God's Word

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Simplicity - Discipline for Disciples

Imagine trying to assemble a complicated piece of furniture without the instructions. You have all the pieces, but without guidance, the process is frustrating, time-consuming, and often results in mistakes. Now, contrast that experience with having a detailed, step-by-step manual. The difference is night and day.

Life often feels like that unassembled furniture set. We are given relationships, responsibilities, and decisions to navigate, but without clear guidance, we can easily get lost or make mistakes. Many try to rely on personal wisdom, culture, or feelings, but these sources are often unreliable and ever-changing.

This raises the question: Where do we find true and trustworthy guidance for life? As followers of Jesus, we turn to the Word of God. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul reminds us of the power and purpose of Scripture in shaping and equipping us for every good work.

This month we are engaged in a series together: Simplicity-Disciplines for Disciples. Through this series, we are talking about some of the foundational practices of following Jesus. Last week we mentioned prayer. Prayer is not about being seen or saying the right words; it is about being with the Father.

Continuing our series, let's consider God's Word, the Scriptures.

Building The Background

Paul writes 2 Timothy to a young leader in the early church, named Timothy, at a time when the church is facing the opposition of false teaching. Timothy was a close disciple of Paul, having traveled with him and been mentored in ministry (Acts 16:1-3). Raised in the faith by his mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois (2 Timothy 1:5), Timothy had been steeped in the Scriptures from childhood. Paul, writing from prison and facing the end of his life:

"According to early church tradition, Paul was martyred in Rome during the mid-60s AD, so the imprisonment mentioned in 2 Timothy—and thus the writing of the letter—could have immediately preceded his death. Paul seems to anticipate this (2 Tim 4:6–8)."(1)

Paul urges Timothy to hold firmly to God’s Word as the ultimate foundation for faith, ministry, and life.

2 Timothy 3:16–17

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (NIV)

All Scripture is God-breathed

The phrase θεόπνευστος -ου, ἡ; (theopneustos)(2) "God-breathed" is unique in Scripture.

"[P]roduced by the Spirit of God; understood as the air that was physically expelled out of the lungs of God.”(2)

God-breathed conveys that the Bible is not just human wisdom but divinely inspired. This means every word carries the authority, wisdom, and life of God Himself.

The idea of God-breathed suggests that Scripture is the result of a divine-human partnership. God worked through human authors, using their backgrounds, styles, and experiences, while ensuring that His message was communicated. This partnership is seen throughout Scripture:

Old Testament Examples:

Moses received the Law directly from God (Exodus 31:18) but recorded it in human language for Israel.

David wrote Psalms that express human emotion yet were inspired by the Spirit (2 Samuel 23:2).

The Prophets spoke messages from God yet used their own unique voices (Jeremiah 1:9).

Jesus as the Ultimate Example:

Jesus Himself is the perfect union of the divine and human (John 1:14). Just as Jesus was fully God and fully man, Scripture is a partnership of the Divine and human. Jesus quoted Scripture as authoritative (Matthew 4:4) and fulfilled it completely (Luke 24:44).

When we read Scripture, we encounter both God’s direct communication and the human experience He worked through, making the Bible both relatable, authoritative, and revealing the wisdom of God.

"Useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness"

In this passage, we see Scripture serves four vital functions:

Teaching – It instructs us in the truth and wisdom of God.

Rebuking – It convicts us when we go astray.

Correcting – It realigns us with God’s will.

Training in righteousness – It disciplines us in justice, fairness, and uprightness.

In the passage, Paul connects our life to the Scriptures. He teaches us how God uses His word in forming disciples.

2 Timothy 3:17: "So that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work"

The goal of Scripture is transformation. It doesn’t just give knowledge; it prepares us to live out our faith in action, and godly wisdom.

Equipping

Since the Scripture is God-breathed and equips us for every good work, how do we, as followers of Jesus, engage with it in a meaningful way? Here are three practical ways:

Commit to the Scriptures

Just as we need daily food to sustain our bodies, we need the Scripture to nourish our souls. Make God's Word a habit, even if it starts with just a few verses a day.

Be Shaped by Scriptures

Instead of viewing the Bible through our cultural lens, we must allow Scripture to transform our worldview. This means wrestling with difficult passages and seeking to understand God’s truth rather than imposing our own opinions.

Apply The Scriptures

James 1:22 reminds us to be doers of the Word, not just hearers. Reading Scripture without applying it is like looking in a mirror and forgetting what you look like. Ask: What does the passage teach me about God, and How does this passage change the way I live today?

CROSSING THE CONTEXT

God has not left us without direction. He has given us His Word as a guide, a source of truth, and a tool for transformation. Like the furniture, His world instructs us how to put the pieces together. When we embrace the discipline of Scripture, we open ourselves to being shaped into the image of Christ.

Key Statement:

The Word of God is not just information; it is divine instruction for transformation.

Footnotes:

1. John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016).

2. Rick Brannan, ed., Lexham Research Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, Lexham Research Lexicons (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020).