Why read the Bible? (Part 1)

Recently, in a Bible study with Christian Students on Campus at UT, we were going over a normal Christian life in 1 Peter. One thing I really appreciated was the matter of reading the Word. First I would like to propose a question: Why do we need to read the Bible?? (This is kind of long so prepare yourself)

But before we go down that road I would like to propose another question: What is life? Or rather more specifically, What is eternal life?  Is it a thing? A place? Is it living forever? According to the Bible in John 17:3, it says "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Him who you have sent, Jesus Christ." WOW! Alright, for now I just want you to remember this. I will bring it back together at the end.

So going back to the question, Why do we need to read the Bible? Let's go to Ephesians 5:25-27. Here it shows us one aspect of the function and purpose of the Word. "Husbands, love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her/ That He might sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing of the water in the word,/ That He might present the church to Himself glorious, not having spot or wrinkle or any such things, but that she would be holy and without blemish" So here the word cleans the church by the washing of the water in the word and we know that the church is just us, the Christians (Romans 12:5, Ephesians 1:22-23). The word  sanctifies us by washing and cleansing all the spots and wrinkles within our being!!