Pastor Mark made a keen observation this weekend as part of the “So Far So God†sermon series when he said “One of the greatest spiritual dangers we face is learning HOW and forgetting WHY.†Although he was referring to the importance of pausing to remember and glorify God for His past faithfulness in our lives, the same statement can be applied to the study of God’s Word.
We spend a lot of time focusing on HOW to study the Bible. We learn fancy terms such as “hermeneutics†and “exegesis.†We focus on applying the principles of meditation, memorization, lectio divina, and inductive Bible study as part of our spiritual diet. But like any spiritual discipline, meditation and study of the Bible are not ends in and of themselves – rather, they are the means by which we grow closer to God.
This week’s BDW focuses on some of the reasons WHY we should spend time meditating on and studying Scripture. (And just to give credit where credit is due – I am going to borrow a lot of information from the Bible 101 curriculum developed by our own amazing Heather Zempel. Incidentally, Bible 101/The Story will be offered during May term — check it out!)
Why Study the Bible?
As leaders, we not only have a responsibility to read and meditate on God’s Word for ourselves, we need to know how to interpret it correctly and how to help people apply Scriptural precepts in their lives. Even if you are not leading an inductive Bible study, you are bound to be asked “but what does this passage mean? It is relevant for us today? How do I apply it to my life?†As leaders, we have a duty to “handle accurately the word of truth†(2 Tim. 2:15) and respond accordingly.
Benefits of Studying the Bible
2 Timothy 3:16-17 is an excellent starting point for understanding the benefits of a firm grasp of Scripture. This passage outlines four distinct benefits of Scripture, all of which help lead a man or woman of God to being “thoroughly equipped for every good work. â€
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NIV)
The first benefit in this passage is teaching. From the Greek word didaskalia (teaching or instruction), the word carries the meaning of “teaching with warning.†Scripture is useful for teaching people a proper worldview, which in turn dictates action.
The second benefit of Scripture is rebuking, or convicting. Scripture is useful for convicting people because it sets the benchmark which points out the wrong in a person’s life. When you witness sin in the life of loved one, friend, or small group member, you do not have to convict them of sin. Rather, you can allow the Word of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to expose sin in that person.
The third benefit of Scripture given in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is correcting. The Greek word used here is epanorthosis, which means “to set right, correct, to make straight.†It denotes admonition and restitution. This is the only time this particular word (epanorthosis) is used in Scripture. It points to a unique benefit of God’s Word – Scripture does not just convict, it also sets us straight. As leaders, we can use Scripture to help people find the right path.
The fourth benefit identified in this passage is training in righteousness. In the Greek, righteousness (dikaiosune) denotes justice and conformity to the claims of a higher standard. Righteousness stands in opposition to lawlessness. Scripture shows us how to live. Psalm 119:105 affirms this truth: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.â€
These effects are not isolated but are interdependent and set forth an entire process of sanctification. First of all, the Word of God is presented as doctrine, instruction, authoritative teaching, etc. Secondly, as truth, it is ethically persuasive, convincing us of our error. Thirdly, it places us in a correct moral posture, and finally, the Word of God directs us in living the Christian life.
Other Benefits of the Word of God
Throughout the Bible, we find several other benefits of studying God’s Word. Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, provides a litany of reasons why meditating on and knowing the Word of God are so important. It helps protect against sin (Psalm 119:11), and it is a guidebook for living (Josh. 1:8). It brings us life (John 1:1-5). It imparts wisdom (Col. 3:16) and teaches us about ourselves (Heb. 4:12).
Most importantly, the Bible gives us a purpose because first and foremost, it is a story. To quote from Bible 101: “It is a story of passion, adventure, ultimate loyalty and ultimate betrayal, war and peace, extreme love and extreme hate. It is a story of mystery, intrigue and excitement. We have turned the Bible into a boring religious document. It is not a theological textbook. It is not a history book. Likewise, it is not a scientific, anthropological, or political textbook. It is the story of the Creator on a passionate pursuit of a people. It begins with God and ends with God. And we are found somewhere in the middle. We find our purpose when we see our lives against the backdrop of the story that God has been writing throughout history. The Bible is OUR story. We must know the story to understand our own. The Bible contains the keys to unlocking our destinies.†[emphases added]
Challenge
There is an old familiar children’s Sunday School song that goes, “The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s the book for me! I stand upon the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E.†This simple song is a rather powerful affirmation of the importance of God’s Word in our lives. Can you affirm that the Bible is the book for you and that you are standing upon its precepts? May we all seek to grow in greater delight of the Word and the Trinity whose story it tells!
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