Why do we study the Bible?
Why is it important to immerse our minds, hearts, and souls in the beauty of God’s Word (us, our children, and our grandchildren)?
Reasons to study the Bible?
In the Bible, God tells us to study the Bible.
Joshua 1:8 (NLT)
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
Study continually.
Meditate on it.
Obey everything written in it.
Deuteronomy 6:6-8 NLT
6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.
Commitment
Repetition
Scripture become a part of us.
1 Peter 2:2-3 NLT
2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.
Crave
Cry out
The Bible gives us many reasons to study the scriptures.
Proverbs 3:1-2 NLT
1 My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart.2 If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.
… years of life and peace they will add to you. (ESV)
… they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. (NIV)
All will go well for you. (ERV)
Your life will be satisfying. (Contentment)
Psalm 84:10 NLT
10 A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!
(Quality vs. quantity)
Psalm 119:105 NLT
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
Keep you from stumbling.
Proverbs 4:10-13
10 My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life.11 I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths.12 When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.13 Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.
A long, good life. When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.
Revelation 1:3 (NLT)
God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.
Blessed by God.
Romans 15:4 NLT
Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
The Scriptures give us hope and encouragement.
We need to know the truths of the scriptures so that we are not deceived by false teachers.
2 Peter 2:1-3 NLT
The Danger of False Teachers
2:1 But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.
They will cleverly teach destructive heresies
Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality.
Matthew 7:15 NLT
15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.
Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep.
Ephesians 4:14 NLT
14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.
We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.
Colossians 2:8 NLT
8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
Philosophies and high-sounding, intellectualism, the tradition of men.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 NLT
3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
Many of the people we come in contact with will be following false teachers.
2 Corinthians 11:3-4 NLT
3 But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. 4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.
Your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted.
You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you.
Studying the Word helps us fight spiritual battles and experience victory over the enemy!
We need to know the truths of the scriptures so that we are not misled by teachers with good intentions.
Acts 17:11 NLT
11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.
Spending time studying God’s Word helps us produce spiritual fruit.
Psalm 1:1-3 NLT
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
Bearing fruit each season.
John 15:4-8 NLT
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
Produce much fruit.
Scripture teaches us right from wrong.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Hebrews 4:12 NLT
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Scripture is a supernatural discerning agent showing us right from wrong.
Study the scriptures for the pleasure and enjoyment it provides to the reader,
Psalm 119:15-16 NLT
15 I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.16 I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.
What is a major benefit that comes from studying the scriptures?
Scripture transforms our minds.
God wants to transform us.
Romans 12:2 NLT
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
The word transform used here means “keep on being transformed”.
The English word “metamorphosis” comes from the Greek word “transformed.
A change in appearance.
Matthew 17:2 NLT
2 As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.
The disciples caught a glimpse of Jesus’ inner divine nature and glory.
When we think of metamorphosis we often think of butterflies.
There are four stages in the metamorphosis of butterflies and moths: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Going from one form to another.
Christians should outwardly manifest their inner, redeemed natures, not once, however, but daily.
Matthew 13:43 NLT
3 Then the righteous (believers) will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom.
2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT
18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Ephesians 4:22-23 NLT
22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
Changing the way you think, (renewing of your mind) is a kind of transformation that can occur only as the Holy Spirit changes your thinking through consistent study and meditation on Scripture.
Psalm 119:11 NLT
11 I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
God’s Word changes us.
We need to:
Philippians 4:8 NLT
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Colossians 3:10 NLT
10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
Colossians 3:16 NLT
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
The renewed mind is one saturated with the Word of God.
God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
Ephesians 4:23 NLT
23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
As one’s mind keeps on being made new by the spiritual input of God’s Word, prayer, and Christian fellowship, his lifestyle keeps on being transformed.
What can scripture do?
Examples of transformation.
Psalm 19:7-8 NLT
7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
Revive the soul.
Make the simple wise.
Bring joy to the heart.
Give insight for living.
Psalm 119:50 NLT
50 Your promise revives me;
it comforts me in all my troubles.
Scripture revives us.
Scripture comforts us.
Scripture changes us
Proverbs 2:1-6 NLT
1 My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands.2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God.6 For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
You will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God.6 For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Matthew 4:4 NLT
4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Scripture nurtures our spiritual needs in a way that benefits us eternally.
Transforms not just our minds, but our lives (For all eternity).
1 Peter 1:23-25 NLT
23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 24 As the Scriptures say,
“People are like grass;
their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
25 But the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 NLT
14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.15You have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
Scripture gives us the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
John 20:30-31 NLT
Purpose of the Book
30 The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.
Scripture leads us to eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:17 NLT
17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
Another benefit of studying God’s Word is that as we mature, we can lead others in truth, too!
1 Peter 3:15 NLT
15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
Bible study deepens Godly community.
Bible study helps us grow closer to God.
