Scripture

Let’s take our Bibles and turn to Psalm 19.

We’re continuing in our series entitled 12 Truths Every Teen Can Trust. And today’s lesson is our first truth out of the series. And this truth somehow holds all of the other truths together (at least from a human perspective). — SCRIPTURE

Here’s WHAT WE BELIEVE about Scripture:

God has revealed himself and perfectly declared his will by committing his truth to writing. This makes Scripture (the Old and New Testaments of the Bible) essential and authoritative. Because it is God’s word, it is to believed, obeyed, and joyfully received. In Scripture, we have all things necessary for God’s own glory and for our salvation.

Today we won’t spend that much time in the what we believe about Scripture. We’re going to spend the bulk of our time on the WHY WE BELIEVE these truths about Scripture. And throughout will be sprinkled how Scripture is meant to change and transform us.

Our focus today is on God’s word. The same God who made the world tells us how to live in it. His word is the only place to find true wisdom, which we need every day. Thankfully, God doesn’t leave us on our own to figure out the meaning of the Bible. He graciously teaches us what he has written and how it relates to all of life. In love, he warns us about dangers and shines his light into our darkness. For the Christian, God’s word is the daily food, healthy and sweet as honey.

We’re in Psalm 19 and what I would like to do is read responsively the first eleven verses.

Psalm 19:1–11 KJV 1900

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, And night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, Where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, And his circuit unto the ends of it: And there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: And in keeping of them there is great reward.

Here’s our first point:

WORLD AND WORD

Psalm 19 paints for us a beautiful picture.

Every morning when we get up, we bump into God and come face-to-face with his existence. “The heavens declare the glory of God…” Creations screams about God. He is revealed in the wind, rain, rocks, flowers, birds, sun, moon, grass, clouds, sights, smells, touches, and tastes. Everything that exists is a finger the points to God’s existence and glory.

The fact that we all (Romans 1) see creation’s beauty points us to God’s love and mercy. The created world is a stunning display of the existence and attributes of the one who created it all.

God is so good to build into creation reminders of himself everywhere. He wants us to constantly think of him when we look at the world he created.

But creation is not enough. Creation could never teach us to truly know him or ourselves. If we look at creation, we can’t understand the meaning and purpose of life.

*boyfriend / girlfriend love illustration

God has given us his word so we would know how to live as his children.

Psalm 119:130 KJV 1900

130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple.

What’s your favorite part of God’s world (nature) and his word (Scripture)? How do they help you know God more closely?

A teen says their favorite part of God’s world is the ocean. Standing at the beach makes them feel small and reminds them that God is powerful, orderly, and in control. Their favorite Scripture is Psalm 46, which helps them see that the same God who controls the waves is present in their anxiety.

A student loves sunsets because no two are the same. It reminds them that God is creative and intentional. Pairing that with the Gospels, they see God’s creativity matched with His closeness—Jesus entering real human life.

Another teen enjoys hiking or mountains. Creation shows God’s greatness, but Scripture (like Psalm 23) shows God’s nearness—He’s not just big, He’s personal and guiding.

WISDOM FOR FOOLS

One of the devastating results of sin is that it reduces all of us to fools.

A fool looks at truth and sees falsehood. A fool looks at bad and sees good. A fool ignores God and inserts himself into God’s position. A fool rebels against God’s wise and loving law, and writes his own rules. A fool thinks he can live on his own, not needing anyone’s help.

And here’s the worst — A fool doesn’t know he’s a fool.

How do you start the search for wisdom? Wisdom begins in the pages of God’s word.

You can be highly trained and still be a fool. You can be a well-educated and gifted communicator and still be a fool. You can be successful and famous and still be a fool. You can have social media dominance and still be a fool. You can be a person whom people look to for guidance and still be a fool. But no one is hopelessly trapped in foolishness. Why?

Because God, who is the source of all true wisdom, is a God of tender, forgiving, and rescuing grace.

Psalm 19:7 KJV 1900

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

When you need advice, where do you turn first for ideas, help, or guidance?

A teen immediately checks TikTok, YouTube, or Reddit for advice on relationships or mental health, then maybe asks God later—if at all.

Someone texts a friend group chat before praying or opening Scripture, trusting people who are just as confused as they are.

Another teen Googles, “Is this wrong?” instead of asking, “What does God say?”

A growing believer starts to pause before reacting, prays, and searches Scripture when making decisions about friendships, dating, or how to respond when hurt.

TRUE CONFESSION

*mirror illustration.

Scripture tells the truth about humanity.

Without Scripture, you would not know how to be a son/daughter, employee, citizen, or a member of the body of Christ. Without Scripture we would not know right from wrong. Without the Scripture, we would not know about sin or understand true righteousness.

Apart from God’s word, we would have no wise and holy law to follow. The Bible exposes for us that we truly need God and his word. So we approach our Bibles every day as a needy and thankful people.

Psalm 36:9 KJV 1900

9 For with thee is the fountain of life: In thy light shall we see light.

What is your daily plan for spending time with God in his word and prayer?

A teen admits, “I don’t really have a plan. I just read the Bible when I feel guilty or when life gets hard.”

Someone says, “I read a verse on a Bible app notification, but I never slow down to think or pray.”

A student has a simple rhythm: 5–10 minutes in the morning, one chapter, one verse written down, and a short prayer asking God to help them live it out.

Another teen reads at night and prays honestly: “God, I don’t even want to do this right now—help me want You.”

NOT JUST THE WORD

God rescues us from our foolishness not just by handing me a book but also by giving me himself — and he opens that wisdom of that book to us.

*author illustration — they would never come to your house and explain the book

The same spirit that inspired God’s word is the same spirit that resides in every believer.

God is not only the author of his word, he’s also its primary teacher.

When you get the word of God, you also get the God of the word.

Psalm 86:11 KJV 1900

11 Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: Unite my heart to fear thy name.

When reading God’s word, in what ways are you inviting the Lord to speak to you? How are you tempted to depend on your own ability to understand the Bible?

A teen opens the Bible and immediately thinks, “I don’t get this,” and closes it without asking God for help.

Someone treats Bible reading like homework—checking boxes instead of asking questions.

A growing believer prays before reading: “God, show me what You want me to see about You, about me, and about today.”

Another teen notices they only trust passages that already agree with their opinions and resist verses that confront their behavior.

GOD’S WORD TEACHES

*learning from my favorite writers vs. learning at the feet of Jesus.

Reading and studying God’s word is essentially sitting at the very feet of Jesus.

God’s word teaches in ways unlike anything else. It teaches you thing that you will learn from nowhere else. God’s word doesn’t just impart knowledge to you. It also forms wisdom in you. It reveals to you the deepest, most profound spiritual mysteries that could ever be considered.

Psalm 119:97–99 KJV 1900

97 MEM. O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: For they are ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: For thy testimonies are my meditation.

What is the difference between mastering God’s word and being mastered by God’s word? Why is that difference so important?

A teen can quote verses to win arguments but doesn’t forgive, repent, or obey when Scripture confronts them.

Someone knows Bible stories but still lives by the same habits, relationships, and priorities as before.

Being mastered by God’s word looks like a student changing how they speak to parents, ending a sinful relationship, or confessing sin—not because they had to, but because Scripture convicted them.

One teen says, “I used to read the Bible to feel smart. Now I read it to be changed.”

WORDS OF WARNING

*parent and warning illustration

Warnings are motivated by tenderhearted parental love.

God loves us, so he has dotted his word with warnings.

Don’t harden your heart (Hebrews 3:7-8)

Don’t trust your heart (Jeremiah 17:9)

Beware of pride and self-sufficiency (Proverbs 16:18)

Judgment is certain (Hebrews 9:27)

Don’t think you are smarter than God. Don’t believe the lie that there will be no cost for ignoring his wise and loving warnings. Every sin, and every mess that follows, is a result of a failure to humbly heed God’s warnings.

Hebrews 2:1 KJV 1900

1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

Where have you neglected to submit your heart and life to God’s loving warnings?

Ignoring warnings about sexual purity because “everyone’s doing it” and dealing with guilt, shame, or broken trust later.

Believing “I’ll get serious about God later” while hardening the heart through repeated delay.

Trusting emotions over truth—“It feels right, so it must be right.”

Refusing accountability, assuming, “I won’t fall like other people.”

WORDS THAT GUIDE

*backpacking / camping illustration — can’t see

On any given day, you probably encounter more darkness than truth — both in you and around you. So to move forward without danger and get to where you are meant to go, you need something to light your way.

The light of the world has grace you with the light of his word. It will shine around your feet in the midst of the darkness so that you won’t stumble and fall.

Psalm 119:104–105 KJV 1900

104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way. 105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

Are there areas in your life that you’re keeping in the dark? Why has it been difficult for you to bring them into the light of God’s Word?

A teen keeps their phone life in the dark—private messages, deleted search history, or hidden apps—because they know God’s Word would call for purity and self-control.

Someone hides resentment toward a parent or authority. They don’t want to read verses about forgiveness because bitterness feels justified and safe.

A student avoids Scripture when dealing with dating boundaries, knowing the Bible would challenge the physical or emotional intimacy they don’t want to give up.

A teen keeps comparison and insecurity hidden, constantly measuring themselves against others on social media, afraid that God’s truth would confront their need for approval.

Someone avoids bringing mental or emotional struggles into the light because they fear Scripture will minimize their pain—when in reality, God’s Word offers comfort, clarity, and hope.

A student hides pride and self-sufficiency, believing, “I’ve got this,” and avoids Scripture because it calls them to humility and dependence.

Why it’s hard to bring things into the light:

Fear of exposure — God already sees, but we’re afraid of admitting it.

Love for sin — we don’t want to let go of what God calls harmful.

Shame — we believe God will reject us instead of restore us.

Comfort in darkness — darkness feels familiar, even when it’s destructive.

Control — letting God’s Word shine means surrendering authority over our lives

PRAYER PROMPTS

Pray for humble dependence on God’s Word. Confess our trust in our thoughts, feelings, and voices more than God’s. Pray that God would give us hearts that hunger for truth.

Pray for guidance and obedience. Help us listen to your warnings and trust your wisdom. Teach us to walk in your truth and to obey with joy.