Building Block #2: Bible Reading & Study

When someone asks, "How Do you Grow as a Christian", the normal answer is "Pray and Read your Bible!" Those words roll easily off the tongue! But what do they really mean? Building Block #1 gives some insights about Prayer. That is a Crucial First Step in Building a Relationship with The Living God. But closely following this step is the need to

"Read and Study the Bible!" This is one of the Key Disciplines you must practice if you want to better Understand Who God is and What He is Doing!

Bible Reading is a matter of selecting a passage or even a Book of the Bible, and then reading what it says. The Study Part is more difficult! This can involve choosing a word, a theme/topic, or even looking at a Biblical character and seeing how God worked in their lives. You might trace a certain word through various books of the Bible to get a more complete understanding of how you should apply that principle to the way you live.

The Bible is not like any other book! There are 66 "Books" in the Bible, each one a bit different than the others, yet all fit together in a special way that points to a common theme!

It was written over 1,500 years by 40 different writers, yet you could sum it up simply like this:

Part 1: Genesis 1 & 2: The Creation

God Made Everything & He Made People

Part 2: Genesis 3: The Curse

Adam & Eve Sinned/Rebelled/Disobeyed.

Everything was Cursed.

Part 3: Genesis 4--Revelation 22 The Restoration

(The Rest of the Bible)  The Story of God's Pursuit of a Relationship With Us.

It was verbally and completely inspired by God. This means He "breathed life into it", and His Word is a Living Document that reads us as we read it! ("For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12, NIV)

When you begin Reading and Studying the Bible, you are entering dangerous territory!

There is no guarantee what God may say through His Word. You may find great comfort, but you might also be challenged or even convicted of sinful behaviors. But if you choose to regularly read it with an open heart, you WILL NOT remain the same.