What is Scripture and Why Should I Care?

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

What is Scripture?

Paul is talking specifically about the OT here, but we can understand this to mean the OT and NT.

Paul tells Timothy two things about Scripture:

It is “breathed out by God”.

It is “profitable”.

What does “breathed out by God” mean?

This comes from one word that is made up of the word for “God” and for “breathe.”

This word emphasizes the authority of Scripture.

When the Bible speaks, God speaks.

This Bible is God’s Word.

What does “profitable” mean?

It means Scripture is useful, beneficial, it is good for us.

It is good for us in specific ways.

Scripture doesn’t teach us how to build a ship, though it tells the story of a famous ship builder.

It doesn’t tell us how to survive in a lions’ den or when you are thrown in a super-hot furnace, but it does tell us about some people who did.

It doesn’t tell us a lot of what heaven and hell are actually like, or what Jesus looked like specifically, but it does tell us how to know God as Father, Son, and Spirit, and how to spend an eternity with Him.

So, what is Scripture profitable for?

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Paul says it does four things:

Teaching

Reproof

Correction

Training in righteousness

Teaching

Scripture tells us positively what we must believe, there’s a word for beliefs called “doctrine”.

A doctrine is a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church, political party, or other group.

When we start our new study next week, you will see from time to time an “Essential Doctrine”. This means a necessary belief. Something a Christian believes.

Reproof

Scripture doesn’t just tell us what we must believe, it also tells us negatively what we should not believe. It tells us some of the false beliefs or doctrines that others hold to who don’t know God.

In the study we’ll start next week there will be sections called “In Defense”.

These sections deal with issues people who don’t believe in God will raise.

Or issues that have been misunderstood at different times.

These will help you defend your faith when others bring up these questions.

Correction

Scripture doesn’t only deal with our beliefs it also deals with our actions and our conduct, the way we relate to those around us.

Correction tells us negatively what not to do. It sets us back on the right course.

In the study we’re starting next week, we’ll break into small groups and talk about how the sections of Scripture apply not only to our head and hearts—what we believe, but also our hands—things we shouldn’t do or things we can do to live out the Scriptures.

Training in Righteousness

Scripture doesn’t tell us only what not to do in our actions, but it encourages us in right actions, actions that help.

It tells us positively what we must do as Christians.

Each week the study we will start next week will have 5 days of very short devotionals. Devotionals are times you read some verses in Scripture or a chapter then you think about it for a few minutes.

These devotionals will help you start to read the bible and understand it for yourself. They will also help you think about Scripture a little each day and help you understand who God is and how He loves you.

Scripture is God-breathed, the Word of God, and its useful, it helps you know what to believe and what not to believe. What actions to stay away from and what things should fill your life. All of these things come from a God who loves you so much He died to take care of your sins and fills you with Himself so you can live out His love to others.

As we live out these things, there is a completeness, a real purpose to life that impacts the world with good. This is how Paul ends this section:

2 Timothy 3:17 ESV

17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

The word for man means people, Paul is talking to Timothy here, Timothy is a man so, the word man is used, but this outcome is for all of us.

Through the study of Scripture, we get to see Jesus, the Son of God.

Each week, we will see how all of Scripture points to Jesus and how our lives can be changed by Him.

We were always meant to live lives full of meaning and love, in fellowship with one another and most importantly with God.

Jesus has made a way for us to live out that reality, now in this world, on this planet, with the people around us. Jesus has made a way for us to know Him, find forgiveness for our sins that have separated us from God and others, and live purpose-filled lives that honor God.

Don’t you want to feel complete?

Don’t you want to make an impact on this world?

Don’t you want to live a meaningful life?

We do this in Christ, by living out His gospel through our lives!

It all starts by getting to know Jesus, in a personal relationship, and in community.

This is what I am inviting you to tonight and we will start the adventure next week.

If you haven’t started your journey with Jesus, then come talk to one of the adults tonight. The amazing truths of the Bible come alive as you place your faith and trust in Jesus.

προσευχωμεθα