How to study the Bible - Lesson One
Preeminence of God’s Word…
When we undertake any kind of bible study we are in some regard confessing that the bible is true and authoritative at some level. Otherwise we might as well have “bible study” with a local news paper of Victoria Secret catalog. What I want to present is this lesson is what the bible says about itself. If the bible is going to be our guide and authority in all matters of faith and living there should some information about what God himself thinks about his words.2 Timothy 2:15 - Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (ESV)
The King James bible uses the phrase “Study to shew thyself approved… “In either reference the conclusion is that we need to know how to handle the “word of truth” in the right way. To be able to do this we are going to need to spend time in the bible reading, studying, and applying its teachings.
Why is this important?
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (ESV)
2 Peter 1:19-21 - And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (ESV)
The conclusion that is made in these verses is that God himself is the author of scripture. We know from scripture that when God breaths on something it becomes ALIVE. (See also - Genesis 2:7, Ezekiel 37:5-10, Revelation 11:11) Every word in the bible is in some supernatural way “breathed” by God. The bible we hold is our hands is like no other book in the work. It is alive with supernatural power. That is why we can read it and it is encouraging, comforting, convicting, life changing. It is like us as imperfect creatures looking into a perfect picture of Jesus. The bible reflects our sin and imperfection and clearly identifies areas that still need to be repented of and conformed into the image of Jesus. (See also - Romans 8:29, Galatians 4:19, 1 John 2:6, 1 Peter 2:21, James 1:23-25)
One thing that has alway blown me away about 2 Peter 1:19-21 is the context of this passage. Peter is rehearsing the events that surrounding when Jesus was Transformed. (See also - Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:1-13, Luke 9:28-36) Peter records that they heard a “voice”. It was the very voice of God saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased”. Can you imagine hearing the very audible voice of God? It has to be an freaking amazing experience. But Peter says we have something more “sure” (Reliable or Trustworthy) that the very voice of God… it is called the “prophetic word”. In verse 20 Peter goes on to say that this “prophetic word” is the “Scripture”. I honestly cannot get my head around this, however, the word of God… the Scripture is so powerful and authoritative it is in supremacy to God’s audible voice. Since this is the case it sincerely changes how we should approach and handle the bible.
God’s word is pure… Psalms 12:6 we see that the the Lord’s words are pure.
Psalms 12:6 - The words of the LORD are pure words,
like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
purified seven times.
It is these same pure words that the Psalmist said would purify our lives. Psalms 119 is the longest chapter in the bible and it exclusive deals with active characteristics of the word of God in our lives. 176 verses about applying the bible to your life.
Psalms 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
Psalms 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
Peter, rehearsing, Psalms 119:9 says in 1 Peter 1:22-25 that we are purified through the obedience of the truth… also reaffirming that the Word of God is LIVING and ABIDING!!! (See also - Hebrews 4:12) As we read, study, and apply the bible to our lives it becomes a method of purification… of sanctification… our values and goals are aligned under the word of God. Jesus taught in John 17:17 what we are sanctified by the truth. Since the bible is alive, designed, and created by God it is only appropriate that bible (God’s word/Scripture) become our light and guide as we journey in this world.
Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
The Word of God sanctifies us, cleans us, keeps us from sin, guides us… I pray each of us re-examine our relationship to the bible and see its power, authority and preeminence. I pray we see it as a precious gift given from God to us so that we can know him, listen to him, obey him, and fall in love with him.
-Eric M.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
How do we breathe in and breathe out His word? If it empowers so completely, then why does it vary considerably with each person who knows God. And I mean … some souls wrestle constantly for years, asking and pleading for deliverance from sin that easily besets them. Others, it’s one prayer and deliverance immediately. His word being so powerful, why does He choose to limit it’s effectiveness is some people, prolonging a lot of pain and sadness but then in others the sin is practicallly eradicated? Does His will entail that deliverance AND wrestling is designed for His glory???