Sermon Guide

CONTROVERSIAL FAITH | WHY CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?

Teaching Text

2 Timothy 3:14-17

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Peter 1:16-21

For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Sermon Recap

This Sunday, Pastor Suzy Silk continued our series on Controversial Faith with a teaching on why we can trust the Bible. Translated into 698 languages, the Bible is the best-selling and most influential book in world history, and is worth reading based on these merits alone. Pastor Suzy provided context on why the Bible is different from all other books through analyzing the genre and style, the authorship and preservation, and how we should respond to reading the text as followers of Jesus.

The Bible claims to be non-fiction and contains numerous sub-genres such as poetry, historical accounts, and written letters. Outside evidence, including ancient writings and eye-witness accounts of Israel, Jesus, and His followers have corroborated the historical claims of the Old and New Testament. Additionally, communities that honor that Bible have never read the text as fiction. Early Christians were willing to die for their faith rather than renounce it, further proving their conviction of its truthfulness. As followers of Jesus, we can believe the Bible is a divinely given text about a God who works throughout human history.

In 2 Timothy 3:16, Paul writes that "all scripture is God-breathed." Written by at least 40 authors over a span of 1,500 years, the Bible contains one unifying story about the fulfillment of prophecy through Jesus. The multistep process of canonization through numerous communities proves the Bible is an ancient, sacred text. Faithfully passed down for over 3,000 years, multiple communities vouched for the authors of specific books, used the text in worship and recognized the ultimate divine authorship of the text. God has entered human history, spoken through human authors, and wants to have a relationship with His people through Jesus, who is the living Word.

As followers of Jesus, we should respond to reading the Bible by living in accordance with its teachings. The Creator of the entire universe reveals Himself through the words of the Bible so that we can know Him. We cannot merely read and listen to the text, but actively do what it says. Isaiah 40:8 tells us that all other words will pass away, but the Word of God will endure forever. In light of this, we should consume the Bible which holds the Words of Life, live under its divine authority, and speak the Truth out into the world.

If you missed this talk, you can watch it here today.

Pastor Suzy utilized numerous helpful visuals and charts in her teaching. You can see her teaching materials here.

Discussion Questions

Connect

1. What was your favorite book to read when you were a child? 

Character

Ask someone to read 2 Timothy 3:14-17 and 2 Peter 1:16-21 aloud. Then ask the following questions:

1. What words, phrases, or images stand out to you in the passage?

2. What do you learn about God’s relationship to the Scriptures? How should that inform your relationship to them?

Consider

1. Have you read the Bible all the way through? If yes, what was that experience like? If no, what has kept you from reading the Bible as a whole work?

2. Pastor Suzy shared a variety of historical resources that point to the validity of the Bible. Was there one in particular that was helpful or enlightening for you?

3. What does it practically look like for you to consume the Word in your day to day life?

4. How can you actively come under the authority of the Word this week?

Cover

Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead you into places where you can speak God’s Word this week. Ask for specific words He wants to share through you, and for the courage to speak them out.