There are over 300 scripture references in the Divine Liturgy each week. From the book of Psalms to the Epistles to the Gospels, Orthodox worship is literally bathed in Holy Scripture.

Someone once said that the Bible is the greatest best seller that few ever actually read, and I believe this is true. But St. John Chrysostom declared that one could not be an authentic Christian without being a student of the Holy Scriptures.

Let's face it, most of us say we respect the Bible, but how often do we actually read the Holy Scriptures? In our Orthodox Church, we are literally inundated with scriptural references every time we gather to worship, but do we pick up on all the references to Holy Scripture when we pray the Divine Liturgy? What would it do to your own spiritual growth and maturity if you became a student of the Scriptures?

King David wrote in the Psalms "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105) and again "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee." (Psalm 119:11) St. Paul admonished "Study to show yourself approved, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

The place and importance of the Bible in the spiritual lives and daily practice of Orthodox Christians should go without saying but it doesn't.

So, why is Bible reading, and (more importantly) biblical understanding so vital to a Christian's spiritual maturity?

First Bible knowledge expands my spiritual vocabulary. Life today throws so much at us as Christian adults that we are left wondering which way to turn at times. A working knowledge of the scriptures will give each of us an added source of "wisdom" when we find ourselves in situations that require a moral choice or moral courage. To be able to recall and pray from a biblical mind is the birthright of every Orthodox Christian.

Second Bible knowledge encourages my spiritual progress. Just reading the Gospels and the Epistles (you know which ones those are, don't you?) will give me an insight into the life of Jesus and the early days of the Church of which I am a part. Hearing Jesus speak to the Woman at the Well about living water causes me to examine my own life and ask if I am enjoying that "living water" in my own soul. Reading the teachings of the Apostles in the Epistles confronts me with my own faithfulness to the timeless wisdom of the Church preserved for me in the pages of Holy Scripture.

Finally, Bible knowledge enables my spiritual defense. In the book of Ephesians St. Paul names the spiritual armor the average believer will need to fight off the spiritual enemies of one's soul. He mentions the "breastplate of righteousness", the "shield of faith", and the "helmet of salvation." But he finalizes his list with "the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:11-17) Notice that all the other spiritual pieces of Christian armor are defensive, except the "sword of the Spirit which is the word of God." This spiritual sword is meant to be used well and ignorance of just how to use this precious "sword" just may mean your life will become a spiritual casualty.

Reading and understanding the Holy Scriptures in the light and context of the wisdom preserved for you and your family in 20 centuries of Orthodox Christian teaching is literally a treasure house of spiritual medicine available to you today. So, how about taking the Bible off the shelf there at home and reading a bit of the Gospels to your family tonight before dinner. You just may light a fire of faith in the hearts of your children that will burn forever.

Fr. Christopher Metropulos is founder, host, and executive director of the Orthodox Christian Network (OCN) and the Come Receive The Light national Orthodox Christian radio program (www.myocn.net). He is pastor of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he and his wife Georgia are raising their six children.