LESSON FOUR

The Role of the Bible

Read these verses in the Bible for This Week?s Study:
Lamentations 3:22-23; -- we read that the LORD'S mercies and compassions, are consistent and new every morning --
2 Timothy 3:15-17; -- Scriptures make us wise -- they are given by inspiration
John 17:17; -- God's Word is sanctifying truth
Ephesians 1:13; -- it's the Word of truth, the gospel of salvation
Psalms 119:11; -- the Word, hidden in our hearts, keeps us from sin
1 Corinthians 2:14. -- we need the Holy Spirit to spiritually discern and understand God's truth.

Memory Text:

?For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart? (Hebrews 4:12, NJKV).


Our society has drifted into a relativism that no longer rests on any standard of truth. All foundations of truth have been eroded.
We have been told that:
-- there is no single belief system, no one has the right to claim something as absolute truth.
-- that moral values evolve with culture, and what was considered moral at one time, doesn't mean it has to be held as moral at this time.
--Tolerance, and personal freedom outweigh objective standards.

At first glance, cultural relativism may sound open-minded, even loving.
But basically it is rejecting God's authority. When everything becomes relative, nothing remains sacred, and nothing is regarded as real truth. It promotes the idea that "my truth" is all the matters, not God's truth. In fact there is a movement that would like to relegate the Bible into censored "hate literature", because it warns against following destructive practices.

Is the Bible against "love"?
No! God is Love, and the Bible (with guidance by the Holy Spirit) teaches us about true love, God's love, in His Word.
The Bible defines love and sets boundaries for it (1 Corinthians 13)
The world's relativism will only lead to confusion. God's Word is eternal truth!
It's the only map to true happiness and love for God and for one another.

Without the Bible, our knowledge and understanding of God and His eternal truth would be very limited.
The Bible reveals the nature and character of God.
The Bible points us to Jesus and His saving power.
The Bible not only tells us right and wrong, but it is the living Word, with power to transform.
The Bible is our spiritual nourishment. Just like we need physical food to grow and survive, so we need God's Word for spiritual growth and survival.
The Bible connects us to God, the source of life.

In this world of relativism and confusion, God's Word is an anchor.
A lamp unto our feet, and a light to our path.
The Role of the Bible is extremely important in navigating in this world of increasing confusion.
It's Words should be our daily meditation and study.