Why We Read the Bible I. The Word of God Gives (9-11) How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. and This is why we Scripture II. The Word of God Gives (12-14) Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. and III. The Word of God Gives (15-16) I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your Word. Let it Your Life John Piper – “Put it like a lozenge under the tongue of your soul and let it flavor your affections day and night.” and How We Read the Bible I. Pray for II. – What does the passage say? Pay attention to the (before & after) III. – What does the passage mean? Pay attention to the How are we like them? Unlike them? How should we be like them? Unlike them? IV. – How does the passage relate to me? Is there an example? Command? Promise? Sin? Error? How should my character, conduct, or conversation be effected by the Word of God? What did you learn about God? What did you learn about yourself? How should you live differently as a result? V. Pray for HELPFUL RESOURCES: Study Bible – brief summaries & historical backgrounds for each book of the Bible; discussion of difficult/debated texts; cross-references, indexes, maps Commentaries – books that explain the Scripture, usually in a verse-by-verse or paragraph-by-paragraph method. Journible (Reformation Heritage Books) – Right page to handwrite the Scripture; Left page to journal (and various prompts). Family Worship Guide (Reformation Heritage Books) – provides searching questions on each chapter of the Bible for conversation. BibleHub.com – search, read, and study the Bible. Online commentaries, sermons, and Greek/Hebrew definitions Bible.com (and Bible app) – Individual and Community Reading plans