--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Scriptures are not so much the goal…" description: "\"“The Scriptures are not so much the goal as they are an arrow that points us to the life-changing Christ”\" — Jim Cymbala" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d67/jim-cymbala-7997_bible_the-scriptures-are-not-so-much-the-goal_2876087.png" --- # The Scriptures are not so much the goal as they are an… ![“The Scriptures are not so much the goal as they are an arrow that points us to the life-changing Christ” quote by Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d67/jim-cymbala-7997_bible_the-scriptures-are-not-so-much-the-goal_2876087.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d67/jim-cymbala-7997_bible_the-scriptures-are-not-so-much-the-goal_2876087.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d67/jim-cymbala-7997_bible_the-scriptures-are-not-so-much-the-goal_2876087.png) > ““The Scriptures are not so much the goal as they are an arrow that points us to the life-changing Christ”” [Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Scriptures serve as a guide pointing toward a transformative relationship with Christ, not the ultimate aim themselves. **In simple terms:** Scriptures point to Christ, not the goal. Key Takeaway Follow the guidance toward Christ. Themes faith guidance spirituality Mood inspirational contemplative Type spiritual teaching When to use this quote - church services - personal study - spiritual counseling - mission work Key Concepts theology symbolism purpose Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance study and experience? - What does “arrow” symbolize for you? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on text can miss personal experience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Changing Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/changing-christ-3959851/) [Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ/) [Goal Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal-arrow-3959852/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Scriptures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scriptures/) [Scriptures Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scriptures-goal-3959850/) ## Related quotes > [The goal is not for us to get through the Scriptures. The goal is to get the Scriptures through us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ortberg/the-goal-is-not-for-us-to-get-through-the-scriptures-the-goal-is-to/) [John Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ortberg/) > [“Meditation on the holy Scriptures , free us from mental slavery.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/meditation-on-the-holy-scriptures-free-us-from-mental-slavery/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“The Holy Scripture speaks life into our lives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-holy-scripture-speaks-life-into-our-lives/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Loud speech, profusion of words, and possessing skillfulness in expounding scriptures are merely for the enjoyment of the learned. They do not lead to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adi-shankara/loud-speech-profusion-of-words-and-possessing-skillfulness-in/) [Adi Shankara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adi-shankara/) > [According to scriptures at least I know the Bible states not to make any permanent marks on your body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-vaughan/according-to-scriptures-at-least-i-know-the-bible-states-not-to-make/) [Bill Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-vaughan/) > [“It may sound simplistic, but is meant wholeheartedly. We are so privileged to have the Scriptures”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janette-oke/it-may-sound-simplistic-but-is-meant-wholeheartedly-we-are-so/) [Janette Oke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janette-oke/) > [Newspapers today have almost replaced the Bible, the Koran, the Gita and other religious scriptures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/newspapers-today-have-almost-replaced-the-bible-the-koran-the-gita/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“The Holy Scriptures are words taught by the Spirit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-holy-scriptures-are-words-taught-by-the-spirit/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [I think that people who study the scriptures get a dimension to their life that nobody else gets and that can’t be gained in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-r-mcconkie/i-think-that-people-who-study-the-scriptures-get-a-dimension-to-their/) [Bruce R. McConkie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-r-mcconkie/) > [The scriptures teach us the ways of the Lord. They answer questions about how to live today. They bring a light and a spirit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-d-nadauld/the-scriptures-teach-us-the-ways-of-the-lord-they-answer-questions/) [Margaret D. Nadauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-d-nadauld/) > [The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant, as it were: Alma the Younger, Paul on the road…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-scriptures-record-remarkable-accounts-of-men-whose-lives-changed/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [“The Holy Bible is the written code of holy teachings.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-holy-bible-is-the-written-code-of-holy-teachings/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“The scriptures do not present us with a series of Christian types to be imitated according to choice; they preach to us in every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/the-scriptures-do-not-present-us-with-a-series-of-christian-types-to/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“Meditation on scriptures is soothing to the soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/meditation-on-scriptures-is-soothing-to-the-soul/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“The Soul (our true Self) has to be experienced, the Soul known through scriptures will not do. Work will not be completed through scriptural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/the-soul-our-true-self-has-to-be-experienced-the-soul-known-through/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) ## More by Jim Cymbala > [The old saying is true: If you have only the Word, you dry up. If you have only the Spirit, you blow up. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cymbala/the-old-saying-is-true-if-you-have-only-the-word-you-dry-up-if-you/) [Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/) > [The reason "other churches" don't grow: "Jim, the truth is, I couldn't have a real prayer meeting in my church. I'd be embarrassed at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cymbala/the-reason-other-churches-don-t-grow-jim-the-truth-is-i-couldn-t-have/) [Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/) > [People who have a seeking heart still make mistakes. But their reaction to rebuke and correction shows the condition of that heart. It determines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cymbala/people-who-have-a-seeking-heart-still-make-mistakes-but-their/) [Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/) > [“In too many churches today, people don’t see manifestations of God’s power in answer to fervent praying. Instead, they hear arguments about theological issues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cymbala/in-too-many-churches-today-people-don-t-see-manifestations-of-god-s/) [Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/) > [The more we pray, the more we sense our need to pray. 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He only calls us to do his work, proclaiming his Word to people he loves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cymbala/god-nowhere-asks-anyone-to-have-a-large-church-he-only-calls-us-to-do/) [Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/) > [For all of us involved in preaching the gospel, performing music, publishing Christian materials, and all the rest, there is an uncomfortable message here:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cymbala/for-all-of-us-involved-in-preaching-the-gospel-performing-music/) [Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/) > [The work of God can only be carried on by the power of God. The key is not $, organization, cleverness or education. No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cymbala/the-work-of-god-can-only-be-carried-on-by-the-power-of-god-the-key-is/) [Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/) > [You can tell how popular a church is by who comes on Sunday morning. You can tell how popular the pastor or evangelist is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cymbala/you-can-tell-how-popular-a-church-is-by-who-comes-on-sunday-morning/) [Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/) > [“The British Bible translator J. B. Phillips, after completing his work on this section of Scripture, could not help reflecting on what he had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cymbala/the-british-bible-translator-j-b-phillips-after-completing-his-work/) [Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/) > [Prayer cannot truly be taught by principles and seminars and symposiums. It has to be born out of a whole environment of felt need.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cymbala/prayer-cannot-truly-be-taught-by-principles-and-seminars-and/) [Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/) > [Persistent calling upon the name of the Lord breaks through every stronghold of the devil, for nothing is impossible with God. For Christians in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cymbala/persistent-calling-upon-the-name-of-the-lord-breaks-through-every/) [Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/) > [“the Creator of all things is looking throughout the whole earth for a certain kind of heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cymbala/the-creator-of-all-things-is-looking-throughout-the-whole-earth-for-a/) [Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/) [Explore all 82 Jim Cymbala quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/) ## More Bible quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“God hates Hell. 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It is the golden casket Where gems of truth are stored; It is the heaven-drawn picture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walsham-how/o-word-of-god-incarnate-it-is-the-golden-casket-where-gems-of-truth/) [Walsham How](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walsham-how/) > [How can I trust that the Bible is reliable?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-horton/how-can-i-trust-that-the-bible-is-reliable/) [Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horton/) > [Every plant which my heavenly father has not planted with be uprooted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesus-christ/every-plant-which-my-heavenly-father-has-not-planted-with-be-uprooted/) [Jesus Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesus-christ/) > [Where I come from you're not raised to think on your own. It's not that you're pushed to read the Bible. 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