The Entire Bible
16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The entire Bible is what you need in order to be “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
God further tells us in 1 Peter 2:2
as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.
(1 Peter 2:2)
God’s Word is your only source of spiritual food for you to spiritually grow!
There is no substitute for this!
And notice…we are to “desire” God’s Word, “pure,” just as God intended for you to consume.
Therefore we must make sure we set up our lives to know God’s Word so that we can know God’s will.
As we learn God’s Word, seek to understand the Word in its context so that you can know what God is saying. You’ll then be better equipped to know what He may be saying to you and teaching you; hint: you’ll also know what God is not saying and be better able to discern truth from error.
This also greatly helps you so that you can detect false teachings and have God’s wisdom to be “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
How to know the entire Bible
Here’s 3 quick tips to get you pointed in the right direction:
#1 – Read through the entire Bible yourself so that you’ll know “all Scripture” for yourself and be “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Get into God’s Word for yourself so you can know the Lord better and better hear from Him!
#2 – Attend churches that teach through the entire Bible so that you can be sure you’re taught “all Scripture” and be “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” You need to be fed whole Bible books, not just stories. What you see modeled in church life will be mimicked at home. (Find a Bible teaching church near you that teaches through the entire Bible)
#3 – Go through the entire Bible at home with your family so that they can know “all Scripture” and be “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” You’re responsible to disciple those whom God has entrusted to you.
In these last days, we find it so very common to only hear topical teachings, springing from one topic to another topic. There’s a time and place for topical teachings. But for the bulk of a church’s teachings, the best by far is to teach through the entire Bible.
This is also known as Expository Preaching (see What is expository preaching? on Got Questions)
One of the many problems with only consuming topical teachings, is that the people never get “all Scripture” so that they can be “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
This is what God prophesied in 2 Timothy 3-4 in these last days we now live in!
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
(2 Timothy 3:16-4:5)
Ask God for His help
Ask the Lord to help you to know His Word better and better.
Then jump right in and read, study and learn for yourself.
If I can be of service to you to help as well, let me know.
Remember, there’s always help, hope and healing with God!
Pastor Drew