Exploration has led man to many places to discover many things--Christopher Columbus discovered lands across the Atlantic and Marco Polo to shores and adventures beyond his wildest dreams. It has led people to look for gold and diamonds in various locales around the world. It led Solomon to discover that there was nothing new under the sun. It has led to journeys to the moon, Mars and beyond. It has led to high adventures, mischief, love, heartbreak and death. And still we long for sights unseen, uncharted, uninhabited. As exciting as all of that sounds I have found nothing more exciting than to explore the Bible. If you’ve never opened one, might I ask why not?

If you open it now, or after you’ve read my short post, you’ll discover that it is not one book, but is comprised of 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament, and 27 in the New Testament.

I recently participated in a Bible study that was quite intensive, which is why I’m so excited for you to explore this wonderful book inspired by God for his children to read and learn about the wonderful Creator of the world.

First, the genres are many and include narratives, prophetic literature, wisdom literature, apocalyptic literature, stories and parables, logs of journeys and letters. In what other book do you get that many genres to explore?

All of these genres are filled with wonderful content and take you on journeys through history. You have your choice of narratives (stories); discourse (or speeches) or poetry. The magnitude of it all boggles the mind. And if that’s not enough to intrigue you there are big ideas to ponder and think presented by each author, who describes a basic truth for all of God’s people in every age.

If it’s the history of Israel you’d like to explore the Old Testament is full of how God created our world and universe; to the awesome task Moses had to free God’s people from bondage and Egyptian rule. You’ll read about the Promised Land and be introduced to the wisdom of the Psalms and Proverbs. You’ll get a sense of what problems Israel and Juda faced.

Are you ready to explore more? Perhaps how Jesus revealed his exclusivity, identity and authority? What is the way to God, and how do you know how to know and live for him? Biblical exploration shows how loving, constant and secure God is. That he embraces humility of service and taught through example.

I could go on and on and on, instead I challenge you to go on the greatest exploratory trip of your life by opening this amazing God-inspired book. Become consumed with the story of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who came to serve and save. Let me know what you discovered as you explore all this book has to offer. What lands you crossed; what adventures you read about, and what makes you want to explore it more.

And remember, while you are exploring its stories, speeches, and poetry that the Bible travels through the Cross, that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is at the center of everything the Bible has to say to us.

Take a moment each day to discover new lands, the adventures of its people, the mischief, love, heartbreak and death that most explorers have discovered on all of their journeys, but with a much better ending in sight.