How does the Bible affect our lives?

Review: Last week I asked for you to read four Bible texts: Genesis 1, Psalm 1, John 1, and Romans 1. How are these chapters similar? How are they different?

Goal: Today we are going to see how the Bible affects our lives when we read and when we heed it.

Discuss: What prompted you to start reading the Bible? Has it had in impact on your life? What do you expect to gain from the Bible?

Introduction: Read Hebrews 4:12

What attributes or qualities does this verse give to the Bible/Word of God?

It is living

It is active

It is sharp

It is able to judge

How do these attributes comfort us? How do they convict us?

Note: The Bible’s primary purpose is to reveal Jesus Christ to us and to show us how God has acted to save us. However, there are certain results of a believer prayerfully reading the Bible and responding in faith.

Six results of reading and obeying the Bible

The Bible Convicts us of Sin.

Romans 3:20

Hebrews 4:12-13

The Bible Corrects the way we think about God, the world, and ourselves.

Matthew 7:24-27

2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Bible Creates fruitfulness and righteousness within us.

Psalm 1

James 1:18-25

The Bible Causes us to persevere in the faith.

1 Corinthians 15:1-2

2 Peter 3:14-18 (esp. verses 16-18)

The Bible Causes us to have Joy and Delight

Psalm 119:103-104

Proverbs 24:13-14

The Bible Commands us as the ultimate authority in belief and deed.

John 5:24

John 5:37-40

Put it into practice:

Read Exodus 20:1-21. Record in a journal your thoughts and feelings. What do you think God is saying? How should you respond?

Read Psalm 23:1-6. Record in a journal your thoughts and feelings. What do you think God is saying? How should you respond?

Read Matthew 5:1-11. Record in a journal your thoughts and feelings. What do you think God is saying? How should you respond?

Read Philippians 2:1-11. Record in a journal your thoughts and feelings. What do you think God is saying? How should you respond?