Why Is It Important To Study The Bible?
When we love someone, we remember the special things they say to us. One way we love God is to read, study, and memorize the Word he has given us. Reading and studying the Bible will help us understand and know God – who He is, His ways, His will, and how much He loves us. As a Christian, everything in our lives should be built on the foundation of the knowledge and beliefs we have of God. As we heard last week, worship is a spiritual habit or discipline that allows us to hear God and grow deeper into life with him. Reading and studying his words that he has given us to guide us through life in him is another spiritual habit that will take us deeper into life in him.
In the passage above, Moses says that God gave us these words to be in our hearts, to teach to our children, to talk about them all the time. They should be on our minds and in our hearts when we sit, walk, lie down and get up. When we learn his words and meditate on them all day every day, our lives will reflect his glory and point others to him. We may not literally bind them on our hands and foreheads, but if we have God’s word in our hearts and live our lives according to his instructions for us, they will be written all over us and people will be able to see the difference in our lives. Sometimes we wear jewelry and clothing that has his words on them. We do this so other people will know what we stand for. We want the world to know this is who we are. For the same reason we hang scripture in our homes and workspaces. We do this not only so others will know, but also that we can be reminded of God’s words to us.
It is important for us to think about what we believe and know why we believe the way we do. Studying and memorizing scripture will help us remember and be ready to give an answer if we are questioned about what we believe. It is also important so that we can remind ourselves anytime what his word says. No matter what situation or circumstance we find ourselves in, if we memorize his words, we will always have them with us and always be able to remind ourselves what he says.
God’s word transforms us. Any transformation we want in our lives takes intentional effort. To eat healthier, exercise, build a career, build a home, or develop a talent requires work on our part. Likewise, when we become a Christian, we are not automatically bestowed with all the wisdom of the Bible. It takes intentional effort on our part to not only read and retain that wisdom, but to also apply it to our lives. Saturate your life with his word. Soak it in as often as possible so that it permeates every part of you and your life. If you have kids, make it a part of their world, bringing God and his word into their lives as often as possible. How can we do that in their lives and in our own lives?
Start with a personal time with God and reading his word every day. As point number one says below prioritize your time with him. That is where is all begins. When we put him first in our lives, he opens our eyes and our hearts to his wisdom and knowledge that leads to deeper life with him.
Yesterday Pastor Jim gave us some guidance on how we can read and study the Bible well in the contexts of our personal lives, our families, and the church:
1. Prioritize your personal engagement with God’s Word in your daily schedule
Read broadly and meditate prayerfully.
Read expectantly and joyfully.
Read for transformation.
Read with perseverance.
Have realistic goals and a good plan.
2. Read the Bible with your family.
Establish a pattern of Bible reading in your family.
Help your family grasp the big picture of Scripture.
Train your family to listen to the Bible as it is taught.
3. Encounter the Bible as a part of the church.
Receive the Word preached as an act of worship.
Participate in a small group as an act of community.
Encourage others in the Word as an act of ministry.
