"12 Reasons For Bible Study!"

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." -  Joshua 1:8

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." - Psalms 1:1-3

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15 

One of the great joys of my ministry has been to teach in our Bible Institute.  Shortly after my salvation, I enrolled in the Bible Institute of my home church, and it had a profound impact on my understanding of Scripture and produced in my heart an increased love for the Word of God.

Let me suggest 12 reasons to study our Bibles...

1. To Gain a Greater Knowledge of Who Our God Is & What He Is Like.  The Bible is God's in-depth revelation of Himself to mankind. The more thoroughly we understand the Bible, the more we will understand our God. 

    

2. To Develop a Clearer Understanding of the Will of God.  The most important thing in life is to know God and to fulfill His will.  Only the Bible correctly reveals the will of God for mankind. 

   
   

3. To develop a Greater Understanding of True Salvation. Only the Bible has God's "plan" of salvation.  If we do not have Bible salvation, we do not have salvation!

   
   

4. To Establish a Greater Assurance of Our Salvation. Too often, folks depend upon their feelings or look to their behavior to find assurance of our salvation.  The only solid basis for the assurance of salvation is the Word of God.  John 5:13, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

   
   

5. To Be Better Equipped to Share the Gospel. The more thorough my understanding is of the gospel in Scripture, the greater will be my confidence and ability to share it with those who need it most - the unsaved. 

   
   

6. To Be Better Equipped to Defend the Faith. Fundamental Christianity is under attack from all sides, from without and from within. We must stand for the fundamentals of Bible doctrine. To do this, we must be diligent students of God's Word.  Jude 1:3, "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

   
   

7. To Be Better Equipped to Distinguish False Teaching.  One of the characteristics of the last days will be the proliferation of false teachers and false doctrine. We must have a thorough understanding of true doctrine if we'll ever be able to distinguish false doctrine.  2 Peter 2:1, "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."

   
   

8. To Have a Stronger Defense Against Sin & Temptation. Understanding what God's Word teaches, as well as having it memorized, gives me a much greater defense against sin. Psalm 119:11, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."

   
   

9. To Develop a Greater Appreciation of Sermons & Sunday School Lessons.  The more I understand the Bible, the more I will appreciate Bible teaching & preaching.

   
   

10. To Strengthen My Faith for Times Of Trials & Difficulties. Psalm 119:92, "Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction."

    
    

11. To Add Depth to My Prayer Life. 1 John 5:14, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:"

    
    

12. To Know I am Obeying God & Experience His Special Blessings On My Life. 2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Revelation 1:3, "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand."

No matter your educational background or how "poor" a student you consider yourself to be, commit to attending the weekly Bible Study in your Sunday school class. Or, consider enrolling in a local Church Bible Institute or a reputable online study (consult your pastor to ensure it is fundamentally sound) and enjoy the advantages of being a "student of the Scriptures."