Issue No. 1 

"Prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers." James 1:22 

This publication is designed to encourage you to read God's Word, the Bible. 
The Creator and Master of the universe has given us a written record of His 
marvelous and mighty deeds amoung men. He ultimately revealed Himself in Jesus Christ, and the Gospels are the most important biography, news, or book in the world. Hebrews 2:3 says "how shall we escape, if we neglect such a great salvation?" 
If you haven't read much of the Bible before we can't stress enough how important  it is for you to start now. It is our hope that these brief outlines will be an aid in your study of the Word of God. There is no copyright, and duplication of this letter is encouraged. If you want to be added or deleted to the mailing, please let us know. Send in suggestions or questions to improve this letter. Feel free to duplicate the outline in a mailing of your own. 

1. THE BIBLE IS THE LIVING WORD OF GOD. 

"All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof 
for correction and for training in righteousness so that the man of God may 
be complete and equipped for every good work." 	Read 2 Tim. 3:15-17 
Jesus said "Scripture cannot be broken." 	John 10:35 
"Men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." 	2 Peter 1:21 
"The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me and His Word was on my tongue." 2 Sam 
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Word will not." 	Matt 5:18 
Mark 13:31 1 Peter 1:25 Psalm 119:89 Isa 40:8 
Other verses of interest: Heb. 1:1-2 Isa. 55:11 Matt 4:4 Deut 8:3 
Above, the Bible testifies of itself, but there are countless archaeological 
proofs and historical writings to verify the authenticity of the Holy Bible. 
No other ancient writings have the hundreds of manuscripts (like the Dead Sea 
Scrolls) that the Bible has. Every Christian church accepts all the same books of the Bible as Scripture (God breathed), with the exception of the Catholic church which has some additional books in the Old Testament only. 

2. Fulfilled Prophecies - surpass all conceivable probability. 
Much of what is called scientific knowledge is based on the probability 
of an event occurring. For example, the chances of get "heads or tails" 
is a 50-50 chance. God did not leave us to chance or guessing. 
" . . . for we have the more sure Word of prophecy." 	2 Peter 1:19 
" (they) examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." 
Rom 15:4  	Acts 17:11 
The previous verses show that we need not have just a blind faith, but 
that our faith in Jesus Christ is based on reasonable evidence. The odds 
against over 300 prophecies all coming true in one Man are two times 10 to 
the 90th power if each prophecy is given only a 50-50 chance. Most prophecies 
have greater than a 50-50 chance of happening. Then when you add all the other  non-Messianic prophecies in the Bible there is only one logical conclusion. God must exist and only He could have inspired the Bible. 

3. There are consequences to knowing or not knowing God's Word. 
Blessed are those who hear (read) His Word and keep it. Matt 7:24 
Luke 8:21 & 11:28 Psalm 119 Rev. 1:3 
"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Rom. 10:17 
"My people die from lack of knowledge." 	Hosea 4:6 
"If anyone is ashamed of Me & My Words . . . (Jesus) will 
be ashamed of him." 	Mark 8:38 

4. The Word of God is Jesus. 
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, 
and the Word was God." 	John 1:1 
"The Word of God is alive and active and sharper than any 
two-edged sword." 	Heb.4:12 
Other related verses 	Jer. 23:29 Mark 12:24 Eph 6:17 
Jesus, the Word, will set you free 	John 8:31-32 
"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." says Jesus John 14:6 
Jesus is the only Way and He has eternal life in Himself. John 5:39 
     Read: John 1:14 5:24 14:15 Acts 2:37 Eph 1:13 Col 3:16 
He who despises the Word of God, despises the Living God. 

5. The Bible can't be understood without the Holy Spirit's help. 
Read: Luke 10:21 Isa. 6:9-10 and 1 Cor. 2:9-16 
A veil lies over the Scriptures, and the veil can only be lifted by Jesus 
     Read: 2 Cor. 3:14-16 Matt 27:51 and Mark 15:38 
This is why you see many people so eager to read the Bible after they 
have given their hearts to Jesus. The Bible was formerly difficult to 
read and now it is so exciting. 

6. Will our children follow our practice of faith? 
"And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; 
and you shall teach them diligently to your children ..." 	Deut. 6:4-9 
"Train up a child in the way he should go and he will not 
depart from it." 	Prov. 22:6 
"Let the children come to Me, do not hinder them." 	Matt 19:14 
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