John Piper Reveals Three Religious Challenges to Studying the Bible in a Yr
Pastor and theologian John Piper outlined three challenges Christians will face when studying by way of your complete Bible in a 12 months in addition to 9 advantages. Within the newest episode of his “Ask Pastor John” podcast, Piper responded to a query from a listener named Mike, who requested for recommendation as he is studying by way of the Bible this 12 months.
“Let me provide you with three negatives to scare you off and 9 positives to suck you again in,” Piper, chancellor of Bethlehem School and Seminary, mentioned.
As reported by The Christian Post, Piper warned that the primary problem will likely be opposition from Devil, who will try to “disincline you, blind you, distract you, bore you.”
“He’ll struggle with all his may to maintain this from taking place. So pray and struggle and ask God to make all 4 of these issues that Devil tries to do to backfire, to explode in his face as you grow to be a stronger warrior in opposition to him — your coronary heart inclined, your blindness eliminated, focus as a substitute of distraction, pleasure as a substitute of boredom,” he added.
Secondly, Piper famous how the Bible’s portrayal of sin and judgment can go away one shocked and unsettled.
“The outrage of sin and its graphic descriptions and the horrors of God’s judgment and the failures of God’s individuals are appalling within the Bible,” he careworn. “The Bible is stunningly graphic in its description of each our outrageous sin and God’s breathtaking judgment on sin. It would be best to throw up you probably have any type of sympathetic engagement with the Bible at occasions while you see what God ordains in opposition to sin on this world. So, count on your views of man and God to be blown up — in a great way.”
The third and last problem is turning into confused in studying advanced biblical texts and to “pray for illumination.”
“Do no matter digging in examine helps you. Put issues collectively that you may put collectively, and what you’ll be able to’t work out, placed on the shelf for later consideration and hold on shifting. For those who get slowed down with what you’ll be able to’t perceive, you will by no means end the studying for the day.”
The Needing God founder proceeded to supply 9 advantages when studying the Phrase of God together with elevated religion, sanctification and unshakable pleasure.
“Count on new energy in conflict with Devil as a result of that is the best way Jesus defeated him within the wilderness. He quoted Scripture to the satan, and the satan couldn’t stand earlier than it. He will not stand earlier than you, both. He is a liar; he is a deceiver. He cannot abide the reality. You are filling your head up with the reality. You are going to be a valiant warrior greater than you dreamed in opposition to Devil,” he mentioned.
“This can be a nice resolve earlier than you,” Piper concluded. “You have obtained an ideal intention in your coronary heart. Be valiant. Make a vow to the Lord to maintain it, and you will not remorse it.”
Based on a current survey by The American Bible Society, two occasions as many Gen Zers (21%) reported studying extra Bible within the earlier 12 months than those that reported studying much less (9%). There was additionally a rise in Bible studying amongst Gen X people by 15% and amongst child boomers and people born earlier than 1946 by 16%.
Conversely, 9% of Gen X people and 10% of the oldest adults mentioned they learn much less Bible.
Lately, there was a development in reputation amongst podcasts and digital platforms centered on Bible studying and dialogue.
Previous to Piper’s response, he careworn the usage of Navigators Bible Studying Plan, which he has adopted for over twenty years. The plan entails two readings of the Bible every day, quarter-hour every, and is supposed to be accomplished in 300 days.
Two of Apple’s High 10 podcasts embrace The Bible in a Yr (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) and The Bible Recap podcast with host Tara-Leigh Cobble, which receives about 6 million downloads a month. Final 12 months, Pastor Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, launched his “Bible in a Yr” podcast and has since reached the No. 1 spot on Apple’s charts for spiritual podcasts and has surpassed 70 million downloads worldwide. The podcast started premiering episodes in Spanish final week.
Photograph Credit score: © Fb/John Piper
Initially printed January 07, 2025.
