Studying the Bible

Introduction

There was a poster – a picture of a little white haired grandpa. He was reading. All around him were bookcases packed with books. He sat at a table piled high with books. There were stacks of books on the floor. There were boxes spilling books on to the floor. The caption said simply, "Read the best books first. You may not have time to read them all!" Wise King Solomon wrote, "Of making many books there is no end..." Ecclesiastes 12:12a. This world continues to drown – to sink in the quick sand of information. But so much of that information is contradictory, inaccurate, unimportant and changing. All that really counts – all that truly matters are the Scriptures. The Bible is God's Word – God's timeless truth! Why should I read God's Word?

The Principles

God's Word shows us God's plan to rescue us from sin and death.

  • "He (Jesus) said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?' And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself..." Luke 24:25-27

God's Word is complete.

  • "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.' Amen. Come Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen." Revelation 22:18-21
  • "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar." Proverbs 30:5-6

God's Word is effective.

  • "For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

God's Word points to Jesus, our Rescuer from sin.

  • "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life...If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?" John 5:39, 40, 46
  • "He (Jesus) said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?' And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself..." Luke 24:25-27

Applications

Ask yourself if you agree or disagree with the following statments, and why.  Then click the link at the end to check your answers.

1. It wouldn't matter if God's Word made mistakes about geography, history or science - as long as the parts about God are all true.  John 10:35

2. Parts of God's Word concerning the role of men and women and sexual morality are painfully outdated and no longer apply to us today.  Hebrews 4:12;  Mark 13:31

3. God doesn't expect me to know details - like the kings of the divided kingdom or the message of the shorter prophets.  2 Timothy 3:15-17

4. It's enough for me to know the gospels.  John 5:39

5. Reading and understanding more and more of God's Word will change my attitude, my interpersonal relations and my prayer life.  Psalms 119:105

6. The best way to read the Bible is to start with Genesis 1:1 and plow straight through until reaching Revelation 22:21.  John 5:39

7. Much of what Leviticus says about, "Don't taste. Don't touch. That makes you unclean", has nothing to do with my life.  Colossians 2:16, 17

8. God's Word basically boils down to how to live a good life - how to get along with God and my neighbor.  Romans 1:16  Leviticus 19:2  Deuteronomy 27:26

9. God's Word is so profound - it means different things to different people.  2 Timothy 3:16,17

10. God's Word is so personal - it's between you and God and nobody else. Romans 1:16

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

Pray

O Holy Spirit –
Open my mind to understand and my heart to believe the Scriptures. Make me painfully aware of all my sins, failures and mistakes – willful malicious sins and thoughtless, careless fumbles. Heal me – make me whole through the Gospel. Then energize me to serve you with a sincere sense of urgency that Satan cannot stifle. Set my heart on fire through the Scriptures. Make that fire to grow and spread to the glory of my Savior alone. Amen!

By Rev. Anthony E. Schultz