Let’s just say that is not a question that I think about a lot. I was raised in a family that studied the Bible. I went to seminary and learned how to study the Bible with greater accuracy so that I was better prepared to lead in the church setting. I have led Bible study groups for teenagers and adults all of my life where I had to study the Bible to be prepared to lead. So when I got this question a few weeks ago from a young man I was introducing to YBL, it really made me think about the reasons why I study the Bible.
The first place I went for the answer was…the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says:
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
These two verses are loaded with reasons to study the Bible!
- It’s inspired by God
The Bible is God’s Word of direction for my life. There is so much to learn about the God that made me and desires a relationship with me. As a believer, it is my responsibility to study the Word that was given by God so that I can truly get to know and understand Him.
- It will teach me
The Bible will teach me the things I need to know about God. I have not arrived. I am learning and experiencing new things about God every time I open His Word and study.
- It will rebuke me
To rebuke means to reprimand strongly or to warn. I do not stand in line every day for people to rebuke me, but I must submit myself to the rebuking of the Bible.
- It will correct me
When my thinking and actions are wrong, I will find verses/passages of Scripture that will correct and align my life to the life of Jesus.
- It will train me in righteousness
Gotquestions.org says: “The Bible’s standard of human righteousness is God’s own perfection in every attribute, every attitude, every behavior, and every word. Thus, God’s laws, as given in the Bible, both describe His own character and constitute the plumb line by which He measures human righteousness.” I need this kind of training every day so that my life reflects the God that I serve.
Verse 17 gives the end product – “so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” That’s what I desire for my life. I want to be a man of God prepared for what I will face every day of my life. The best way that I can prepare myself is to dig into God’s Word and let it do it’s work in me. It’s life changing and life giving and will speak clearly to what I will face today. So join me…pray and ask God to speak directly to you as you open His Word and study it today.