Why read the Bible? Why read the Bible?

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2 Bible 1.World s biggest selling book 2.Printed in more languages than any other book 3.Contains God s message for man 4.Only source of guidance for man 5.Provides us with hope the Kingdom Why you might not read the Bible Too big and too difficult to read Too hard to understand Just fiction and fairy tale The Bible is out of date The cause of so many problems in the world I don t have time What benefit will I gain from reading it? I don t know how to start? 2

3 Why you might not read the Bible Review each statement The Bible is too big 3

4 The Bible 1506 pages 66 books 2 parts 2930 people 1551 places Lord of the Rings 1352 pages 62 chapters 6 parts 100 s characters 100 s places The Bible Is Too Big! God s word Covers period of 1600 years A guide for life It needs to be big! 4

5 The Bible Is Too Big! Don t expect to read it in a day There s enough to keep you looking for a lifetime But you can pick up the key messages quickly The Bible Is Too Big! In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways Hebrews 1:1 God s message was given to many people, at various times and in various ways. 5

6 Start small, aim big Break it down The Bible Is Too Big! Read a small amount each day 4 chapters a day Bible in a year The Bible is too difficult to read 6

7 It s Too Difficult to Read Many literary styles Some books cover the same subject (e.g. The Gospels) Many do not follow a chronological pattern Some describe strange, extraordinary events It s Too Difficult to Read Many literary styles Some books cover the same subject (e.g. The Gospels) Many do not follow a chronological pattern Some describe strange, extraordinary events Creates Interest Provide insight to events & different perspectives Creates variety Aids understanding of events past & future 7

8 How to make it easier? Note down passages you don t understand Listen out for Bible Echoes Let the Bible interpret itself Seek guidance Approach your reading prayerfully Is it too difficult to read? Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find it; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 8

9 Is it too difficult to read? It isn t always easy to read However. Seek help Break it down into sizeable chunks Take your time Let the Bible interpret itself The Bible is outdated 9

10 The Bible is Outdated A 2,000 yr old book relevant today? A constantly changing world Old fashioned language Not reflective of today s problems Is the Bible outdated? There is nothing new under the sun 10

11 Ancient writers, modern themes Themes include: Our attitude to each other Hygiene Marriage Conflict Money & its use Management Is the Bible outdated? The example of Shell Fish These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas and in the rivers, them shall ye eat. 11

12 Is the Bible outdated? And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you. The example of Shell Fish We now know that shell fish: Major source of food poisoning Filter rubbish from sea Require cleaning Carefully cooked Best not eaten 3500 year old advice! 12

13 Is the Bible outdated? The Bible contains principles that do not change with time The Bible is full of examples of those who experienced similar problems to our own The Bible provides guidance for all of us, whatever our situation The Bible is just fiction & fairy tale 13

14 Fairy tale & Fiction? Events are unreal? Snakes don t talk? A world wide flood? Survive inside a whale? Walk on water? Resurrect the dead? Feed 5,000 with a few fish & a little bread Fairy tale & Fiction? History provides plenty of evidence of Biblical events Walls of Jericho Account of Joseph The great flood Jonah & the whale 14

15 History supports the Bible Rulers named in the Bible & in history Ancient manuscripts Archaeological discoveries Fairy tale & Fiction? The Dead Sea Scrolls Discovered in 1947 Date back over 2,000 years Fairy tale & Fiction? Virtually whole of old testament Proves authenticity of Bible 15

16 The Bible is the cause of so many problems in the world The Bible causes so many problems So does football! But does that stop you watching it? Does it stop you playing the game? 16

17 The Bible causes so many problems So does money But does that stop you saving it? Does it stop you spending it? Does it stop you seeking it? Whose fault is it? Do you blame the Do you blame religion? Or do you blame mankind? 17

18 What does the Bible teach? The Bible does not: Teach us to go to war Fight those with differing views Teach us to create tension What benefit will I gain? 18

19 What will I gain from reading the A greater appreciation of God s word Understanding of the hope that is available to all Understanding of God s plan & purpose The wise & foolish builders Matthew Ch 8 19

20 The wise & foolish builders The Wise Builder Whosoever heareth theses sayings of mine and doeth them. The wise & foolish builders The Foolish Builder Whosoever heareth theses sayings of mine and doeth them not. 20

21 What benefit will I gain? Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God I don t know how to start 21

22 How do I start? Bible Reading courses Seminars Distance Learning Reading Groups Reading Planners Web sites Take your time Start now, not in 6 months time 22

23 How do I start? Bible Reading courses Seminars Distance Learning Reading Groups Reading Planners Web sites Take your time Start now, not in 6 months time I don t have time 23

24 I don t have time! The average worker 5yrs reading/writing letters 4yrs commuting 6yrs reading junk mail 1.8yrs at traffic lights 1yr in toilet 10mths talking to family Source Sunday Times Where do you find the time? I don t have time! The average day: 8.5 hrs sleeping 3.5 hrs working 2.5 hrs housework 2.5 hrs watching TV 1.5 hrs eating 1.5 hrs travelling 1.5 hrs socialising 2.5 hrs other activities 2001 Census 24

25 You don t have time for. Jesus Christ s return to the earth? God s everlasting kingdom on earth? What do you need to do? Read the Bible Understand its message Believe You don t have time for. 2 Peter Ch 3 The return of Christ Those who mock Those who believe What sort of person should you be? 25

26 You don t have time for. 2 Peter Ch 3 v14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. So why read the God s word A guide to life A guide for life Not outdated Can be trusted The only guide to God s plan & purpose A book you should read A book that you need to make time for 26