Introduction
- Hosea 4:6 – The people were destroyed for lack of knowledge.
- II Chronicles 36:11-16 – Under Zedekiah, the people rejected God and His prophets.
“I remind you that God wrote a Book; and He only wrote one. I wonder what we’ll say to Him at the Judgment Seat of Christ if He asks us, “Did you read My Book? I mean one time in your entire life did you read My whole Book?” – Woodrow Kroll, August 2009
- II Timothy 3:15-17
There will be a lot of “Oh, wow I get it” moments.
- II Chronicles 34:14-21, 31, 27 – The Israelites rediscover the book of the law and realize they hadn’t been obeying it. Josiah decides to make things right with God.
You’ll feel better about the way you’re spending your time.
- Matthew 6:19-21 – “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
- Time is the number one issue people cite when asked why they don’t read the Bible more.
- It takes about 75 hours to read the entire Bible. That is about 17 minutes a day for five days a week.
- Ezra 7:10
You’ll start thinking and talking about spiritual things more.
- Psalms 1:1-6
- We start feeling guilt about sins we suddenly become aware of.
- We start praying more.
- Spiritual disciplines and risk behaviors among U.S. adults:
- Researchers called it the “Power of 4” (reading the Bible at least 4 days a week)
- Getting drunk = 57% lower odds
- Sex outside marriage = 68% lower odds
- Pornography = 61% lower odds
- Gambling = 74% lower odds
- Sharing faith with others = 228% higher odds
- Discipling others = 231% higher odds
- Memorizing scripture = 407% higher odds
- Researchers called it the “Power of 4” (reading the Bible at least 4 days a week)
- Hebrews 4:12
You’ll feel better about life.
- Philippians 4:8-9 – It’s hard to complain about my life after seeing the conditions Paul was in when he wrote this.
- “Bible-engaged Americans are more likely than any other group in America to have a hopeful perspective.”