Why Study the Scriptures?
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The word “study” here actually means to do your best, to be zealous, to make every effort. Paul is instructing Timothy to do his best to please God and in the latter part of the verse we see how he may accomplish such a task.
Paul instructs Timothy to “rightly divide” the word of truth. This is really what studying the scriptures is all about.
To “rightly divide” literally means to guide along a straight path and in context bears the idea of teaching or interpreting the scriptures correctly
So what then is the difference between reading and studying the Bible?
So what then is the difference between reading and studying the Bible?
We read the Bible primarily for information and we study the Bible primarily for application.
Reading the Bible should be something that is a part of our daily routine, while studying the Bible should be something we do frequently in order to gain a deeper understanding of what we have read.
We may read the Bible at a swift pace based upon our ability but to study a passage of scripture will require a greater amount of time and energy.
Studying a passage of scripture will help us to gain a deeper insight into what the passage means and what impact it should have upon us personally.
We must understand that the Bible is not just a historical record to be read and then dismissed. Rather God intends that the scriptures would deeply impact our lives and that the truths contained in the Bible would shape how we live our lives.
We should read the Bible daily, but we should also build time into our schedules for a focused study of particular portions of the scriptures on a regular basis.
What reason is there to study the scriptures?
What reason is there to study the scriptures?
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
First we recognize that the scriptures were given to us by God. They are not merely hand-written accounts of events and ideas from the minds of men, but they are literally God-breathed.
God’s primary method of communication with mankind is through the completed canon of scripture.
If we believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, how we ought to desire to have a full understanding of everything contained within its pages.
We also see that the scriptures are “profitable”, meaning they are useful/beneficial to us.
Then Paul outlines the benefits of the scriptures in clearly defined terms.
The Scriptures are profitable for:
The Scriptures are profitable for:
Doctrine-a principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief
Doctrine in its most basic sense is what we believe. Our beliefs should be shaped by the careful study of the scriptures.
What are some examples of doctrines presented to us in the scriptures? Doctrine of salvation, doctrine of baptism, doctrine of the Holy Spirit, the doctrine of the last things, the doctrine of the Church
Our knowledge on each of these important issues comes from the careful study of the scriptures.
As we study the scriptures, we will be more confident in what we believe, and more able to effectively communicate why we believe it.
Reproof- conviction, censure for a fault
Who would be willing to share a time when you were convicted about a specific fault or failure?
The study of the scriptures will also bring about conviction, revealing to us when we are in error.
When we study the scriptures, we are able to more clearly define what God expects of us, and we are thus able to more clearly see our own faults and failures.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Correction- The act of correcting; the act of bringing back, from error or deviation, to a just standard
The study of the scriptures will not only reveal our faults and failures, but it will show us how to correct them.
It is through the careful study of the scriptures that we shall know how to make right that which is wrong in our lives.
Instruction in Righteousness- training or teaching in that which is pleasing in God’s sight.
What are some things that every Christian should do? How do we know this?
Studying the scriptures will help us to know how we should live in order that we may please God.
Without the authority of the scriptures, we would each simply do what we believe is right and this is a dangerous error.
Proverbs 14:12 & Proverbs 16:25
Ultimately, the greater our understanding of the scriptures, the better equipped we shall be to live for God and to carry out His will for our lives.
It is also true that the more we study the scriptures, the more confidence we shall have when sharing the truths of the Word of God with others around us.