Studying Scripture: A Roadmap To Spiritual Growth - Ready. Set. Study.
The Bible was written over a period of fifteen hundred years.
The Holy Spirit directed holy (consecrated) men of God, living on three different continents, to write His words into sixty-six books.
Though people wrote it, the Bible itself says that God was and is its ultimate source.
Scripture Reference
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
This literally means it was breathed by God.
Scripture Reference
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
Scripture Reference
Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
Bible study isn’t just a nice thing to do - it is essential to our lives!
Readying Our Hearts for Bible Study
Scripture Reference
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Frequently the Bible uses the word heart in a figurative sense, referring to the innermost portion of our being - our thoughts, emotions, and will - rather than the physical heart.
Scripture Reference
1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Scripture Reference
Matthew 15:8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.
The Lord intends for the power of His Word to affect our hearts and that our lives will be changed to become more like His. (Reference John 17:17, Luke 24:32, Matthew 15:8, Jeremiah 17:9, and Ezra 7:10)
We need to approach God’s Word. Second, we need to approach God’s Word.
Approaching The Word of God Dependently
Depend On The Spirit
Reference (John 6:45, 1 Corinthians 2:14)
The Word of God must be understood on a spiritual level, not just an intellectual level.
Reference (Luke 24:45m Psalm 119:18)
Depend On Mature Believers
Romans 12:6-7 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
Approach The Word of God Purposefully
The best answers come straight from the Bible.
Here Are Some Reasons To Study The Scriptures
Point 1. To settle the issue of our own salvation.
2 Timothy 3:15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Point 2. To Grow
Reference (2 Peter 3:18, 1 Peter 2:2)
When we neglect to develop our understanding of truth, we can be more easily influenced by the error of false teachers.
Point #3 To receive blessing and encouragement.
Romans 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Point #4 To receive personal guidance.
Reference ((Psalm 119:105)
His Spirit’s leading will never contradict what He’s written.
If our personal decisions contradict what has been written in the Bible, then we can be sure we aren’t being led by God.
Point #5 To defend ourselves against the devil.
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
1 John 2:14 I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.
Point #6 To effectively teach God’s truth to the next generation.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:20-21 “When your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments which the Lord our God has commanded you?’ 21 then you shall say to your son: ‘We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand;
Point #7 Counsel Others
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Point #8 To be ready to speak with unbelievers about Christ
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
Point #9 To verify that the teaching of others is the truth of God
Acts 17:11These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
Point #10 Present Ourselves Approved to God
2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Learning God’s truth involves the work of studying.