How much time do you spend reading God’s Word during your day? How much time do you spend studying God’s Word? Is there a difference between reading and studying? For this first Strength from the Scriptures, I think it’s appropriate to start by looking at the Bible, God’s Word, His Scriptures.
When was the last time that you were assigned a Memory Verse? Let’s take time out of our busy week to focus on 2 Timothy 3:16. Can you commit 5 minutes a day to read, study, and memorize this verse? Take that as a challenge from me to you, or rather, for me AND you. The Bible states 2 Timothy 3:16 as “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” (NIV)
Think About It
What does it mean that all Scripture is God-breathed?
The Bible was written over a span of 1500 years by men but each and every word was inspired by God.
What are the purposes of God’s Scripture listed in 2 Timothy 3:16?
The purposes are listed as teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
How would you define each of those words of phrases? What if we turn each of these into a question: How is the Scripture useful for teaching? How does the Scripture rebuke or correct us or others? How is the Scripture used to train in righteousness?
Let’s make this question more personal. What if we add an “I” or “me” to each question? How do I use the Scripture for training? How does the Scripture rebuke or correct me? How do I use the Scripture to rebuke others? How do I know when this should happen? How do I use the Scripture for training in righteousness?
Reflections
Find and read 3-5 verses that teach about Scriptures using your Bible or a Bible commentary. You might want to start a notebook for your reflections. A notebook would give you a place to write down the verses you find and your reflection – what they mean to you.
Challenge
As we begin these studies together, let’s take a different verse each week and read it daily and commit it to our hearts and mind. That’s our first challenge. Reflect on this verse this week as you look at your daily activities. Are you using God’s Word in your daily walk? Do you know the Scriptures well enough to do this? If not, consider joining us weekly as we look read and study different Scriptures.
Garlands & Crowns 
This is a good verse to start with. It really makes me think, “man I need to be more familiar and versed with scriptures.” I like to think that I know scripture decently well, but the truth is… I need to have it in my head before hand to better assist in teaching, rebuking and training others. For now my focus needs to be on doing these things for myself with the scripture.
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So many times we feel that we must have large amounts of the Bible memorized before we are successful. For me, it’s easier to start with small chunks to memorize and put on my heart and use. Then if I need more, I can go to the Bible for references. Reading and doing makes it easier to keep God’s Word in my our hearts and minds.
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Thanks Kim! I will memorize this scripture (2 Timothy 3:16), and look at how it applies to my life! I need to be disciplined in my Bible Study, so I can apply his Word to my life, and be obedient to his Word daily!
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It’s much easier to read the Bible than study it and live by it, isn’t it? I like your comment, “…be obedient to his Word daily!” That can be a struggle to daily be obedient – minute by minute. But we can do it with God’s guidance.
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