Everything in our world changes every few years. New inventions change every aspect of daily living much faster than one decade or one generation. So how can we trust that the Bible is still reliable, relevant, and trustworthy as a manual for living?
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
1. Tell us where you get the most input in your free time: TV, news channels, newspapers, podcasts, novels, books, music, or other?
2. All Scripture is breathed out by God. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Discuss the inspiration of Scripture. Is this something that you easily accept? Notice the words “breathed out” and “inspiration” and how they relate to Scripture. If you would love to learn more about the reliability of the Bible and read it with confidence, check out Josh McDowell’s videos here, either in group or on your own. Focus on the “Can I Trust the Bible?” section.
3. Scripture provides Godly wisdom. Read James 3:13-18. We were challenged this week to compare the world’s wisdom to the wisdom of God. List attributes of both kinds of wisdom, as found in these verses. Now, share one source of each kind of wisdom that you routinely take in?
4. Scripture speaks to us. Read 2 Timothy 3:16 and James 1:23-24. Focus on the last half of the Timothy verse. What does the Bible do for us? How does it do this? Discuss the “mirror” analogy. Have you experienced extremely specific information from God’s Word to your life, situation, sin, or despair?
5. Scripture transforms us. Read 2 Corinthians 3:18. Why does God leave us in this world after we become Jesus followers? One of the reasons is found in this verse. What can we find in the Scriptures? How does that change us?
6. This Week: As you pick up a book or turn on a movie, commit to applying the James 3:17 test for wisdom. If you are a bit cynical or skeptical that the Word of God can withstand the test of time, that it is truly reliable for this generation, check out all the videos found in question two!
Deeper
If you have time, read the entire story of King Josiah, found in 2 Kings 22:1-23:30 and 2 Chronicles 34:1-35:27. Or look at specific sections and answer the questions below.
7. Read 2 Kings 22:1-7 and 2 Chronicles 34:1-3. What do you notice about his age and the descriptors? What project did he begin in the time before his actions of 2 Chronicles 34:3.
8. Read 2 Kings 22:8, 10-11, 23:1-3. What was found? What immediate responses did this provoke? How does this remind you of the power of the Word of God?
9. Read 2 Kings 23:1-3 and 2 Chronicles 34:3-7. What is the transformative power of the Word of God? What does it translate into? How can you see 2 Timothy 3:16 and James 1:23-24 acted out in this Old Testament account?