Studying God's Word

Who needs to read the Bible? Kings were commanded to read the Scriptures all the days of their lives (Deut. 17:19). The Scriptures have been read aloud for the benefit of the various groups of people (Ex. 24:7; Deut. 31:9-13; Josh. 8:34-35; Neh. 8:1-3,8,18; Lk. 4:16-21; Acts 15:21; Col. 4:16). God’s word needs to be taught to families (Deut. 6:4-9; 2 Tim. 3:15). It must be read individually as well (Ps. 1:2; 119:11,105; Acts 8:28-32).

The Bible is not an ordinary book. It is the only revelation of God’s nature and will; it alone is “profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteous” (2 Tim. 3:16). It can make us wise unto salvation, and the Word is able to save our souls (2 Tim. 3:15; Jas. 1:21).

Standing alone amidst the world’s literature, the Bible especially ought to be read. The skills for Bible reading are identical, mechanically, for reading a secular document. But a keener appreciation applies to the Divine Revelation, and additional considerations for the Heavenly Message are required. Our devotion to the Sacred Word must be as special as the Book itself.

Three Simple Rules...

1) Rule One: We ought to read the Bible regularly.
Any child of God who needs convinced that he ought to read the Bible regularly is in spiritual peril already.

2) Rule Two: We need to read the Bible analytically.
God intends for us to understand the Bible, and we ought to analyze the Word’s component parts to better understand it as a whole. For example, the Bible student needs to understand the two major parts of the Bible - the Old and New Testaments. The differences between the Old and New Testaments are critical to “rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

3) Rule Three: We must read the Bible reverently.
Bible reading is not a matter of Pharisaic self-congratulation. It should not degrade into a mere routine. For reverent readers, Bible reading and prayer are inseparable (see Acts 6:4). The regularity of our reading should not diminish our respect for the words breathed out by God. The persistent reader will become more reverent through the passing of time.

The Bible demands more than lip service from members of the Lord’s church. It requires our attention in addition to our affection (Ps. 1:2). Become, or continue to be, an effective Bible reader. That is exactly what God wants you to be.

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