The Importance of Bible Study

The Importance of Bible Study

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

In Paul's second letter to Timothy, while he was in Ephesus. Paul exhorts Timothy to study, a workman grounded in the truth of the word of God not ashamed of that truth, and to teach the truth without error. Notice Paul doesn't say "Study to be approved unto God" He tells him to study to show thyself approved unto God. It is active, not the act of study but the act of obedience in spreading the truth from the word of God. Not only did Timothy's study benefit him, it benefited the church and it benefited the unbelievers. Our study benefits us individually, benefits the church corporately and can benefit unbelievers eternally.

Study is a very important part of maturity and spiritual growth. Through study we receive knowledge, and through study we receive insights as to who God is and how He operates.
We can listen to our pastors, preachers and teachers and glean some knowledge, but it is always better when we get it first hand from the word of God. Through study we learn the truths that are important for salvation, sanctification, and our future glorification. We learn to discern the truths from the lies around us. We learn when to rebuke and how, we learn when to correct and we receive our instructions for righteous living.

Paul also tells Timothy what to avoid. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. I love to use the word profane because it means secular or worldly. Like Timothy we must avoid these things, the things of the world has no part in our spiritual understanding and study of the bible. We have seen the corruption of the church through compromise trying to bring the church to a worldly level, and we have seen ungodliness running rampant through the churches. Paul called it a canker, an erosive and spreading sore, and then he named names and what they said.

As believers and members of the body of Christ we are all ministers of the Gospel. We are workmen that have a particular job to do. To be able to do that job we have to know the truth without error. We have to know the word of God apart from the propane babblings because they corrupt the Gospel of Christ. How do you know who is spouting these corruptions. Anyone who's words and teachings do not line up with the written word.

I mentioned before that through study we gain knowledge. Knowledge in itself does not cause  maturity and spiritual growth. Study is the beginning of maturity, just as the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Many people are full of knowledge and still are far from being pleasing to God. This is because God looks upon the heart. Many people have knowledge and still refuse the truth.

What pleases God is when knowledge is applied. When you, after receiving the knowledge that can be gained through God's word, make that knowledge active in your life. Then is God pleased. I can know that God wants me to be faithful, but I can only please God by applying His word and being faithful.

James 1:22-25  22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way , and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was . 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Romans 2:13 For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified .

Luke 11:28 But he said , Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

1 John 2:3-6  3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith , I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected : hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk , even as he walked.

One thing that people confuse is reading and study. Most people can read through the bible in a very short period, for many just a few days or a couple of weeks. But a serious study can take days for just a couple of verses. There are many courses that can take you through the bible in a year, but these are for reading not for study. Study involves the verses chosen or a particular topic, prayer and tracing references through many other verses throughout the bible to gain insight for the verses you are studying. Serious personal bible study takes commitment, faithfulness and time. I study at night and many times just read in the mornings. Many times my studies are on specific topics. Some people find it better to study in the mornings. Studying topics or studying for lessons.

Classes such as this one are designed not only for learning but to encourage study, for both the members and the teachers. Questions bring about study for all involved, for answers and for checking the answers.

There are many resources available as bible study aids. These we have to be careful about because a commentary or writing, when it doesn't pertain to sound denominational doctrine, is one mans opinion or interpretation of the scriptures. In the links page of our church website is good study and informational links which are Baptist in nature, all of them checked for content.
What is suitable for you depends on your personal preferences and maturity. I use mainly the Strong's Concordance and the Matthew Henry's Commentary as well as the bible. But I also have access to many other works such as Jewish History Books, Greek and Hebrew Lexicons. I also have dictionaries and encyclopedias, papers written by Southern Baptist Scholars and books that cover Theology. Many of the study materials that I use can be found on the website.

Many times we purchase bibles that have study guides in them or study bibles. They can be beneficial, depending on who wrote the study notes for the bible. Interpretations and opinions change from one person to another depending on their beliefs and denominations. It is best to check the person out before purchasing either by an internet search or by asking someone familiar with their beliefs. Probably the best aid for study is to use a bible with a center reference. Using it can keep you studying and referencing one verse for hours.

Study should be beneficial but we must remember that with all the study we can do, with all the knowledge we can gain. Our main goal is to bring the Gospel of Christ to a lost and dying world. That takes simplicity, it takes the basic message of Jesus crucified, buried and resurrected.