Posted on 10/04/2016 9:27:27 AM PDT by metmom
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15).
The Holy Spirit protects you from false doctrine, but that doesn’t eliminate the need for diligent Bible study.
For the next few days we'll consider several benefits of Bible study. Today we'll address the broader question of why Bible study is necessary at all.
Perhaps you know believers who think Bible study is unnecessary. Bible reading, they say, is sufficient because we have the Holy Spirit, who teaches us all things. Often they cite 1 John 2:27 in support of their view: "As for you, the anointing [the Holy Spirit] which you received from [God] abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him."
That passage, however, isn't implying that Bible study or Bible teachers aren't necessary. On the contrary, John was exhorting his readers to abide in what they'd already learned (v. 24) and shun only those teachers who deny Christ and try to deceive believers.
The Holy Spirit is the believer's resident lie detector, granting discernment to shield him or her from false doctrine. Although a Christian may be temporarily confused by false teachers, ultimately he can never drift into apostasy or deny Christ. If anyone does depart from the faith, his departure is proof that he was never a true believer in the first place (v. 19).
The Spirit protects you from error, but you must fulfill your responsibility as a student of the Word. Even a man of Timothy's spiritual stature needed to study the Word diligently and handle it accurately (2 Tim. 2:15).
I pray that the psalmist's attitude toward Scripture will be yours as well: "O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day" (Ps. 119:97).
Suggestions for Prayer
Thank God for His precious Word. Ask Him to give you a deeper love for its truths.
For Further Study
Read Titus 1:7-16 and 2 Timothy 2:2.
What skills must an overseer have regarding God's Word? Why are those skills necessary? Do those skills apply to church leaders only? Explain. Are you skilled in handling God's Word?
Studying God’s Word ping
Thanks. BTTT!
In addition to studying the bible (which is essential) I believe its important to just read the bible. Everyone should read the bible cover to cover within a period of no more than 1 year. I do this every single year using a “read the bible in a year” reading plan. Getting the big picture in the way will greatly enhance your bible study.
Why read your auto manual?
Why study a language?
Why read the recipe on the back of the box?
To fulfill this directive from Peter:
“Always be prepared to give an answer, to anyone who asks, to give a reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15
It’s a love letter from my Creator to me. That’s reason enough to read it.
I believe in reading it before you study it.
I believe in reading it 3 or 4 times before you study it. And don’t buy the one year reading plan. I’m always hearing folks say they read a novel a week. They couldn’t put some best seller down. Reading the bible 3 or 4 times a year is not hard at all.
Read it before you study it.
OR listen to it as Andrew Scourby reads it to you.
Another great audio version is David Suchet (the man who plays Hercule Poirot).
He has recorded an audio version of the whole NIV bible for Audible. It’s very impressive.
I agree with reading it first to become familiar with it.
I don’t adhere to a reading in a year plan simply because if I fall behind, then I’m temped to give it up. I don’t want to put myself under any guilt or condemnation for not doing something God isn’t requiring of me anyway and I know that would happen when I don’t meet a goal I set for myself.
Besides, there I times I read where I’m lead to go so the total reading I do in a year would be more than if I simply adhered to a reading plan anyway.
So, yes, I do it, I see the value in it, but just do it on my own schedule and if it takes more than a year, that works, too.
That being the case it seems like a silly question "why study the bible" indeed.
Because it’s fun!
Really.
And fascinating. Some of the nuggets I find in there are amazing.
And there’s something new to learn every time I do it.
There is no end to God and even for eternity, we will never fathom His depths.
Yes, that’s all true, too!
Scourby reads the KJV. Haven’t heard the Suchet version of the NIV. Have to loo0k that one up. Thanks for the clue.
Sometimes the best thing is when you read a portion you know you have read a dozen times before but this time it is like something turned on inside you and you see a whole new depth of meaning there.
Psalm 119
36
Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
37
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
That is true, too. Each time you read, you’re a different person.
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