Is it really?

One of the questions last night was:  "Do you really believe the Bible is the Word of God?"  All of the students in the group answered yes.  An answer we pretty much expected (even if not everyone actually believes that).  Then one of the students asked:  "Why do you believe that?"  Silence.

It's a good question.  One that anyone who calls themselves a follower must address and answer.  Why do you believe that?  Unfortunately, no one in the group really had any kind of an answer.  I'm not sure that they had been challenged like that before.  To really think, and defend why they believe certain things isn't something most people deal with.

1 Peter 3:15-16
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Scripture clearly tells us that we need to be ready to talk about such difficult questions.  Why do we believe this or that?  What about this or that?  No one is saying that we have to have all the answers, but we should be reading/studying His Word to get a better understanding of what it is we believe/follow.

If we are called to Follow Christ, to be His disciples then we must know what He taught and how He lived.  The only way to do that is to be in the Word.  To read daily and to read communally in the larger body of believers.  Not only having "quiet times" but getting together with other followers to read and talk through Scriptures.  It wouldn't hurt to have some people not of our faith push us too!

My prayer for our students and families is that we allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us through His word, that we allow it to change who we are, that we realize that it is living and active, and that we begin to live it out.  And the ONLY way to do so, is to be IN the word.

So the question remains: "Why do you believe the Bible is God's Word?"  What's your answer?

Blessings