Is it any wonder that God admonishes His children to study the scriptures? We could not begin to learn all that God provided for us when we accepted His offer of sins forgiven with just a casual reading of a verse or two when we have our devotions each day.
Have you ever thought of making a study of the 3:16s of the Bible? Of course, we all know the most famous and favorite 3:16 by heart. That is John 3:16 – the very heart of the salvation story. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.” What freedom, joy and release we find when we appropriate that verse right into our daily life. God didn’t just love me, He SO loved me!
However, have you ever thought of all the other 3:16s in the Bible? Ah, what a rich treasure there is in studying them. When you read the surrounding verses, and zero in on the 3:16 therein, your heart will sing with the love, mercy, and Protective Care of our God.
For instance, have you ever considered Daniel 3:16? The three Hebrew children make a stand for pleasing God with their lives and not pleasing men! If you study the verses before 3:16 and the verses afterward, the words of 3:16 explode with meaning.
How about Zepaniah 3:16-17?
Why not take your Bible and search out all the 3:16s. Some Books have no sixteenth verse and some have no third chapter (such as Second and Third John and Jude.
The other 3:16s will provide you with a summer’s worth of getting closer to the one who loved us enough to die for us.
Here are a few of the verses to get you started. Remember to read the surrounding verses and then zero in on the verse 3:16.
Genesis 3:16 – The results of sin
Exodus 3:16 – God looks down from Heaven and see our difficulties
Leviticus 3:16 – The sacrifices God will accept (we must come His way).
I Samuel 3:16 – How to answer God’s Call on your life
Malachi 3:16 – Your Accountability
John 3:16 – Your Salvation
II Timothy 3:16 – Your guide Book
Colossians 3:16 – Your Song book
I Thessalonians 3:16 – Your Authority
Ephesians 3:16 – Your strength
I John 3:16 – Your Witness
I Cor. 3:16 – Your Daily Walk
These are by no means all of the 3:16s but it will be enough to get you started on a Bible Study of your own.
The chief purpose of your life is that Jesus Christ and His glory should be reflected in you. As you search out all the nuggets of gold he has hidden in His word, you will find yourself becoming conformed to the image of His Son, which is His perfect plan for your life.
Audrey Mullen