Believers are exhorted to know and teach the whole counsel of God.[1] Yet many professing believers are only familiar with a handful of passages.

Jesus said “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”[2] Therefore it not just certain passages that teach us about God, it is the entire Word by which we learn of Him. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3 that, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”[3] And when referring to the Old Testament Paul explains that: “Whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”[4] So when sharing with those who confess Christ, but who are not in His Word, refer to these passages to encourage them to read regularly through God’s entire Word. You can also ask questions which may stir them to read. Examples include: “Are you in the Word daily?” or “Which book are you currently reading?” or “Did you know that the entire Bible can be read – cover-to-cover – in about 75 hours?” or “Did you know that the Bible is by far the most translated and most read book in all of history?”

So when you’re evangelizing, remember that the great commission includes making disciples. Exhorting others to press into God’s Word is an essential way to make disciples.