Unchanging Guidebook
2 Timothy 3:15-17
"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
For more than a century, young boys around the world joined the Boy Scouts as part of their growing up process. Though much has changed about the organization over time, as originally founded, the purpose of the group was “to teach [boys] patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred values.” One of the key tools used in the process was the Boy Scout Handbook. Over the years, more than 50,000,000 copies of the book were printed with guidance for each part of the training program, making it one of the best-selling books of all time.
That book has been repeatedly revised through the years, and is currently on its 14th edition. By contrast, the Word of God has never changed. It was thorough and complete before the beginning of the world, and it will never need to be updated. “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). It contains everything that God needs us to know and do in order to live as He has called us to live. The Bible is perfect, and everything that it says to us is true and reliable.
There is nothing more important for us than to be students of the Scriptures. They alone can give us the necessary resources to do the good works God has placed before us. They alone can be trusted as a beacon of unchanging truth in unsettled days. They alone can shield us from sin and lead us to holiness. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9).
Growth Principle:
The Word of God should be our most-read, most-studied, and best-loved resource for all of life.