“The Bible is a book that has been read more and examined less than any book that ever existed.” - Thomas Paine “The Bible is a book that has been read more and examined less than any book that ever existed.” - Thomas Paine

“The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness...

…examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

“ So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.”

“Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.

So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

“ Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.”

“ So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.”

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

“Study to show thyself approved…”

1. We Get to Know God “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3)

“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.”

1. We Get to Know God 2. Peace Found through Meditation

“Reading the Bible without meditating on it is like trying to eat without swallowing.” - Anonymous

“I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works.”

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely,

…whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things.”

2. Peace Found through Meditation

1. We Get to Know God 2. Peace Found through Meditation 3. Guidance

I know, O LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23)

“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

1. We Get to Know God 2. Peace Found through Meditation 3. Guidance

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you;

do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your

but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe 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.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

1. Maturity “Therefore leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection.” (Hebrews 6:1)

1. Maturity 2. Forces me to entertain someone else’s point of view.

2. Consider Others Point of View “Come now and let us reason together.” (Isaiah 1:18)

1. Maturity 2. Forces me to entertain someone else’s point of view. 3. Thoughts I lend to others from my personal study!

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you.

“Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

“Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture they do not understand, but the passages that bother me are those I do understand.” Mark Twain

“…For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.

All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.

And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand,

Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food;

I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.”