Picture this . . . you’re walking through a museum filled with ancient monuments. Most are worn, scarred by time—some missing large pieces. But one stands out. Its carvings are crisp, its structure whole. You ask the guide, “Is this one newer?” He replies, “No, it’s older than most and has never been restored.” “Was it protected?” you wonder. “Not at all,” he says. “It’s endured the harshest storms and even deliberate damage.” You’d likely be amazed and ask, “What is it made of?”

In many ways, the Bible resembles that extraordinary monument. It’s an ancient book—older than most. Other old texts exist, of course, but like crumbling ruins, many have been eroded by time. Their scientific claims have been disproven. Their medical advice often seems harmful. And many survive only in fragments, with large portions lost or corrupted.

The Bible, however, is different. Its writing began more than 35 centuries ago, yet it remains whole. Despite centuries of attacks—burnings, bans, ridicule—its words have endured. Rather than being outdated, the Bible often reveals astonishing insight.

Values We Need Today

You might ask, “Are Bible teachings still practical today?” Consider this: What are the most troubling issues facing humanity? War, pollution, crime, corruption? Now reflect on the principles the Bible promotes. Ask yourself, “If people lived by these values, would the world be better?”

Consider these scriptures:

Love of Peace

“Happy are the peacemakers, since they will be called sons of God.”
—Matthew 5:9

“If possible, as far as it depends on you, be peaceable with all men.”
—Romans 12:18

Mercy and Forgiveness

“Happy are the merciful, since they will be shown mercy.”
—Matthew 5:7

“Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely even if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Just as Jehovah freely forgave you, you must also do the same.”
—Colossians 3:13

Racial Harmony

“He made out of one man every nation of men to dwell on the entire surface of the earth.”
—Acts 17:26

“God is not partial, but in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”
—Acts 10:34, 35

Respect for the Earth

“Jehovah God took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and to take care of it.”
—Genesis 2:15

“He will bring to ruin those ruining the earth.”
—Revelation 11:18

Hatred of Greed and Immorality

“Guard against every sort of greed, because even when a person has an abundance, his life does not result from the things he possesses.”
—Luke 12:15

“Let sexual immorality and every sort of uncleanness or greediness not even be mentioned among you, just as is proper for holy people.”
—Ephesians 5:3

Honesty and Hard Work

“We wish to conduct ourselves honestly in all things.”
—Hebrews 13:18

“Let the one who steals steal no more; rather, let him do hard work.”
—Ephesians 4:28

Helping Those in Need

“Speak consolingly to those who are depressed, support the weak, be patient toward all.”
—1 Thessalonians 5:14

“Look after orphans and widows in their tribulation.”
—James 1:27

How Bible Teachings Can Benefit You Now

A wise man once said, “Wisdom is vindicated by its results.”
—Matthew 11:19

Wouldn’t you agree? Wisdom proves itself through its outcomes. So if the Bible is truly practical, shouldn’t it make a difference in your life? Let’s consider an example.

For Miriam, life was once full and fulfilling. Then came a series of devastating losses. Her teenage daughter passed away. Her marriage collapsed. Her finances spiralled. She recalls, “I didn’t know who I was anymore—no daughter, no husband, no home. I felt like nothing—no identity, no strength, no future.”

She came to understand the truth of these words—“The span of our life is 70 years, or 80 if one is especially strong. But they are filled with trouble and sorrow; they quickly pass by, and away we fly.”
—Psalm 90:10

In her darkest hour, Miriam turned to the Bible. What she found was life-changing. As the next few articles will show, many others have discovered the same—when they applied its wisdom, the Bible helped them through life’s toughest challenges. They came to see it as that enduring monument—unlike books that fade with time. Could it be that the Bible is made of something different? Might it truly contain God’s thoughts—and not just human ideas?

“When you received God’s word, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but, just as it truthfully is, as the word of God, which is also at work in you believers.”
—1 Thessalonians 2:13

Perhaps you too have felt the weight of life’s shortness and its burdens. When hardship threatens to overwhelm you, where do you turn for comfort, strength, and trustworthy guidance?