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For Christians, going to church is part of our identity. We worship God, take part in Christian community, and enjoy the benefits of studying the Bible and applying its teachings to improve our lives. Sadly, for many of us, it stops there. Lots of Christians treat their Bible like an accessory. It’s part of their Sunday attire but sees minimal action any other day of the week. From an outsider’s point of view, it could seem like nothing more than a mere symbol of religious affiliation. 

Here are four reasons why spending time in our Bible should be something we do every day of the week. 

First, the Bible is designed to instruct us. The apostle Paul told his younger protégé Timothy about the unsurpassed value of Scripture for equipping him—and us—for good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This concept is so important that the apostle Peter echoed a similar sentiment in his epistles (2 Peter 1:3). No one does anything without some instruction or plan, whether it’s a job, sport, hobby, or any other human endeavor. The Bible is our guide to life; it’s up to us whether we choose to use it to transform our minds, improve our lives, and help make this world a better place for everyone. 

Second, the Bible gives us a means of navigating the moral complexities of life. In a world mired in moral chaos and confusion, having an unchanging standard provides a great deal of relief. With many competing philosophies in the world, it can be tough to determine which one—if any of them!—is correct. One easy way to do this is to ask two simple questions: (1) Is it consistent? and (2) Does it lead to human flourishing? If you know your Bible, those questions aren’t difficult to answer. 

Third, the Bible gives us a means of resisting temptation (Psalm 119:11). In a world that bombards us with enticements through television, movies, music, and social media, there is no shortage of lures to catch God’s people unawares. Studying the Bible helps us understand temptation’s game plan and how to defeat it. Plus, it’s easier to resist temptation while studying God’s Word. 

Finally, it gives us resilient hope. The Gospels relate a story in which the disciples encountered Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:22-33). Jesus calls Peter to get out of the boat, which he does. But he starts to sink when he takes his eyes off Jesus and begins eyeing the storm around him. The world does the same thing to us. The Bible keeps us focused on what’s important, which includes the continued support of God in our lives and the promised return of Christ in the future.

The Bible is vitally important for numerous reasons: it gives a blueprint for life, reveals our source of ultimate joy, offers us the wellspring of life, and gives us insight into the very heart of our Creator. Nothing else can transform, inspire, encourage, and enlighten. It demands to be valued more than some bauble we wear once a week. 

The Bible wasn’t just made for Sunday. It was made for every other day, too.