Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before the Lord.

“How do you know the Bible is true?”

Josh McDowell, a Christian author and speaker, posed this question to me and many others in a packed auditorium. Unfortunately, I was sitting near the front, where he was walking around with a microphone, asking individuals to share their answers. Some responded with, “Because my parents taught me,” or, “Because it’s the Living Word.”

I began to wrestle with the question myself: Why do I believe the Bible is true, especially compared to the sacred texts of other religions? As Mr. McDowell moved closer, microphone in hand, I started sweating, praying he wouldn’t stop to ask for my answer. To my embarrassment, as a Christian leader, I didn’t have a clear response.

How do we know the Bible is true?

That day, I left the auditorium determined to search for answers. I wanted to know more about my Savior and whether I could fully trust His Word.

Luke, the author of the Gospel that bears his name, undertook a similar search for truth about Jesus. A physician by trade, Luke opens his Gospel by explaining that he carefully investigated the accounts of “eyewitnesses” and recorded them so we “may have certainty” (Luke 1:1–4). Luke went to great lengths to uncover and preserve the truth. Without modern tools like computers or printers—and certainly no book deals—he worked tirelessly to document what he knew to be true.

The truth mattered so much to Luke that he ultimately gave his life for it. He died as a martyr, never recanting what he had written.

When Luke recounts the events surrounding John the Baptist’s birth in chapter 1, you can trust his words. When he shares how Mary praised God after the angel told her she would bear Jesus, you can reasonably assume Mary herself provided that testimony. And when we read about 12-year-old Jesus sitting with teachers in the temple, discussing the Scriptures, we can be confident that it truly happened.

As for my own journey following Josh McDowell’s question, I dove into history and archaeology. Over the course of a year, I read and studied extensively. While I’m far from being an expert on all things related to God, I can confidently say this: Jesus truly lived, He truly died, and He truly rose again. The New Testament is the most historically reliable document of its time, verified by scientific evidence.

God truly sent His Son into the world, so that all who believe in Him may be saved.

Do you believe the Bible is true?

For more information on the historical accuracy of Jesus’ story and God’s Word, I would suggest these books:

• The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
  
• The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel
  
• More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell

What truths stood out to you in Luke 1 and 2? Take a moment to reflect on them and talk to God. Choose a verse that resonates with you, and consider using the SOAP method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) to dig deeper into its meaning.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.

The Way of Jesus: 7 Marks of Discipleship

As we begin a new series, we encourage you to lean into the 7 Marks of Discipleship each week. The 7 Marks of Discipleship provide a simple tool to help us identify areas where we are thriving in our calling and where we can grow. Check here each week for a new 7 Marks Challenge that will encourage you to follow Jesus closer every day.