It’s one of
the most practical ways you can help and do God’s work.
The Problem
How many
times have you started your Bible study and, after only a few minutes, you find
it hard to concentrate? Maybe you think of something else that “must” be done
first. Or you suddenly get sleepy. Or you’re just plain bored with studying the
Bible.
It doesn’t
have to be that way! Your personal Bible study can and should be the most
exciting activity of your day. You can be like the Bereans, who searched the
Scriptures daily with a ready mind (Acts 17:11). God says they were more noble
than the Thessalonians simply because of their approach to Bible study.
Solving the Problem
People often
ask how they can better support God’s trumpet-blowing work. What can you do
personally to contribute more to this global effort—and to promote more growth
in your individual life? Diligently
search God’s Word every day! Here are four important guidelines to remember,
and energize your bible study life:
1.
God commands daily Bible study.
Bible study
is not something we do only if there is enough time—or if we feel like doing
it. God’s Word says plainly, “Study to
shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Bible study is not
optional. God commands that we educate, train and develop our minds. And that
takes daily work.
Jesus told
us to ask God for bread daily (Luke 11:3). In John 6:48, Christ said, “I am that bread of life.” Christ is the
bread of life—He is the Word of God. And the Bible is that Word in print. That
means we must feed on that Word daily—just like the Israelites fed on manna
from heaven daily. Study the instructions God gave the Israelites in Exodus 16.
They had to gather manna daily. As Jesus explains in John 6, that lesson is for
us. If we don’t partake of spiritual bread every day, it will lead to spiritual
malnourishment, even death.
2.
Labor for spiritual food.
It takes
planning, effort and time to prepare a nutritious physical meal. Should we
expect it to be any different with spiritual food? Jesus said, “Labour not for
the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting
life …” (John 6:27). It takes diligent work to get a lot out of our Bible
study. Remember, we have to be good workmen in study.
3.
Seek correction in your Bible study.
The Apostle
Paul praised his assistant Timothy for having “known” the Scriptures from his
earliest years. He went on to describe the many wonderful benefits that come
with studying the Bible: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all
good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We need loving reproof and correction if we
are to obtain perfection in God’s Family (see also Matthew 5:48).
Did you know
that one of God’s most effective methods to correct His children is through our
personal Bible study? He will provide other correction at times, perhaps from
lectures or counseling sessions. But to get the personalized correction you
need daily, you have to take the initiative and seek reproof in your study.
4.
Study in order to teach others.
God has a
plan for all men to come to the knowledge of His truth and ultimately be saved,
as it says in 1Timothy 2:4. And He’s bringing us along to help Jesus Christ
teach the world His truth. God doesn’t bring people into His work only to save
them. When God calls you, He has a job for you to do! That means your personal
Bible study sessions are actually intended to help other people—ultimately to
help all of mankind.
Jesus said,
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). God wants this
hopeless, dying world to see your good works. How will we have any good works
for people to see if we aren’t regularly applying what we study daily in God’s
Word?
Consider this
Maybe you’ve
been neglecting your Bible study because you only think of yourself. Or maybe
you aren’t thinking far enough ahead—or not thinking big enough! Fast forward
10 or 15 years from now. Think about the others you might be responsible for
then. Maybe you’ll even be in God’s Kingdom. Whatever the case, you will be
expected to teach others what you are learning now! That means your overall
effectiveness as a future parent, grandparent, teacher, minister or member of
the bride of Christ will depend largely on the personal Bible study sessions
you are having right now.
That’s the
“readiness of mind” we all need when we sit down to study God’s Word. With that
far-reaching vision in mind, we can make our daily Bible study the most
exciting activity of the day! Amen▪
No comments:
Post a Comment