Rooted in the Word

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
(Matthew 4:4)

“Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years.”
- Charles Spurgeon

“The Holy Scriptures are our letters from home.”
- Augustine of Hippo

What does the Bible do?

Using Psalm 19:7-9, we see that the Bible;

• Makes us alive - The Law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul (v7)
• Makes us to be wise - The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple (v7)  
• Gives us joy - the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart (v8)  
• Gives us clarity - the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes (v8)  
• Helps us to be pure - the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever (v9)  
• Helps us to be godly - the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether (v9)

Getting the Bible into you

1. Read it - Revelation 1:3 — set aside a few minutes each day to read a part of the Bible, reading for 15 minutes a day will mean you finish the Bible in a year…
   1. Get yourself a plan
   2. Check out these nine practical tips
2. Hear it - Romans 10:17 — come to meetings hungry to hear and understand what the Bible says
3. Memorise it - Psalm 119:11 — try to learn some of it so that you know it by heart
   1. Follow the Bible Society's top tips
4. Meditate on it - Psalm 119:99 — spend some time thinking, reflecting and absorbing what the Bible says and let God speak to you through it
   1. Think Head - what does this teach me about God?
   2. Think Heart - what does this change about my life?
   3. Think Hands - what do I need to do in response?
5. Study it - Acts 17:11 — don’t just read it - try and understand what it means and how it applies to you. Ask: what does this tell me about God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit? What is God saying to me through this passage? What do I need to do?
   1. Sign up to the ESV online study bible
   2. Download the Bible Project app
   3. Use The Gospel Coalition's huge resource on the Bible
   4. Check out The Bible Society's resources

Rooted in the Word

More resources and ideas;

• Check out The Bible Project's Introduction to the Bible video series
• Read and think about 9 Wrong Ways to Read the Bible (and One Better Way)
• Sign up to a (free) course at biblicaltraining.org
• Read How To Read The Bible For All It’s Worth by Gordon Fee
• Check out God's Word For You from the Good Book Company