.
In John 5:3, Jesus says, "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."
A person could read the Bible over and over, pour in hours of study and meditation and still miss the point. How could that be possible? It's possible to miss the whole point of the Bible, because the point is a person, not the text. Jesus said that the whole point of Scripture is to come to Jesus. It is in Jesus that you will find life, not specifically in the Bible.
The Bible is meant to lead you to Jesus… to a living, breathing relationship with the Son of God. But, it can be easy to miss Him amidst the diligent study. When we think that we are close to Jesus simply because we have read about Him, we are in danger of missing the point.
How can we be sure not to miss Jesus as we read His words?
First, look for Jesus in Scripture. The passage you are reading might not talk about Jesus specifically. But, themes of Jesus' life, death and resurrection are most often present. For example, when you read Old Testament stories of Israel fighting battles in the Promised Land, you can find the themes of sin, need for salvation, God keeping His promises, etc. Jesus is the fulfillment of the events and prophecies of the Old Testament. And Jesus points the way to life with the Father forever through the New Testament. As Jesus stands between B.C. and A.D., he literally stands at the center of history.
Next, as you read the Bible, be sure to ask Jesus how you can follow or obey Him specifically in that day. You will not miss Jesus and the point of the Bible when you are seeking to follow Him. The outcome of our Bible reading must be obedience centered. If the Bible is simply interesting information, it will not lead us to Jesus. Wait on Jesus for his specific application to His words. This obedience step could be one of repentance, worship, giving, surrendering, or a practical act of service. Ask and wait until you get a specific obedience step related to the passage. The more specific the application, the more transformation in your life.
Lastly, actually do what Jesus says. When you are prompted with an obedience step out of the Bible passage you just read, be sure to do it! In John 14:23, Jesus says, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." You show your love for Jesus by obeying Him. The end result of obeying Jesus is being visited by Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And they intend to make their home with you. Now, that is intimate relationship between you and God.
When you look for Jesus in Scripture, seek to hear His obedience step for you, and then do it, you will be sure to get the point of the Bible. You will never miss it. You will never miss Him.
Keep Jesus front and center in your Bible reading. He is the point.
In John 5:3, Jesus says, "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."
A person could read the Bible over and over, pour in hours of study and meditation and still miss the point. How could that be possible? It's possible to miss the whole point of the Bible, because the point is a person, not the text. Jesus said that the whole point of Scripture is to come to Jesus. It is in Jesus that you will find life, not specifically in the Bible.
The Bible is meant to lead you to Jesus… to a living, breathing relationship with the Son of God. But, it can be easy to miss Him amidst the diligent study. When we think that we are close to Jesus simply because we have read about Him, we are in danger of missing the point.
How can we be sure not to miss Jesus as we read His words?
First, look for Jesus in Scripture. The passage you are reading might not talk about Jesus specifically. But, themes of Jesus' life, death and resurrection are most often present. For example, when you read Old Testament stories of Israel fighting battles in the Promised Land, you can find the themes of sin, need for salvation, God keeping His promises, etc. Jesus is the fulfillment of the events and prophecies of the Old Testament. And Jesus points the way to life with the Father forever through the New Testament. As Jesus stands between B.C. and A.D., he literally stands at the center of history.
Next, as you read the Bible, be sure to ask Jesus how you can follow or obey Him specifically in that day. You will not miss Jesus and the point of the Bible when you are seeking to follow Him. The outcome of our Bible reading must be obedience centered. If the Bible is simply interesting information, it will not lead us to Jesus. Wait on Jesus for his specific application to His words. This obedience step could be one of repentance, worship, giving, surrendering, or a practical act of service. Ask and wait until you get a specific obedience step related to the passage. The more specific the application, the more transformation in your life.
Lastly, actually do what Jesus says. When you are prompted with an obedience step out of the Bible passage you just read, be sure to do it! In John 14:23, Jesus says, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." You show your love for Jesus by obeying Him. The end result of obeying Jesus is being visited by Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And they intend to make their home with you. Now, that is intimate relationship between you and God.
When you look for Jesus in Scripture, seek to hear His obedience step for you, and then do it, you will be sure to get the point of the Bible. You will never miss it. You will never miss Him.
Keep Jesus front and center in your Bible reading. He is the point.
Bible Study: What’s the Point?
If you miss this, you miss everything!
What’s the whole point of the Bible? Is it just a collection of historical writings, wise sayings and advice on how to love God and people? Is there a singular, underlying message woven through its pages?
Click on Bible passages below to read.
Read John 5:39-40
According to Jesus, what is the point of the Bible? Who is the point of the Bible?
Read Matthew 22:37-40
What is the summary of the whole Bible? Are we supposed to do something with the Bible, or just read it?
Read John 14:23
How do we show Jesus that we love him?
SUMMARY
The point of the Bible is learning to follow _____________. We show Jesus that we love Him by __________________ Him.
OBEDIENCE STEP
If we don’t read the Bible, we won’t be able to love and obey Jesus. What obedience step could you take (and plan to take) to show that you love Jesus?
PRAY
Thank you, Jesus, for your Word. I will read your Word so I can follow You and love You. I never want to treat Your Word like a school textbook. When You speak to me from Your Word, I will obey You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
What’s the whole point of the Bible? Is it just a collection of historical writings, wise sayings and advice on how to love God and people? Is there a singular, underlying message woven through its pages?
Click on Bible passages below to read.
Read John 5:39-40
According to Jesus, what is the point of the Bible? Who is the point of the Bible?
Read Matthew 22:37-40
What is the summary of the whole Bible? Are we supposed to do something with the Bible, or just read it?
Read John 14:23
How do we show Jesus that we love him?
SUMMARY
The point of the Bible is learning to follow _____________. We show Jesus that we love Him by __________________ Him.
OBEDIENCE STEP
If we don’t read the Bible, we won’t be able to love and obey Jesus. What obedience step could you take (and plan to take) to show that you love Jesus?
PRAY
Thank you, Jesus, for your Word. I will read your Word so I can follow You and love You. I never want to treat Your Word like a school textbook. When You speak to me from Your Word, I will obey You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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