The Bible’s Purpose Is For, Information, Transformation, and Communication
When we read the Bible we should be clear as to the purpose of the practice. There are many different reasons we go to the Bible and all of them are important and valid reasons, but it is good to be clear and know our particular purpose when we sit down with His Word. We study and read the Bible for information in preparation to teach or preach, we also read the Bible to get instruction on how to transform our lives to be more like Him. But, our highest calling is to commune with God through His word and to let Him speak to us as we listen intently to what He has for us individually.
All three of these purposes and practices are very important for us to become total and complete in God’s will for our lives. We must be informed and know what God’s word says about a matter before we can go out and teach others
Titus 2:1-4 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children..
John 21:17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
There are many ways to read the Word of God, we can read it from Genesis to Revelations as printed, or chronologically in the order that it was believed to have transpired, or in the sequence of going through the Bible in a year reading the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs as a few examples.
We are to gather information, and study to show ourselves approved unto God, that we may pass on correct truth to those we are speaking, so as to be helpful in their life’s journey. This is a powerful way of helping our loved ones and those God has placed in our sphere or circle of influence. We can give them truth and the principles on how to live this life according to God’s precepts, teachings and guidelines. This is a task we all have been called to do; parents teach your children; let the older women instruct the younger on how to act; let the fathers and leaders teach the people, as good shepherd who is willing to sacrifice self and time to train, teach and protect God’s people.
2 Timothy 2:14 Study to shew yourself approved unto God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Our Transformation, should be to change our old fallen ways of doing and seeing things and to change our old patterns and ways thinking. This is another purpose we should have while we encounter reading the Bible or studying The Word of God. So that we ourselves may be transformed into the image God has created us to be. We all have been taught by a fallen world system and have been indoctrinated and brain washed with lies that are from the enemy of God. But, it is all we have known and were taught, so it appears as truth until our minds are “Renewed or Restored” to God’s way of thinking.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
God has birthed us into His family by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our original state was formed into the likeness of God until, the enemy came and disfigured and marred God’s children into fallen creatures that no longer reflect or revealed the love, light and unity of Him. But God, would not leave us in that fallen state and sent Yeshua, Jesus, our Rescuer and Deliverer to rebirth and restore in us that which was lost and stolen, the Holy image of God, through the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 4:6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”
In order to be transformed into the image of God and His Son Jesus, we must renew our minds to God’s way of thinking, which can only come by the washing our minds with the word of truth. As stated, Jesus cleansed the church by the washing of water with the word of God, which also cleanses us.
Ephesians 5:25-26 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
It is so important to take time to commune, to fellowship, and to allow God to speak to us. Having open communication with God may be one of our the most neglected practices while reading the Bible. The Word of God can allow us to hear Him speak to us personally. We will study to teach the word of God, and we will read to know how to be transformed and more like Christ, but seldom do we sit still with the purpose of hearing from God. We should ask, speak Lord for your servant is listening!
Often times we are like Samuel when he was a child, God is calling and speaking to us but we tend to run to those around us to ask what they think or to see what they say about a matter. This is a natural thing for us as children, new in the word and the family of God, that we look and seek those who have known God and His word. But as we grow and mature in the reading and understanding of God’s word, we are to do as Eli told Samuel, go back and sit before the Lord. We must train our spiritual ears to listen for God’s voice, His words and instructions to us through sitting in His presence with His Holy word.
1 Samuel 3:4 that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!” So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” And he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” And he went and lay down.
6-7 Then the Lord called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” He answered, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” (Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.)
8-10 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.
Now that we have been transferred into the family of God, Jesus said He now call us friend, and we can call God, Abba Father, we are not just family but in close personal relationship with God as Father and Jesus as Savior and Friend.
Like any good father God wants to be in constant fellowship and communication with His children. While God is the Father and Creator of all creation, He desires a close and personal relationship with those who are in the household and family of God. All who believe and trust in Him through faith and in the completed work of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens [outsiders without rights of citizenship], but you are fellow citizens with the saints (God’s people), and are [members] of God’s household,
Just as in the garden with Adam and Eve, their test was to see who they would believe and obey, God or Satan. That is the same test that lies before each of us today, who will we believe, the word of God our loving Father, or the tricks and lies of the enemy and our own selfishness?
1 Corinthians 1:9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
We communicate with God so that He can inform us and then transform us into His image. As with any skill, it is improved with practice. We should ask God, help me Lord to listen to You and to know Your voice. Speak Lord, for Your child is listening!
Integrity- People of God 