Why read the Bible? 9 reasons

1. We need to read the Bible to know the truth. We want to think clearly about what God says is true and valuable (2 Pet. 1:21).

2. We read the Bible to know God in a personal relationship (1 Cor. 1:21; Gal. 4:8-9; 1 Tim. 4:16).

3. We read the Bible to live well for God in this world, and living out his will expresses our love for Him (John 14:23-24; Rom. 12:2; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

4. We read the Bible to experience God’s freedom, grace, peace, and hope (John 8:32; Rom. 15:4; 2 Pet. 1:2).

5. We read the Bible because it gives us joy (Ps. 119:111).

6. We read the Bible to grow spiritually, as we reject conformity to the world and are changed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 2:1-2).

7. We read the Bible to minister to other Christ-followers and to those who have yet to respond to the Gospel, experiencing God’s approval for work well done (Josh. 1:8; 2 Tim. 2:15; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

8. We read the Bible to guard ourselves from sin and error (Eph. 6:11-17; 2 Pet. 2:1-2).

9. We read the Bible to be built up as a Christian community with others in the Body of Christ (Acts 20:32; Eph. 4:14-16).

from Read the Bible for Life, George Guthrie