By Will Barcley
If you’re like me, you've probably asked yourself the question, “Why do we read the Bible so much?” I grew up in a Christian home as the youngest son of a pastor, where Bible readings were a daily occurrence, listened to sermons twice on Sundays, and went to Christian school where I had Bible class almost every day. Why is it so important to know so much about God’s word? Why do we need so much exposure?
From my own experience in the reformed church, I have noticed that we put a lot of emphasis on the intellectual side of Christianity. In his book Knowing God, J.I. Packer writes, “Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problems fall into place of their own accord.” God makes it very clear that he wants us to know him, and the best way we can do that is through the scriptures. He cares about our thoughts, not just how strong zeal is (“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,” Romans 12:2).
However, we do not learn for the sake of learning. There is something more that the knowledge of God and the reading of his Word provides us. In his sermon at Capital Pres Fairfax this past Sunday, David Stephenson, chaplain at Trinity Christian School said, “The study of the gospel is not just for education, but also for transformation, to have a heart that is captivated by the beauty of Christ.” The Bible is not just a collection of good advice and a good story, it is “living and breathing,” actively changing our hearts every time we read it. Hebrews 4:12 teaches us, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
How can we know this transformation is happening to us? Stephenson taught in his sermon that we can practically see this transformation in three ways: you will be pursuing the life-giving power of the Word of God, you will seek to imitate Godly examples and seek to be one, and you will be willing to suffer as a part of the Christian life, joining in Christ’s suffering on the cross.
Will Barcley is a member of the Capital Fellows class of 2024-25. He is from Matthews, NC, and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This year, he is working in a U.S. Senate office on Capitol Hill.
Pictures From The Week
Capital fellow gals gather before public reading of scripture for pancakes and prayer
Logan and Heather making pankcakes for Breaking Bread, a part of student ministry at McLean
Fellows hang out with Curtis in the hospital after his surgery
Student ministry fellows after the great carnage of color wars
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About Capital Fellows. Capital Fellows is an advanced leadership and discipleship program for recent college graduates. Through graduate courses, a paid internship, one-on-one mentoring, and many leadership and community service opportunities, fellows develop and apply their gifts in real-world situations while learning to integrate a Christian worldview into all areas of life. Capital Fellows is a unique opportunity to live and work in the Washington DC area and to be an active member of a supportive community that seeks to serve the city with the love of Christ. It is also a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience in the workplace while deeply exploring God’s design for us as workers and contributors to human flourishing.
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The Capital Fellows are now about one month into the program. They are settling into the rhythms and cadence of the week-to-week schedule, which can be tiring at first. Please pray for them as they enter the second month, a time when many previous Fellows started to feel the weight of work, service, learning, and community. Pray that they will find great joy, knowing that God meets them in life's real circumstances.
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