Today, we’re beginning a new message series called “The Book of Life.” We’re going to be talking about something that is an essential component of every father’s toolkit, a book called the Bible.
When our country was founded, a deep knowledge of the Bible was part of every person’s education. Today, the most famous book in the history of the world is rarely studied in school, except for those majoring in theology. A recent survey showed that 58% of the Americans are not interested in the wisdom of the Bible and 57% read is less than 5 times a year. People think they know what is in the Bible, but surveys have shown time and again, that most people’s concept of what the Bible says is largely incorrect.
This morning, I am here to tell you that the Bible is not just the most famous book in history, it is the most essential book for every person to read and study in life.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The Bible is God-breathed or inspired by God. That means that the words in the Bible are not simply words that men have written down. The Bible is God’s Word. The creator of the universe has conveyed His wisdom to the people He has created through a book called the Bible. That’s absolutely incredible. Of course, then the Bible is useful and essential to equip us to live the life that God created us to live.
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
The word of God contained in the Bible is living and active. The Spirit of God uses God’s Word to show us the truth, about ourselves, about others and about our world. God uses His Word to reveal Himself to us, so that we can properly relate to Him. Today, my message is entitled “How to be a Successful Father.” We’re going to look at how the Bible holds the key to success for fathers. But if you’re not a father here this morning, you can retitle the message, How to be a Successful Person” because the principles apply to each and every one of us.