No believer can grow in their faith without studying the Word of God. This does not mean reading the Bible haphazardly or every now and then. Studying the Word of god means reading and meditating on what you read and then applying that word to your life.
Many new and young Christians claim to read their Bible on their phones and that may be better than not reading at all. However, it is strongly advised that you purchase a physical Study Bible; the kind that allows you to write and make notes in the margins. You’ll also need a journal.
Why Read the Bible?
We have already alluded to the primary benefit to reading the Bible.
YOU WILL DEEPEN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
The more time that you spend delving into the Word and allowing the Holy spirit to bring revelation, the deeper will be your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, many people who claim to be “Christian” do not read the Bible, have never read the Bible and do not know what the word of God says. They have a superficial knowledge that they may have picked up along the way. They concoct a form of godliness but have no personal investment in the study of the Word.
God reveals himself as we explore the Word and we see how He interacts with the characters therein. We come to know His heart, the things which are important to Him and his expectations of us. We must ask the Holy Spirt to give us an appetite for the Word of God if we do not already have it.
YOU KNOW THE FOUNDATION ON WHICH YOU STAND
In reading the Bible we can learn of the Principles, Promises and Prophesies, God has revealed.
The principles are the unchanging spiritual laws by which God operates.
Just as there are physical laws of nature there are spiritual laws by which the spiritual world operates. Remember that God is spirit (The truth of that statement came home to me so forcefully recently, it was scary. Not that I had not always known this and have said this statement many times in the past). Anyway, these spiritual laws are not moral, civil, or dietary laws but they are never-the-less in effect.
Romans 8:2-6 tells us about the Law of the Spirit and the Law of Sin and Death:
2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a] free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,[b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.[c] And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The Mind governed by the flesh is death, but the Mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
Then there are the Spiritual Laws of Sowing and Reaping
2 Corinthians 9:6 makes the point that: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
The Law of Confession states: Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Prov. 18:21).
The law of Humility and Pride is this: “Whoever exalts himself [whoever exhibits pride] will be humbled; whoever humbles himself [whoever exhibits humility] will be exalted.”
Throughout scripture we see God’s spiritual laws playing out. The first man and woman, Adam and Eve, violated the law and death came to them.
The Bible also tells us the promises of God.
These are what God has committed himself to. He will not go outside of His promise to us. His response to those promises is “yes and amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Concerning these promises, His word will not return to Him void. That is His guarantee to us as His followers.
God promises that nothing can separate us from His love. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
He says He has a good plan for our lives. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer. 29:11
He promises to answer our prayers: Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hear. (Isaiah 65:24)
2 Chr 7:14. The LORD says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
These are just a few of the promises made to us.
In the prophesies given to us, God makes us aware of that which is to come. The visions of Daniel gave him a panoramic view of the kingdoms to come. We can look over the prophesies in the Bible and see that has already happened and what is to come.
YOU IMPROVE THE SUBSTANCE OF YOUR PRAYERS
As we read the Word of God, our prayer life will be so much richer because we will not be praying arbitrarily. You’ll know what God said and what you can expect from Him.
God invites us to remind Him of what He said. Not that he forgets. But His word says, put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest (Isaiah 62:6-7). We see people like David, Moses, Daniel, Nehemiah, especially in their intercessory prayers reminding God of His promises. If we approach God standing on His promise, that is, His will and desire for us then:
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15 (NIV).
YOU AVOID FALSE TEACHINGS
False teachings can derail our relationship with Christ. Many people are lead astray. Some engage in all manner of ungodly activities that devious men and women conceived to take advantage of their ignorance, their unwavering loyalty, and their submission to those who are supposed to provide spiritual leadership. Often the deception is so subtle that if it were possible these false teachers would deceive the very elect. Matt. 24:24 says, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
Knowing the Word of God helps you to be decerning of what is false and what is a legitimate teaching of the Bible rightly divided.
How to Study
Here are some tips to make your study worthwhile. First you need the guidance of the Holy Spirit, so be sure that you invite His presence before you read.
Keep a journal – here you will write (or draw) revelations or anything noteworthy.
You can also write scriptures that you want to commit to memory. This is a habit worth cultivating. Having the Word of God in your heart and at the tip of your tongue is powerful. It helps you as you pray to bring God’s word to him.
Moreover, like David says, it will be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. (Psalm 119:105). Knowing the Word helps you stay on the path of righteousness when temptation comes your way. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalm 119:11)
Study Sources
There is a myriad of devotionals and Bible study books available to help you study. There are many read-through-the-Bible options available online. Some Bible carries their own read through the Bible daily readings.
- You can study from Genesis to Revelations, book by book, making a note of concepts which are repeated, such as – blessings, covenants, altars, disobedience and rebellion.
- You could start your study of the word of God with the book of John as some suggests.
- Another option is to study subject areas such as money, faith, healing, forgiveness – but this is best if you’ve already been through the Bible and have an understanding of more fundamental concepts.
Whatever method you choose, it’s important to try to commit as much of the Word to memory as possible.
Teaching Sources
There are also many Bible teachers whose materials is worth reading or listening to – Charles Swindoll; Charles Stanley, Charles Price, Derek Prince are a few examples. Making notes in your journal as you listen, gives you something to look over in the future.
The Word of God is our compass as Christians, and studying it is vital for our growth and a firm foundation.
“The Bible contains the Mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword and the Christian’s charter. Here too, heaven is opened and the gates of hell disclosed.
Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.
It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgement, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.” ~ Unknown