Introduction: The Importance of God’s Word

Jacob: Every student here, every leader, I want all to know the importance of God’s Word, its power, and how to study it—how to read it and why you are reading it. For the next few weeks, maybe a month or more, we’ll start a series on this. Leaders are passing out binders to you now. These will be your tools. I’ll teach you how to use them. They’ll help as you learn to study God’s Word.

If you’re committed to coming to Student Ministries every week, these binders are yours. Write your name on the front. Make them your own, but bring them every week. Eventually, these binders will also be next to you every day when you read God’s Word. There’s nothing magical about the binders, but they’ll hold tools and notes that I’ll explain later.

Many of you say you don’t know what to read, or you just read randomly. Some of you have said it would help to have specific instruction and helps for studying. We won’t start with the “how” though; first, we’ll talk about the “why.” For now, just use the binder as a hard surface. Use the note sheet I gave you for today’s message. When we’re done, you can put it in the binder.

Praying Before We Read

Let’s pray. God, I pray You give these students ears to hear and minds to understand. Grant them hearts that believe what is taught, and that Your Holy Spirit would cause obedience and trust. Help me speak accurately and not be a hypocrite. Answer this prayer, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Please open your Bibles to Luke 16:19. Whenever you come here, bring your own Bible. If you don’t own one, talk to me. Luke is the third book in the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke. Find chapter 16, verse 19. We’re dropping into the middle of the book. Jesus just finished a parable about serving God with what you have in this life, because what matters is the next life’s riches. He said you cannot serve God and money. The Pharisees, who thought they kept all the laws, ridiculed Jesus because they loved money and didn’t want to change their lives.

A Parable: The Rich Man and Lazarus

Jesus then tells a parable (Luke 16:19-31). He says: “There was a rich man, clothed in purple and fine linen, feasting sumptuously every day.” He looked blessed, respected, and sure he pleased God. At his gate was a poor man named Lazarus, covered in sores, who longed for crumbs from the rich man’s table. Even dogs licked his sores. In life, who looked blessed? The rich man. Lazarus looked cursed.

Then both died. The poor man died and was carried by angels to Abraham’s side—he went to heaven. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far off with Lazarus by his side. He cried, “Father Abraham, have mercy! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool my tongue, for I am in anguish.” But Abraham said there’s a great chasm, no crossing over. On earth, the rich man had good things, Lazarus bad. Now Lazarus is comforted, the rich man in anguish. No relief, no escape.

Life Is Short, Eternity Is Long

Kids, life is short. Maybe you live 30, 80 years—compared to eternity, that’s nothing. Heaven and hell are real, forever. After this short life, the rich man ended in hell, Lazarus in heaven. The rich man then thinks of his brothers still alive and wants Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead to warn them. He believes that a miracle—someone rising from the dead—would convince them.

God’s Word Is Sufficient and Powerful

But Abraham replies, “They have Moses and the prophets (God’s Word). Let them hear them.” The rich man says no, that’s not enough. Abraham says if they won’t listen to God’s Word, they won’t be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. This is key: God’s Word is what can change hearts, not miracles. The Pharisees saw miracles and didn’t believe. Why? Their hearts were hard. You must pray for a miracle of faith every time you read or hear God’s Word.

John 5:24 says whoever hears Jesus’ word and believes has eternal life. Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Scripture is where faith is born, not by seeing miracles. We must pray that we listen, understand, believe, obey, and trust—LUBOT. This is the miracle we need.

Having a Purpose, Plan, and Pen

As we read God’s Word, come with a purpose: to know God. Have a plan so you know what to read daily. We’ve given you a reading plan bookmark that takes you through the New Testament and Psalms in a year. Follow this plan or another. Also, use a pen. Write notes about what the text says, what it teaches about God, and how it affects you. Then pray, asking God for the miracle of faith and life transformation.

By doing this every day—reading with purpose, plan, and pen, and praying for God’s help—He will use His Word to transform you. Life is short, eternity is long, and God’s Word is powerful enough to bring you to faith and keep you in the truth.

Conclusion

Let’s pray. God, I pray You’d work miracles in these students through Your Word this week. Don’t let anyone be like the rich man’s brothers who wouldn’t believe. May they see Your Word for what it is, sharper than any two-edged sword, revealing who we are and who You are. Grant them faith and obedience as they read. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Now, if you’re missing any binder components, talk to Kiki. We’ll have new inserts each week. Start the reading plan tomorrow. Come next week ready to discuss what God did in your heart as you read.