2. Proof that Reading the Bible will REALLY make a BIG difference: From Biblical History

3. Travel back in the Bible 2600 years, to the year 640 B.C.

4. What turned things around for Josiah and what turned things around for his nation?.

5. They found a Bible in the temple

6. 2 Kings 22:1–2 (ESV) 1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. 2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the L ORD and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.

7. “He did not turn aside to the right or to the left.”

8. There is something that WILL turn things around…And that is to read and listen to the Word of God.

9. 2 Kings 22:8 (ESV) 8 And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the L ORD.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

10. 2 Kings 22:10–11 (ESV) 10 Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. 11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.

11. Reading the Bible is one thing we know will make a BIG difference.

12. 2 Kings 22:12 (ESV) 12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying,

13. 2 Kings 22:13 (ESV) 13 “Go, inquire of the L ORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the L ORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”

14. When Josiah heard the Word of God, when he had the Bible read to him, it changed the whole course of the kingdom of Judah.

15. Great change possible when we act according to the Word of God, but first we have to know it, first we have to read it.

16. Proof that Reading the Bible will REALLY make a BIG difference: From Church History

17. “Since your majesty and your lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth. Unless I am convicted by scripture and plain reason--I do not accept the authority of popes and councils for they have contradicted each other--my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise, God help me. Amen.” -- Martin Luther

18. And from that the Reformation began, one man, standing on the Word of God.

19. Luther translated the Bible into German so that every German speaking person would be able to read the Bible in their own language.

20. Will reading the Word of God, and standing on the Word of God really change anything? From Biblical history we see it did, and from Church history we see it did!

21. Proof that Reading the Bible will REALLY make a BIG difference: From Missional History

22. Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

23. We know the importance of Reading the Word for life change. We see it in Biblical History, Church history, and our own Missional history.

26. A Chronological Bible is a bible that is simply set in the order the events happened in Biblical history.

28. Full Chronological Bibles Read at the rate of 5 chapters per day

29. Pick Up your Copy of “The Story” Begin reading today!

31. We know from Biblical History, Church History and Missional History that reading “The Story,” God’s Story, the Bible, WILL make a BIG DIFFERENCE.