God’s Instruction manual—The Bible

What do I do with this big book?

The Bible. Where do you begin? Why is it so important? What does a book written thousands of years ago have to do with my life today? These are all questions many have asked. But we have found that when a person accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, there is actually less questioning its importance and more of a hunger to know all you can know about God, His son Jesus, and what it means to be a Christian.

You are like an orphan that has finally been reunited with their father … only to find out He has been searching for you from the very beginning. There is great joy in that. But you have to know that there is another one, the devil, who is going to do all he can to bring doubt into your mind and confuse you. This is where the Bible comes in. The Bible will teach you how to interpret all of life’s situations through the lens of eternity, and give you strength and whatever you need for every situation and every need.

Even Jesus, when confronted with temptation or hunger or thirst and even death, would quote scripture because there is power in God’s Word. It is the Truth about all things and a blueprint for your new life in Christ!

Remember, God communicates to His people through the following three ways:

  1. His People—the church (session 2)
  2. Prayer—two-way conversation with God (session 3)
  3. His Holy Word—the Bible

When you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, the Bible says your very heart became the “temple of the Holy Spirit.” This means, quite simply, that the Holy Spirit lives in you. (more on this in session 5). But in short, the indwelling Christ will speak to your heart as you read and meditate (think about) the Word of God.

Step One:

Obtain a Bible. And even better yet, a study Bible. A trip to the local Christian bookstore will not only provide good options, it will also have sales people who have known the Lord and walked with Him for many years. We typically use the New King James version, but there are other versions that make it easier to understand as well.

If cost is an issue, the church you attend or visit will usually be more than willing to give you either a new Bible or a good used one.

Step Two:

Set aside a time and a place. Spending time reading God’s Word should be as important as the food you eat, and in fact, it is your spiritual food. And just like you get weak and irritate easily when you haven’t eaten, the same is true for God’s Word. You need to take it in daily for it to have its real effect in your life. Find a time where you can consistently give just ten minutes of your day to focused attention on reading His Word. Then, find a place where you can be undisturbed. Start with just 10 minutes each day (more is optional) and begin to read it.

Step Three:

Start reading. My recommendation is the following:

  1. Old Testament: Read 4 Psalms each day. If you do this, you will have read the entire Book of Psalms every month.
  2. Read one chapter in I Samuel each day until you have finished I Samuel and II Samuel.
  3. Read one chapter in the book of Matthew each day, and then work your way through each book until you finish the New Testament.

Extra for the Motivated:

Read one chapter in the Book of II Corinthians each day. When you finish II Corinthians go back and read I Corinthians.

Step Four:

Write in the margins. Always have a pen with you, and whenever you read something that has special meaning for you write a brief note in the margin. Then always put the month and year. This will have great value to you over the years.

Bible Reading:

Please read the following verses about the Word of God:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Please read the questions below, then send your responses in an email to your course mentor. After you have submitted your answers, you will receive a personalized response from your course mentor based on your answers.

  1. Give your basic understanding of why you should value and protect your time in God’s Word based on what you have learned above.
  2. What does the Bible have to do with you and your daily life?
  3. How will you begin to incorporate Bible reading into your daily life?
  4. Can you think of a prayer time and a prayer place you could carve out in your life? When and where?
  5. What are your plans for obtaining a Bible?
  6. Please list any questions or other observations from session four.

God has a plan and purpose for your life, and through His Word, you’ll discover the keys to living out that destiny. Seek Him, and you will find Him! I think you will be challenged by this message from Pastor Jentezen Franklin: