All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16 HCSB
If you read your Bible every day, you are off to a great start. If you are doing one of those read your Bible through the year plans, I commend you and encourage you to keep it up. But if you are not actively studying Scripture, you have no idea what you are missing.
Our Scripture passage tells us that God’s word or the Bible is very useful to us for things like teaching. It teaches us what God expects of us. It tells us it is good for rebuking; it lets us know when we have done wrong. It does us no good to know we have done wrong, if we don’t know how to correct it. The Bible teaches us how to correct errant behavior. It trains us in righteousness, it teaches us how to be imitators of Christ (Ephesians 5:1). And last but not least it makes us complete. We as Christians, are always a work in progress. We should always be striving to do better and be more complete. God will complete us when we get to heaven, but for now we should be working towards that completion. The Bible equips us for every good work. There is nothing we will experience that is not covered in the Bible. If you want to get it right, study your Bible.
The interesting thing about the Bible is that it is a historical narrative. It takes us from the beginning of time. It introduces us to those who lived during that time, the good, the bad and the ugly. In the New Testament, it takes us through the birth, the life and the death of Jesus Christ. It teaches us how to be more like Him. It shows us that He has faced the same hardships that we face each and every day. He faced temptation. He faced frustration. He was rejected and falsely accused. He was beaten nearly to death and hung on a cross.
Perhaps the most important reason for us to study our Bible is so that we can share this with our children. The world or the devil wants your children. He will come after them. When Paul lists the armor that God provides for us in Ephesians 6:10-18, he mentions our sword, which is God’s word. This is how we defend ourselves. Are your children prepared to defend themselves using God’s word? Would they even know where to start? Have they studied some of the awesome things that occurred in the Bible like how God parted the Red Sea, or how David slayed Goliath? Have they learned about Joseph and his coat of many colors? Have you read to them the historical account of how God shut the lion’s mouth to save Daniel or how He walked through the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?
If you read the Bible, you may find it boring. But if you study the Bible, you will be fascinated with all that is in there.
The best thing Bible study does for me is it teaches me more and more about God and just how deep His love is for me. I have messed up more than I care to admit, but He still loves me. He still sent His Son to die for me so that I might have the opportunity to go and spend eternity with Him in heaven. He loves you that much too. He did the same for you.
The Bible is God’s love letter to us. Do you care enough about Him to take the time to read it? Or will you just put it up as decoration in your house or stuff in the back of a drawer somewhere?
You might notice I said every time “we” study a passage. This is because Bible study is best in a group where we can learn from each other. Now the excuse I hear the most when I invite people to church or Bible study is, “I just don’t have the time.” Aren’t you glad that Jesus didn’t say that about dying to save us? I’m sure He could have thought of many better things to do than be beaten nearly to death and being hung on a cross, but He did that for you and me.
I assure you there is nothing you will do that is better than studying God’s word. Don’t take my word for it, try it for yourself.
Have a great day!