Your Name All Over It

It was written with you in mind.

It is FOR you and TO you.

It has your name all over it.

The Bible has one central message: God loves you.

The Bible is God’s love letter to humanity.

If we could know God—his love and his plan for our lives apart from Scripture, he wouldn’t have bothered giving it to us… but he did.

God is not hiding from you. He’s all about revealing himself to you (1 Corinthians 2.10).

If you want to get to know God, get to know his Word.

You don’t need a PhD, doctorate, Bachelor’s Degree or even a high school diploma to read and understand God’s Word. Honest!

Jesus spoke in common, everyday language. He used real-life examples to illustrate his teaching.

The Bible was written to be read and understood.

If the language in your Bible is confusing or too difficult to understand—get an easier translation. I suggest the New Living Translation (NLT).

God’s Word is living and powerful. It is truth and life. It is our source of instruction, direction and purpose.

The Bible is more than a book you bring with you to church like a textbook in school and it’s more than a decoration for your coffee table…

It is God’s Word to YOU!

The Word of God is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4.12).

Growing spiritually means growing in the Word (Romans 10.17).

How to dig in to the Word:

• Get a Bible!

• Set an appointment (make time) with God and keep it.

• Have a plan (and use it) so that you’re not all over the place and you actually get somewhere in reading through the Bible. Here’s the Fairwood Church reading plan: http://www.fwchurch.com/resources/brp.php

• Get the Fairwood Church app. Through the app, you can access the Bible reading plan and read it on your phone. Here’s the link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fairwood-church/id437044966?mt=8

• Get the YouVersion Bible app. It gives you access to tons of translations and other great resources. Oh yeah, it’s free. Here’s the link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bible/id282935706?mt=8

• Start in the New Testament. Don’t even worry about the Old Testament until you understand the New Testament.

• Dig in deeper. Go beyond just reading—use the SOAP journaling method: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer.

• Got a verse that significantly impacts your life? Write it down on a note card and memorize it.

I make you this promise: if you read God’s Word, he will speak to you and you will grow.

Remember: it was written with you in mind. It is FOR you and TO you. It has your name all over it…

So dig in!