Stories are how we make sense of the world. They teach, heal, awaken, and transform. As writer Mary Catherine Bateson once said, “The human species thinks in metaphors and learns through stories.” Whether it’s a novel that challenges our perspective or a biography that inspires new purpose, stories have the power to shape the way we think, act, and live.

Take, for example, the book Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. It’s not just financial advice; it’s a story of change and discipline. When Amy and I were engaged, we read it at the encouragement of her dad. Years later, when we realized we’d slipped into a level of debt common in our culture, that story helped us reframe our values. We took practical steps, leading a Financial Peace University class online during COVID. Through that journey, we learned to live differently, save intentionally, and give generously. That story shaped us and continues to shape how we live today.

But there's one story that surpasses all others in its scope and significance: the story of Scripture.

The Bible is not just a book of rules or ancient history. It's a unified story, 66 books written by over 40 authors in three languages across 1,500 years, all telling one overarching narrative: the story of God and His people. A story that begins with creation, moves through brokenness and rebellion, carries the promise of redemption, and culminates in the person of Jesus.

This story is powerful because it's still unfolding and we’re part of it.

Psalm 1 paints a picture of what it looks like to live within that story. The one who meditates on God’s Word “day and night” becomes like “a tree planted by streams of water,” nourished and thriving, fruitful even in difficulty. Scripture is more than a sacred text; it's the story that, when rooted in, transforms us from the inside out.

But let's be honest: the Bible is complex. It spans cultures, contexts, and genres, including narrative, poetry, and teaching. Understanding it well requires humility, the right tools, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. That’s why it's vital to approach the Scriptures not only with curiosity, but with consistency.

Tyler Staton says it best: “Reading the Bible from time to time might help you understand the grand story but it will not redeem your story… You must revisit the story consistently and regularly so that it can harmonize the whole person and form you from within.”

Transformation through Scripture begins when we shift our question from “What does this mean to me?” to “What did this mean to the people it was written for—and how does that shape my life today?”

As a community following Jesus, we believe Scripture is more than ancient literature. Jesus Himself saw the Scriptures, what we call the Old Testament, as sacred and prophetic, pointing to Him. In Luke 24:44-47, Jesus teaches that all of the Law, Prophets, and Psalms point to His death, resurrection, and the message of repentance and forgiveness to all nations.

The Bible answers the big questions we all wrestle with:

• Who are we? Image-bearers of a creative, loving God.
• Where are we? In a world made good by God.
• Why are we here? To steward creation and live in relationship with Him.
• What’s gone wrong? Sin distorts and deforms us.
• What’s the solution? Jesus, who invites us to follow Him into new life.

We need this story now more than ever. In a world where chaos and confusion seem to reign, the Bible grounds us in what is true, wise, and lasting. It draws us into relationship with Jesus, the One who shapes us, renews us, and offers life abundant.

So let’s be people of the Word. Not merely readers of Scripture, but participants in its story. Let it nourish you like a tree by streams of water. Let it form you, daily and deeply, into the image of Christ.

Let’s root ourselves in the Story that changes everything.