Summary of "How To Read The Bible | Part 1 | Pastor Jacob Sheriff"

Purpose and big picture

Pastor Jacob Sheriff launches a multi-week series on how to read the Bible. The aim is to help people not only read more, but to read, interpret, and apply Scripture so their personal lives, congregational life, and culture are transformed toward Christlikeness. The series emphasizes that Scripture is essential (not optional) to discipleship and that reading the Bible should lead us to Jesus, not merely to knowledge or moralism.

Cultural stakes

Historian Tom Holland (Dominion) is cited to show how deeply Christian/scriptural ideas shaped Western values; severing culture from its scriptural roots risks losing those values.
The church’s re-anchoring in Scripture is presented as important for broader cultural health.

Problems addressed

Growing biblical illiteracy: many people own Bibles or attend church but do not regularly engage Scripture in ways that produce understanding or faith.
Statistics cited:
- American Bible Society: only 41% of American adults engage the Bible outside church at least three times per year; 9% engage daily; about 60% engage two or fewer times per year (as defined in that study).
- Barna Group (more recent): suggests a shift, with more than 50% of American Christians claiming weekly engagement.
Dangers of reading without proper interpretation: poor reading can lead some to deconstruct their faith or become judgmental/legalistic (Pharisee-like). Dan Kimble’s work is referenced as noting people who walk away because they read badly.

Core theological claim / interpretive lens

The series presents Paul’s instruction to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:15 paraphrase) as the single guiding interpretive lens for all Scripture reading.

“All Scripture is intended to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.”

Therefore: - Whatever book, genre, or episode you read in Scripture, ask how it makes you wise for salvation — i.e., how it points to our need for a rescuer and to trusting Jesus’ work. - The entire Bible functions as wisdom literature in this sense: wisdom = how to live well in God’s world, ultimately by recognizing our need, trusting Christ, and obeying him.

How Scripture relates to Jesus

Jesus is the living Word; the written Word testifies to him.
Jesus criticized religious experts for studying Scripture yet missing its purpose: to point people to him (John 5:39).
Reading Scripture must lead to an encounter with and faith in Jesus; mere habitual reading or box-checking is insufficient and may please God less than a smaller, faith-filled reading.

Practical implications and pastoral emphases

Reading and interpretation should cultivate faith (Hebrews 11:6): God is pleased by faith that trusts him, not by mere performance.
Obedience is the expected response: hearing must lead to doing. The Bible’s purpose includes forming obedient disciples.
Maintain a humble, beginner posture: lifelong learning and reliance on the Spirit are required.
Church gatherings shouldn’t end at the sermon; allow time afterward for quiet, reflection, prayer, and the Spirit’s application of the Word.
Use church-provided integration tools (QR code) for reading plans, resources, and next steps.

Concrete practical steps / methodology

Hold the interpretive lens: always read with the question, “How does this make me wiser for salvation through faith in Jesus?”
Prioritize relationship with Jesus over mere Bible performance:
- Read to encounter Jesus, not just to accumulate information or check a plan.
- If a reading plan becomes mere box-checking, slow down or pause and re-center on Jesus.
Before and after reading or teaching, adopt a posture of reception:
- Be still and quiet.
- Ask the Holy Spirit: “What are you saying to me?” then “What would you have me do?”
- Allow conviction, repentance, and concrete obedience to follow hearing.
Learn genres and context (to be developed in the series): recognize the Bible contains different literary genres (historical narratives, wisdom, prophecy, letters, poetry) and each needs appropriate interpretive methods.
Use available resources:
- Follow recommended reading plans and tools provided by the church (QR integration guide).
- Use study helps that point you to Jesus and help you interpret genre and context.
Stay engaged corporately:
- Participate in worship and sermons as a starting point, then follow up with personal Scripture practice and application.
- Use ministry or prayer teams for prayer, guidance, or encounter with Jesus after the service.
Hold a posture of humility and dependence:
- Transformation requires the Holy Spirit; you cannot “do” your way into faithful discipleship.
- Seek faith and obedience, not simply moral improvement.

Pastoral practices encouraged in the service

Pause for a few minutes of silence after the sermon to let the Word be “engrafted” (James 1).
Invite people to receive prayer from ministry teams—no shame, available to everyone.
Provide digital integration guides and practical next steps (QR code, reading plans, resources).

Closing emphasis

The goal is transformation into Christlikeness by reading, interpreting, and applying Scripture so that faith in Jesus grows and produces obedient life. The series closes with a blessing drawn from Ephesians 3: prayer for God’s power, grace, love, and fellowship.

Speakers and sources featured

Pastor Jacob Sheriff (speaker)
Tom Holland (historian; author of Dominion)
Dan Kimble (author of How Not to Read the Bible)
Ray Lübec (scholar and professor, named in subtitles)
Ben Witherington (New Testament scholar)
“Riy theologian” (quoted in subtitles as describing the Bible as vital and central)
The Apostle Paul (2 Timothy referenced)
Jesus (John 5 example; central focus)
James (Book of the Bible; “engrafted word” citation)
Timothy (Paul’s protégé; referenced)
American Bible Society (State of the Bible study)
Barna Group (survey referenced)
Hebrews and Ephesians (scriptures cited)