How to study Scripture, and why it is important
Over the years, God's Church has emphasized four keys to spiritual growth: prayer, Bible study, meditation and fasting. The Bible shows that individuals who were close to God, and whom God used mightily, employed these tools in their own lives. Yet many Christians find it an ongoing challenge to keep a proper perspective on these tools, and on how to apply them most effectively for spiritual growth. Too often, when we come into the Church, we bring with us a lot of "baggage" from our previous experience that prevents us from understanding and using these tools as powerfully as we should.
Some have carelessly assumed that prayer, Bible study, meditation and fasting identify one as a Christian. Yet many people outside the Church of God—even those who say they place importance on these practices—look at them as little more than rituals or routines to be accomplished. Many brethren, before coming into the Church, had learned certain formulaic prayers, which they were taught to repeat over and over. To some, Bible study may mean reading a few verses each day, or reciting a few scriptural passages as part of a worship service. Meditation may mean gazing at an altar, or repeating a word or phrase to induce a trance-like state of mind. For Roman Catholics, "fasting" may mean nothing more than abstaining from meat on a specified day. For many Protestants, fasting means less than that; it is little more than something they watch on the news when someone goes on a hunger strike—a relic of Bible history, not something they actually expect Christians to do.
For many sincere professing Christians, prayer and Bible reading are pursuits they use to try to feel spiritual or to endure a time of crisis. When their lives are going well, these activities often seem unnecessary. A surprising number of people read the Bible in order to appear spiritual to those around them, or simply to avoid feeling guilty for not reading it! Christ, however, advised that there is more to Christianity than prayer, Bible study, meditation and fasting, valuable as they are. Real Christians, Christ tells us, will keep the commandments of God and show love for others (John 15:9–17). Individuals who come into the Church from false religions may have wrong ideas about Bible study, but those who come into the Church from a non-religious background—as do an increasing number of people today—often have no idea at all about how to approach their study of Scripture. Many do not realize the degree to which Eastern religious ideas have influenced their perceptions of prayer, meditation and fasting, and how much those ideas differ from biblical instructions. Even their ideas about Bible study may be wrongly formed—if they have been formed at all. In this article, we will focus on one of these tools for spiritual growth. We will examine why Bible study is important, and how to actually study the Bible. We will also see how prayer, meditation and fasting relate to Bible study.
The Right Approach
It is fashionable today, especially in some "educated" circles, to view the Bible not as the inspired word of an Almighty God, but rather as a primitive attempt on the part of ancient Hebrew people to formulate some sort of concept of God—a concept considered unrealistic and largely irrelevant to anyone living in the 21st century. This skeptical, critical, cynical and derisive view of Scripture has discouraged many today from even looking into the Bible as a source of important, helpful and even vital information. It is amazing how today's modern "sophisticated" views contrast with the outlook most people held only a generation or two ago, and how they contrast dramatically with the attitudes displayed by biblical personalities such as David, whom God calls a "man after My own heart" (Acts 13:22). David, though in the high office of a king, described God's word as "my meditation all the day… a lamp to my feet and light to my path" (Psalm 119:97, 105). David did not meditate by repeating a mantra again and again. He studied, and considered how to apply, the word of God in everyday life. David saw the commandments of God as more valuable than gold (Psalm 119:127), and he realized that those who lived by the commandments would be blessed (Psalm 119:1–2).
Jesus taught Christians that the meek—the teachable—will inherit the earth, and that "those who hunger and thirst for righteousness… shall be filled" (Matthew 5:5–6). David clearly exemplified this attitude when he wrote: "Your word I have hidden in my heart… Teach me Your statutes.… open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.… Make me understand the way of Your precepts.… The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.… Your law is my delight" (Psalm 119:11, 12, 18, 27, 160, 174). David had a prayerful attitude about Bible study—he asked God to help him understand what he read. Daniel not only studied God's word; he also fasted to show God his earnest desire to grasp the scope of God's plan for His people (Daniel 9:1–3; 10:12).
The prophet Isaiah describes the attitude that God desires in a person, saying that "on this one will I look: on him who is poor [humble] and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word" (Isaiah 66:2). The proper attitude for approaching Bible study is respect for the word of God instead of doubt and cynicism, and a desire to learn instead of criticize. To develop this attitude, we must prove for ourselves (1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV) that the Bible really is the inspired word of God and not just ancient Hebrew literature. If you take the proper approach, Bible study can become extremely informative, profitable and exciting. But just why should we study Scripture?
Grow in Wisdom
One of the keys to success in life is learning how to make wise decisions—and how to avoid making bad decisions and foolish mistakes. Sadly, many never develop this vital quality—hence the saying "we grow too soon old, and too late smart." The God of the Bible, who is described as a loving Father, understands this human frailty and has filled Scripture with dozens of practical principles. The book of Proverbs is loaded with information to help anyone who studies its content develop wisdom, understanding, discretion and judgment (Proverbs 1:1–6). Solomon stated, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge… and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). The correct approach to every important subject is found in the word of God, yet fools will despise this approach. We are not born with wisdom. But by studying the word of God, earnestly praying to God for guidance, and seeking and listening to wise instruction from older, more experienced individuals, we can grow in wisdom (see Proverbs 2). This biblically based approach will lead to a longer, fuller and richer life (Proverbs 3:1–2, 13–16).
The Rock of Israel reveals that effective leaders rule with wisdom (Proverbs 8:15). David wrote that studying the commandments of God made him wiser than his enemies, and gave him more understanding than his teachers (Psalm 119:98–99). The Bible warns young people about the dangers of trying to live life in the "fast lane" (Proverbs 7), about the folly and lack of understanding that leads to fornication and adultery (Proverbs 6:32) and about the consequences of pride, gossip, laziness and even talking too much (Proverbs 11:2, 9, 13; 12:13, 24). The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the value of obtaining wise counsel, being willing to show mercy, carefully choosing one's friends, and disciplining children (Proverbs 11:14; 12:15; 13:20, 24; 21:21). Having a transcending vision and purpose for your life is also mentioned (Proverbs 29:18). In fact, it is only in the Bible that the true purpose of life can be found (see our booklet Your Ultimate Destiny). Considering the gold mine of wisdom contained in God's word, it is startling that so many today have been "programmed by society" to ignore studying the Bible!
Develop the Mind of God
We marvel at the ignorance of "educated" people who ridicule anyone who actually tries to live by the commandments of God. But even converted Christians sometimes wonder why it can be such a struggle to make time to study those commandments, as revealed in the Bible. However, Scripture holds the answer. We are all subject to spiritual influences, from God and from Satan. Unless we have repented, received God's Holy Spirit and are making a determined effort to stay focused on God, we will be influenced by Satan. The Apostle Paul reveals that "the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be" (Romans 8:7). Unconverted people do not necessarily say that they hate God, but they will argue, twist and try to reason around the very clear intent of Scripture, because they simply do not have the mind of God!
This is why Paul wrote to the Philippians: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). Christians with the mind of God will be humble and teachable, and will sincerely desire to follow God's instructions in the Bible. They will make time to study the Bible, and will really strive to live "by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). We cannot live by the Bible if we do not study what is in it! Paul told Timothy to diligently study Scripture (2 Timothy 2:15), and said that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16). When we read, study and meditate on God's word, and are willing to be led by the Holy Spirit, we will learn to think like God thinks (Isaiah 55:8–9), and we will further develop the mind of Christ within us (1 Corinthians 2:10–16). Regular Bible study is an important tool to foster this kind of spiritual growth. But there is more!
Prepare to Rule
Bible prophecies indicate that today's Christians are ultimately called to rule on this earth with Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:4–6; 5:10; 20:6). As future kings and priests, we will function as civil and religious leaders in the coming Kingdom of God. Jesus told His disciples that their reward would include governing cities and regions (Matthew 19:28; 25:14–30; Luke 19:11–19). Daniel explains that the saints who rule with Christ will turn many to God's way (Daniel 12:3). Isaiah reveals that the saints of God will be teachers in the Kingdom (Isaiah 30:20–21) and that the laws of God will be promulgated from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2–4) to the whole world (Isaiah 11:9). However, before we can rule by the laws of God and teach those laws to others, we must first study—and come to understand and learn to live by—what God has recorded in His word. This is why Scripture provides specific instructions about Bible study.
When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, he advised them that they were to learn, remember, obey and not alter the commandments of God (Deuteronomy 4:1–8). Parents were to teach their children about God, and to obey His laws (Deuteronomy 4:9–10). Moses also emphasized that future leaders of Israel were to make personal copies of God's law, and study the law daily, so they would be able to rule wisely and in a godly manner (Deuteronomy 17:14–20). This is one reason why David meditated on the law daily (Psalm 119:97). Ezra followed these same instructions before returning to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity, "for Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel" (Ezra 7:10). Ezra is later shown effectively teaching and explaining the meaning of Scripture to the people of Israel—in public meetings—as a result of this diligent preparation (Nehemiah 8:1–8).
The New Testament continues this theme. God chose as Jesus' mother a woman well-versed in Scripture (see Luke 1:46–55). Jesus, after receiving careful parental training, was able at age 12 to discuss Scripture with such skill that He amazed religious leaders in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41–47). He said that we are to live by every word of God (Matthew 4:4). He taught in the synagogues of all Galilee (Matthew 4:23) and sent out the twelve apostles and then 70 others to preach and teach "all things that I have commanded you" (Luke 9:1–2; 10:1–2; Matthew 28:19–20). As the Church grew, deacons were appointed, who were "full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3). That wisdom came from studying and meditating on the word of God. Paul mentions that one of the qualities necessary in Church leaders was that they be "able to teach" Scripture in an interesting and meaningful manner (1 Timothy 3:2). This is why Paul emphasized the importance of diligently studying the Bible, laying a firm foundation and avoiding foolish arguments, deceptive doctrines and irrelevant issues (2 Timothy 2:14–19). In God's Church, good shepherds must know His word, set a proper example and be able to handle difficult issues with wisdom and conviction (Titus 1:7–9). This requires careful study and thorough preparation.
As we see the end of this age approaching, we need to "wake up" and make sure that we are "redeeming the time" that we have at our disposal (Ephesians 5:14–16). God's Church is doing an Elijah-like work as it continues to "prepare the way" for Christ's return by restoring knowledge of the truth of God (Malachi 3:1; Matthew 17:11). As a result of that work, "those of the people who understand shall instruct many" (Daniel 11:33). If you devote time and energy to studying the Bible, and you learn how to apply Scripture in your own life, God can use you as part of His effort to accomplish this vital end-time mission!