"But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ...
...and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own, derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith...
...that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead."
- Philippians 3:7-11
Introductory Letter August September October November December January February March April May
Could a 2000-year-old book possibly be an exciting piece of literature for us to study, a beautiful work of art, and a fail-safe planning manual for every detail of our lives? The Bible certainly is all of this - and even more! So many Christians fail to see the vital importance of God's word, and its exquisite beauty as a complete picture revealing God and His will for our lives.
- All Scripture is God's holy, inspired, infallible word, applicable today.
- The Bible is true, even when it seems to conflict with our own experiences and presuppositions.
- It will never contradict itself, and must be viewed as a whole, in context.
- Problematic or difficult-to-understand verses should be clarified in light of other verses.
- God's word is a sword, to conquer us, so we can then use it to defeat the enemy.
- Make Bible reading, memorizing, and meditation a daily habit.
- Study God's word diligently to better know God, His will, and His ways.
- Understand the big picture of the Bible, and each book and chapter that you study.
- Engraft God's word into your souls, to save it; hide it in your heart, to avoid sin.
- Spend much time in youth storing Scripture within you, where it's always accessible and secure.
- God gives us principles in the Bible that He wants us to follow in every decision that we make, from very small decisions to very large ones.
- It's our responsibility to search the Scriptures to discern these principles.
- The Holy Spirit will guide us as we study the Bible.
- The best way to study the Bible is to read the Bible, rather than reading a book about the Bible.
II Timothy 3:16-17 ~ Titus 1:2 ~ Hebrews 4:12 ~ Ephesians 6:17 ~ John 8:31-32 ~ Psalm 119 ~ Psalm 19:7-11 ~ Isaiah 40:8 ~ James 1:21 ~ Psalm 119:11 ~ John 14:26 ~ Romans 15:4 ~ Colossians 1:10 ~ Colossians 3:17
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"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your
strength."
- Mark 12:30
"And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who
will be able to teach others also."
- II Timothy 2:2
"...Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him."
- I Corinthians 2:9
"Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life."
- Proverbs 4:23
"Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass."
-I Thessalonians 5:24