The Need for Bible Study
I heard about a new minister who was asked to teach a boys’ class. The regular teacher was absent and the minister was asked to fill-in. The minister was curious to see what the boys knew about the Bible, so he decided to ask them a Bible question. He asked, “Who knocked down the walls of Jericho?” Upon hearing the question, all the boys denied having done it. The preacher was astonished at their lack of knowledge and mentioned it in the next men’s business meeting. “They don’t even know who knocked down the walls of Jericho,” the concerned minister stated. Everyone was silent. After a period of silence, a man spoke up who apparently was a “master” at settling disputes. He said, “Now just wait a minute preacher and calm down. You seem to be bothered by this, but I have known those boys all their lives and they are good boys. If they said they didn’t knock down those walls then I believe them. I think we should take some money from the repair and maintenance fund, fix those walls, and let that be that.” I do not know if this story is true, but it would not be that abnormal since many people rarely, if ever, study the Bible.
The irony of this is that there is a copy (or copies) of the Bible in nearly every home in our country. In fact, the Bible is the world’s best-selling and most widely distributed book. More than 5 billion copies have been sold. Yet, this wildly popular Book often remains on the mantle or coffee table where it collects dust. It is obvious we have Bibles; we just do not study them.
The Bible itself teaches us the need for Bible study. The psalmist wrote, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). In the same psalm, it is written, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). The apostle Paul encouraged a study of Scripture: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (II Timothy 3:16-17). Jesus also gave this solemn warning: “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).
All of these verses teach us to study the Bible because it will help us resist temptation, guide our lives in the way we should go, provide all the instruction we need in order to please God, and it will prepare us for the coming judgment.
With these thoughts in mind, each one should consider whether he or she spends time studying the Bible. It must be a priority; otherwise, there will be no time for studying the Scriptures. Spending quality time studying God’s Word will help all of us have a better life here and hereafter.
