This post was last updated on August 20, 2026
Lesson 6: Why and How Should I Read the Bible?
Key scripture: (Jesus said:) “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)
1. God’s Word has spiritual power. He said, “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty.” (Isaiah 55:11a) The Bible contains God’s breath. “All Scripture is inspired by God.” (2 Timothy 3:16a) The Greek word for “inspired by God” (theopneustos) means “divine inspiration or breath of God.” Therefore, the Bible is the authoritative foundation of the Christian faith and the basic guide for believers’ thoughts and decisions.
2. The Bible is the most substantial bridge to knowing Jesus. He said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me.” (John 5:39) The Greek word for “testify,” martureo, includes confirming people or things that come from divine revelation. Only with an attitude of unselfishness, honesty, and a teachable heart can we truly know and experience Jesus and reach out to the Father.
3. Establish a daily (regular) habit of reading the Bible. Ask Jesus to give the Spirit of wisdom and revelation (Ephesians 1:17) and the guidance of the Spirit of truth (John 15:26) so that you may truly know Him.
“Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11)
4. Receive God’s words with faith and obey them, as both are essential for God’s Word to be effective and for obtaining eternal life. “The word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.” (Hebrews 4:2b) The Greek word for “unite,” sugkerannumi, also means “to mix, or integrate different parts into one.” God’s words must be united with faith to have effect, including receiving healing from God and experiencing His power of leaving death into life. Jesus said,
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” (John 5:24)
“Hears My word” means setting aside all preconceptions, preoccupations, and biases to understand, accept, and follow Jesus’ word. Only then can we receive His life that extinguishes death and brings eternal life.
5. Remove selfish desires and the burden of sins (2 Timothy 3:6-7), and with an honest and good heart, focus solely on what God’s Word requires. Let His words lead you and patiently bear fruit for God. Jesus said,
“But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.” (Luke 8:15)
6. God’s word can heal us. “He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.” (Psalm 107:20) The Hebrew word for “word,” dabar, also means “speech.” In the four Gospels, Jesus often used words to heal the sick, and He will do the same this very day.
7. The salvation of believers depends entirely on how we earnestly understand, obey, and teach God’s words (1 Timothy 4:16). Seek to understand the meaning of Scripture and do your best to obey God.
Discussion questions:
1. Which scriptures from the Bible make you feel the breath of God in them?
2. What is the most difficult part for you in reading the Bible daily? And how can you overcome it?
3. How can you accurately hear God’s words, have a trusting heart, and put them into practice?
4. Do you long to receive God’s words so that your body, soul, and spirit may all be healed before Him?