The Bible is worth the read. Dust it off.

Acts 17:11 "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."  

That, at least, was the attitude of the Bereans, who were a group of people Paul encountered along the way on one of his missionary journeys. They've been complimented in the Scripture because of their "noble character"--a term rarely used to describe people in the Bible. What made them so impressive is that they searched and studied the Scriptures themselves. They did not just attend a church gathering and hear the Bible read to them--they were active in their pursuit to find the truth in God's Word.

 That's an important goal shared throughout Scripture and is a valuable model for us. Not only does the Bible help us understand God's message for us, but it helps make us mature. As 2 Timothy 2:15 encourages us, "present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."  There is no better way to accomplish that than through careful study of God's Word. Such study will help us 'renew our minds,' as Paul urged in Romans 12:2, and help us "take every thought captive" for Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

The Bible is too important to keep on a shelf until Sunday. Dust it off and read it often. Its life-giving words will provide the wisdom you need to live in this world.

(The above originally appeared as an article I provided for the Essentials of the Christian Faith New Testament, published by Zondervan. Used by permission.)