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Have you ever had to find your way in the dark: camping, a power blackout, or getting up in the middle of the night? If you had a small torch pointed at the floor, could you see the whole room? No. But you could see where to put your next step.
This term we've been asking "Who am I?" We've talked about who God says we are, and about prayer, which is us talking to God. But how does God talk to us? The main way is through the Bible. Today is about how to listen, and you don't need to be an expert to start.
What you'll learn
- What Psalm 119:105 means by calling God's word a lamp
- Where the Bible comes from and what it's for
- A simple way to read a Bible passage on your own
A lamp for your feet
Psalm 119 is the longest psalm and the longest chapter in the whole Bible: 176 verses! It's an acrostic poem with 22 sections, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Almost every verse talks about God's word, using words like law, commands and promises. It's like a love song about the Bible.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105)
In Bible times there were no torches or street lights, just small clay oil lamps. A lamp lit up the ground around your feet, not the whole road ahead.
So does the Bible tell you everything about your future? No. It won't tell you who to marry or what job to get. But it shows you how to take the next step God's way, and who to trust.
Why read the Bible?
Paul is old and in prison, writing one of his last letters to Timothy, a young church leader he loves like a son. Timothy had learned the Scriptures as a child from his mum Eunice and his grandma Lois (2 Timothy 1:5). Paul reminds him why the Bible matters:
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
Breathed out by God. The Bible was written by real people, but God breathed it out through them. That's why Christians call it God's word.
It shows us Jesus. In verse 15, Paul says the Scriptures can make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus. The Bible's main job is to show us Jesus.
It's useful for four things. Imagine walking along a path:
| What Scripture is useful for | What it means | On the path |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching (or instruction) | Shows us what is true | The right road |
| Rebuking (or convicting) | Shows us where we've gone wrong | "You've left the road" |
| Correcting | Shows us how to get back | "This way back" |
| Training in righteousness | Helps us keep going the right way | "Keep walking this way" |
Ready for every good work. The Bible isn't just information to know. It gets us ready to live God's way.
(When Paul wrote this, "Scripture" mainly meant the Old Testament. Christians believe the New Testament is God's word too. Peter even calls Paul's letters "Scripture" in 2 Peter 3:15–16.)
How to read it: light, question, arrow
Here's a simple method you can use on your own. When you read a passage, ask three questions:
| Symbol | Ask yourself |
|---|---|
| A light bulb | What stands out to me? What do I learn about God or Jesus? |
| A question mark | What don't I understand, or what would I like to ask? |
| An arrow | What could this mean for me today? |
Here's what it looks like with Mark 10:13–16, where people bring children to Jesus:
- Light bulb: Jesus was angry when the disciples sent the children away. He wants children near him.
- Question mark: What does it mean to receive God's kingdom the way a little child does?
- Arrow: I don't have to be grown up or have it all sorted to come to Jesus.
Questions are a good part of reading the Bible, not a sign you're doing it wrong!
Making a plan
What would make Bible reading realistic for you? Think about when (before school, at bedtime), where (a paper Bible, an app, or an audio Bible; listening counts too!) and how long. Five minutes is a great start. If you've never opened a Bible by yourself, use the contents page at the front to find the book, then the chapter (big number) and verse (small number).
Who God says I am
- Someone God speaks to, who can hear him in his word (Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16–17).
Key words
- Scripture: the writings of the Bible.
- God-breathed: breathed out by God; given by God through human writers.
- Rebuke: to show someone clearly where they've gone wrong.
- Righteousness: living rightly, God's way.
How this points to Jesus
After he rose from the dead, Jesus explained to his followers what all the Scriptures said about himself (Luke 24:27). The whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is one big story with Jesus at the centre. When Christians read the Bible, they're not just learning rules. They're getting to know Jesus.
Think about it
What does it mean that God's word is a lamp for our feet, not a floodlight for the whole road?Show answer
The Bible doesn't show us every detail of our future, but it shows us how to take the next step God's way and who we can trust.
Which of the four uses of Scripture do people usually like least? Why might we need it anyway?Show answer
Probably rebuking, because nobody likes being told they're wrong. But if you've wandered off the path, you need someone to tell you, or you'll keep going the wrong way.
What gets in the way of people your age reading the Bible?Show answer
Being busy, not knowing where to start, or finding it hard to understand. Starting small, using a plan, and asking questions can all help.
Take it further
Try reading for five minutes a day this week, using light, question, arrow. You could start with Psalm 23, Mark 4:35–41 or Luke 15:3–7 (the lost sheep). Reading the Bible is a gift to enjoy, not a test to pass. Your worksheet has a one-week starter plan you can tick off.
If you'd like to, you could pray:
God, thank you that you speak to us through the Bible. Please light up my next step this week, and help me to see Jesus when I read. Amen.