Scripture’s clarity tells us that even the ordinary layperson can understand the Bible. If one can read a news article, she can study the Bible. The Bible is where God reveals himself and teaches us about his character. In addition, regular Bible study:
- Guards against false teaching
- Makes one wise in discernment
- Safeguards against wrongly dividing the word when sharing with others
- Grows the Christian in holiness by keeping and applying God’s principles
It is not solely an intellectual exercise.
It is possible to read the Bible but finish without fully understanding the text and without applying it to daily life. Studying the Bible requires using Christological methods that honor its overarching theme. Our results involve prayer and the efforts of God’s Spirit.
My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8-9
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thought higher than your thoughts.
You do not have to depend on seminary education or cultural background to study the Bible and walk away with a good understanding. Grappling with the text is the pathway to gaining the mind of Christ, and our aim as believers should be to be like Jesus in all we say and do. God gave us the Bible so we might have all we need for salvation and living a life pleasing to him.
Bible reading coupled with Bible study is crucial for the growth of a Christian. Bible study is a critical instrument in the development of the life of every disciple.
It is essential to study and learn because God has taken great pains to reveal Himself to His people. He gave us a book not meant to sit on a shelf pressing dried flowers, but to be read, searched, digested, studied, and chiefly understood.
-R.C. Sproul.
We need more than superficial pre-authored studies.
We need more than superficial pre-authored studies to discover blessings only found in His Word. Even in the stories you’ve heard since childhood, The Word is rich enough to provide new insights every time you look, especially as you mature and can fully understand the passage.
Not only can you better understand stories you’ve heard and read before, but digging deeper into the text means a better understanding of the God of the Scriptures and what Jesus Christ has done.
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
Ps 111:2
An inductive study produces a reward.
As students of the Word, we can engage in study that produces more reward for our efforts. Christians hunger to know the Lord and to understand Him through His Word. In Bible study, you can anticipate a closer walk with Jesus as you routinely dwell in his Word. God has so many transformational blessings for those who seek to know Him in a greater way.
Although the Bible is filled with wisdom and many answers to life’s dilemmas, the best thing about the Word of God is that it teaches us how to engage and interact with Himself. The Bible is God’s written instruction manual on ” walking” with him.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Tim 3:16-17
If you are not currently studying the Bible with a group in your local church, find a circle of ladies who will meet in your home for Bible study. I recommend a few good parachurch organizations: BSF, Bible Study Explorers, and Precepts. This will link you to the method I use for inductive study. It is not difficult and yields profitable results.
For further reading on the Bible, you will find this link helpful: Doctrine of the Word
Debbie Swindell 