Why study the Bible?

The Bible contains 66 books and was written over a period of more than 1600 years. Yet it is one book with a consistent theme: God's love and salvation for fallen mankind. Thus it is the source book of Judaism and of Christianity. It has stood the test of time and the attacks of critics for the last 2000 years because it is the inspired word of God.
The Bible is, first, the history of Israel. Yet it is the history of us all, and Western culture has its roots in the Bible. We study the Bible so we may know who God is, who we are, and why this world was created; then we can know the purpose and meaning of our lives. Bible study leads us to God, so it leads to Truth. Jesus said in John's gospel that if we hold to his teachings, then we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free. [John 8:31,32]