While Bible study may seem like a task to many, it’s really a divine privilege. When you understand why knowledge of God’s word is so valuable, it makes sense why the most effective witnesses for Christ are so intensely devoted to Bible study.
As believers in Christ, one of the most sacred and necessary disciplines in our lives is the study of the scriptures.
Though there are many passages on the knowledge of God, the Bible provides five essential reasons for Bible study:
- To learn the Good News of covenant salvation through Jesus Christ
- To hear God’s voice through meditation in the scriptures
- To improve the quality and clarity of our prayer
- To operate in covenant rights and responsibilities
- To align our hearts with the kingdom, image, and name of God
The scriptures provide a framework for discovering who God is and how to have relationship with him.
What This Means for Me
The word of God communicates the heart of God to humanity. We must learn what the scriptures have to say about God, his nature, his plan for us, and who we are so we can enjoy relationship with God and clarity in the operations of the spirit.
Jesus Christ is the word of God made flesh (John 1:14); God’s desire to communicate to and with us is so deep that the word of God became a man and died for us that we could be reconciled to God and experience relationship with the Father.
Through the knowledge of Jesus Christ, who is the word of God made alive, we are made new and learn how to be both with and like God. We use the word of God to cleanse our thoughts, reset our perspectives, define our prayers, change our confessions, and align our entire lives with the nature, will, and glory of God our Father.
Key Study References
Joshua 1:8
Psalm 1:1-3
Psalm 119:9-16
Psalm 119:105-112
Proverbs 15:28
Acts 17:11
2 Timothy 2:15
2 Timothy 3:15-17
2 Peter 1:2-4
Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Psalm 1:1-3
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Psalm 119:9-16
ב
BETH.
9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Psalm 119:105-112
נ
NUN.
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
Acts 17:11
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 3:15-17
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Peter 1:2-4
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
