Why reading your bible is important

Why reading your Bible is important

Laindon

8th September 2013

Reading your Bible 2

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=WCnG_MSG57-87M&tbnid=g5oPSnc4qNZSPM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://lifehacking.nl/algemeen/wat-doe-je-vandaag-en-wat-op-niet-vandaag/&ei=IJgkUvePFOmV0AW-lYDAAg&bvm=bv.51495398,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGidia8BJcG20zWEDQlGQditfwn6w&ust=1378216347077049


Making lists

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=G2oSiPThH6bjpM&tbnid=V45nw4u9uxIB4M:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://midnightcowgirlsginormousmovielist.wordpress.com/lists-good-or-evil/&ei=0ZkkUunFHo_20gWrs4HoBA&bvm=bv.51495398,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNH8ZLjWCfDPWOkOujftF1DhD8It0g&ust=1378216652592808


Urgent v important

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=8XLYmdbLXdSj9M&tbnid=-X9Zpvi4zPyVnM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/redland-bay/language-tutoring/urgent-tutor-required-for-homeschooled-high-school-student/1019654767&ei=DGQkUqG0NsG00QXCroCYAg&bvm=bv.51495398,d.d2k&psig=AFQjCNFKXECPy37KHqDo-cF9JW1wceeoUQ&ust=1378203014882132


Hanging on to life…

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=b2ZMBsnjw1wo3M&tbnid=65L80rcaM8-SlM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.9freepictures.com/sports-photography/extreme-sports-rock-climbing-10.html&ei=sK8kUrnuBKvy0gX3vIGQCQ&bvm=bv.51495398,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGkYzfut0O9nWp2jHIeSm3O8_17QQ&ust=1378222378806940


The big question…

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=Rd9Gmsfstn9z1M&tbnid=WztOMTS1fcxdcM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.yrm.org/important_life.htm&ei=-bEkUs2kJOeG0AWo2IBQ&bvm=bv.51495398,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGnm25tLHYwiCddJ05mg0a7bnUwdQ&ust=1378222961424444


Where should we turn?

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=DrE6V6FGjicahM&tbnid=ieGGQm1M7MSPKM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://blog.webcopyplus.com/2010/09/16/searching-for-the-meaning-of-life/&ei=kKUkUpTkL4q_0QXAl4CoCQ&bvm=bv.51495398,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGT-GCVyPpUqBWaLpob2zRNTaC1lw&ust=1378219748836206


Finding the answer to life

• Ask a doctor?• Speak to a psychologist?• Ask a friend?• Study academic literature?• Ask a priest or minister?• Go straight to the very source of life?


God’s amazing revelation…


Why should we believe it?

1. Its unity:– 66 books– 40 writers– Written across a period of 1500 years– Written in three different languages and

three different continents– In complete harmony because it has one

author


Why should we believe it?2. Its historical accuracy:

– It covers a 4000 year period, starting 6000years ago

– Provides historically accurate details concerning people, places and events

– Authentic secular writings corroborate its accounts

– Archaeology has confirmed its accuracy when places and people were often classed as fables


Why should we believe it?3. Its indestructibility:

– It has survived for thousands of years despite many attempts to supress or even destroy it

– In AD303 Roman Emperor Diocletian commanded all churches destroyed, all Christian scriptures burnt and all Christians stripped of their civil rights

– In the 18th century Voltaire declared Christianity would disappear within 100 years


Why should we believe it?4. Its scientific accuracy:

– When referring to matters of modern scientific study it is accurate

– It speaks of the circle of the earth long before the earth was known to be a sphere (Isaiah 40:22)

– It contains none of the wild and fanciful ideas of its contemporary literature


Why should we believe it?5. Its prophetic accuracy:

– The Bible contains 100s of fulfilled prophecies concerning nations, empires, individuals and world events

– The prophecies are detailed and startlingly accurate, such as the founding of the State of Israel

– The prophecies exactly describe the society we live in, identifying our times as the last days of God’s plan


Why should we believe it?6. Its authentic and truthful style:

– Not a book of heroes– Contains many undesigned

coincidences

7. Its profound theme of Jesus Christ:– Teaching concerning Christ beginning to

end– Promised, symbolised, prophesied, his

thoughts and his life, death and resurrection, followed by his gospel


Why should we believe it?8. Its intellectual integrity:

– Can still be believed in the 21st century

9. Its unique teachings:– A unique and direct revelation from God

totally different from contemporary religions

10.Its impact on people’s lives:– Over 1000’s of years has deeply

influenced people and in many cases transformed their lives


Organising to read the Bible

• Use an accurate word by word translation

• The best way is not to read at random• Better to read systematically• Make notes on key topics• Use a concordance to look up related

topics


Help is at hand…• Come and see us at the Essex

Country Show, Barleylands:– Saturday 14th September 10.00am –

5.00pm– Sun day 15th September 10.00am –

5.00pm


Join us here at the OBL centre

• For individual study and Bible reading (by arrangement)

• On Sundays at 3.00pm for individual Bible presentations

• On Tuesday 17th September from 6.30pm onwards for our Open Day and an introduction to our Bible study courses

Why reading your bible is important

Spiritual