Why Is It Important To Read & Know The Bible?

Very few people understand the great importance of reading and knowing the Bible. Throughout the Bible God continually requests and admonishes us to read and study His Word. This being so, should we not obey Him? Is there any of us that cannot spare 15 minutes a day? If an average reader were to do this, the whole Bible could be completed in seven months or less. Ask yourself: “Is 15 minutes a day so much to give up?” That is about only 1/100 of a 24 hour day. Shouldn’t we at least give God’s Word at least that much time?

Below are just a few scriptures to emphasize why we should:

Matthew 4:4 - “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

Psalm 119:11 - “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

2 Timothy 2:15 - “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a work-man that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

John 8:31,32 - “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 4:14 - “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

John 5:39 - “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

Revelation 22:7 - “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”

2 Corinthians 4:3 - “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.”

Acts 17:11 - “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

Proverbs 4:20-21 - “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.”

Jeremiah 29:13 - “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

I cannot emphasize enough the importance God puts on the reading and study of His Word. For God to have it repeated over and over again shows that it is of very great importance. Only a few texts have been quoted above. There are well over a thousand. This being so, should we not be obedient to Him?

So very many today, even preachers of the Gospel of Christ, fail to encourage and emphasize the importance of knowing God’s Word by daily reading and studying it. How can we know how to do God’s will if we do not know his Word? Keep in mind that we communicate with God by prayer and He often talks to us by His Divine Word, the Bible. It is essential to know that communication is a two- way street! Listening to sermons is good, but it doesn’t cover all of God’s truths. Let us read and study for ourselves, for it is then that it can be said that we are a student of His Word. His treasures are hidden and are unlimited. Why not search for them?

BLESSED BIBLE
Blessed Bible, precious Word! Boon most sacred from the Lord;
Glory to His Name be giv’n
For this choicest gift from heav’n

‘Tis a ray of purest light, Beaming through the depths of night;
Brighter than ten thousand gems Of the costliest diadems.

‘Tis a fountain, poring forth Streams of life to gladden earth;
Whence eternal blessings flow, Antidote for human woe.

‘Tis a mine, aye, deeper, too, Than mortal ever go;
Search we may for many years, Still some new, rich gem appear

RG ©CDMI

The Bible is a unified story made up of sixty-six books, written by inspired authors over many centuries. It tells the grand narrative of God’s relationship with humanity, from creation to new creation, and centers on His plan to restore a broken world through a promised Savior. Though written in many times and styles, the Bible consistently reveals God’s faithfulness, humanity’s need for redemption, and the unfolding hope of the Kingdom of God.

The Old Testament begins with Genesis, where God creates a good world and forms humanity in His image. But sin enters through human rebellion, fracturing the relationship between God and creation. Yet from the earliest pages, God promises a deliverer, a future descendant who will crush evil and restore what was lost. God chooses Abraham and his descendants, Israel, to be a covenant people through whom this promise will unfold.

As Israel’s story continues, God delivers them from slavery, gives them laws to live by, and dwells among them. But despite His faithfulness, the people repeatedly fall into idolatry and injustice. The prophets call them back to covenant loyalty and speak of a coming King, a righteous Servant, and a renewed Kingdom. Through poetry, history, and prophecy, the Old Testament anticipates a Messiah who will rescue not only Israel, but all nations, and bring peace to a weary world.

The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of that promise in Jesus of Nazareth, who is shown to be the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of God. Through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection, Jesus offers redemption from sin and opens the way to reconciliation with God. He proclaims the arrival of God's Kingdom—where the humble are lifted, the lost are found, and the dead are raised. His followers are called to live by His teachings and share the good news with the world.

The story concludes with the promise of Jesus' return, final judgment, and the renewal of all things. In the last chapters of Revelation, the Bible ends as it began, with God dwelling with His people in a restored creation, where there is no more death or pain. The Bible is ultimately the story of God’s relentless love, His plan to save humanity through the ransom of Christ, and the hope of an eternal Kingdom where righteousness, peace, and fellowship with the Creator are fully restored.

JJ Bowks, @CDMI.org