November 15, 2026
It is possible to know a great deal about the Bible and still miss the very person it wants us to meet.
In John 5:39–40, Jesus says something quite confronting to the religious leaders of his day. They searched the Scriptures diligently, believing that in them they possessed eternal life. Yet those very Scriptures pointed to Jesus, and they were unwilling to come to him to receive life.
They knew the text but missed the Person.
It is a warning worth taking seriously. We can become so concerned with getting the right answers, understanding the right doctrines and defending the right interpretations that we overlook the relationship at the heart of it all. The Bible is not simply a book of information to be mastered, but an invitation into a relationship with the living God.
Of course, understanding Scripture matters enormously. But its ultimate purpose is not simply to fill our heads; it is to transform our hearts and lives as we encounter Jesus.
So when you open your Bible this week, perhaps begin with a simple prayer: “Lord, don’t just help me understand your Word. Help me encounter you through it.”
We would love you to join us this Sunday as we explore what it means to read the Bible not simply as a book to be studied, but as an invitation to know the God who speaks through it. Whether you have been a Christian for years, are exploring faith, or simply have questions, you will be very welcome.
The danger is that we can hold the book in our hands and miss the God who is reaching out to us. The invitation is to do more than read about Jesus – it is to come to him and find life.
Julian Holdsworth
BSBC Pastor
