The strength of a local congregation correlates with how much the Bible is read.Israel read the law.Exodus 19:1-6 - special treasureExodus 20:10- commandmentsExodus 20:22-23:33- various commandsExodus 24:3-7- Moses writes then READSContinued even in New Testament times (Acts 13:14-15Israel’s strength from readingDeuteronomy 17:14-20- Kings should readExample: Josiah - II Kings 22-23Deuteronomy 31:9-13- regular public readingDeuteronomy 6:1-9- read to childrenDefeat of Jericho and Ai - Joshua 8:30-35Israel and Judah captives - not reading enoughRemnant revived with reading - Nehemiah 8:1-13Jesus emphasized readingMatthew 12:3-5, Sabbath, “Have you not read?”Matthew 19:4, Divorce, “Have you not read?”Matthew 21:6, PraisesMatthew 21:42, Authority, “Did you never read?”Matthew 22:31, Resurrection, “Have you not read?”Matthew 4:1-11, Satan’s test, “It is written.”Luke 10:25-28, Lawyer’s test, “What is written in the word? How does it read to you?”Apostles and prophets and readingRe-reading Old TestamentPeter on Pentecost, Acts 2and his epistlesStephen’s sermon, Acts 7Hebrews’ frequent quotesThessalonians & Bereans, Acts 17:10-11Paul instructed brethren to readEphesians 3:4Colossians 4:16Salvation depends on readingSalvation, I Timothy 4:12-16II Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”John 20:30-31, “written that you may believe”Serving our childrenOld Testament warning, Deuteronomy 6II Timothy 1:3-5, from childhoodDefense of the gospel, II Timothy 2:14-18ConclusionIs reading the Bible a priority in your life?Do you read and study it regularly?Do you read and study it regularly with your children?Courage, strength, and faith depend on knowing God’s word.
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