If you believe the Bible to be accurate and true, then should you study it? Because I am asking the question you can be assured the answer is yes. What purpose does it serve to study the Bible? If you are studying it, are you really? What is the best way to study the Bible?
Why should someone study the Bible?
Firstly, God’s word is just that His word. It is truth, has no errors, and it unchanging. He has given us clear instructions on how we are to live our lives and how we are to treat others. He does not do this so we can have a list of what not to do, but rather to help and protect us. Remember God wants everyone to come to Heaven, but unfortunately, not everyone will get there. If you do not take the time to study His word, then how will you know what you are supposed to do? Did you let your kids stick fingers into electrical sockets when they were small children or did you correct them so they did not get hurt? When you children became older and wanted to do something you knew would get them into trouble or hurt them, did you just let them do it or did you try to talk some sense into them? The Bible is God speaking to us and He is trying to prevent us from making mistakes that could have long term consequences.
Secondly, the Bible equips us with ways to combat the forces of evil. For a season Satan has all authority here on Earth. Satan uses very specific simple tactics that have worked for millennia to get us to turn away from God. These tactics do not change and are often hidden in what appears to be biblical truth, but is instead a complete lie and will lead you to a path of destruction. If you do not study the Bible to know what is the truth as God has stated, then how will you recognize Satan’s lies?
Are you studying the Bible correctly?
While there is no wrong way to really study the Bible, you do have to remember that it was not written in English, French, German, Latin, etc… The Old Testament was written mainly in Biblical/Classical Hebrew and the New Testament was written in a form of Koine Greek. Therefore, the translations may not make sense sometimes and will need further research to make sure that what is being said is correct. Take this Bible verse
Luke 14:26New International Version (NIV)
26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.
Using the word hate seems to contradict what Christ stands for, but is this the correct translation? The original word for hate used in this sentence is the following:
μισέω or miseó which means to ‘love less’. Replace the word hate with love less and you end up with a different meaning.
26 “If anyone comes to me and does not love less their father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.
So instead of hate which seems awful, now we have love less which means love me, Jesus Christ, more than anything in the world. If you do this then you can be my disciple.
So are you really studying the Bible correctly?
Are you really studying the Bible?
With today’s technology, there are Bible applications everywhere. Some of these have audio capability so you do not have to read. You may be a person that reads the Bible verses compared to another that likes to listen to the Bible, but the question remains are you really studying it? If you are reading or even listening to the Bible just to do so because you are on some one year plan, then you are really not studying it. Studying anything takes time but will involve a few steps such as setting aside some time to observe what the passage says, followed by what does the passage mean, and finally how am I going to apply what I just learned.
In today’s world we seem to be a people that are constantly on the go or we feel like we have to be doing something all the time. We rarely take the time to relax and spend time with the Lord. One of the ways other than prayer is to set aside time to read or listen to what the Lord has already given us. Do not be in a rush to do your reading or listening so you can get on with the other things in your life, but slow down and observe the Bible passages.
After you have read or listened to the passage or passages in the Bible, then pray to God for understanding. This may require more time, but isn’t He worth just a little of your time each day? Take some time to really think about what He said in His word or search for commentaries and read someones thoughts about those passages . However, when you really take the time to seek Him, your life will change.
So you have read or listened to the passage and you even understand the meaning, but now what? Now is the time to look at your life to see if you are implementing what you just learned. If not, then how are you going to do so? However, do not make excuses to justify your behavior or actions. My suggestion is to again pray to God for help. He will give you an answer. It may be yes or it may be no or it may even be not right now.