Importance of Bible Study

Have you considered how important it is to study the Bible? Why should you study the Bible? Here are some very good reasons:

If you are not yet a Christian, it is essential that you understand the gift of salvation God offers, so you can make an intelligent and educated choice regarding your destiny. How sad it would be to be ignorant of the most important opportunity in the world, and to miss out on eternity! Please don't put off this investigation any longer! The Bible will show you have you can receive eternal salvation.

If you are a Christian, then you do believe that the Word of God is true. But do you know many so-called Christians are quite ignorant of the teachings of Scripture? This sets them up to be deceived by the devil.

There are many reasons why Christians should be diligent students of the Bible. Here are a few:

The Bible teaches us the truth about God. Bible Study is the avenue through which we come to know God in a personal way.

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3

Bible study increases our faith in God.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

The Bible teaches us how we can gain the victory over our sins through faith in Christ.

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith. 1 John 5:4

The Bible is given to us for many reasons. We read:

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable

for doctrine, (to teach you what is the truth)

for reproof, (to show you where you are going wrong)

for correction, (to show you how to turn around)

for instruction in righteousness, (to show you how to please and obey God)

that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

If you are a true Christian, you want to know what is the truth. You want to know how to please God. Studying the Bible is what will make a strong and committed Christian.

For Christians living in these last days, it is especially important that they become diligent Bible students to keep from the deceptions of the last days. Christ warns us over and over to be on guard against deception.

For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. Matthew 24:24

For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. In the last days Satan himself will try to deceive us. Mark 13:22

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:13, 14

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:1

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 1 Timothy 4:1

And the only way to counter deception is through the knowledge of the truth. And the Bible is our source of truth.

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

Do you know the truth? Are you free from deception? No one can know the truth until they invest the time and effort to study the Bible.

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

We can't receive it by intelligence, or by inheritance. Growing up in a Christian home doesn't guarantee that you know the truth. Listening to sermon after sermon doesn't guarantee that you know the truth. Watching television evangelists doesn't guarantee that you know the truth. Only by your own personal study, day by day, can you be shielded from deception.

Bible study isn't difficult to do. It isn't reserved for the experienced and educated. It is so simple a child could do it.

How do you study? Basically you study the Bible by reading, meditating on what you have read and researching the topic further in other parts of the scripture. The most basic equipment for good Bible study is a reliable version of the Bible and a concordance.

How about other Bible study materials that are available? Here is where caution must be exercised. A learned theologian may teach error. So how do you know it is error? Only by studying it out in the Bible.

To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isaiah 8:20

When you find what the Bible teaches, you get the answer from God, not through human interpretation. So don't depend upon commentaries, and footnotes in your Bible. They could be wrong. You need to research it for yourself.

The very best Bible study helps are those that lead you to the Scriptures to answer your questions. The Bible will explain itself. You may have a question about a certain teaching. A pastor may try to answer your question by using only one scripture. But if you read several other scriptures, you may find that the Bible doesn't teach what the pastor teaches. So you need to go to the Bible, and find where the weight of evidence lies. Look up all the scriptures on a certain topic. Then you will see the whole picture.

If someone wants to study the Bible with you, insist on using the Bible to answer the questions. Man-made teaching that is not based on the Bible cannot be trusted.

And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:9

How do you know if you're studying enough? Just reading a few verses in the Bible every morning probably is not enough. You need to know what you believe and be able to back it up with scripture.

For instance, can you give scriptural backing for why you believe what you do regarding these important topics?

Who is God and what is His nature? Is Jesus God? Is the Holy Spirit God? What scriptures back up what you believe?

What happens to humans when they die? Have you studied the whole Bible on this subject? If a dead person appeared to you, how would you deal with it?

Is Jesus coming back soon? How do you know? How will He come? What does the Bible teach about last day events?

What about how you worship God? Is it based on the Bible or tradition? Is there a reason for worshipping on a certain day? Do you have scripture to back up your beliefs?

Do you understand the prophecies of the Bible? Can you explain them to others? Or do you let someone else tell you what they mean, and never bother to study them out for yourself?

We should never be afraid to discuss doctrines with others who do not believe the same as we do. We should be willing to study it out in the Bible for ourselves to see if what they say is truth. Only when we know what the Bible teaches can we have confidence that we won't be deceived by error.

How do you know if the truth is being taught in your church, in your Bible study, in the sermons you hear on the radio? You can know! You can study it out for yourself. God is as willing to give you His Holy Spirit as He is to any pastor or teacher. They don't have an advantage in that area.

Personally, I am very serious about these things. I want to know the truth. I treasure the truth. Jesus is the essence of truth and Satan is the essence of error. The more I come to know and love Jesus, the more I hunger for the fullness of truth, and the more I am drawn to the scriptures. I have a deep desire to probe the depths of the mine of truth. Do you find this to be true in your own life?

If you are serious about finding truth for yourself, I invite you to begin to study for yourself. If you don't know where to begin, I would like to offer you some Bible study guides that are prepared to help you study for yourself. These lessons lead you to the Bible alone. If these lessons do not lead you to truth, I would encourage you to discard them. But if they point out a teaching that is unfamiliar to you, do not be too quick to turn your back on it. Investigate it thoroughly. We could have been taught things that are not found in the word of God. Our pastors may be wrong. Our parents may be wrong. Our cherished beliefs may be wrong.

We cannot afford to allow prejudice and pride influence us in these important matters. Let's be honest with God, and come before His Word with a teachable spirit. Let's find out what the Bible teaches!

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