Group Study Guide: Five Reasons to Trust Your Bible

Opening Prayer
Begin with prayer, asking God to open hearts to His Word. Invite members to share briefly: What role does the Bible play in your daily life right now?

Key Takeaways from the Sermon
1. God is the primary author of Scripture - The Bible didn't originate from human creativity but was breathed out by God (2 Timothy 3:16)
2. Jesus trusted Scripture implicitly - Our Savior quoted, fulfilled, and affirmed Scripture as eternal and unbreakable
3. The 66 books bear the marks of inspiration - Scripture has intrinsic authority and power (Hebrews 4:12)
4. The unity of Scripture is breathtakingly consistent - Despite 40+ authors over 1,600 years, the Bible maintains remarkable harmony
5. We have extensive textual evidence - Manuscript evidence allows us to cross-check and verify the faithful transmission of God's Word

Discussion Questions

Section 1: The Battle Over the Bible
1. The sermon mentions that some people claim "the Bible can be trusted part of the time." Have you encountered this perspective? Where have you seen it?
2. Why do you think there's such an active campaign to undermine trust in Scripture in culture today?
3. Doug mentioned "TikTok theology" and 10-second attention spans. How has modern media affected the way people (including ourselves) approach Scripture?

Section 2: God as Primary Author
4. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 together. What does it mean that Scripture is "God-breathed"? How does this differ from saying it's merely "inspired" in the way we use that word today?
5. The sermon states: "If I can't trust what the Bible says about a flower, why would I ever trust what the Bible says about the Father?" How would you respond to someone who says the Bible is reliable for spiritual matters but not for history or science?
6. Read 2 Peter 1:16-21. What does Peter emphasize about the origin of Scripture? How does this passage strengthen your confidence in the Bible?

Section 3: Jesus and Scripture
7. Doug asks: "What if I adopted Jesus's view of baptism? What if I adopted Jesus's view of what discipleship looks like? What if I followed Jesus into a view of how to approach Scripture?" Why is Jesus's view of Scripture so important for us?
8. Jesus says He came to fulfill the Law (Matthew 5:17-18), not abolish it. Later He says, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away" (Matthew 24:35). What does this tell us about the permanence and reliability of Scripture?
9. Personal Reflection: Are there areas where you've been tempted to trust your feelings or cultural opinions more than Scripture? What would change if you fully adopted Jesus's view of the Bible?

Section 4: The Marks of Inspiration
10. Read Hebrews 4:12. The sermon describes God's Word as having power to "pierce" and "judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." When have you experienced the living, active nature of Scripture in your own life?
11. Doug mentions that the primary stamp of approval for the biblical books is that "these words bear the marks of inspiration." What are some evidences you see in Scripture itself that point to divine origin?
12. How do we test our thoughts, feelings, and cultural assumptions against the authority of God's Word? What does this look like practically?

Section 5: Unity and Consistency
13. The sermon provides numerous examples of how different Bible books verify and confirm each other (Joshua/Deuteronomy, Kings/Chronicles, Acts/Paul's letters). Why is this internal consistency significant?
14. Some critics claim that later editors "cleaned up" the Bible to make it consistent. How would you respond to this claim based on what we learned in the sermon?
15. Read 1 Corinthians 14:33. How does the consistency of Scripture across centuries and authors reflect God's character?

Section 6: Textual Evidence 
16. The sermon mentions we now have 140 papyri witnesses (up from 96 in 1996), and each discovery has confirmed rather than contradicted Scripture's reliability. Why is this significant?
17. How should we respond when we encounter apparent contradictions or difficult passages in Scripture? What's the difference between a genuine error and our own lack of understanding?
18. The sermon states: "This is not about human perfection. This is about God's perfection." How does this distinction help us when we encounter copying or translation differences?

Practical Applications

For Personal Growth:
* Commit to daily Bible reading: If you don't have a plan, start with one chapter from Proverbs and one from the New Testament each day
* Memorize a "trust" verse: Choose one passage from the sermon (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, Matthew 24:35, or Psalm 119:105) to memorize this week
* Test your thoughts: This week, when you have a strong feeling or opinion, pause and ask: "What does Scripture say about this?"

For Relationships:
* Identify someone who's struggling: Think of a friend or family member who "used to walk with Jesus and now they don't." Pray for them daily and ask God for an opportunity to share one of these five reasons
* Practice the "one-minute defense:" Based on this sermon, prepare a brief (60-second) explanation for why you trust the Bible that you could give with a neighbor or coworker
* Start a Bible study: Invite someone who's questioning Scripture to study through a Gospel Account with you, observing how Jesus viewed and used the Old Testament

For This Week:
Choose ONE of the following action steps:
Research Project: Pick one of the examples of biblical consistency mentioned (like Ezra 1 and 2 Chronicles 36) and study it in detail. Share what you discover with the group next time.
Comparison Study: Read the same passage in 3-4 different Bible translations. Note the similarities and minor differences. Does this increase  your confidence in Scripture? Why?
Jesus's View of Scripture: Do a study of how Jesus quoted and used the Old Testament. Make a list of at least 10 examples. What patterns do you notice?
Address a Doubt: If you have a specific question or doubt about the Bible's reliability, commit to researching it this week using reliable Christian resources. Share your findings with the group.

Closing Discussion
1. What was the most impactful point from today's discussion for you personally?
2. How has this study strengthened your confidence in Scripture?
3. Who is one person you can share these truths with this week?

Closing Prayer
Prayer Focus:
* Thank God for His perfect, inspired Word
* Ask for wisdom to understand and apply Scripture
* Pray for those who are struggling with doubts about the Bible
* Request boldness to defend and teach the trustworthiness of God's Word
* Pray for each person's specific action step for the week

For Group Leaders:
* Preview these questions and select those most relevant to your group
* Be prepared to share your own examples of trusting Scripture
* Have Bibles available in multiple translations for comparison
* Consider inviting someone who teaches Bible backgrounds to visit your group
* Be sensitive to members who may be struggling with doubts—make it safe for honest questions

Follow-up Ideas:
* Plan a visit to a museum with biblical artifacts or manuscripts
* Watch a documentary on biblical archaeology together from a trusted source
* Invite a minister or Bible professor to address specific questions about biblical reliability
* Create a group resource list of websites and books for defending Scripture

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Five-Day Devotional: Trusting God's Word

Day 1: The Divine Author
Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:16-21

Devotional: The foundation of our faith rests not on human wisdom but on God's perfect authorship. When Paul tells Timothy that "all Scripture is inspired by God," he uses a word meaning "God-breathed"—Scripture originates from the mouth of God. Peter reinforces this, explaining that prophecy never came by human will, but men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. This isn't ancient literature preserved by chance; it's the deliberate revelation of a loving Father who desires a relationship with His children. Reflect on this truth: the Bible you hold contains the actual words of the Creator of the universe. How does knowing God Himself authored Scripture change how you approach your daily Bible reading? Let this reality fill you with reverence and confidence as you open His Word.

Day 2: Following Jesus' Example
Reading: Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 24:25-27, 44-47

Devotional: When Jesus faced Satan's temptations in the wilderness, He quoted Scripture. Three times He responded, "It is written," demonstrating complete trust in God's Word. Later, after His resurrection, Jesus explained to the disciples how all of Scripture pointed to Him, from Moses through the Prophets. If our Savior, the Word made flesh, trusted Scripture implicitly, how much more should we? Jesus didn't pick and choose which parts of Scripture to believe; He submitted to all of it, even when it meant suffering and death. Today, consider areas where you might be tempted to question or ignore Scripture's teaching. What would it look like to adopt Jesus' view of the Bible in those areas? Trust Scripture as Jesus did—completely and without reservation.

Day 3: The Power of God's Living Word
Reading: Hebrews 4:12-13; Psalm 119:105, 130; Isaiah 40:6-8

Devotional: God's Word isn't merely historical documentation—it's alive and active. The Hebrews writer describes it as sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, judging our thoughts and intentions. Like a skilled surgeon's scalpel, Scripture cuts away what harms us and reveals what needs healing. The psalmist celebrates this reality, declaring God's Word a lamp to guide our steps and a light illuminating our path. While grass withers and flowers fade, God's Word stands forever. In a world of constant change and shifting values, Scripture remains our unchanging authority. Today, use God's Word to examine your heart. Where is Scripture calling you to change? What truth do you need to illuminate your next steps?

Day 4: The Beautiful Consistency of Truth
Reading: Luke 24:13-27; Acts 17:10-11; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Devotional: The Bible's unity across 66 books, written by ~40 authors over ~1,600 years, is nothing short of miraculous. From Genesis to Revelation, one consistent story emerges: God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. The Bereans were commended for examining the Scriptures daily to verify Paul's teaching—they found the Old Testament confirmed everything about Jesus. Paul lists multiple witnesses to Christ's resurrection, showing how testimony builds upon testimony. This consistency isn't coincidental or manufactured; it reflects the single divine Author behind all human authors. When critics claim contradictions, closer examination reveals complementary perspectives, not conflicts. God is not the author of confusion but of peace. Today, consider how the Bible's unified message strengthens your faith. When doubts arise, remember that thousands of years of consistent testimony point to one truth: God keeps His promises.

Day 5: Standing on Solid Ground
Reading: Matthew 7:24-27; 1 Peter 1:22-25; Romans 10:17

Devotional: Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount with a vivid illustration: two builders, two foundations, one storm. The wise builder constructs on rock—hearing and doing Jesus' words. The foolish builder constructs on sand—hearing without obedience. Both face storms, but only one house stands. Peter echoes Isaiah's promise that while people are like grass that withers, God's Word endures forever. This living and abiding Word is what we've been born again through. Paul adds that faith comes by hearing God's Word. In our culture of fleeting TikTok theology and 10-second attention spans, we need the solid foundation of Scripture more than ever. Today, commit to being a wise builder. Don't just read Scripture—obey it. Don't just study the Bible—let it study you. Build your life, your family, your decisions on the unchanging rock of God's Word, and you'll stand firm when storms come.