WHY STUDY THE BIBLE? #3
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. This is our third and final lesson on "Why Study the Bible?"
B. The study of the Bible is important because it contains God's
will for our lives.
1. It is the only absolute divine authority for the children of
God.
C. As we mentioned, in this lesson we want to lay out some basics
for studying the Bible.
I. FIRST STEP - READING.
A. Paul said that when we read, we can understand what he
understood. Eph. 3:2-5
1. The Scriptures should be read to others. 1 Tim. 4:13; Rev.
1:1-3
a. The NASV puts in the word "public" in 1 Tim. 4:13.
Thus, the translators are showing that the original
language implies the public reading of the Scriptures.
b. The "he" of Rev. 1:3 is probably the public reader of
that day as seen in the fact that he changes to the
pronoun "they" for the listeners.
B. What are some practical ways to read the Scriptures?
1. In preparing for a Bible class, read the text for the lesson
several times. Look up and read each verse that is listed.
Answer the questions.
2. For one's own personal study. There are several good
reading plans that are available.
a. One older sister had followed the "Read through the
Bible in One Year" plan for 49 years.
3. Here's another good plan: Read one book ever day for a
month.
a. Begin with a short book, such as 1 John, and read it
through in one sitting every day for a month. It will
take you no more than ten or fifteen minutes per day.
b. Divide the longer books into shorter sections, and read
the first section daily for a month, the second for a
month, and so forth.
(1) For example, divide the gospel of John into 3
sections, seven chapters each. After three months
you would have finished the book of John.
c. For variety, alternate between short books and long
books.
d. Within three years, you will have read the entire New
Testament about 30 times.
II. SECOND STEP - INTERPRETING OR EVALUATING.
A. By reading, we learn what the Bible says; by interpreting or
evaluating, we learn what it means.
1. In Acts 8:30-31. It is not enough just to read, we must
determine what it means.
2. Of course, many passages are so easily understood, we
interpret them simply by reading them. Some, though,
require more effort.
B. Some of the old rules for Bible study are good.
1. First, consider "What is said?"
a. Examine if it is really in the Bible.
(1) A holiness preacher said, "Holy Spirit baptism is
for remission of sins."
b. Study the context or setting of what is said.
(1) On baptizing someone, a young Mormon said,
"No one should take this honor upon himself." See
Heb. 5:4.
(2) A member of the Armstrong group, in trying to
prove that we should meet on the Sabbath Day,
said, "Paul said there should be no gathering on
the first day." See 1 Cor. 16:2.
(3) A Methodist preacher said, regarding the Old and
New Testaments, "He has made both one." See
Eph. 2:14.
c. We should never teach the truth with the wrong verse. 2
Cor. 4:2
(1) 1 Cor. 2:9 - This verse is not referring to heaven.
(2) 1 Cor. 2:16 - It context it is not saying that all
Christians have the mind of Christ, but only the
inspired men.
2. In our Bible study, we should consider, "Who is speaking?"
a. Sometimes the devil is speaking, but he is the father of
all liars. John 8:44
b. Some have said we shouldn't contend for the faith
against denominations because of Acts 5:38-39. This
was only a man giving his advice.
c. Some use Psalm 150:3-4. However, this was David
speaking, who was under the Old Law, not the New.
3. To understand the Bible, we should consider, "To whom is it
said?"
a. Some think that every passage applies to them.
b. John 14:26 - This was said to the apostles only.
4. In our Bible study, we need to consider all that is said.
Psalm 119:160; Isa. 28:10
a. Every passage tells the truth, but not all the truth is
in every passage.
(1) See Chart below: "The entirety of your word is
truth."
(2) Some use Romans 5:1 or John 3:16 and say we
are saved by faith only.
(a) However, those verses say nothing about
repentance and confession.
(3) From Titus 1:5 a young preacher said that elders
could oversee a whole city of churches. He had
not considered 1 Pet. 5:2.
C. The best means of interpretation is to "interpret the Bible by
the Bible."
1. We should let the Holy Spirit teach us.
a. Use cross references, comparative passages,
concordances, indexes, and other helps. The topical
Bibles are good for this.
2. Determine the meaning of Bible words.
a. Again, compare verses and notice how words are used
in various passages.
b. Good Bible dictionaries also help; however, please
beware that they are only the works of men. For
example, under the word "coming," Vine teaches
"Premillennialism."
3. Follow God's commandments and you will have Bible
knowledge.
a. Here are some of God's commands regarding knowing
His will. See chart below: "God's commands for study."
b. If we follow these commandments, we certainly will
know God's will.
III. THIRD STEP - APPLICATION.
A. By reading and interpreting the Bible, we gain an understanding
of what it says and means. We must then apply it to our lives.
1. Many people know what the Bible says, but can't seem to
make application.
a. Perhaps the problem is that they really don't want to
make application.
2. We need to pray for the wisdom to properly apply God's
Word. James 1:5
3. Someone has said, "What is the best translation of the
Bible? - A translation into one's life."
4. One commentary said on Phil. 2:4, "This verse does not need
exposition, but application.
a. That could be said of nearly all the verses in the Bible.
B. We must let God's Word penetrate our hearts and change our
lives.
1. "Be doers of the Word and not hearers only." James 1:21-25
a. First of all, it must be implanted in our minds. Vs. 21
(1) Heb. 8:10 - To many under the Old Covenant the
law was just something inscribed on stones. Under
the New Covenant, God's laws are inscribed on
our hearts. His laws are in our minds and in our
hearts because we have studied them and we know
them.
b. We must also do what the Word says. Vs. 25
(1) As Jesus would say - John 13:17.
C. After reading and studying various passages, we should ask,
"What practical application can I draw for my life?"
1. There are some good helps on the market. Example: "The
Life Application Bible."
a. However, again bear in mind that in some places, the
footnotes teach error.
D. Remember, the power of the Word itself. Heb. 4:12
1. The Word of God is not just a collection of words, but a
living, life-changing, dynamic force that works within us.
2. Like a surgeon's knife, the Word of God penetrates the core
of our moral and spiritual being.
3. It has the power to change and shape our lives.
Concl.
A. Let me emphasize, again, that we should always approach the
Bible as the absolute authority.
1. We should have awesome respect for God's Word. It is the
standard which will judge us in the last day. Rev. 20:12
B. Let me emphasize, also, that we should always study the Bible
with an open mind and honest heart.
1. We must remove all former ideas and go to the Bible to learn
God's will.
2. If we approach the Bible with pre-conceived ideas, that it
can only teach what we have already been taught, we will
somehow make verses mean what we have already been
taught.
3. The greater majority of people corrupt the Word of God. 2
Cor. 2:17
Chart #1
"The entirety of Your word is truth."
(Psalm 119:160)
Ear of Malchus
Matthew 26:51 - One with Jesus drew a sword and cut off the ear of
the servant of the High Priest.
Mark 14:47 - The same as Matthew.
Luke 22:50-51 - Cut off his right ear. Jesus touched the ear and
healed him.
John 18:10 - It was Peter, and the servants names was Malchus.
To Be Saved
Hear and Learn - Rom. 10:17; John 6:45; 17:3
Believe - Heb. 11:6; John 6:29; 8:24
Repent - Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19; 17:30
Confess the Lord - Matt. 10:32-33; Rom. 10:9-10
Be Baptized - Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Pet. 3:21
Chart #2
God's Commands for Study
1. Study or give diligence. 2 Tim. 2:15
2. Exercise senses to discern. Heb. 5:14
3. Search. Acts 17:11
4. Strive to understand. Eph. 5:17
5. Read. Eph. 3:2-5
6. Desire. 1 Pet. 2:2
7. Grow. 2 Pet. 3:18
8. Take it in. Psalm 119:130
9. Look into it. James 1:25
10. Meditate on it. Psalm 1:2
ll. Hear it read. Rev. 1:3
12. Have it preached. 2 Tim. 4:2-4
13. Test what is said. 1 John 4:1
14. Prove all things. 1 Thess. 5:21