Doubt Week 2 -
Can I believe when there are so many problems with the bible?
Read: Psalm 19:7-11
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Read 2 Timothy 3:16
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Discussion:
What stands out to you as you read over these descriptions of scripture:
What things about the bible do you think would make the psalmist describe it as ‘Refreshing, Giving Joy, Precious & Sweet?
In What ways is the Bible useful for “Making Wise, teaching & equipping for every good work?
Apply
Jez in his sermon divided the main issues people have with the bible into the following categories:
Historical problem
“We can’t trust the text of the bible because it was written so long ago, and we can’t know if what we have is what was originally written.”
Moral Problem
“ Some of the things that the Bible holds up as good, are considered in our society to be evil and some of the things that the Bible describes as wrong are considered to be right.”
Inspiration Problem
“ The Bible just doesn’t feel like the word of God, its hard to read and sometimes it doesn’t even make sense."
1. How would you respond to someone who was struggling to believe the Bible is God’s word for each of these reasons?
2. What things have strengthened your belief that the bible is in fact the word of God?
3. What methods or ways of reading the bible have helped you when you have been finding it hard to read the bible?
Share & Pray
How are you going with trusting that the Bible is God’s word at the moment?
Resource:
In Faith and Doubt Podcast “Doubt and disappointment with the Bible”