Why Study the Bible?

How often do you read the Bible during a typical week, not counting the time you are at church? In a recent survey, only 13% of Christians said they read it daily. That number increased to 32% when asked if they read it three times a week, but 43% of those Christians surveyed admit that they don’t read the Bible at all outside of church. So, why should we study the Bible? We should study the Bible because we are the people of God and the Bible is the Word of God. It is beneficial for every area of our lives.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16

Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4   

If you want to live life to the fullest, study and obey God's Word.

The Bible will also help you distinguish truth from error.

 

King David wrote, “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” Psalm 119:160 

Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17

You can learn what God is like by reading the Bible. God is Spirit. He is an eternal divine being who is unchangeable in His love, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. 

Most people want to go to heaven, but too many assume that being good is sufficient.

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

So, does that mean that doing good deeds and giving money to charitable causes is not enough?

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Well, if being good isn’t good enough, how does one become a follower of Jesus?

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:9-10

One of the things you learn by reading the Bible is that God loves you.

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Studying the Bible can also be compared to searching for hidden treasure.

My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:1-5

As important as reading and studying the Bible is, doing what it says is life changing.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. James 1:22-24

May God bless you richly as you mine the transformative treasures found in the Scriptures!