Download Audio File

Start reading.

2 Timothy 3:15-17

“And how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Matthew 5:17-18

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”

Matthew 4:4

“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

• You probably go to different people for different types of advice.  Discuss to whom you go, and why, for advice with questions concerning:  parenting, finances, medical needs, relationships, and other topics.

Start thinking. Ask a question to get your group thinking.

• We will be studying 7 of the most essential doctrines of our faith.      
• To follow up on our prayer from last week, discuss this statement, “As we contend for our faith we must boldly stand on the essentials, be humble when we differ in our convictions and be respectful when we have a different opinion than our brothers and sisters in Christ.”
• Read 2 Timothy 3:15-17.  Why is it important that the Bible be the basis for our beliefs?  Will the Bible definitively answer every question we bring to it? Why or why not? Share examples.

Start sharing.  Choose a question to create openness.

• Troy shared reasons why he believes the Bible can be trusted.  As we defend our faith, it’s important for us to know why we believe.  Share and discuss the reasons why you believe the Bible is God’s Word? Give personal examples of how the Bible has proven itself to be the best place to go for advice.

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

• Read Matthew 4:4 and 1 John 5:3-4.  This week, commit to nourishing yourself spiritually on a daily basis with the word of God. Every time you read the Bible, write down one sentence about how you are going to apply it within the next 24 hours.

Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.

• Pray for discernment to understand what the Bible is specifically teaching as the essentials. Ask the Lord to reveal how we are to respond in love with Truth.

Start digging. For further study.

• Troy references the Hittite empire. Read and discuss the following excerpt from Why should I believe the Bible?  Share other examples of how history affirms that the Bible can be trusted.

"The Bible’s truth claims concerning world history have also been substantiated. Skeptics used to criticize the Bible for its mention of the Hittite people (e.g., 2 Kings 7:6). The lack of any archaeological evidence to support the existence of a Hittite culture was often cited as a rebuttal against Scripture. In 1876, however, archaeologists discovered evidence of the Hittite nation, and by the early 20th century the vastness of the Hittite nation and its influence in the ancient world was common knowledge.

The scientific and historical accuracy of the Bible is important evidence of the Bible’s trustworthiness, but the Bible also contains fulfilled prophecies. Some of the biblical writers made claims about future events centuries in advance. If any one of the events predicted had occurred, it would be astounding. But the Bible contains many, many prophecies. Some of the predictions were fulfilled in a short amount of time (Abraham and Sarah had a son, Peter denied Jesus three times, Paul was a witness for Jesus in Rome, etc.). Other predictions were fulfilled hundreds of years later. The 300 messianic prophecies fulfilled by Jesus could not have reasonably been fulfilled by one person unless some greater power was involved. Specific prophecies like Jesus’ birthplace, activities, manner of death, and resurrection demonstrate the preternatural accuracy of Scripture.

When it is put to the test, the Bible is proved true in every area. Its truth extends to the spiritual, as well. That means that when the Bible says the Hittite nation existed, then we can believe that there were Hittites, and when the Bible teaches that “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23) and the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), then we need to believe that, too. And, when the Bible tells us that “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) and that “whoever believes in [Jesus] shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16), then we can and should believe that, also."

• Here is another resource for your group. What does it mean that the Bible should be our sole authority for faith and practice?

Why the Bible is important:

1. The Bible helps us live the Christian life.
2. The Bible is our ultimate source of authority.

Why the Bible can be trusted:

1. It is historically accurate

• Eyewitness accounts
• Recorded and copied with extreme care
• Archaeological confirmation

2. It is prophetically accurate

3. Jesus believed it was God’s word

The probability of one person fulfilling 8 prophecies: 1 in 10¹⁷

One person fulfilling 16 prophecies is 1 in 10⁴⁵

One person fulfilling 48 prophecies is 1 in 10¹⁵⁷

Read the Bible:

1. Get a Bible you understand.
2. Set aside a time everyday.
3. Have a plan.
4. Do what it says.