The document provides a 3-step method for understanding and applying the Bible: 1) Read it, because Scripture is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, training, testing, defending, keeping God's commandments, and growing spiritually. 2) Understand it by reading, studying, and examining Scripture. 3) Live it by applying what is read and understood. The Bible contains God's truth and is the most important thing, though reading it regularly requires developing good habits.

1. Get a Clue: God’s Word has the Answers
{ LLBC 2011 | Kirk Miller

2. Let’s Review
 Yesterday we talked about how the Bible is
God’s Word
 Proofs that the
Bible is true
 Doctrines
 Inspiration
 Inerrancy
 Preservation

3. 1. Read it!
2. Understand it!
3. Live it!
The 3-Step-Method

4. Step 1: Read it!

5. WHY?
Because it’s useful
“All Scripture is God-breathed
AND IS USEFUL . . .”
Useful for what?

6. …for teaching/doctrine
 Teaching what?
 Stuff about God and His truth (doctrine/theology)
 The right way to live
 Psalm 18:30 - This God--his way is perfect; the
word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for
all those who take refuge in him.
 This is a way that is both pleasing to God and
makes life easier for us
 The Bible teaches us
 We can teach others

7. …for rebuking
 Tells us when we are wrong and confronts us
when we are living sinful
 We can also use it to
confront others and
rebuke them in love

9. …for correcting
 Helps correct are wrong
behavior to become right
behavior
 We can use it to help
others correct their
behavior as well

10. …for training in righteousness
 Training - Reading and
studying the Bible is like
working out spiritually
 Righteousness – The Bible
trains us in the way that is
right in God’s eyes

11. …for testing and examining
 Paul told the Thessalonians to test everything
(actions, words, etc.)
 1 Thessalonians 5:21 - but test everything;
hold fast what
is good.
 What are we to
test everything with?

12. …for testing and examining
 The Berean’s examined
 Acts 17:10-12 - The brothers immediately sent Paul
and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they
arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11
Now these Jews were more noble than those in
Thessalonica; they received the word with all
eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if
these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore
believed . . . .

13. …for teaching/doctrine
 Matthew 7:15 - Beware of false prophets, who
come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly
are ravenous wolves.

14. …for defense
 Apollos was an apologist
 Acts 18:24, 28 - Now a Jew named Apollos, a
native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an
eloquent man, competent in
the Scriptures. (28) for he
powerfully refuted the Jews in
public, showing by the
Scriptures that the Christ was
Jesus.
 We can use the Bible to defend our faith

15. …for keeping God’s
commandments
 Psalm 119:9-12 - How can a young man keep
his way pure? By guarding it according to your
word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let
me not wander from your commandments! 11 I
have stored up your word in my heart, that I
might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are
you, O LORD; teach me your statutes!

16. …for keeping God’s
commandments
 John 14:15 - "If you love me, you will keep my
commandments.
 But first we need to know His commandments.
 If we love God, we will read His Word.

17. …for keeping God’s
commandments
 God’s way is AWESOME!
 Psalm 19:7-11 - The law of the LORD is
perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is
sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the
LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment
of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of
the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the
LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be
desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and drippings of the
honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them is your servant
warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

18. …for growing spiritually
 John 17:17 - Sanctify them
by your truth; your Word
is truth
 The Sword of the Spirit is
the Bible (Ephesians 6:17)
 We can’t grow without the
Bible. The Bible is our
spiritual food.

19. …for growing spiritually
 Growing in our
relationship God.
 How do we grow closer
to God? Just like anyone
else, by getting to know
Him.
 How do we get to know
God more? By reading
about Him and His
truth in His Word.

20. …for good works
 “. . . that the servant of God may be thoroughly
equipped for every good work.”
 We complete step 1
(read it!) so we can do
step 2 (understand it!)
and step 3 (live it!)

21. So, we’ve seen that the
Bible is useful for a lot of
great things
But it’s only useful if we
make use of it

22. The Bible is GOD’s
Word to US
 2 Timothy – Paul’s last words as he writes to
Timothy.
 1 Timothy 4:13 - devote yourself to the public
reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to
teaching.

23. Conclusion
 What’s the most important part of camp?
 You won’t be at camp for ever. You won’t have
your counselors forever. But the Bible should
become your counselor this week.
 Develop a habit this week at camp
 Set a time
 Have a Bible reading plan
 Legalism?