The Bible
The Bible
Imagine being in a high-stakes basketball game... but only putting in one or two of your starting five players. You're outnumbered, overwhelmed, and missing out on your full potential. Spiritually, that's what many of us are doing. God has given us powerful
"players" to help us win in life-prayer, fasting, community, giving, and today's focus: the Bible.
We've already talked about prayer and fasting, today we're looking at the Bible
Prayer is how we talk to God
Reading the Bible is how God talks to us
It is more important for us to hear from God
The Bible was written by about 40 authors over the span of 1,500 years in 3 different languages.
"players" to help us win in life-prayer, fasting, community, giving, and today's focus: the Bible.
We've already talked about prayer and fasting, today we're looking at the Bible
Prayer is how we talk to God
Reading the Bible is how God talks to us
It is more important for us to hear from God
The Bible was written by about 40 authors over the span of 1,500 years in 3 different languages.
The Bible isn't just ink on paper—it's the breath of God.
It's not just a book; it's a divine love letter, a personal message from your Creator to you.
It's time to put this player in the game.
Acts 8:26-38
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
Big Idea: The Bible isn't just a rulebook-it's your game-changer. When you open it, you hear the Coach, understand the game plan, and start winning where you've been losing.
1. The Word leads to Seeking
Acts 8:27-28
27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.
The Ethiopian eunuch was successful by worldly standards—wealthy, respected, and educated. But his heart was still searching for more.
Despite his status, he was seeking God.
He even invested in a costly scroll (equivalent to $800–$1500 for a single book!), showing a deep hunger for truth.
We’re no different. We all chase something—money, friends, status, stuff. But none of it fully satisfies.
Only God does. When we open the Bible, that hunger points us toward Him.
Reading the Word stirs a desire to seek God.
27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.
The Ethiopian eunuch was successful by worldly standards—wealthy, respected, and educated. But his heart was still searching for more.
Despite his status, he was seeking God.
He even invested in a costly scroll (equivalent to $800–$1500 for a single book!), showing a deep hunger for truth.
We’re no different. We all chase something—money, friends, status, stuff. But none of it fully satisfies.
Only God does. When we open the Bible, that hunger points us toward Him.
Reading the Word stirs a desire to seek God.
A God Who’s Magnified in the Smallest Things
A God Who’s Magnified in the Smallest Things
This year’s VBS theme was “Magnified”—learning to see how big God truly is, even in the smallest of things.
One speaker shared his fascination with donating blood, a habit that turned into a passion after studying how intricately the human body is designed. He described how each of us is biologically unique, yet through blood donation, we can literally save the life of another person. A single pint of blood, donated in just minutes, can be regenerated by the body in about eight weeks. That process amazed him—and rightly so.
Why? Because it reveals something about the incredible precision and creativity of God. The more he studied anatomy, the more he saw God's handiwork in the smallest systems of the body—down to the cells and molecules. That kind of detail doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a fingerprint of a big, intentional God.
He even shared how he had donated so consistently that, at one point, he was told his iron levels were too low to give—he had been that faithful to the cause. But his deeper obsession wasn't just with donating blood—it was with how those tiny biological systems reflected the greatness of God.
That’s what happens when you start to seek God—you begin to find Him everywhere: in Scripture, in science, in stories, and even in the hidden systems inside your body.
This year’s VBS theme was “Magnified”—learning to see how big God truly is, even in the smallest of things.
One speaker shared his fascination with donating blood, a habit that turned into a passion after studying how intricately the human body is designed. He described how each of us is biologically unique, yet through blood donation, we can literally save the life of another person. A single pint of blood, donated in just minutes, can be regenerated by the body in about eight weeks. That process amazed him—and rightly so.
Why? Because it reveals something about the incredible precision and creativity of God. The more he studied anatomy, the more he saw God's handiwork in the smallest systems of the body—down to the cells and molecules. That kind of detail doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a fingerprint of a big, intentional God.
He even shared how he had donated so consistently that, at one point, he was told his iron levels were too low to give—he had been that faithful to the cause. But his deeper obsession wasn't just with donating blood—it was with how those tiny biological systems reflected the greatness of God.
That’s what happens when you start to seek God—you begin to find Him everywhere: in Scripture, in science, in stories, and even in the hidden systems inside your body.
If you’re wondering how to seek Him more, here are a few simple ways that help me:
Seeking God through His Word leads to more than just head knowledge—it leads to transformation. That’s where the journey begins.
- Ask honest questions
- Join a group Bible study
- Talk to trusted Christians
- Read a commentary
- Try a different translation
- Use tools like RightNow Media
Seeking God through His Word leads to more than just head knowledge—it leads to transformation. That’s where the journey begins.
2. The Word leads to Understanding
Acts 8:29-31
29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
The Word of God is powerful—but we need the Holy Spirit and others to help us understand it.
Psalm 119:130
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Even NBA players ask the coach to clarify the next play.
Don’t sit out because the Bible seems hard—lean in. Ask. Study. Grow.
Every championship team studies their playbook: offense, defense, strategy.
The Bible is our spiritual playbook—for temptation, fear, purpose, pain.
Don't just carry it—comprehend it.
29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
The Word of God is powerful—but we need the Holy Spirit and others to help us understand it.
Psalm 119:130
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Even NBA players ask the coach to clarify the next play.
Don’t sit out because the Bible seems hard—lean in. Ask. Study. Grow.
Every championship team studies their playbook: offense, defense, strategy.
The Bible is our spiritual playbook—for temptation, fear, purpose, pain.
Don't just carry it—comprehend it.
3. The Word leads to Jesus
Acts 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
From Samaria to Ethiopia, Philip’s message didn’t change—it was always Jesus.
The Bible isn’t a collection of disconnected stories.
It’s one big story—with Jesus at the center.
Jesus isn’t just in Scripture—He’s the point of it.
John 5:39
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.”
Luke 24:27
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”
From Samaria to Ethiopia, Philip’s message didn’t change—it was always Jesus.
The Bible isn’t a collection of disconnected stories.
It’s one big story—with Jesus at the center.
- In Genesis, He’s the promised seed.
- In Exodus, the Passover Lamb.
- In Leviticus, the High Priest.
- In Psalms, the Shepherd, the Son, and the King.
- In Isaiah, the Suffering Servant.
- In the Gospels, the Word made flesh.
- In Revelation, the Lamb and returning King.
Jesus isn’t just in Scripture—He’s the point of it.
John 5:39
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.”
Luke 24:27
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”
If we read the Bible and miss Jesus, we’ve missed the whole point.
4. The Word leads to Response
Acts 8:36-38 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
The eunuch didn’t wait. He understood the Word, and he responded.
Baptism.
New identity.
New life.
Reading the Bible demands a response.
Even not responding is a response.
Luke 11:28
Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.
Psalm 1:2-3
But whose delight is in the law of the Lord... Whatever they do prospers
Coaches don’t reward players just for knowing the playbook—they reward execution.
Blessing follows obedience.
The Bible isn’t just for information—it’s for transformation.
After we've read scripture, we should ask how God wants us to respond.
After reading, ask:
The eunuch didn’t wait. He understood the Word, and he responded.
Baptism.
New identity.
New life.
Reading the Bible demands a response.
Even not responding is a response.
Luke 11:28
Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.
Psalm 1:2-3
But whose delight is in the law of the Lord... Whatever they do prospers
Coaches don’t reward players just for knowing the playbook—they reward execution.
Blessing follows obedience.
The Bible isn’t just for information—it’s for transformation.
After we've read scripture, we should ask how God wants us to respond.
After reading, ask:
- What does this teach me about God—His character or heart?
- Is God described as loving? Just? Faithful? Merciful?
- What is it showing me about Jesus?
- Is there a command to follow, a truth to believe, or a sin to avoid?
- Is there a step of obedience I need to take?
- Do I need to pray, forgive, repent, encourage someone, or change a habit?
- How can I live this truth today?
It’s Game Time
The Bible has sat on the bench long enough.
You don’t have to be a Bible scholar—just be willing to engage.
It’s not about perfection, but pursuit.
Open the Bible.
Ask questions.
Understand the Word.
Run the play.
That’s how you change the game.
You don’t have to be a Bible scholar—just be willing to engage.
It’s not about perfection, but pursuit.
Open the Bible.
Ask questions.
Understand the Word.
Run the play.
That’s how you change the game.
Put the Bible in the game this week
- Start a 7-day Bible reading plan (I recommend RightNow Media or YouVersion).
- Memorize one Scripture about God’s love.
- Set a 10-minute timer each day to read and reflect—no distractions.
- Join a group or invite a friend to read and discuss one chapter together.
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