What is the Bible?

In Summer of the Bible, we begin by asking a foundational question: What is this? Anchored in 2 Timothy 3:14–17, the sermon frames Scripture as an ancient wisdom story preserved for us to point us to Jesus. Paul tells Timothy that the Scriptures give “wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus,” which means the Bible is not primarily a collection of magic words, isolated inspirational quotes, or a personalized fortune-telling device. Instead, it is a carefully curated, Spirit-inspired story—ancient in context, yet enduring in purpose—designed to form discernment, shape character, and lead us into faithful allegiance to Christ.

The sermon also emphasizes that the Bible was historically encountered communally, often heard aloud rather than privately read. Through a campfire illustration and a shared reading of Genesis 1:1–5, the congregation practices imagining the text together, demonstrating how shared engagement broadens understanding and guards against distortion. Scripture is not merely information transfer; it is an invitation to encounter the living God and be formed into the image of Jesus. When read in community—across generations, perspectives, and experiences—the Word becomes both corrective and transformative, shaping a people who embody Christlike wisdom in every time and place.