Just a quick thought to ponder.  Presumably our goal in life and ministry should be the same as God’s goal for our lives – to make us more like Christ, to grow spiritually.  How does that happen?

Reading, hearing, responding to the Bible is not the only ingredient in God’s recipe for our spirituality.  There is also need for prayer, awareness of creation, the Lord’s Supper, other forms of worship, fellowship with other believers, perhaps even suffering, fasting, and so on.  Bible intake isn’t everything, but it is central and critical.  Why?

1. Because it gives us the perspective and discernment we need as we participate in all the other ingredients in God’s recipe for our spiritual growth.

2. Because it is the way God claims to speak to us.  It is the Word of God.  While it may feel traditional and staid, and while all other “revelations” may have an air of excitement about them, the Bible is the Word of God that speaks.

We need to live that out ourselves, and make clear to our listeners why we make much of God’s Word.