The Scrolls is a weekly Bible study written by pastors and other leaders at Central Bible Church, based on that week’s sermon topic. Use The Scrolls as a personal Bible study tool, for family devotions, and for small group discussions. You can read part of it below. The downloadable PDF also includes discussion questions, more in-depth commentary, end notes, and a kids’ page designed for families to study the topic together. This lesson goes with the sermon "Got Milk?"
Believers study the Bible because they believe the Bible is the word of God, and because what it says is what God says, it has the right to tell them what to believe and how to behave. They also study the Bible because Bible study matters. It’s beneficial practically speaking. What’s more, it’s transformative. The Holy Spirit uses the practice of Bible reading and study to conform them to the image of his Son (Ro 8:29).
Regarding the first, what it says is what God says, Paul writes this about the Bible in 2 Timothy 3:16a: “All Scripture is inspired by God” (NASB 1995; NET). Reading Paul’s words, some wrongly assume that the apostle means that the authors of Scripture, like the authors of other great literature, were inspired to write when they wrote. In their view, inspiration pertains to the authors of Scripture. Others wrongly assume that the apostle means that the readers of Scripture, like the readers of other great literature, are inspired by what they read. In their view, inspiration pertains to the readers of Scripture. Finally, there are those who rightly understand that the apostle means that the very words of Scripture, unlike the words of other great literature, are inspired. Paul writes: “All Scripture is inspired by God.” His words imply that inspiration is an activity of God, and that Scripture is the object of that activity. In this view, inspiration pertains to the text of Scripture. Other translations make this more apparent. “All Scripture is God breathed” (NIV), and “All Scripture is breathed out by God” (ESV). One theologian writes: “The entire Bible is God breathed. This expresses the means of inspiration. The form is passive, meaning that the Bible is the result of the breath of God. If, by contrast, the form were active, then it would mean that the Bible exudes or speaks of God. Of course, that is true, but it is not what Paul said in this verse. Our English word ‘inspire’ carries the idea of breathing into something. But this word tells us that God breathed out something, namely, the Scripture. To be sure human authors wrote the texts, but the Bible originated as an action of God who breathed it out” (Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology, 78).
Regarding the second, Bible study matters—it’s beneficial and transformative, Paul goes on to write in 2 Timothy 3:16b-17: “and [all Scripture] is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (NIV). Another translation clarifies what the apostle means: “16 . . . 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” (NLT). Hebrews 4:12 complements the words of Paul: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Furthermore, research on spiritual growth has demonstrated the transformative effects of “reflection on Scripture” on spiritual formation. The researchers involved identified three movements in the personal spiritual development continuum: 1) the movement from Exploring Christ to Growing in Christ, 2) from Growing in Christ, to Close to Christ, and 3) Close to Christ to Christ-Centered. And they looked at four kinds of spiritual catalysts that included fifty different factors: 1) Spiritual beliefs and attitudes; 2) Organized church activities; 3) Personal spiritual practices; and 4) Spiritual activities with others. Here’s one of their many findings. “‘Reflection on Scripture’ is the number one factor across all three movements. When we statistically compare the power of these factors, ‘Reflection on Scripture’ (‘I reflect on the meaning of Scripture in my life’) is much more influential than any other personal spiritual practice. In fact, for the most advanced segments – Close to Christ and Christ-Centered—it’s twice as catalytic as any other factor” (Greg L. Hawkins and Cally Parkinson, Follow Me: What’s Next for You? 41).
Central Message of the Text:
Now that you have been born again, love one another deeply, rid yourself of relational sins, and crave the word of God.
Family Talk:
Years ago, I was given a Christmas card with a darling family photo. The kids were dressed alike and everyone had big smiles as they hugged or held hands. A twinge of envy pierced my heart as I watched my boys thrashing around in an epic battle over whose turn it was to get the coveted spot on the couch. Words were said, people were hurt and I wondered if they would ever love each other. I had to laugh when my friend later shared, “Make no mistake. Right before this picture, punches were thrown.” We’re called to “love one another deeply, from the heart,” but sometimes that seems an impossible task with siblings (1 Peter 1:22). What should be a built-in best friend often becomes a mortal enemy. So how do we help our kids truly love one another? The best way to start is in prayer. Daily ask God to soften their hearts toward their siblings. Pray also for wisdom to help you cultivate this love. Next, help them love the Lord. Think about it. How well would you love your spouse without first loving the Lord? Yikes! From there, foster behaviors that encourage love – forgiveness, humility and patience. Encourage them to become peacemakers who understand how to give up their right to be right. Help them to grasp the impact of their words and teach them to be “…quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). Siblings are practice for relationships beyond the home. Let’s not accept the excuse of sibling rivalry but strive to foster love. We’re praying for you!