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
- THE NECESSITY OF BIBLE STUDY
A. For Spiritual Growth
- 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.
B. For Spiritual Victory
The way to defeat sin is to know and apply the Word.
- Ephesians 6:13,17–“Take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything to stand firm…And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
The armor of God is our protection against Satan’s attacks. Every piece of armor listed in Ephesians 6:14-17 is a defensive weapon except the sword of the Spirit, are only offensive weapon.
2. Psalm 119:11–The psalmist said to the Lord, “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may sin against you.”
3. psalm 119:9–“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.” Godliness results from living according to Your Word.
4. 1 John 2:14– The apostle John said, “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have over come the evil one.”
Spiritual strength and victory are the result of God’s Word abiding within you.
C. For Spiritual Service
A Thorough knowledge of Scripture is crucial for anyone preparing for spiritual service. Otherwise he or she might unwittingly participate in activities that violate God’s principles.
- Joshua 1:8-9– The Lord said to Joshua, “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but shall meditate on it day and night, so that you maybe careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
True success comes from knowing and applying God’s Word. As Moses’s successor, Joshua had a tremendous task ahead of him. He was to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. God assured him that he would meditate on His Word he would receive the strength, instructions, and comfort he needed for his task.
2. 1 Timothy 4:6 (NKJV)–Paul said to Timothy, “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a “minister” describes one who administers the goods and the property of another. A good minister is one who administrates biblical truth.
D. Spiritual Blessing
When the bible speaks of man being blessed, that most often refers to the reception of some temporal or spiritual benefit (Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Walter A, Elwell, ed. [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984], p. 162). Implied in a blessing is the sense of well-being and happiness that come from knowing that God is at work on our behalf.
The Bible is a source of blessing. The more we study the Word, the happier we will be, regardless of our circumstances. That’s a practical principle to know, especially if you’re unhappy or in the midst of difficult circumstances. Psalm 1:1-2 says, “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.”
E. For Spiritual Counselling
When people are in trouble, the best way to help them is to show them God’s solution to their problems. Then help them apply that solution to their lives. That requires a thorough knowledge of biblical principles.
- 2 Timothy 2:2– Paul said to Timothy, “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
That’s the process of discipleship. But before we can teach others, we must learn the principles ourselves.
2. 1 Peter 3:15–“Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”
We must know what we believe and why we believe it, so that we can give appropriate response to those who ask about our faith.
II. THE PROCESS OF BIBLE STUDY
A. The Preparation
Peter said to put “aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all salnder” before studying the Word (1 Pet. 2:1).
Sin is the greatest hindrance to effective Bible study. Therefore we must never approach God’s Word until our hearts and minds have been purified through prayer and confession. James 1:21 says, “Putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save our souls.”
B. The Procedure
- Read the Bible
God promises to bless those who read His Word. Revelation 1:3 says, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy , and heed the things which are written in it.”
Paul said to Timothy, “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching” (1 Tim. 4:13). Reading Scripture is a priority we need to maintain on a daily basis.
I used to struggle with reading the Bible because I easily forgot what I had read. I soon realized that reading Scripture repetitiously was the best way for me to remember it.
a) Short New Testament books
Start with a short book like 1 John, and read it once a day for thirty days from a Bible translation you are familiar with (I recommend the New American Standard, English Standard Bible). After thirty days, you will know the content of 1 John so well that you’ll be able to visualize the location of various passages on their respective pages. Forming mental pictures is part of the learning process.
Repetitious reading will not always tell you the meaning of Scripture, but it is great way of learn what it says, and that’s the first step of interpretation. Additionally, as you continue to read the same book over and over, your ability to observe the events, people, and principles in it is heightened.
b) Long New Testament books
Longer books should be broken into segments for repetitious reading. For example, the gospel of John contains twenty-one chapters. You can read chapters 1-7 for thirty days, then chapter 15-21. In ninety days you will have read John’s gospel thirty times. In two and a half years you can read the entire New Testament thirty times!
c) Old Testament Books
That approach isn’t practical for the Old Testament. I suggest reading it all the way through, and then going back and starting again as a lifetime practice. Most of the Old Testament is historical narrative, which lends itself to that approach.
There are many benefits to reading the Bible systemically. For one thing, as you progress in your Bible reading, your ability to cross reference will increase. A topic, principle, or word in one passage will trigger your memory about another passage that discusses the same thing. That will give you a more thorough grasp of biblical teaching on any given subject and will make you less dependent on concordances and other reference tools.
When I want to explain a passage of Scripture, I usually go to other passages that shed light on it. That’s the staring point for interpreter of Scripture. It never contradicts itself, and it often repeats the same principle in a different set of circumstances. If you read scripture repeatedly, listen to bible teaching at church, and attend Bible Studies, you will have a good idea of how to interpret the Bible.
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