As a child of God (Yahweh) it should be our pleasure to learn more about who God is, what he expects of us and what we can expect from him. But somehow we overlook the value of studying his scriptures for this information. Yeah, we might read it once in awhile, but to actually study it? Now that’s another thing.
I know a lot of people think that if they read the Bible then they know all they need to know. The problem with that is most of the time people read the same scriptures over and over again. They never venture into other parts of scriptures, thus they only receive a partial understanding.
I know studying the Bible is exciting and frustrating at the same time for me. It is exciting because I love learning what the Bible teaches about God and all that he created. It is frustrating because trying to get an accurate understanding is sometimes hard. But God promises me that if I don’t know something all I have to do is ask and he will tell me.
Without further ado, here are my top three reasons to study the Bible.
To be approved by God
When we study it pleases God because we are not so easily swayed from him. We don’t follow after every wind of doctrine, even if it’s coming from so-called Christians. We can stand before him and not be ashamed because we didn’t believe every lie that came our way.
Also, in order to know the truth we must study. There was a period in my life when all I did was study. Thank God for that time because since then I have studied a lot of other things and other religions. Some things I can honestly say that if it wasn’t for the Holy Spirit’s guidance I would be lost and confused. I have come across many beliefs that sound right and made a lot of sense, but when I compared it to the Bible and what I have learned from it I was not persuaded to leave my faith. These comparisons have actually strengthened my faith in Yahweh.
I remember when I was a young mother and wife and the Pastor’s wife came over to meet my mother. My mom was visiting me from out of town. During a conversation the Pastor’s wife told my mom that I was stubborn and hard to persuade. Actually, I was a little rebellious. My mom replied, “Did you show it to her in the Bible? If you can’t prove it to her in the Bible, you’re wasting your breath.”
You can’t just tell me to do something and say it’s in the Bible. You have to prove it to me. You can’t tell me whatever you feel like telling me without scripture backup and think I’m going to jump on the bandwagon.
This leads me to my second reason.
So we don’t stray from God
We need to study so that we do not err in our ways. How can we walk in righteousness if we don’t know what righteousness is? How do we know what the narrow path is if we don’t study? This is how so many people get caught up into thinking that their sin is okay to do.
When we study God’s word we know whether we are sinning or not because we have something to measure our lives by. I believe David said it best in Psalms 119:9-16:
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”
If we learn to study God’s word we can go on to the final reason.
To teach another generation about God
God commands us in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 to keep his commandments in our hearts and to teach them to our children. How can we do this if we don’t understand what he is saying? We must study what he has given to the children of Israel, the Holy Scriptures.
He commands us to teach our children every chance we get. It is our responsibility to teach them, not the church, not the neighbor down the street, and not the school system. God charged us with that job.
If we don’t study his commandments, how in the world are we going to be able to teach our children? Children are gifts from God. We are commanded to train them in the way that they should go so that when they are older, they won’t depart from the ways of God. This way God will have another generation who loves him.
Think about it. If our forefathers didn’t do this, then we wouldn’t know anything about God now. Where would that leave us?
What are your reasons?
I have given you my top three reasons why I think every Christian should study the Bible. Now I know there are many, many more reasons and maybe I will go into them another time. Right now, I would like to know what are your top three reasons for studying the Bible?
Prayer Time
Our Heavenly Father, who is in heaven,
Help us to make learning more about you our priority. Open up our understanding when we are studying your word so that we can grow closer to you. Finally, help us to stand on what we learn.
In Yeshua the Messiah’s name, Amen.
Scripture Reference
“Sh’ma, Yisra’el! ADONAI (Yahweh) Eloheinu, ADONAI (Yahweh) echad [Hear, Isra’el! ADONAI our God, ADONAI is one]; and you are to love ADONAI your God with all your heart, all your being and all your resources. These words, which I am ordering you today, are to be on your heart; and you are to teach them carefully to your children. You are to talk about them when you sit at home, when you are traveling on the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them on your hand as a sign, put them at the front of a headband around your forehead, and write them on the door-frames of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 CJB)
“Train a child in the way he [should] go; and, even when old, he will not swerve from it.” (Proverbs 22:6 CJB)
“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 KJV)
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” (Matthew 22:29 KJV)
“For there will appear false Messiahs and false prophets performing great miracles — amazing things! — so as to fool even the chosen, if possible.” (Matthew 24:24 CJB)