Week 2: Why is the Bible a treasure?

The Bible is no ordinary book; it is true information from the heart of God. Scripture tells us how to have a right relationship with God, how to protect ourselves against Satan, and how to have a joyful life. What could possibly be more valuable than that?

 

Be ready to read the following passages:

Let’s start it.

Have each family member name one treasured possession and tell why it is so valuable to him or her.

Let’s learn it.

Some of the most exciting stories ever told are found in the Bible, but it is much more valuable than a history book. The words of Scripture are not just words on a page, like the words in other books, because they are God’s words. The Bible is God speaking to us! His promises, warnings, and commands are alive with power. Check out Hebrews 4:12 and Ephesians 6:17. What is the Word of God compared with in these verses? God’s Word is such a powerful weapon that Jesus used it to defeat the devil (Matthew 4:1-11). When you read and memorize Scripture, you are using the sword of the Spirit to protect yourself against the devil’s plan to trick you into believing his lies.

The more you read Scripture and go over it again in your thoughts, the better you will understand why you do the things you do. Following God’s instructions will change how you think and what you think about. Your own thoughts – which can be very foolish sometimes – are replaced by thoughts that the Holy Spirit gives to you, helping you to make wise choices that please God. Take a moment to read Psalm 19:7-11 together before continuing.

The Bible warns us that sin is dangerous because it is thinking something or doing something that God says is wrong. That’s why it is so important to read and study Scripture every day. The Holy Spirit uses God’s Word to correct us when we make wrong choices. The Holy Spirit also uses the Bible to teach us the right things to do. You can always depend on God’s Word to be right and to tell you the truth, even about yourself. As followers of Jesus, we are always happier when we choose to obey Him. The things His Word tells us not to do are things that will harm us in some way.

Let’s discuss it.

  1. See how many of God’s warnings and instructions you can remember as a family. For each one, name a way that heeding that warning or following God’s instructions is valuable or rewarding.
  2. What are some things you’ve learned about yourself from reading the Bible? How has knowing that truth been valuable by changing a wrong thought or attitude?

Let’s do it.

Think back to the precious possession you named in Let’s start it; do you treat that belonging differently than you treat your other stuff? Now that we’ve learned the value of the Bible, we see that our material stuff isn’t nearly as valuable as knowing and obeying what God has said in the Bible. What are some ways you can show how much you value God’s Word this week?

We’ve learned today that God’s Word is “alive, powerful, perfect, trustworthy, right, pure, sure, and righteous.” Write these words down on an index card or notepad to put on your refrigerator, so everyone can see them all week. When you’re trying to make a difficult choice, remember that God’s instructions are trustworthy. When you’re tempted to sin, remember that God’s instructions are always right. He knows what is best for us because He loves us completely and knows everything fully. How do we know this? Because we know the Bible is God’s Word, and the Bible tell us so!