Can we trust the Bible?

Follow Along with the Message

All Scripture references are in the New Living Translation (NLT).

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

--2 Timothy 3:1–5

But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

--2 Timothy 3:14–17

But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.

--2 Timothy 3:10–13

But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.

--2 Timothy 3:14

You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

--2 Timothy 3:15

 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

--2 Timothy 3:16

Big Idea of the Message:

How can we trust the Bible? We can trust that the Bible is God's Word because of its enduring message. The Bible remains the primary way God teaches, encourages, and guides humanity.

You can trust the Bible because of its:

• The continuity of the Bible deals with the concept of the consistent message of the Bible.

You can trust the Bible because of its:

• You can trust that the Bible we have today, because of the preservation of the manuscripts.

You can trust the Bible because of its:

• If the Bible is inspired by God as claimed, one would expect the bible text to be accurate to , that it would be accurate to , and that the text would be  accurate.

Our application point for this week:

As Christians, we can be confident that the message of Scripture is  and  to our lives—and live in that confidence.