Bible scholars and churches have spent many years trying to master the Holy Scriptures, so why study the Bible? If they are doing all of the work, why do you need to also learn it? These are great questions that will be answered in this article!
Plus, we’ll look at what is a Bible study, the difference between Bible study and Bible reading, the importance of Bible study, the reasons why you should study the Bible, how to start studying the Bible, and how to get the most out of your Bible study.
By the end of this article, you should have solid reasons why you should study the Bible and have some great suggestions on how to get started reading the Bible so that no matter where you are in your faith, you can begin doing Bible studies to improve your life!
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What is Bible Study?
Bible study is the time you take to study the Bible either with other people (a group Bible study) or by yourself. You take this time to learn more from the Bible about Christ and what He did for you! Bible study is about more than just reading the Bible; it’s about digging deep and educating yourself in the living word of God.
The Difference Between Bible Study and Bible Reading
Both Bible study and Bible reading are important, but they are different. Bible reading is just reading or listening to the words of the Bible.
On the other hand, Bible study is more involved, as you dive deep into the word of God to try to learn and understand It better. You might read the Bible many times during Bible study. They tie directly together!
The Importance of Bible Study
Communication is a crucial part of any relationship; listening and speaking are involved in communication. If you want a relationship with God, you must communicate with Him. This may sound like a tall order, but that’s what prayer and Bible study are for.
When you pray, you speak directly to God and talk about what is on your plate. Discuss what is directly affecting you, those around you, or even the world as a whole. Be grateful for the things God has blessed you with. Ask for help in the areas of your life where you are struggling.
If you don’t know how to pray, be sure to read my complete beginner’s guide that will walk you through exactly what to say! If you are uncertain as to how prayer improves your life, you should know that it is your means to talk to God, which can be quite a comfort and blessing!
So, prayer is how you speak to God. Why study the Bible? Bible study and Bible reading are our time to listen to God. It may seem like a strange concept to grasp, but if you study the Bible, you will begin to see patterns and messages that are of great comfort for the exact things you are praying about – answers you cannot find elsewhere!
I love how Robert M. West describes the Bible as the words of the living God – how He reveals Himself to all of humanity. It took over 1,500 years and at least 40 men in 3 continents and in 3 different languages to write the Bible! God was the ultimate source of the Bible!
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. – 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)
Why Study the Bible?
1. Study the Bible to understand your salvation.
Romans 10:17 (CEV) says, “No one can have faith without hearing the message about Christ.” That is powerful stuff, people! How can you understand how great of a gift your salvation is without studying the Bible?
You need to read what Christ did for us for yourself. If you need a fresh place to start, check out John. It’s a great book for new Christians!
Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen. – 2 Peter 3:18 (CEV)
2. Learn the truth of the Bible for yourself.
We often listen to sermons or others’ teachings, so why study the Bible? These people have done the work for you, right? Wrong! You need to learn and verify the truth for yourself!
The importance of Bible study is clear: Teach us for ourselves what the truth is.
They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. – Acts 17:11b (ESV)
3. The Bible provides encouragement.
If you don’t think this is true, check out the Psalms. They are beautiful and full of encouragement that you can use in any situation.
The Bible was not meant to be a decorative book on your nightstand. It was meant to be loved and studied! Open it up to find all the wonderful words of hope and encouragement!
The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song, I give thanks to Him. – Psalm 28:7 (ESV)
I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. – Psalm 34:4 (ESV)
4. Study the Bible to strengthen your faith.
This is my favorite reason to study the Bible. It pulls me closer to God, increases my faith by magnitudes, and helps me understand what I believe. When I grow closer to God, I can feel it because I begin to understand Him and His will for my life a little more.
If you keep an open heart and a willing soul when you read the Bible, you will begin to understand it better than ever before, and you will be blessed in many ways!
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
5. Resist temptation with the Word of God.
The more you understand the Bible, the better you can resist temptation. The more committed you are to your faith, the stronger you are against the devil. Knock evil out on its rear end by knowing the Bible front to back!
I treasure Your Word above all else; It keeps me from sinning against You. – Psalm 119:15 (CEV)
6. Understand and defend your beliefs with the Bible.
People are going to challenge your faith; you need to have clarity in what you believe in so that you can defend yourself. Being knowledgeable about the Bible will help with this!
But in your hearts, honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. – 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
7. The Bible can equip us for good work.
The Bible can show us how to do good deeds with a kind and generous heart. God’s love is contagious and will flow through you and change your demeanor once you accept it in your life. Loving others comes (sometimes) easily for Christians. Bonus: It also usually feels good when you do good for others!
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 complete, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
8. Study the Bible to gain wisdom, guidance, and direction.
The Bible gives us guidance and direction – instructions on how to live a spiritual life. This helps us be more obedient and know the difference between right and wrong. Study your Bible to see what God has in store for your life!
The Bible also gives us a great deal of wisdom, and we need to be wise if we are to survive this world and make it into the next. Understanding your religion, the Law the Father left us in the Old Testament, and the amazing enduring words of the New Testament that the prophets left us will aid you greatly in life.
When you understand your freedom, the reason you are alive in Christ today, you will realize the mercy of God and the judgment you have escaped through the wonderful grace of God and Jesus Christ.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say: ‘No one can live only on food. People need every word that God has spoken.’” – Matthew 4:4 (CEV)
9. Encourage others by studying the Bible.
It’s important that we are good examples as Christians to other people. We have the ability to impact their lives, teach them what the Bible says, and counsel them when the chips are down, and they need a glimmer of hope.
You can use your knowledge of the Bible to make a difference in the lives of those who do not know Christ and His teachings.
Preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. – 2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV)
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. – Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV)
10. Accomplish the goals God has set for you!
As you read and study the Bible, you will begin to learn how to apply the Bible to your life in a practical way. You will take the beautiful words of God and learn how to apply them to your life; you will understand what God’s purpose for your life truly is.
According to the Contemporary English Version (CEV) of the Bible, God said in Isaiah 55:11, “That’s how it is with my words. They don’t return to me without doing everything I send them to do.” Those are amazing words! God has a reason for everything!
Remember, we may not understand God’s plan on Earth, but all will be revealed when we enter heaven. We just have to trust God’s plan for our lives and know that there is a reason for everything! Be patient and trust in the Lord (and what He is doing inside of you).
For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven. – Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV)
How to Start Studying the Bible
There are dozens of ways to study the Bible. The most important thing is that you just get started in whatever way is most motivating to you. If you are a creative person, Bible journaling may be one of the best routes for you. If you love taking notes, verse mapping may inspire you.
The SOAP Bible Study Method
The SOAP Bible study method is a simple way to study the Bible. It involves studying Scripture, making Observations about that scripture, verse, chapter, or book, Applying it to your life, and Praying to God about what you’ve learned. This is a simple way to approach scripture and learn about it. If you’ve never done Bible study, it’s a great way to get started!
Follow a Bible Reading Plan
Another suggestion for a new Christian would be to follow a Bible reading plan like the one listed in the One Year Bible, which claims you can read the entire Bible in a year – only 15 minutes a day! I will admit I have never tried this plan, so I don’t know if it’s accurate, but it would be a simple way to get started reading and studying the Bible.
Check Out These Spiritual Tips
In my article, Encouraging Words for Someone in Jail: Share Your Faith, I give several ideas on how to build your faith as a new believer! Likewise, in Letters of Encouragement for Prisoners, I discuss a number of ways to encourage someone – simple suggestions to get started in the Bible and in your faith as a new Christian.
Read a chapter of Proverbs a day, for example, or start reading John to build the foundation for your faith! If you are looking for quick energy and uplift in your faith, head over to Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians! Paul’s letters are full of hope, comfort, and encouragement.
In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. – Ephesians 1:13 (ESV)
How to Get the Most Out of Your Bible Study
Here are some suggestions to make the most of your Bible study time.
- Create a time and place for Bible study each day – somewhere quiet where you can concentrate. Devote this time to God and make it a priority!
- If you are a creative person, consider Bible journaling as part of your daily time with God. It’s a fun way to enjoy scripture and bring It to life!
- Learn how to memorize scripture. To learn more about faith memorization, check out the article on the Celebrate Recovery Serenity Prayer.
- Don’t forget to pray before and after your Bible study. You want God to be present as you study His word so that He can lead you and speak to you in the passages you study.
- Consider making or using a prayer journal during your time with God. It will help you record your thoughts and thanksgiving as you speak to God.
- Use tools to help you study the Bible, such as a study Bible, concordances, dictionaries, atlases, and any other aid that will help you understand the Bible better. These resources can help you comprehend the difficult words, subjects, or books in the Bible. They can also, of course, help you keep scripture in context.
- Join a group Bible study at your church or community center. Connect with other Christians. The Bible encourages us to hang out with like-minded individuals. See what they have to say; make Christian friends and receive encouragement continuously.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do we learn from the Bible?
The most important lesson that we learn from the Bible is the gospel – the Good News that Jesus Christ has died for our sins so that we can be forgiven and receive eternal life. He died a cruel death, was resurrected, and now sits on the throne next to God in heaven.
How does the Bible influence your life?
The Bible gives you hope, encouragement, and the “Spiritual food” you need to get through each day. It also helps guide and directs you in the right way to live your life. Without rules and instruction, we might be like chickens with our heads cut off!
Why is it important to read the Bible every day?
Bible reading is something you should try to do daily to immerse yourself in God’s Word and get some Biblical encouragement as your foundation for each day. If you “stay in the Word,” you can accomplish the goals that the Lord has set out for your life.
How does the Bible connect us to God?
The Bible connects us to God because it is His words to us; it’s how He communicates with us. We communicate through prayer and devotion; He uses the Bible to reach us in new and exciting ways. A connection to God is a must!
What is the benefit of Bible study?
There are many benefits of Bible study. It gives you the chance to learn the words of God better and understand His plan for your life. You also get to know God better and learn about the love He truly has for you and your life. Find hope and encouragement in the Bible.
Conclusion
I hope you now have a clear answer to the question: Why study the Bible? I hope you understand the importance of Bible study and what God’s truth can mean for your life. In this article, we’ve covered:
- What is a Bible Study?
- The Difference Between Bible Study and Bible Reading
- The Importance of Bible Study
- The Reasons You Should Study the Bible
- How to Start Studying the Bible
- How to Get the Most Out of Your Bible Study
Plus, we covered some answers to frequently asked questions on the subject. What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject.
What helps you study the Bible? How do you spend your quiet time with God? How does God speak to you?
What encourages you when you are needing Spiritual uplift? Do you do Bible journaling or verse mapping? What inspires you?
Leave a comment so that we can all learn from each other! I’d love to hear from you! Make sure you check out my free resources and Shop, which also has free resources and other blog posts! I hope this article blesses your life and helps you get started studying God’s Word!
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
