Rules For Reading The Bible “How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.” Ephesians 3:3,4

The Bible Not An Ordinary Book— Written by God “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16,17) Inspiration=God Breathed Is Profitable For: Doctrine: teaching,finding examples of warning and instructions Reproof: reproving mistakes in self and others Correction: It is our rule of faith, our guide to truth. For instruction in righteousness—train/discipline

The Bible Not An Ordinary Book— Written by God “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:19-21) The Word, the Old Testament is more sure than the eyewitnesses vs.16-18 It was written by God, not man This should encourage us to read it

We keep records of member’s attendance Christians who read God’s Word don’t Habitually Miss Opportunities to Worship Him “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) We keep records of member’s attendance Have you checked yours recently? Would we be ashamed to put it on the bulletin board? Truth is—GOD ALREADY KNOWS! “I was glad when they said to me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1) ARE YOU GLAD TO BE HERE?

Some can go places and do things every day but on The Lord’s Day… “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) Could go to family reunion all day on Saturday, set outside in humid weather Go out to eat, go shopping Go to work on Monday Yet, too tired to attend services on Sunday Do we plan to find excuses to miss?

People with This Mind-Set do Not Read the Bible—Much less Study It… “While your servant was busy here and there, he was gone. Then the king of Israel said to him, So shall your judgment be; you yourself have decided it.” (1 Kings 20:40) Been duped by the devil! “Time, time, time enough yet, O soul of mine why be alarmed. The heavenly way, I’ll choose someday, but there’s time, time, time enough yet.” Are we too BUSY to read the Bible?

Who Needs To Read the Bible? KINGS were commanded to read the Bible all the days of their lives! “And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.” (Deuteronomy 27:19,20) God wanted them to have a good knowledge of His book. Do we have a good understanding of His book in our lives?

It Was Read to Groups of People “When all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the LORD your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess.” (Deuteronomy 31:11-13) God wanted them to learn “fear” for Him Do we have a deep respect for God and His person?

God’s Word Needs to be Taught to Families “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6,7) “And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15) Do we see the need for the HOME to know His Book?

Individuals Must Read The Bible “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:2) “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97) “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) “The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130) What Book could be more important?

Acts 8:29-31 “…And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot.“ So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, Do you understand what you are reading? And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.”

USE-practice, regular workouts Rule #1—Read Regularly “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” ( Hebrews 5:14) USE-practice, regular workouts “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11) Do you spend regular quality time in the Bible?

Rule #2—Read it Systematically Not helter-skelter Choose a topic Choose a book and study it Spend money on a library Choose a time of day that is good for YOU – be jealous of your time! We must do this, not “when I get around to it” – It will never happen Do you have a regular planned study program?

Rule #3—Read it Persistently Don’t allow feeble excuses to keep you from your daily study ~ Company – after they leave Too tired – take a short nap TV, etc. – watching sporting event or regular TV show The list of excuses will grow… Do Not Allow other THINGS to change your Plan!

Rule #4—Read it Completely The first 3 help with this one READ ALL 1,189 CHAPTERS “But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) Do Not get Overwhelmed that you have to read it all in a week, month, several months—just READ IT to complete it!

Rule #5—Read it Reverently Not Pharisaical to be seen of men Reverent reading increases our sense of value of and respect for the Word of God Read all of Psalm 119 underline each reference to the Word Law, Testimony, Commands, Word Remember as you Read that God is doing the Speaking—Revealing His Mind to Us!! (Ecclesiastes 5:2)

Consequences of Failure to Read Our nations,city, state and national leaders give little if any time to reading the Word Just look at the direction we are heading Taking God out of everything Gay Rights Homosexual marriages Abortion Bible-a Hate book… Remember where it leads taking God out of the hearts of men!

In Contrast… On October 4th 1982 Ronald Reagan signed a Joint Resolution passed by the United States Congress: “Resolved the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that the President is authorized and requested to designate 1983 as a national ‘Year of the Bible’ in recognition of both the formative influence the Bible has been for our nation, and our national need to study and apply the teachings of the Holy Scriptures.” Remember how far we drifted await in the last 35 years!!