How to Study Scripture

Introduction

A. The Authority of God’s Word

Christians understand that the Bible is God’s revelation –His authoritative standard of life. Other sources of information may help us through life, but only the bible has divine authority. Therefore we must be diligent students of the Word, faithfully reading it to discover what it says and systemically studying it to learn what it means.

B. The Priority of God’s Word

Because we are blessed with many books, sermons, and biblical resources, it is possible to study about the bible while neglecting the Bible itself. As helpful as such resources might be, they are no substitute for God’s Word and the spiritual nourishment it brings.

LESSON

1. THE NECESSITY OF BIBLE STUDY

A. For Spiritual Growth

1. 1 Peter 2:2—“Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.”

Peter’s analogy of a baby illustrates the importance of God’s Word to spiritual growth. If a baby is deprived of nourishment, it will eventually die. If a Christian doesn’t feed on the Word, he or she will languish spiritually and be of little use to the kingdom of God.

In addition, the New Testament refers to Christians as being born again (John 3:7; 1 Pet. 1:3), children of God (Rom. 8:16; 1 John 3:1), and adopted sons (Rom 8:14; Eph. 1:5). Those terms imply that all believers have the capacity for spiritual growth. Peter even commands us to grow (2 Pet. 3:18).

2. 1 Corinthians 3: 1-2–The Apostle Paul said, “And I, brethen, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not able to receive it. Indeed, even now you not able.”

Paul understood the need to feed believers with God’s Word, and he used the metaphors of milk and meat to describe simple and complex biblical truths. That doesn’t mean that some parts of scripture are milk and other parts are meat. All Scripture is either milk or meat, depending how deeply you go into the text. The simple truth that “God so loved the world” (John 3:16) might be a “milk” statement to a new believer, but it might be “meat” to one who has learned the deeper truths of God’s love as revealed in Scripture.

3. Colossians 2:6-7—“As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith.”

“Your faith” in this context refers to the content of Christianity —the doctrines of Scripture. Increase understanding if Scripture brings increased steadfastness in Christ.

4. Jeremiah 15:16—The prophet Jeremiah said to the Lord, “Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart.”

Jeremiah received God’s Word with such enthusiasm that it was like fine dining to him. It was his spiritual food sustenance, and brought him great joy.

Acts 20:32–Paul said to the Ephesians elders, “I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

Our usefulness to Christ is directly related to our spiritual maturity, which is related to our knowledge of God’s Word. That’s why Bible study is so important.