Earlier this year, I wrote a series of articles on
personal devotion centering on prayer (which you can read here). I’m starting a new
series here centering on Bible study:
There is good news and bad news on the Bible literacy front. According to
a 2014 survey conducted jointly by the
Barna Group and the American Bible Society, half of all Americans strongly
agree that the Bible contains everything one needs in order to live a
meaningful life. In addition, half of all Americans believe the Bible has
too little influence in American life. In our increasingly secular society,
it is rather surprising to find out that half of all Americans still believe
these things. This same survey also states
that 88% of Americans own
at least one Bible. However, only 19% are actually “Bible engaged”-which
this survey describes as those who read the Bible at least four times a week
and believe it is the actual or inspired Word of God. This 19% is also
the number of Americans who now consider themselves Bible skeptics. That
number has almost doubled from 10% to 19% in almost three years.
Thirty-nine percent of Millennials never read the Bible at all.
Biblical literacy is indeed falling. One of the reasons is that the
secularization of our culture has brought about lack of understanding as to why
it is so important to be a student of the Bible. So, before I write about
how to study the Bible effectively, we have to grapple with this question:
Why study the Bible?
1. The Bible is the inspired Word of God – How can I claim this? I
could give many reasons, but here are three:
·
Although
the sixty-six books of the Bible were written over 1600 years apart by over
forty human authors who come from a variety of backgrounds (including
shepherds, farmers, fishermen, physicians, kings, and priests), the message of
the Bible is remarkably consistent. It is the story of God’s relationship
with humanity. It tells the story of the creation and fall of mankind as
well as the redemption of mankind in the person and work of God’s son,
Jesus Christ. That redemption is available to all who repent of their
sins and follow Christ.
·
If
you were going to make up a story, would you make yourself look good or
bad? I think most people would honestly say that you would make yourself
look as good as possible. However, the Bible is just the opposite.
Consider that the Old Testament was written by a variety of Jewish writers, yet
it details repeated instances of disobedience and gross sin even by some of
such Biblical heroes as Noah, Moses, and David. Here is one New Testament
“head-scratcher” for those who are skeptics of the Bible. In 1st century
Palestine, a woman’s testimony was not considered credible, yet the Bible
writes that it was three women who first discovered that Jesus rose from the
dead! If a 1st century Jew made it up, why would you
choose people who your society does not see as credible?
·
There
have been countless archeological finds that support the veracity of the
Bible. These are being discovered almost constantly. Just this
summer, an article was published about a
find in the valley of Elah just west of Jerusalem. An ancient piece of
pottery contains the name of one of David’s rivals, Eshba’al. This name
had never been found in any writing outside the Bible until this was found.
Another example is found in this article on the possible
discovery of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha.
2. The Bible is culturally relevant – Our culture is steeped in phrases
and concepts that are uniquely Biblical. Yet, sadly, most people don’t
realize this. Consider these phrases
·
“I’m
at my wits end!
·
“I
escaped by the skin of my teeth!”
Where did these phrases come from?
You guessed it…the Bible! (If you want to read more about this, here is a list of 122 phrases that
we use in everyday life that come from the Bible.) In fact, I don’t think
you can consider yourself educated without knowing something about the Bible.
3. The Bible supplies a moral framework for
your life – How do
we know what is right and wrong?
Some will say that you just
know these things intuitively. However, what we think is intuitive is not
intuitive in all societies. In many societies in the world, rape, incest,
and even murder are not considered sinful. The Ten Commandments in the
Bible as well as many other passages in the Bible reveal to us God’s view of
sin.
4. The Bible is a source of great
wisdom –
5. The Bible is the means to encounter God
– Anyone who has
ever spent significant amounts of time in study of the Bible will understand
the meaning of Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active and sharper
than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul
and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts
and intentions of the heart.
God’s word is alive! I have no idea the number of times
that I have encountered God through his word, but is certainly hundreds of
times. I will often read a passage that I have been through dozens if not
hundreds of times in the past and yet will see some facet of that passage that
I have never seen before. God has spoken to me by using His word so many
times in my life as I have gone about my regular activities. God still
speaks today and He is not limited by His word alone in the way He can speak to
us, but I have found that the primary way that He speaks to His people is
through His word. But He can’t speak to you through His Word if you don’t
know it! Want to encounter God? Spend time getting to know Him in
His Word!
Want to read more? Here are a few
links to related articles on this blog:
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