The Value of the Bible
We’re beginning a six-week series called We Are Rooted in the Bible as part of our church’s value statements. We’ve already taught that we’re building everything on Jesus and we’re relentlessly driven by the mission. Today, we lay the foundation for why Scripture stands at the center: the Bible is inspired, trustworthy, and powerful—and a life engaged with it is a life transformed.
2 Timothy 3:14–17 (ESV)
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
A Personal Confession (Setting the Tone)
Many believers live years with little meaningful Scripture engagement. That was true for a long time in our story, and yet God still moved. There’s no condemnation if that’s you today—but there’s also no excuse to stay there. The past 14 years of consistent, whole-Bible reading have been dramatically different than the years before. We want to constantly drive you back to what you always have access to: time in the Word.
What Bible Engagement Looks Like (Our Working Standard)
Read at least four days a week. Crossing four days “wins the week” and aligns with research showing a significant jump in life impact at four days.
Read the whole Bible at least every 18 months. At that pace, you’re likely investing ~9 minutes/day. The verse-of-the-day alone won’t carry you through a storm.
Repeat it. Finish—and start again.
By that standard, very few American Christians are truly “engaged.” If you aren’t there yet, you’re not alone. Let’s move together.
1) The Bible Is Inspired
“All Scripture is breathed out by God.” The classic term is inspiration—from the Greek theopneustos (God-breathed). In Scripture, God’s “breath” (same root concept behind breath/wind/Spirit) signals His active, life-giving work (cf. Acts 2). Put simply: God is the author; men were the quill. He used human writers in real contexts, yet every word is ultimately from Him.
We affirm verbal plenary inspiration: not merely thoughts or themes, but every word of Scripture is God-breathed and therefore carries final authority for faith and life.
2) The Bible Is Trustworthy
2 Peter 1:17–21 (ESV)
…we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven… And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place… no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Trustworthiness shows up practically:
Reliable transmission. Across many thousands of early manuscripts and fragments, the overwhelming agreement of the text is clear; minor variations do not alter any doctrine and are typically obvious copy issues that scholars can easily evaluate.
Real-world fruit. People who regularly read Scripture consistently show elevated outcomes across areas like meaning/purpose, relationships, and overall flourishing. The Word works.
About Bible Translations (Choosing Wisely)
The Bible wasn’t written in English. Translations range from more formal (word-for-word) to more dynamic (thought-for-thought).
More formal: NASB, ESV, NKJV
Middle: NIV, CSB
More dynamic: NLT
Use what you’ll actually read, but know that the further you move toward dynamic, the less you can “dig into words.” Paraphrases (e.g., The Message) can be insightful, but they aren’t ideal everyday Bibles. Avoid versions or projects that lack translation integrity or accountability.
3) The Bible Is Powerful
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Scripture is a sword—but you must grab it by the handle. What’s the handle?
Psalm 119:160 (ESV)
The sum of your word is truth…
The handle is the cover—the whole book. Scripture is true in its context, and Scripture interprets Scripture. Pulling isolated phrases while ignoring the rest leads to misuse and injury (“grabbing the blade”). Embrace the whole counsel of God.
Acts 20:27 (ESV)
For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
Breakthrough Rides on Revelation
“Breakthrough is built on the back of revelation.” Throughout the Bible, moves of God ride in tandem with His revealed Word—commands obeyed, promises believed, truth embraced. Nothing gives you greater control over your personal flow of revelation than consistent engagement with Scripture.
We’re not asking you to jump into the deep end today. Over the next several weeks, we’ll equip you step by step so you can start the new year with a stronger relationship with the Word than ever. If you’re already faithful in the Scriptures, stay with us—the second half of this series will stretch you.
Bottom line: The Bible is inspired, trustworthy, and powerful. Get a grip on the handle—the sum of His Word—and watch what God does.
Scripture References (ESV)
2 Timothy 3:14–17; 2 Peter 1:17–21; Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 119:160; Acts 20:27; Acts 2:2,4; 1 John 4:4; Isaiah 54:17.
