“Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

What if this kind of humility that Paul showed in this passage defined the church today? What if we were comfortable sharing our weaknesses and embraced vulnerability? What if we didn’t worry about the opinion and approval of others because Jesus has already secured our approval?

This passage reminds us that our weaknesses are canvases for His strength—they are where we see Christ move, work, and transform. We can be open about our weaknesses, for they showcase Christ’s work within us. But how do we embrace vulnerability when every fiber in our being is fighting us to share our weaknesses? And that is understandable: the fear of judgment surfaces whenever we try our hand at being vulnerable.

Ann Voskamp once said that “Shame dies in safe spaces.” In other words, people will be more open in a forum where they genuinely feel safe. So, creating such a safe space within the church is vital. It’s about creating an environment where people who share freely are met with trust, support, and guaranteed confidentiality.

God modeled vulnerability by becoming human in Jesus Christ, experiencing pain and temptations. Jesus humbled himself, experiencing rejection, loss, disappointment, loneliness, and pain. He knew what it was like to be fully seen and not always understood, sharing His deepest feelings with His closest friends. We are called to imitate this example, showing love and acceptance as Christ did.

Vulnerability can be challenging because we often want to hide our brokenness from others.  But what feels like weakness in admitting our brokenness becomes strength when placed in the redemptive hands of God.

Every community of believers is comprised of a diverse group of people, each on their unique spiritual journey. Most of us find ourselves in that messy in-between space of growth, where we are painfully aware of our weaknesses. The challenge is navigating this journey while fostering an environment where openness and honesty are encouraged and everyone feels safe enough to admit they have things to work on, but want to work on them together.

Discussion Questions:

1. How is vulnerability personally defined? Does it seem like a strength or a weakness?
2. Can someone recall a time when someone demonstrated Christ-like vulnerability? What was the impact on others?
3. What fears or anxieties might hinder vulnerability in a faith community?

What life have you if you have not life together?
There is not life that is not in community,
And no community not lived in praise of God . . .
-Choruses from the Rock: T.S. Eliot.

Poet and playwright T. S. Eliot penned those words in 1934. Although society has undergone significant transformations over the past 90 years, driven by factors such as technological advancements, globalization, and shifts in cultural values, his words remain relevant. Eliot knows what we all know to be true today: a vibrant life needs community.

We were not created to go about this life apart from a relationship with other believers. In community, we discover our place in the body of Christ. In community, we learn what it is to serve out of love, honor, and respect. And in community, we receive the healing and love that can only come from those who share in the same Spirit.

Acts 2:42-47 describes the early Christian community in Jerusalem, highlighting their devotion to the apostles’ teachings, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. This passage describes the community we all strive for. We were made for honest, vulnerable fellowship. We were created to help each other, eat together, worship our God, and love others. The Acts passage describes the result of God’s saving work. When God saves people, God forms those people into a dynamic community whose members share their lives. God’s saving work produces a dynamic community in which those who share in the spiritual life of Christ also share in the everyday stuff of life.

God intends for us to be supported, strengthened, encouraged, and empowered through the community of believers. As we face the storms and temptations of life, we should draw strength from one another.

Scripture is clear that true community requires sacrifice, vulnerability, and accountability. 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 says, “This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.”  Accountability within a church community is vital for spiritual growth and maturity. It involves a commitment to transparency, vulnerability, and mutual encouragement, fostering an environment where believers can confess sins, seek guidance, and receive correction from one another. This practice helps believers stay on track, avoid falling into sin, and grow in holiness, reflecting the love and grace of Christ.

Charles Spurgeon once said of the Church, “Imperfect as it is, it is the dearest place on earth to us… All who have first given themselves to the Lord should, as speedily as possible, also give themselves to the Lord’s people. Being in community, in constant fellowship with other believers, helps refine our lives and intentions so that they more consistently align with Christ. This enables us to spiritually mature to the point where we can confidently encourage others to follow our example as we follow the example of Christ.”

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some of the benefits of being part of a strong church community? 
2. What are some of the challenges of maintaining a healthy church community? 
3. How does the church community help us live out our faith in the world? 

Summary: On his way to Rome to appeal to Caesar, and under the supervision of Roman centurions, Paul and company run into a storm on the Mediterranean. After days of tumultuous winds, little food, and constant fear of death, the ship is finally broken apart, and the crew and prisoners need to swim for shore on a nearby island called Malta. Miraculously, everyone survives.

In part 1, we looked at the bad news of Paul’s shipwreck on the way to Rome. In part 2, we will look at the good news. The good news is that we can trust God’s promises.    

God had promised Paul that He would get to Rome. He told Paul he would stand before Caesar and would be given the opportunity to share God’s truth with him. God sends an angel to Paul to say, “Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you” (Acts 27:24). God fulfills His promises, doesn’t He? Throughout Scripture, we see that God’s promises are true. Even when, in the moment, it makes no sense or little sense from a human perspective, we can trust that God will see us through.

And we don’t need a new promise for a new storm. God promised you will reach your destination safely through Jesus Christ. But in Paul’s case, they were still going to run aground. God didn’t suddenly make everything calm and easy. Storms are still storms, but we can trust in the middle of them that God is faithful to do what He said He would do. Consider the promise He gives us in Philippians 1:6, where Paul wrote, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” The good news is what God already said he would do.

Everybody on the ship is brought safely to land. But we shouldn’t be surprised. We know it is a foregone conclusion that God will keep His promises, because He always does.

The ship itself is part of the story. Acts 27:43-44 says,  “the stern was repeatedly smashed by the force of the waves and began to break apart.…he (centurion)  ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land. The others held on to planks or debris from the broken ship. So everyone escaped safely to shore.” The ship breaking apart provided flotation devices to get everyone safely to land, especially those who couldn’t swim. The whole of the Christian life is characterized by holding onto something when facing our personal shipwrecks.   

So that’s the good and the bad news. The bad news is that discouragement is inevitable. The good is in the midst of that; God is going to show up in big ways. It’s not often how we plan for it, or what we would suggest He do. We need to simply trust God.

The writer of Psalm 112 had this in mind as well as he wrote verse 7, “They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them”  (Psalm 112:7).

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you define “trusting God”? Is it simply a feeling, or is it a choice to believe and obey even when circumstances are difficult? How does trusting in God help you cope with bad news?
2. When have you struggled to believe a promise of God? What was that experience like, and what helped you overcome that struggle?
   

“ But the weather changed abruptly, and a wind of typhoon strength (called a “northeaster”) burst across the island and blew us out to sea… The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. … The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.” – Acts 27:14-19.

Most people have been asked at some point whether they want to hear the good news or the bad news. Most people prefer to hear bad news before good news. This allows them to address the unpleasant information upfront and conclude on a positive note. Nobody wants to hear only bad news.

There is both good and bad news in the story about Paul found in Acts 27-28. The news is good initially, as Paul was going to leave for Rome after waiting for several years. Then there is some bad news in the form of a major storm. Then there was worse news as they sailed for days with no sun, no food, and no hope. Then there was good news: an angel came to Paul to tell him he was still going to get to Rome and that no one would lose their life. So Paul said to the crew, “So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. But we will be shipwrecked on an island” (Acts 27:25-26).

So why does God give us 44 verses to tell this story? One possible reason is to remind us He is sovereign. What He does often doesn’t make sense to us, nor does He do things the way we would. But that’s what makes Him God. Yet God is in this story and is in total control of everything, especially the things that don’t make sense.

Let’s look more closely at this “good news, bad news” story. After a long season of waiting, Paul was finally on his way to Rome. This shouldn’t surprise us, because God had told him he would go there. Paul’s confidence in God’s promise was strong, but as usual for him, the process wasn’t an easy one. This story should remind us that what we might see as bad news—difficult and discouraging things—is often the very means God uses to eventually encourage us as we see Him working things out in our lives.

The storm they encountered was bad. We may not have the same type of storms. Day after day went by, and they couldn’t even tell light from darkness. It is hard to imagine what that was like.  Of course, they were discouraged. They were finally heading to the destination God had called them to, to stand before Caesar in Rome, but a trip that should have taken about four or five weeks took four months, with all kinds of twists and turns where things didn’t go their way.

The greatest gift we’ve been given in the face of trials is faith. When problems are staring us head-on, it’s hard to see around them to the beneficial outcome God intends. To face trials as God intends, we must have faith. We must believe that God has a useful outcome in mind, despite the trial being hard. We must have faith that God will guide us through every problem that stands in our way and instill in us a steadfastness that enables us to experience an abundant life.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you react to bad news? How does trusting in God help you cope with bad news?
2. How can you be a source of strength and hope for those who are facing difficult times? 

  “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” – 2 Corinthians 3:18.

The glory of God is a term frequently used in the Bible, but it can be difficult to comprehend fully. What is the glory of God? And what does it mean to glorify Him in our everyday lives? And more importantly, how do I see God’s glory?   

Although we have seen some of God’s glory in the earth, and others have had more of a direct experience with God’s grace, we certainly haven’t seen God’s full glory because, as mere creatures, we couldn’t handle the full weight of His glory. A case in point is found in Exodus 33:18 where Moses ask God to “…please show me your glory.”Moses wasn’t asking for a mere glimpse; he was asking to see God–to see Him for everything He is. To see all the attributes of God– His greatness, His splendor, His majesty, His perfect holiness, His goodness. God responded by saying “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live” (Exodus 33:20).

Defining the glory of God is impossible because God’s glory lives above and beyond any type of description or definition. The answer is as infinite as God’s glory itself, so the question can never be answered exhaustively. Now, when Isaiah 6:3 says that one angel is crying to another, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts,” the next thing he says is this: “The whole earth is filled with his . . . ” People could guess that the next word would be “holiness,” but he doesn’t say that. He says, “glory.”  2 Corinthians 4:6 says, “For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.” Hebrews 1:3 adds, “The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven”

The scriptures tell us: ”[He] has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale? … all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. [to Him] …[He] spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes his tent from them” (Isaiah 40: 12, 15, 22). The prophet attempts to give God’s glory some scale through word pictures. Still, even these very picturesque and helpful descriptions fall miserably short of capturing the awesome glory of God. God’s glory encompasses the greatness, beauty, and perfection of all He is. He is beyond our ability to estimate, understand, or describe.

God’s glory will be revealed in a beautiful and powerful way in the New Jerusalem. Listen to how the Bible describes the glory of God in heaven. Speaking of the New Jerusalem that will come at the end of all things, John says in Revelation 21:23, “And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.”  The glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb (Jesus Christ) serves as its light, rendering the sun and moon unnecessary. This verse highlights God’s all-encompassing presence and the transformative power of His glory in the eternal state.

Discussion Questions:

1. The definition of glorifying God is to honor Him through our lives, demonstrating His splendor, love, and perfection, and showing that His presence is evident in us. In what ways does the believer do this in everyday life? Agree or disagree and why?
2. What can we do this week to glorify God? 

“Inside the Tent of Meeting, the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting.” – Exodus 33:1.

FaceTime is an application, or app, for making video and voice calls over the internet. It’s great for keeping in touch if you and most of your friends and family use devices from Apple. Can we do the same thing with God? In essence, “FaceTime with God” is a modern way of expressing the timeless desire for a personal relationship with the Lord, characterized by prayer, reflection, and a willingness to encounter God’s presence in one’s life.

There are a few people in history who have experienced the remarkable reality of seeing and experiencing more of God than others. One of them was Moses.  Exodus 33:11 says, “the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” Just like with human relationships, this relationship didn’t happen overnight. In Exodus 3 and 4, we read of God igniting this relationship through the burning bush. Despite God’s display of power and authority, Moses gave reasons why he couldn’t lead the Hebrews from captivity. But, as the exodus of God’s people progresses, Moses becomes more and more intimate with God, to the point where he finds himself “face to face” with God regularly.

Let that sink in. God spoke with Moses face to face. He related and interacted with Moses in a vocal form. Moses spent significant time with the LORD, inquiring from Him on what to do, and listening to Him regarding the people of Israel. It’s the kind of intimate relationship that develops over time, and it’s tested through trials of life, and Moses experienced more than his share of trials.

Time with God is important – and most certainly not another “thing” on the to-do list. Like any relationship, if we genuinely want to know that person, we make the effort. God is always with us. Our relationship with God is the key to moving beyond knowing about God to knowing Him personally. It’s the key to living a spirit-led, fruitful, and holy life that pleases God.  And ultimately, it’s part of the process through which we’re transformed and become more like Him.

Spending time face-to-face with God will change your life. It is an essential part of a Christian’s life. It’s a time when you can rest in His presence, read His Word, and speak to Him in prayer. But the idea of connecting with God can be challenging. But, what a difference would it make if we aggressively seek the face of Jesus? One day, it will happen physically, and it won’t be a dream or a hope. God promises in 1 Corinthians 13:12-13, which says,  “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 

FaceTime with God can help us develop a devotional focus on creating a close, personal relationship with God through prayer, reflection, and spending time in His presence. This practice emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s face, trusting His timing, and allowing Him to transform our hearts and lives.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does the phrase “FaceTiming with God” suggest? What kind of intimacy or connection does it evoke in a relationship with God?
2. How does the idea of seeing God’s “face” in a personal and direct way, similar to a FaceTime call, compare to or differ from other ways of conceptualizing connecting with God (e.g., prayer, Bible study, worship)?

“Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.” – Psalm 15.

There’s nothing quite like the presence of the Lord. We read in the Bible of prophets, disciples, and followers of Christ who have experienced God’s presence, and hear stories of God’s presence in people’s lives ranging from dramatic miracles to subtle, yet impactful, moments of guidance and comfort. But there is nothing like experiencing the presence of God in your life.

Spending time in God’s presence is essential to the Christian journey. Spending time in God’s presence requires discipline and desire. Everything within you must desire to be with Him. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

Psalm 15 serves as a clear reminder that we can never achieve acceptance with God based on our righteousness. Psalm 15 calls us to abandon our righteousness because Christ is our righteousness. He lived on our behalf. He achieved the righteousness that we could not achieve on our own. Christ purchased our righteousness, and He paid our penalty.

In Psalm 15, David asks the question of who can live where God lives. Throughout this psalm, David lists different things that are required of the person who lives where God is. The first part sums it up in that the person must be blameless and righteous. The rest of the verses give direct examples of what that means.

All over the world, there are people who are asking the same question that David asked. They want to know how they can live where God lives, how they can dwell in His presence.  So, how do we encounter the presence of God? How do we experience his nearness? Encountering God is similar to encountering another person. We don’t seek an experience with a friend; rather, we seek to know them by spending time with them and gain an experience as a result. The more we know them, the more we recognize their voice.

Timothy Keller said, “To stand in the presence of God, that is what the Gospel is. The Gospel is not primarily about forgiveness. It’s not primarily about good feelings. It’s not primarily about power. All those things are byproducts, sparks. It’s mainly about the presence of God.”

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you understand the concept of God’s presence? Is it a feeling, a location, a relationship, or something else entirely? 
2. In what ways have you experienced God’s presence in your life? What are some common obstacles that prevent people from recognizing or experiencing God’s presence? 

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard” – Psalm 19:1-3.

Periodically, we all need a respite from everyday life. We can benefit from spending time alone in nature with the Lord. This is why so many great writers, poets, and songwriters have spent time in nature. Nature allows us to realign, readjust, and reacquaint ourselves with God. God’s creation affords us a chance to think, contemplate, reflect, and pray. Nature is a reflection of God and is a testament to His power, creativity, and love.

One of the most compelling reasons people are drawn to the Emerald Coast is its natural beauty, characterized by pristine white sand beaches and clear, emerald-green waters. Beyond the beaches, the area boasts unique coastal dune lakes, picturesque dunes, and charming coastal towns. The Emerald Coast, like so many beautiful places around the world, is a tremendous gift from God.

It is said that an artist creates from the beauty within. Similarly, the beauty of the natural world reveals the beauty of the God who created it. Nature can be seen as a silent preacher.  Everything from the tiniest insect to the most majestic mountain, indeed all created things, demonstrates the unity and harmony of God’s wonderful creation. The beauty we see in nature all came from God and was perfectly and intentionally designed by Him and Him alone.

The solitude of time spent in nature offers us an opportunity for prayer and meditation, free from the distractions of daily life. We can focus our minds and hearts on God. Jesus Himself often withdrew to lonely places to pray. He gave us an example to follow. In these quiet moments, we can pour out our hearts to God, seek His guidance, and listen for His voice. Spending quiet time in nature may be all you need to begin feeling closer to God.

God’s gifts to us are never-ending. His presence can be seen and felt anywhere. Our planet is filled with creation that reflects God’s character, creativity, and His ultimate design.

Job 12:7-10 tells us, “Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you.  Let the fish in the sea speak to you. For they all know that my disaster has come from the hand of the Lord. For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being”.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the beauty and intricacy of the natural world point to God’s creative power and design? 
2. How can spending time in nature help us feel closer to God and experience His presence? 
3. What specific aspects of nature (e.g., a sunset, a mountain range, a tiny flower) particularly resonate with your sense of God’s presence?

“The Bible is a vein of pure gold, unalloyed by quartz or any earthly substance. This is a star without a speck; a sun without a blot; a light without darkness; a moon without its paleness; a glory without a dimness. O Bible! It cannot be said of any other book that it is perfect and pure; but of thee we can declare all wisdom is gathered up in thee, without a particle of folly. This is the judge that ends the strife, where wit and reason fail. This is the book untainted by any error; but is pure, unalloyed, perfect truth.” — Charles Spurgeon.

“What is your most valuable possession?” Immediately, your mind may scroll through a balance sheet that lists all of your possessions. If you are like most people, you may consider your home, business, or investment portfolio to be your most valuable assets. There are many possible answers, such as family heirlooms, photographs, and life in general, but would the Bible make the list?

People go to great lengths to access and read the Bible, including overcoming physical and political barriers. Owning, printing, importing, or distributing the Word of God in hostile or restricted nations can result in being arrested or even killed. Governments and groups opposed to Christianity impose harsh penalties and deadly punishment in attempts to stop evangelism and Bible distribution. Individuals and organizations smuggle Bibles into countries where they are banned or restricted, often facing significant risks in the process. In countries with strict internet censorship, individuals may use technology, including VPNs and encrypted communication, to access online versions of the Bible or to share digital copies.

The writer of Psalm 119 says that the Word of God has more value to him “than millions in gold and silver” (119:72). He even says that “My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions” (119:109). Do we speak about the Bible in such terms?

The Bible is a tool given by God to help individuals develop a personal relationship with Him. Through studying the Bible, individuals can gain insight into God’s nature, His will, and His plan for humanity, thereby fostering a deeper connection and understanding of Him. While the Bible wasn’t written to you (we’re not the original audience), the Bible itself says it was written for you. The authors of Scripture made it clear that God was speaking to them and through them—more than 3,000 times they said, “Thus saith the Lord” or its equivalent. And because “God inspires all Scripture ” (2 Timothy 3:16), when you open these pages and read these words, you can do it with the confidence that this is God’s message for and to us.

In summary, the Bible is the inspired Word of God, a source of truth, and a guide for living a righteous life. It is a source of wisdom, comfort, and strength, and a means of encountering God. What can be more valuable than that?

Discussion Questions:

1. What value do you place on the Bible, and how does that value manifest in your daily life? 
2. Why is the Bible considered the most precious thing we can hold?
   

  “Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian.” If this is true, many of us are living the Christian life without the fullness of the complete Word of God. There are 66 books in the Bible, yet most adults gravitate to only a handful. If we truly believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, then we must prioritize reading all of the Scripture.” —AW. Tozer.

Have you ever found yourself flipping through your Bible, reading a verse here and a chapter there, but feeling like you’re missing the bigger picture? You’re not alone.  Individual passages of the Bible hold great power and can profoundly impact a person’s life, leading to personal growth and transformation, but we should not limit our Bible study to the “usual suspects” of familiar passages.

God did not give us just some books of the Bible, or parts of some books. He gave us 66 entire books because the whole of Scripture can be a place where we encounter God. A large portion of the Bible is completed before we reach the book of Matthew. It might seem prudent to focus on the Gospels to meet with Jesus. Many of our Bibles are far more well-thumbed in the New Testament and, perhaps, Isaiah and the Psalms — the most obviously Jesus-centered parts of Scripture. Some parts of the Bible seem a little too gory and some a little too graphic (Song of Songs).

Think about a mystery novel. We are presented with a seemingly unrelated set of events and characters. One of the characters is involved in this crime, but which one is it? And how? As we navigate through the novel, we find ourselves suspecting one person after another. But just when uncertainty starts to set in, we are given a vital clue.  And then another. And with a smile, we now see past all the red herrings and blind alleys and know who the villain is. We close the book with a smile and mentally say, “Of course — it all makes sense!”

Now, imagine going back to the book for a second time. Returning to the first page, we already know how the entire story will unfold. When we first meet the murderer, we know he is the murderer. At the first mention of a vital clue, we already know its significance. We see the hints that we missed before. The book has fundamentally changed, for we now have the bigger picture. The story still unwinds along the same course; the detective still reaches the same conclusions. But our reading is so different. Events and remarks we hadn’t noticed the first time take on a fresh significance. Characters emerge in a new light. We have seen behind the curtain. What if we could read Scripture in this way?

Reading the entire Bible, as opposed to select chapters or verses, offers significant benefits: Reading the Bible as a whole reveals God’s character, purposes, and plan of salvation from Genesis to Revelation. You’ll see how the Old Testament points to Jesus and how the New Testament fulfills those prophecies, leading to a fuller understanding of the Gospel. Reading the whole Bible allows you to see the “big picture” and understand how different books and genres fit together to tell a single, overarching story.

Discussion Questions:

1. Reading the entire Bible, from cover to cover, allows you to grasp the overarching narrative of Scripture and see how individual books and passages fit into the larger story. This helps in understanding the context of specific verses and passages, which can be missed when reading selectively. Agree or disagree, and why?
2. Do you believe reading the whole Bible will enable you to know God and yourself better? Why or why not?