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October 1, 2025

My guess is that no one who attends Wheaton Bible Church is surprised to find Scripture on the “means of grace” list. As we’ve seen all week, we are always in God’s presence, always breathing in His grace—yet we have a unique invitation to draw near to Him in scripture.  

 How though? Is the Bible a magic book we should carry in hopes of magical powers surrounding us? Not that I know of. No, in order for us to meet God in the word of God and receive the grace He pours upon us, we need to fill our minds and hearts with the Bible’s words. Not only this, but we also need to submit our lives to the teachings of Jesus and the prophets, changing our course as a result of how God has asked us to live.  

 What if we spend time today drawing near to God through this very means of grace, to see what the Bible says about the value of scripture in our lives?  

 Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.
(Psalm 1:1-3) 

 

Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8:5) 

And when Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, he said to them, “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.” (Deuteronomy 32:45–47) 

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30–31) 

Questions for reflection and discussion:  

  • How do you view the Bible and its role in your life?  
  • What is your practice of personal and collective scripture reading?  
  • In what ways do you change your life patterns and choices based on what Jesus has taught His followers in this means of grace?  

Church Reading Plan: 1 Kings 3; Ephesians 1