Experience Your Bible

Book excerpt: See it. Study it. Do it. Many Christians focus on mechanical application of the Scriptures. In Experience Your Bible, the McDowells proclaim God's original design—the Scriptures are his way to reveal himself so he can enjoy a relationship with people. The authors show how the Bible can radically transform believers' lives: Intimacy. God created humans such that an intimate relationship with him is their only route to meaningful life. His written Word enables this relationship. Relational experience. We must obey God's commands. Yet he also wants us to relationally experience things like acceptance, joy, and comfort with him and other believers. Growth in love. Josh and Sean highlight the Holy Spirit's role in illuminating the Scriptures. They present proven tools to help readers study and "accurately handle the word of truth." Above all, they emphasize that study is the journey to help Christians more deeply love the author of the Bible, God himself. When Christians experience the Bible and its author, they find wisdom, meaning, and fulfillment in life. A key tool for pastors, leaders, parents, and youth workers—anyone wanting to proclaim and experience the life- and culture-changing Christianity the Bible reveals.