All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the person of God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Discuss the Bible with a roomful of people and you will get different answers as to how and when it was written, the purpose for which it was written, and its importance to our lives today. Those are good questions, but the Bible, and its contents, remain mysterious to many because they either haven't really read it or, if they've tried, are unwilling to admit they didn't know what to make of it. The Bible isn't easy to read, let alone understand. And yet, at some level, we know it's important. 

2 Timothy discusses the importance of the Bible. Its words teach us how to grow in righteousness so that we can become proficient in living like Christ. The Bible teaches us about God and God's love for us so that we can figure out how to have a relationship with God that grows our faith. It's sort of like a roadmap for living, but a sometimes frustrating roadmap that takes a lot of detours.  

The hard part is that many of us have been taught to think of the Bible as God's big book of answers when it might be more accurate to say that its God's big book of questions. Just like Jesus taught in parables to make people who heard him think, the Bible offers us guidance but invites us to think about what it means for us today. It can be challenging, inspiring, life-changing, and frustrating ... all at the same time. 

For centuries, the Scriptures have served to transform our lives, challenge our assumptions, and call us to be witnesses to the good news of Jesus. They remind us of the joy of God's grace and the weight of our responsibility to follow in Jesus's footsteps with love and integrity. They provide the foundation upon which we can explore how God is working in our lives today. They provoke us to ask questions, guide us through challenges, and offer hope in the face of uncertainty. They challenge us to live Jesus's teachings by forgiving others, encouraging one another, and loving our neighbors (and even our enemies).  

Knowing all this still doesn't make the Bible easy to read. How can the violent stories of the Old Testament shape our faith today? Are the words of the prophets (like Isaiah, Micah, or Ezekiel) relevant for us now? The Apostle Paul gave practical advice to several of his churches in the form of letters. How and when do the words of his letters apply to our church situations? 

I encourage you to read the Bible seeking understanding but accepting that you will walk away with more questions than answers. That's okay. In fact, it's better than okay because questions are how we grow. What do you think?