Discovering the Bible: Trusting God’s Word in 2026

Devotional

Day 1: The Importance of Gathering Together as Believers

Gathering with other believers is essential for encouragement, growth, and living out our faith.
When Christians come together, whether in large sanctuaries or small apartments, something powerful happens: we remind each other of God’s love, pray for one another, and spur each other on to good works. Even in a digital age, in-person community remains vital for spiritual health and accountability. If you’re not regularly meeting with other followers of Jesus, consider how you might take a step toward deeper connection and encouragement. [07:10]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Who is one person you could invite to join you in worship or community this week, so that you both might encourage each other in your faith?

Day 2: The Bible is Inspired, Inerrant, and Authoritative

The Bible is not just a historical document or a collection of wise sayings; it is the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God that has the power to change lives.
God spoke through human authors, using their personalities and experiences, to communicate His truth to us. The Bible is trustworthy and relevant, not because it is easy or always comfortable, but because it reveals God’s heart and will for our lives. Submitting to its authority means allowing God’s Word to shape our beliefs, actions, and even the parts of our lives we find most challenging to surrender. [48:56]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you resist the Bible’s authority, and what would it look like to submit that area to God’s Word this week?

Day 3: The Bible is Living and Active

God’s Word is not static or outdated; it is living, active, and able to discern the deepest parts of our hearts.
When you read the Bible, it does more than inform your mind—it transforms your heart. Scripture has the unique ability to reveal your motives, challenge your assumptions, and guide your steps. Rather than just reading the Bible, let the Bible read you, allowing it to illuminate areas of your life that need God’s truth and grace. [57:32]

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Reflection: As you read Scripture today, what is one thought or motive that God’s Word brings to light in your heart, and how will you respond?

Day 4: The Bible is Based on Eyewitness Testimony, Not Myths

The foundation of our faith is not cleverly invented stories, but the reliable testimony of those who witnessed Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
Peter and the other apostles did not follow myths or legends; they shared what they had seen, heard, and experienced firsthand. This gives us confidence that the message of Jesus is rooted in history and reality, not wishful thinking. You can trust the Bible because it is anchored in the testimony of those who walked with Jesus and were transformed by Him. [58:39]

2 Peter 1:16-21 (ESV)
"For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,' we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

Reflection: What doubts or questions do you have about the reliability of the Bible, and how might you seek answers or explore those questions honestly this week?

Day 5: Developing a Firsthand Faith Through Daily Bible Reading

A vibrant faith is built not on secondhand information, but on personally engaging with God’s Word each day.
Relying solely on sermons or others’ interpretations can leave your faith shallow and dependent. Instead, make it your goal to read the Bible for yourself, even if it’s just a few minutes a day. Choose a time, a place, and a plan, and let God speak to you directly through His Word. As you do, you’ll discover a deeper, more authentic relationship with God and a faith that is truly your own. [43:25]

Joshua 1:8 (ESV)
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

Reflection: What specific time and place can you set aside this week to begin (or renew) a daily habit of reading the Bible for yourself?

Sermon Summary

In 1996, I had the privilege of worshiping with a small group of believers in China, an experience that reminded me of the power and necessity of gathering together as followers of Jesus. Throughout history, Christians have gathered to pray, learn from Scripture, and sing songs that remind us of God’s love and truth. Even in our digital age, in-person community remains vital for encouragement and spiritual growth. The writer of Hebrews urges us not to neglect meeting together, but to motivate one another toward love and good works.

This leads us to a central question: How do we actually hear from God today? If Jesus were on social media, we’d all want to follow him, eager to know his thoughts on every aspect of life. The reality is, God has already given us his message through the Bible. Yet, many of us have silenced those “notifications,” intimidated by the Bible’s size, history, or the doubts we’ve picked up along the way. Sometimes, we inherit a secondhand faith—relying on what others say about God—instead of seeking a firsthand relationship through his Word.

Many of us were handed a Bible before we understood how it came to be. We may have heard objections: “It’s just a game of telephone,” “It’s been changed too many times,” or “It’s outdated.” But the story of the Bible doesn’t begin in Genesis; it begins with Jesus. Eyewitnesses to his life, death, and resurrection were so transformed that they recorded what they saw and heard, and these accounts changed the world. Even if you’re skeptical, the sheer impact of Jesus and the Bible on history is undeniable.

The Bible is inspired, inerrant, and authoritative. It’s not just a book of ancient stories, but a living, active Word that shapes our lives, challenges our assumptions, and equips us for every good work. The challenge is not just academic—it’s about whether we’re willing to submit our lives to God’s wisdom, even when it’s uncomfortable. Rather than inheriting a secondhand faith, we’re invited to discover God’s heart for ourselves.

This year, I’m inviting everyone to read through the New Testament together. Just three minutes a day can transform your understanding and your life. Whether you’re a lifelong believer or a skeptic, approach the Bible with curiosity and openness. Let’s journey together, asking questions, seeking truth, and allowing God’s Word to shape us into people who make a positive impact in the world.

Key Takeaways

1. Community is Essential for Spiritual Growth Gathering with other believers is not just a tradition, but a biblical command and a source of encouragement. In-person relationships provide accountability, support, and opportunities to motivate one another toward love and good works. Even in a digital world, we need real-life community to grow in faith and to live out the teachings of Jesus. [07:10]
2. The Bible is God’s Ongoing Message to Us If we long to know what Jesus thinks about our lives, we don’t have to wait for a social media post—God has already spoken through Scripture. Too often, we silence the Bible’s voice out of intimidation or distraction, missing out on the wisdom and direction God offers daily. Rediscovering the Bible as God’s living message can transform our relationship with him and our approach to life’s challenges. [32:40]
3. Firsthand Faith is Vital—Don’t Settle for Secondhand Relying solely on what others say about God leads to a secondhand faith, vulnerable to doubt and confusion. God invites each of us to a firsthand relationship, where we engage Scripture directly, ask hard questions, and wrestle with truth ourselves. The Bible is accessible, transparent, and open to investigation—truth has nothing to hide, and God welcomes our curiosity. [43:11]
4. The Authority of Scripture Requires Honest Submission Many walk away from the Bible not because they find it unbelievable, but because they find it uncomfortable or inconvenient. True discipleship means allowing God’s Word to challenge and reshape our beliefs, priorities, and behaviors—even when it’s hard. Rather than molding Jesus to fit our preferences, we’re called to let him be King, rebuilding our lives around his truth. [49:57]
5. The Bible is Living, Active, and Life-Changing Scripture is not just for inspiration or information—it’s meant to equip us for every good work and to transform our hearts. The Bible teaches, corrects, and trains us, discerning our motives and guiding our steps. Approaching the Bible with openness allows it to “read us,” shaping us into people who make a lasting, positive impact in our families, communities, and the world. [57:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[06:25] - Worship in China: The Power of Gathering
[07:10] - The Importance of Meeting Together
[28:09] - Gratitude for Generosity and Community
[30:01] - Would You Follow Jesus on Social Media?
[32:40] - God’s Message: The Bible as Daily Notification
[33:25] - Overcoming Intimidation and Doubt About the Bible
[36:40] - The Story of the Bible: Not Just Stories in the Bible
[40:05] - Why the Bible Exists: The Eyewitnesses of Jesus
[43:11] - Firsthand vs. Secondhand Faith
[46:53] - What We Believe About the Bible
[49:57] - The Challenge of Submitting to Scripture
[54:47] - Scripture’s Purpose: Teaching, Rebuking, Equipping
[57:47] - The Bible Reads Us: Living and Active
[01:01] - A Challenge: Read the New Testament in 2026
[01:07] - Bible Resources for All Ages
[01:11] - Community, Barbecue, and Building Relationships

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV) — > And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
> All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

3. Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
> For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Observation Questions

According to Hebrews 10:24-25, what are some reasons the writer gives for not neglecting to meet together as believers?
In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what are the different ways Scripture is described as being useful?
The sermon mentioned that the Bible is “living and active.” What does Hebrews 4:12 say the Word of God is able to do?
The pastor shared a story about worshiping with believers in China. What stood out about their way of gathering and worshiping together? [[06:25]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the writer of Hebrews connects meeting together with encouraging one another and motivating each other toward love and good works? How might this look in our context today? [[07:10]]
The sermon talked about “secondhand faith” versus “firsthand faith.” What are the dangers of only having a secondhand faith, and how does engaging with Scripture directly help? [[43:11]]
The pastor said that many people walk away from the Bible not because they find it unbelievable, but because they find it uncomfortable or inconvenient. What does it mean to honestly submit to the authority of Scripture, even when it challenges us? [[49:57]]
How does the idea that the Bible is “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12) change the way we approach reading it? [[57:47]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to not neglect meeting together. In your current season of life, what are the biggest obstacles to gathering regularly with other believers? What is one step you could take to prioritize community? [[07:10]]
The pastor compared hearing from Jesus on social media to reading the Bible. Are there “notifications” from God’s Word that you’ve been ignoring or silencing? What would it look like to “turn notifications back on” in your spiritual life? [[32:40]]
Have you ever relied on someone else’s faith or understanding of God instead of seeking a firsthand relationship with Him? What is one way you could begin to make your faith more personal and direct this week? [[43:11]]
The sermon mentioned that the Bible is inspired, inerrant, and authoritative. Is there a teaching or command in Scripture that you find difficult or uncomfortable? How might you wrestle with it honestly rather than avoiding it? [[49:57]]
The pastor invited everyone to read through the New Testament together, suggesting just three minutes a day. What would it take for you to commit to this challenge? What time and place could you set aside for daily Bible reading? [[01:01]]
The Bible is described as equipping us for “every good work.” Can you think of a recent situation where a Bible passage shaped your response or decision? If not, is there an area of your life where you need God’s wisdom right now? [[54:47]]
The sermon said, “You don’t just read the Bible—the Bible reads you.” Have you ever experienced a moment when Scripture seemed to speak directly to your heart or situation? What happened, and how did you respond? [[57:47]]

Sermon Clips

And I think that a lot of that is because someone taught you the stories in the Bible before they taught you the stories of the Bible. And if you've never heard the story of the Bible, if you don't know the story of the Bible, then in your head, you're like, it's easy to discount the stories in the Bible because we don't understand how we got the Bible. We don't understand how the Bible was created. [00:36:28] (23 seconds) #KnowTheBibleStory

And the danger that many of us have is that if we're not reading our Bibles, then we end up with what is a secondhand faith. We end up with a faith that we're inheriting, from a preacher on stage, like me. And so I become the arbiter of your faith. And what I choose to read to you and what I choose to share to you becomes how you experience and grow in your faith. And I don't want you to have a secondhand faith. I want you to have a firsthand faith. [00:42:59] (26 seconds) #FirsthandFaithMatters

And I think in my life, in more recent years, especially with the explosion of social media and the fact that everyone with an iPhone is a YouTuber and everybody with a microphone is a podcaster. Now we have so many sources of information. We've come to realize that, you know what? Maybe traditional media hasn't always told us everything that was going on. Maybe there've been some things that have held back from us. And so we've become a more investigative, inquisitive, curious people. And I think that's fantastic. I think you should ask, ask lots of questions. And I think when it comes to the Bible, you should ask lots of questions because the truth has nothing to hide. [00:44:07] (38 seconds) #AskBibleQuestions

We also believe that the Bible is inerrant. Now, that means it's true about the things it's trying to say. There are some things that the Bible is not trying to say. It's not trying to be a scientific textbook, for example. And so it's relating to the people. Again, we have to remind ourselves that the Bible wasn't written to you. It was written for you. It was written for you, and there's so much in there that you can learn from, but it wasn't written to you. It was written to specific people in a specific place who had a specific understanding of the world. [00:48:16] (32 seconds) #BibleTrueForYou

And I know for some of us, that is the biggest struggle of all. Because many of us have walked away from the Bible, not because we found something in here that we didn't believe. We found something in here we didn't want to do. And that is the biggest hurdle of all. We found something in here where we thought, well, this isn't necessarily, hmm, easy. This isn't necessarily the thing that I want to do, and yet this seems to be the word of God. [00:49:05] (32 seconds) #FacingBibleChallenges

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