DNA - Biblical
October 3, 2020

DNA - Biblical

Main Point: The Bible is the divinely inspired word of God, for humankind, for all time.

Northgate’s Core Values
• Biblical
• Worshipful
• Missional
• Intergenerational
• Prayerful
• Relational
• Christ-likeness
• Caring

The Bible is relevant to our lives.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. —Hebrews 4:12

The Bible sufficiently shows us everything that we need for salvation and a Christ-like life.

Sola Scriptura

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. —2 Timothy 3:14-17

The Bible needs to shape our thoughts and actions.

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror.
—James 1:21-23

“Don’t fall into the trap of studying the Bible without doing what it says.” — Francis Chan

The Bible is, has been, and always will be our standard of truth.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. —2 Timothy 4:1-5

Takeaway: The Bible will always be the driving force of truth, wisdom, and guidance at Northgate.

Discussion Questions

  1. If you were going to create a few Core Values for yourself, what would be on the list?

  2. Does the Bible shape your thoughts and actions? What habits, routines, and safeguards have you put in place in your life to ensure that happens regularly?

  3. What are some other “standards of truth” that you see people (inside or outside of the church) using instead of the Bible? What are some possible pitfalls to that?

Table Discussion Question — Share about a time when you found the Bible to be shockingly relevant to your life and what you were going through at the time. How did God speak to you? What did you do as a result?