GROWING IN JESUSGROWING IN JESUS

““It is written, man It is written, man shall not live by shall not live by bread alone, bread alone, but by every but by every word that word that precedeth out precedeth out of the mouth of of the mouth of God.” God.” Matthew 4:4Matthew 4:4

Who needs to read the Who needs to read the bible? Kings were bible? Kings were commanded to read the commanded to read the Scriptures all the days of Scriptures all the days of their lives (Deut. 17:19). their lives (Deut. 17:19). The Scriptures have been The Scriptures have been read aloud for the benefit read aloud for the benefit of various groups of of various groups of people (Ex. 24:7; Deut. people (Ex. 24:7; Deut. 31:9-13; Joshua 8:34-35). 31:9-13; Joshua 8:34-35). God’s word needs to be God’s word needs to be taught to families (Deut. taught to families (Deut. 6:4-9; 2 Timothy 3:15). It 6:4-9; 2 Timothy 3:15). It must be read individually must be read individually as well (Psalms 1:2; as well (Psalms 1:2; 119:11; Acts *:28-32).119:11; Acts *:28-32).

The Bible is not an The Bible is not an ordinary book. It is ordinary book. It is the only revelation of the only revelation of God’s nature and will; God’s nature and will; it alone is “profitable it alone is “profitable for doctrine for doctrine (teaching), reproof, (teaching), reproof, correction, and correction, and instruction in instruction in righteousness.” (2 righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:15; James Timothy 3:15; James 1:21)1:21)

We should We should read the read the Bible Bible regularlyregularly ..

We need to We need to read the read the Bible Bible analytical lyanalytical ly ..

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We should We should read the read the Bible Bible systematicsystematicallyally ..

We need to We need to read the read the Bible Bible persistentlypersistently..

We should We should read the read the Bible Bible completelycompletely ..

We must We must read the read the Bible Bible reverentlyreverently ..

We ought to read the Bible We ought to read the Bible expectantlyexpectantly ..

““All Scripture is given by inspiration All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for :of God, and is profitable for :

Doctrine - what truths we need to Doctrine - what truths we need to knowknow

Reproof – what we must reject and Reproof – what we must reject and refuterefute

Correction – what we must turn Correction – what we must turn away from and avoidaway from and avoid

Instruction in righteousness – what Instruction in righteousness – what we must consider about our l ives we must consider about our l ives and duties with respect to God and and duties with respect to God and man.” 2 Tim. 3:16man.” 2 Tim. 3:16

““The Bible is The Bible is God’s voice God’s voice speaking to us, speaking to us, just as surely as just as surely as though we could though we could hear it with our hear it with our ears.” --- 6 ears.” --- 6 Testimonies 393Testimonies 393

““The Bible should The Bible should never be never be studied without studied without a prayer.” GC a prayer.” GC 548548

We should We should read the read the Bible Bible ferventlyfervently ..

We need to read the Bible We need to read the Bible collectivelycollectively ..

To grow in Christ, we need to To grow in Christ, we need to fol low these rules rel igiously:fol low these rules rel igiously:

We need to read and study the BibleWe need to read and study the Bible 1. regularly1. regularly 2. analytically2. analytically 3. systematically3. systematically 4. persistently4. persistently 5. completely5. completely 6. expectantly6. expectantly 7. reverently7. reverently 8. fervently8. fervently 9. collectively9. collectively

““But grow in grace, and in the But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to Him be Savior Jesus Christ, to Him be glory both now and forever. glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18Amen. 2 Peter 3:18

““ And this is l i fe eternal, that they And this is l i fe eternal, that they might know Thee the only true might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” John 17:3Thou hast sent.” John 17:3

GROWING IN JESUSGROWING IN JESUS