Friday, July 29, 2011

A Bible is Born

A BIBLE IS BORN

Part 7 of 12 Celebrating Scripture Series

2Timothy 3:16

“All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Any bible (BI-bl) is a handbook of truth. Our Holy Bible is God’s Word of truth. The opening Scripture proves its accuracy and dependability. We read it so that we’re thoroughly equipped for life—or as Paul insists to Timothy, for “every good work.” Let’s learn now to get the most out of our Lord’s handbook.

Just as babies are weaned from milk to solid food as bodies develop, believers gradually mature (ma-TURE means grow up) spiritually. Graduating from milk to solid food only comes as our understanding God’s Word evolves. (The Holy Spirit won’t reveal deep truths until we’re ready for them). No matter how many times a person reads the Bible from cover to cover, digesting the “meat” in the Word won’t happen—until we chew the words before swallowing them. (Meditating on and planting them securely in the heart).

Growing spiritually won’t happen without feasting on the Bible’s content, on purpose. Truly, the Bible advises believers how to handle everything in life. It is handy reference—from infancy to old age—no matter the circumstance. While we’ll never stop learning, the more we grow spiritually, the more yummy God’s Word tastes. This doesn’t happen by osmosis (os-MO-sis means that understanding automatically seeps into us because God is everywhere). The Bible must be read—or heard—personally.

2011 celebrates the 400th anniversary of the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, finished in 1611. While the Old Testament books existed for thousands of years (Moses wrote the first ones), it took millenniums for technology to grow up. Men invented ink, then parchment. Parchment scrolls finally grew into books through later inventions of printing and binding. The Septuagint was the original ancient Greek version of the Old Testament, completed around 150 B.C. (Before Christ).

From a single artifact (ART-i-fact means historic object, or relic—REL-ik), our modern Bible journeyed from what no one would recognize as “Scripture.” Today, technology eases our reading burden further with the invention of Cassie’s Nook, another’s Kindle, or aother electronic device.

Take Home Nugget

“Whatcha reading, Missy?” Cassie asked. The two fifth-graders sitting on blankets at the swimming pool, were absorbed in their electronic reading devices.

“I’ve got VBS (Vacation Bible School) homework on The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). I’m sure glad that I don’t have to lug my precious Bible here—it could get ruined!”

Yes, the Bible is more precious than gold:

Our hopes, God’s promises therein unfold.

It reveals to us Jesus and His vast love,

Showing the only way to mansions above.

J.D. Griffith





A personal, private lesson experience with our staff


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