FUN FACT: Did you know that the KJV is the only major English Bible that uses the word study in II Timothy 2:15?
II Timothy 2:15 – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
R.A. Torrey, a contemporary and friend to D.L. Moody, said, “There is nothing more important for the development of a Christian’s spiritual life than regular, systematic Bible study. It is as true in the spiritual life as in the physical life, that health depends on what we eat and how much we eat. “Man shall not live by bread alone” (Matt. 4:4). The soul’s proper food is found in one book, the Bible.”
Jesus, in his defense to Satan’s temptation, quotes the Old Testament and emphasizes that spiritual food is so important that it is MORE important than our physical food.
So…WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?
1. Transformation
John 6:63 – “…the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
The Bible changes lives! Plain and simple. You can only live off someone’s else’s nourishment for so long. Study the lives of great men and women of God. The common thread is simple. They had a personal time where they fed from the Word of God daily, and the fruit of their lives are a result of it.
2. Information
We live in the information age. If you want to know something, ask Siri, or AI, and you can learn anything about anything. How is it that we have the Bible so readily available, yet we struggle so much to read and study it?
Challenge: Can you list 5 verses on the following topics?
- Salvation
- Baptism
- Eternal Security
- The Church
- Marriage
You don’t have to be in full time ministry or be a pastor to be a Bible student. Now, you may not have the time to study the Bible like a preacher, but if you have time to study sports, movies/TV shows, politics, and scroll social media funnies (I like a good laugh like anyone), then you have time to know your Bible more.
We live in an age of Bible ignorance. Illiteracy is the inability to read and write. The difference is that Christians live in willful ignorance. False teachers are having a hay day because we don’t know the Scriptures.
3. Application
I John 3:2 – “Behold, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
Jack Hyles said, “Let your principles make your decisions for you.” As you read and study the Bible, you should ask yourself, “What the big idea?” God wants you to take what He’s given you and put it into practice.
How can the Bible help you in your day-to-day life?
- to be like Christ
- to overcome temptation
- to give godly wisdom for everyday life
- to teach others
- to stand for truth
- to know what church to attend
- to better lead your family
Conclusion…
Your time in God’s Word is bigger than you think. The best part…you benefit the most from your commitment to your Bible!