Church Online

“How Do I Read It?”
April 28, 2024
Cityline Church
Jack Anthony Sheets
Lead Pastor

The Bible: A library of writings that are both human and divine that together tell the unified story that leads us to Jesus.

14  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,  15  and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  16  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  17  so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:14-18

4  For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:4

TAKING THE RIGHT APPROACH
We approach the Bible not as critics or as defenders, but rather as apprentices or learners of Jesus.

We understand the Bible was written for us, but not written to us.

UNDERSTANDING THE STORYLINE
Creation — Fall — Israel — Jesus — The Church — New Creation

HOW TO (NOT) READ THE BIBLE

• Without context of the story.
• Reading only pieces instead of passages.
• In isolation or only on your own.
• Simply for information.

39  You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,  40  yet you refuse to come to me to have life. John 5:39-40

Spiritual formation is not measured by how much we know about the Bible or how often we’ve read the Bible, but how we follow Jesus.

HOW DO WE GET STARTED?

• We choose to read for relationship.
• Understand consistency is key.
• Trust that God wants to teach you.
• Communicate with God as you go.

The Bible was not designed simply to be believed; it was designed to be lived.

22  Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  23  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror  24  and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  25  But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25