The Importance of Scripture to the Believer
Main Text
2 Timothy 3:14-17 ESV
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing
from whom you learned it
15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are
able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof,
for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Why is Scripture important?
1. Scripture is important because it is God's Words. (v.16)
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Donna, "What is God saying to you?"
Breathed out/Inspired/As good as written by Him.
2. Scripture is important because the Word brings us to salvation. (v.15)
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John 20:30–31 (ESV) — 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence
of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so
that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by
believing you may have life in his name.
Q: According to these verses, what was John's purpose for writing?
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1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (ESV) — 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance
what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the
Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in
accordance with the Scriptures,
Q: According to these verses, what is the Gospel?
Q: Do you personally believe in and trust Jesus because He died for your sins, was
buried and rose from the dead?
3. Scripture is important because we know God through the scriptures, and the way
we are to live. (v.16 - Teaching)
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Mark 12:30–31 (ESV) — 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your
strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Q: What does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength?
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Similar to the blindfolded game, there are many voices telling us what they
thing the way is.
Q: Since there are so many voices, how can we know God's voice?
A: SCRIPTURE
4. Scripture is important because we are shown our sin through the Scriptures. (v.16 Reproof)
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Hebrews 4:12 ESV - For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of
marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Q: According to this verse, what does the Word of God do to our soul and heart?
A: Conviction through the Spirit
5. Scripture is important because we are redirected to the path by scriptures. (v.16 Correction)
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EXAMPLE – Ephesians 5:4 (ESV) — 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk
nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
Q: According to this verse, what is the list of things that there should "be no..."?
Q: And what are we to do "instead"?
6. Scripture is important because we are shown how to stay on the path by
Scriptures. (v.16-17 - Training... Equipped...)
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Ephesians 6:17 (ESV) — 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword
of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Summary (Draw Road Illustration)
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We are shown the path
We are shown how we got off the path
We are shown how to get back on the path
We are shown how to stay on the path