Why Study the Bible? (Part 3)

by Jerry Senn

What does the Bible say about Bible study?

Here are two passages, one from each testament, in order to catch a glimpse of our sacred mandate to study the Word.

In Deuteronomy 6 we find a passage that was familiar to every Jew. Its words were used to call the assembly together for worship. We read: 

“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and will all your might” (Deut 6: 4-5).  

What follows are these words:

“And those words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and  they shall be as frontals on your forehead. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deut 6: 6-9).

Here the writer teaches that these words are to penetrate the heart. The content of that Word is not to be mentioned casually or infrequently. It requires repeated discussion and reflection which becomes the “order of the day” whatever it takes.

Looking at the New Testament we read Paul’s admonition to Timothy:

“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:14-17).

Note this summary of Paul’s inspired words:

1. Continue (be consistent & diligent) in the things we learn.
2. These writings will produce wisdom and mature character.
3. “Knowing from whom you have learned them.” The source is God’s mind.
4. The holy Scriptures were “breathed out” from the heart of God – for us.
5. The Scriptures are profitable in building our faith… “reproof, correction, and training in righteousness,” equipping us to enjoy our growth in grace and mercy and to walk with God, experiencing His love daily.

An unknown person wrote: “The Christian who is not diligently involved in a serious study of Scripture is simply inadequate as a disciple of Christ … We cannot learn competency by osmosis.”