Study the Bible…Why?

2 TIM. 2:14-18; 2 PET. 1:20

THEME: We need to develop the discipline to study the Bible to interpret it accurately. 

                                                                                                           

RELEVANCY: Every Believer needs to know how to interpret Scripture accurately to explore and satisfy God’s plan.

INTRODUCTION:

If you believe what you like in the Gospel and reject what you do not like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself. —St. Augustine

Confusion reigns over the world of Christianity today, and it is without doubt that Satan is using this to keep the "minds of them which believe not" blinded from the truth of the Gospel. Indeed, many Christians themselves are ignorant of "the whole counsel of God."

Much of this confusion stems from faulty interpretations of the Word of God. Many differences over doctrine are rooted in the method of Biblical interpretation employed; thus, it is extremely important to be grounded in the basic discipline of Bible Study.

Lesson:

GOD CLEARLY COMMANDS BIBLE STUDY FOR ALL BELIEVERS

2 Tim. 2:15, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [16] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

    1.  The Bible is to Be Studied with Diligence.

“Study to show thyself approved unto God,” we are to give diligence, or make an effort to fulfil the duties of Bible study, preaching, and teaching to meet with God’s approval.

         a.  The Goal of the Ministry and Bible Study Is Not to Please Men.

The care of ministers must be to approve themselves unto God, to be accepted of Him, and to show that they meet God’s standards of ministry. Correct doctrines should be preached, and Christ-centered plans made, and a God pleasing lifestyle pursued. 

        b.  To Do this Demands STUDY of God’s Word! Because there are many temptations to the tendency of seeking popular favor with men rather than the divine approval. If ANY man please God, it will be as the result of deliberate attention to study and a careful application of God’s Word to His own lifestyle.

        c.  The Results Will Be Confidence in Our Ministry Before God.

“A workman that needeth not to be ashamed,” a man faithfully performing his duty, so that when he looks over what he has done, he may not be embarrassed or offer excuses.  Ministers must be “workmen”; they have work to do, and they must take pains in it. Workmen that are unskillful, or unfaithful, or lazy, have need to be ashamed; but those who mind their business, and keep to their work, are workmen that have no need to be ashamed.

    2.  The Bible is to Be Carefully and Thoughtfully Applied.

“Rightly dividing the word of truth,” the words "rightly dividing," means, "to cut straight, to divide right;” and the allusion here may be to a steward who makes a proper distribution to each one under his care of such things as his office and their necessities require.

        a.  That is, Rightfully and Skillfully Teaching the Word of Truth. The idea seems to be, that the preacher of the gospel is to make a proper distribution of that Word, adapting his instructions to the circumstances and needs of his congregation, and giving to each member that which will be most appropriate to nourish the soul. He knows his people and strives to help them by interpreting and applying the Word to their lives.

Therefore, by rightly dividing the word of truth, we are to understand his continuing in the true doctrine, and teaching that to every person; and, according to our Lord's simile, giving each his portion of meat in due season-milk to babes, strong meat to the full grown, comfort to the disconsolate, reproof to the irregular and careless; in a word, finding out the necessities of his hearers, and preaching so as to meet those necessities. --(from Adam Clarke's Commentary)    

        b.  We Must Be Careful to Avoid Corrupting the Scriptures.

1 Tim. 1:3, As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

2 Cor. 2:17, For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

         c.  We Are to Pass on the Same Things We Have Been Taught from God’s Word.

2 Tim. 2:2, And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

Preaching, teaching, and counseling from God’s Book is serious business and requires hard work and discipline. As students who care about conveying the hope and peace of God’s truth to the hearts of hungry and needed souls, this matters greatly. We dare not take this responsibility lightly!

     3.  Errors and their Teachers are to Be Shunned.

2 Timothy 2:16, But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

We must develop and intentionally cultivate the ability to discern false ideas and distinguish these from the truth. Such skill comes with careful and skilled study of the Word. We must become so familiar with the truth that a lie becomes obvious.

         a.  God’s View of False Teachings.

“But shun profane and vain babblings,” (See 1 Tim 6:20).

This is the character he gives of the preaching of the false teachers. Whatever was not agreeable to the doctrine of truth was, in the sight of God, empty and profane babbling; engendering nothing but ungodliness, and daily increasing in the same. God straightly charges us to shun such confusing misconceptions and ideas. Do not read their books, listen to them on the radio, or attend their meetings. God is saying stay way from these vain babblings!

          b.  The Consequences of False Teachings.

“For they will increase unto more ungodliness,” their tendency is to alienate the soul from God, and to lead to sinful irresponsible living. These kinds of teachings are not merely a waste of time, they are productive of positive mischief. A person enamored with conflict in religious matters is not interested in the practical duties of a holy life style, or any in depth sense of right and wrong. You will not likely find these folks in the place of prayer, nor can you expect their efforts in reaching sinners with the Gospel, nor will you discover that they have any serious or strict views of spiritual obligations. They will persist in pandering their false notions.

2 Tim. 3:13-15, But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. [14] But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; [15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 

So, we have a clear command to obey regarding the discipline of Bible study, duties of study and Bible application to execute as we serve others, and we need the ability to identify and shun false teachers and their lies. Exposing ourselves to God’s Word regularly and diligently will enable us to handle it more precisely. Why not become a student starting today?