Main Idea || To become more like Jesus, invest in being with Jesus more. “What would it look like for us to become those who live most beautifully, love most deeply, and serve most faithfully in the places where we live, work, and play?” Saturating our minds with the Bible’s truths and promises makes us wiser and builds up our ability to see God, people, the world, and ourselves with accuracy and clarity. ~ Scott Sauls Matthew 22:37 (NLT) 37 Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ Mark 12:33 (NLT) 33 And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength…” I get my right by being with Jesus through the Bible. John 1:1 (NLT) 1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:14 (NLT) 14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. “We simply cannot separate life in Jesus from a life in which Scripture dominates our thoughts, beliefs, words, and actions.” ~Scott Sauls Being with Jesus through the Scripture is where the Holy Spirit empowers us to him, him & him. The Word aligns my mind (understand). 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT) 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NLT) 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. Romans 12:2 (NLT) 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. The Word stirs my affection (enjoy). The Word increases my appetite (desire). Ezekiel 3:3 “Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey.” How do we do this? Get into God’s Word so God’s Word can get into you. Get an app for exploring the Bible CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION: 1. Do you sometimes struggle with the Bible? How? 2. “Whatever we may think about the Bible, we simply cannot separate life in Christ from a life in which Scripture dominates our thoughts, beliefs, words, and actions. Fulfilling our calling to love and enjoy God with everything we are and to love our neighbor as ourselves— that is, becoming irresistible— stands or falls on whether or not we become people of the Book.” ~ Scott Sauls How have you (or might you) overcome your struggles or challenges with the Bible to become a “person of the book”? 3. Being with Jesus through the Scripture is how the Holy Spirit empowers us to understand him, to enjoy him, to desire him. Have you ever felt empowered for any of these? (understand him, enjoy him, desire him)