Some Thoughts on Bible Study
For some time now, I have been wanting to develop some thoughts about Bible Study. This is to have something that I can refer back to on a regular basis to refresh my memory on what it is all about. So lets hit a number of different verses dealing with the subject. The first verse is from Ezra which gives us an idea of what the study of scripture is about. Notice that in this verse Ezra had set his heart to do something. In other words he was actively involved in making this thing happen. What is the thing? Studying scripture and practicing it for the purpose of teaching others. He had a purpose in mind, to augment his ministry for the Lord. He was not satisfied with where he was in his knowledge of God's Word. In fact, he went so far as to practice it, so that it might be ingrained in him and others would see that he practiced what he preached.
[Ezra 7:10] "For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice {it,} and to teach {His} statutes and ordinances in Israel."
Since I have been a teacher, and I honestly believe that this is God's gift to me, I need to step up to the plate and do like Ezra did. I need to study and ingrain God's Word into myself to be ready to teach and lead others on the right path. I cannot go it alone, I need the help of the Lord. The following verses in Proverbs make it clear that it takes effort to learn and find the knowledge of God that we seek when we study scripture. It is not just listening to the preacher ("receive") but it involves looking at the Word of God as a treasure, something that is valuable that is necessary for life and existence while we tarry in this life. It involves listening (paying attention to way is happening around me), it involves directing my efforts towards that which will help me to understand the Word as it becomes open to me. If I don't know, I can ask ("cry out for discernment"). If I really want to know then I keep praying about it ("lift your voice for understanding") until I receive an answer, either from the scripture study itself, actions/discussions with those that I trust, or events that happen in life which illustrate the principle. This verse tells me to seek as though it were precious. Silver in ancient Israel was much more valuable than gold because it was harder to come by. In the end, it is the Lord who reveals his Word to us.
[Prov 2:1-9] "1 My son, if you will receive my words and treasure my commandments within you, 2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding; 3 For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; 4 If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones. 9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course."
When I think of Ezra's practicing the law it brings to mind this verse from Hebrews. Solid food, or the more deep matters of scripture really only go to the mature in the Lord, because they have practiced what they have learned before, so that they know the difference between good and evil ("discern").
[Heb 5:14] "But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil."
Isn't a cursory knowledge of God's Word good enough to be a teacher? This verse in Colossians seems to indicate that a true knowledge of God's mystery, comes from a full understanding. This in turn results in hearts that are encouraged and knit together in love. When we examine God's Word in the right way, we find that differences that we thought we had go to zero within God's kingdom. I am not being ecclesiastical here but the scripture does say that they will know us by our love.
[Col 2:2-3] "2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and {attaining} to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, {resulting} in a true knowledge of God's mystery, {that is,} Christ {Himself,} 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Likewise, God is the one who reveals hidden things to us. Just like this verse from Daniel indicates, it is He who reveals the profound. I can't derive the profound from His Word by leaving God out of the equation.
[Dan 2:22] "It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him."
As we study scripture it reveals to us what lurks in our innermost being. What God desires is truth to be resident there and only He can define truth. When we seek him fully, he will make us to know wisdom (doing the right thing at the right time) for our daily walk.
[Ps 51:6] "Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom."
A further blessing from the study of God's Word is that by memorization we will be less likely to sin against Him. This flows very well from the verses in Proverbs chapter 2 which we mentioned above.
[Ps 119:11] "Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You."
Do I have the ability to handle the Word of God in truth. Can I be relied upon to always have an answer to those that I teach? Do I know enough about God's Word to really do a good job of teaching? It requires diligence on my part, presenting myself to the Lord for His judgement as to whether I am ready to teach again or not.
[2 Tim 2:15] "15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."
To be well watered, well rounded, and able to bare fruit for the Lord with my teaching, I must learn to meditate on the Word. This involves mulling each verse over in my mind, examining it from different angles to see how it works in life.
[Psalm 1:1-3] "1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree {firmly} planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers."
How does the Lord want me to use this verse? What can I see of him in the verse? These are questions that will serve to guide me in my study of His Word. I do want for my life to prosper before the Lord. I do want to do His will.
[Ezra 7:10] "For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice {it,} and to teach {His} statutes and ordinances in Israel."
Since I have been a teacher, and I honestly believe that this is God's gift to me, I need to step up to the plate and do like Ezra did. I need to study and ingrain God's Word into myself to be ready to teach and lead others on the right path. I cannot go it alone, I need the help of the Lord. The following verses in Proverbs make it clear that it takes effort to learn and find the knowledge of God that we seek when we study scripture. It is not just listening to the preacher ("receive") but it involves looking at the Word of God as a treasure, something that is valuable that is necessary for life and existence while we tarry in this life. It involves listening (paying attention to way is happening around me), it involves directing my efforts towards that which will help me to understand the Word as it becomes open to me. If I don't know, I can ask ("cry out for discernment"). If I really want to know then I keep praying about it ("lift your voice for understanding") until I receive an answer, either from the scripture study itself, actions/discussions with those that I trust, or events that happen in life which illustrate the principle. This verse tells me to seek as though it were precious. Silver in ancient Israel was much more valuable than gold because it was harder to come by. In the end, it is the Lord who reveals his Word to us.
[Prov 2:1-9] "1 My son, if you will receive my words and treasure my commandments within you, 2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding; 3 For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; 4 If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones. 9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course."
When I think of Ezra's practicing the law it brings to mind this verse from Hebrews. Solid food, or the more deep matters of scripture really only go to the mature in the Lord, because they have practiced what they have learned before, so that they know the difference between good and evil ("discern").
[Heb 5:14] "But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil."
Isn't a cursory knowledge of God's Word good enough to be a teacher? This verse in Colossians seems to indicate that a true knowledge of God's mystery, comes from a full understanding. This in turn results in hearts that are encouraged and knit together in love. When we examine God's Word in the right way, we find that differences that we thought we had go to zero within God's kingdom. I am not being ecclesiastical here but the scripture does say that they will know us by our love.
[Col 2:2-3] "2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and {attaining} to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, {resulting} in a true knowledge of God's mystery, {that is,} Christ {Himself,} 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Likewise, God is the one who reveals hidden things to us. Just like this verse from Daniel indicates, it is He who reveals the profound. I can't derive the profound from His Word by leaving God out of the equation.
[Dan 2:22] "It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him."
As we study scripture it reveals to us what lurks in our innermost being. What God desires is truth to be resident there and only He can define truth. When we seek him fully, he will make us to know wisdom (doing the right thing at the right time) for our daily walk.
[Ps 51:6] "Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom."
A further blessing from the study of God's Word is that by memorization we will be less likely to sin against Him. This flows very well from the verses in Proverbs chapter 2 which we mentioned above.
[Ps 119:11] "Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You."
Do I have the ability to handle the Word of God in truth. Can I be relied upon to always have an answer to those that I teach? Do I know enough about God's Word to really do a good job of teaching? It requires diligence on my part, presenting myself to the Lord for His judgement as to whether I am ready to teach again or not.
[2 Tim 2:15] "15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."
To be well watered, well rounded, and able to bare fruit for the Lord with my teaching, I must learn to meditate on the Word. This involves mulling each verse over in my mind, examining it from different angles to see how it works in life.
[Psalm 1:1-3] "1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree {firmly} planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers."
How does the Lord want me to use this verse? What can I see of him in the verse? These are questions that will serve to guide me in my study of His Word. I do want for my life to prosper before the Lord. I do want to do His will.