What is Bible Study?

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What is Bible Study?

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: 2 Timothy 2:15


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COMMUNICATING WITH GOD (35)

 

As we continue to examine the Bible as God’s way of communicating TO us, we have briefly examined the Bible as His message, discussed why we should study the Bible and addressed the subject of authority.  Today, and for the rest of the year, we want to delve into making our Bible study more effective.

 

  1. What is Bible study?
    1. Simply stated, it is putting forth diligent effort to understand the intended meaning of God’s word to us. It is going to the text of God’s word with the intent of most accurately determining its intended message.  This applies to both its message and our intention to obey it.
    2. Numerous passages call for this type of effort with His word.
      1. 2 Timothy 2:15 – Be diligent (Study – KJV, “Do your best” – ESV) to show yourself approved. Rightly dividing (handling accurately) the word of truth.
      2. Acts 8:30 – Do you understand what you are reading?
      3. Acts 17:11 – received the word with readiness, searched the scriptures daily
      4. Ephesians 5:17 – understand what the will of the Lord is
      5. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – all scripture, inspired – man of God complete
      6. Hebrews 4:12 – the word of God is living and powerful
      7. Hebrews 5:12-6:1 – by this time you ought to be teachers
      8. 1 Peter 2:1-2 – desire the pure (sincere) milk of the word that you may grow
      9. 1 Peter 3:15 – be ready to give a defense
      10. 2 Peter 3:18 – but grow in the grace and knowledge…
      11. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 these words shall be in your heart, teach them diligently to your children
      12. Joshua 1:8 – the law shall not depart from your mouth
      13. Psalm 1:1-2 – in His law he meditates day and night
      14. Psalm 19:7-10 – the law of the Lord is perfect
      15. Psalm 119:104-105 – through Your precepts I get understanding
      16. Ezra 7:10 – Ezra prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach…
      17. Nehemiah 8:8 – they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; gave the sense and helped them to understand the reading.
  2. The difference between Bible study and Bible reading.
    1. The 2 most common words for “word” in the New Testament are λόγος (logos) and ῥῆμα (rhēma).
      1. Logos is defined as a collecting or putting together of thoughts or words, in writing or speech (Bullinger); “ a communication whereby the mind finds expression, word” (BDAG). This is the most commonly Greek word translated for word (246x of 318).  It is the idea of something said with an understanding of what was meant.
      2. Rhema is defined as, “what has been actually uttered in speech or writing (Bullinger); “that which is said, word, saying, expression, or statement of any kind” (BDAG). This word describes what is said regardless of level of understanding (though it is often used to describe statements intended to be understood) (56x of 318).  E.g., Matthew 4:4, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”  Jesus notes that EVERYTHING God says is important, whether we fully grasp it (now) or not.
      3. This illustrates the difference between Bible study and reading.
        1. Bible study is about grasping fully the intended message of a text. It can involve intensive investigation as you seek to properly interpret a passage, word or theme.
        2. Bible reading is about familiarizing yourself with the text. With Bible reading you get an overall view of what is said (or you may just be reading words to check off a box), but it may be superficial. You may pass over words or difficult phrases, etc.
    2. As we consider Bible study, let us first notice the difference between the two.
      1. Bible reading:
        1. You get the big picture of the text you are reading. It is about familiarity – learning the people, places and teachings that apply to us.
        2. You may even be able to recite various verses about a specific topic, but can you explain what it means?  As one author said, “They may know a lot about the Bible, but that doesn’t mean they know the Bible.”[1]
        3. Bible reading will get you through the text of the Bible in an expedited period of time (e.g., With a few chapters a day, you read through your Bible in a year). NOTE: We have Bible reading plans.
      2. Bible study:
        1. This is about getting a closer and more detailed understanding of the text.
        2. This is digging to find the intended meaning of a word, passage or topic.
        3. This is about answer the questions you could not answer while reading the text.
        4. This is about learning as much as you can about the text. It involves research and time to investigate.
        5. Bible study takes longer to cover the text. You may devote a week or more to gaining a better understanding of a topic, verse or chapter.
      3. Which is needed? Both have a purpose.
        1. We need to read our Bibles daily and studying them regularly. Bible reading is the foundation of Bible study. Bible reading can be effective if we put certain rules into motion
          1. We need a plan that in time will take us through scripture.
          2. We need to pause and think about what we are reading.
          3. We need to work to stay focused as we read (even if that means reading less in each sitting).
          4. We read with the goal to enhance our Bible study. You need the “big picture” so that as you dig deeper, you can tie it to the overall meaning of God’s word.
          5. We read with the intention to learn and obey.
        2. Bible study is where deeper growth will take place.
          1. It is the maturity we read of in Hebrews 5:14 (cf. Ephesians 4:13-15).
          2. We study to ensure we are accurately handling God’s word (2 Timothy 2:15).
          3. We study so that we can teach others and defend our faith.
          4. We study with the intention to learn and obey.
        3. Mike Davis, a retired schoolteacher, and a gospel preacher discussed the difference between a student and a pupil. A student is one who studies and desires to learn. A pupil is someone who occupies a seat and wastes everyone’s time. We need to be students of God’s word.
  3. Some improper attitudes toward Bible study.
    1. If our Bible study is to be productive, it will begin with proper attitudes. This implies that there are improper attitudes. Some of these include:
      1. Prejudice – studying with bias and partiality. Prejudice clouds peoples judgments.  One might read God’s word with no intention of ever acknowledging another as acceptable.  The Jews Jesus condemned were of this sort.  It didn’t matter what Jesus said or did, they were going to condemn Him.  The Bible condemns partiality – James 2:1-4, 8-10.
      2. Preconceived ideas – many study the Bible to prove what they already believe (with no intention of changing if they are proven wrong). They will twist any text that challenges their view or use faulty reasoning to interpret a text in their favor.  2 Peter 3:16 speaks of those who twist the scriptures to their own destruction.  For example: Consider the lawyer that came to Jesus testing Him – Luke 10:25-28 where he asks, “What is the greatest commandment?”  When Jesus had him answer and then confirmed his answer (Love God and your neighbor as yourself), we then read, “But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”  (vs.29)  That is one taking scripture and manipulating it for self-justification.
      3. Wishing something was true – A specific some want a particular belief to be true to the point that they believe it, regardless of what scripture says. They approach scripture with that mindset. And when they find passages that do not agree with their beliefs, they explain it away.
      4. How many of our denominational friends explain away the purpose of baptism, even though it is plainly taught? They repudiate any text that says you have to do something to be saved (or more often, the SPECIFIC something(s) they don’t think you need to do).  Advocates of “faith only” will appeal to numerous passages such as, Romans 5:1 which says, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  While we acknowledge that we are justified by “faith”, the text does NOT say, “belief alone”.
      5. Many seek to justify unscriptural marriages by reinterpreting the plain teachings of Matthew 19:8-9. They wish their relationship to be acceptable, even though deep down they are uncertain at best.
      6. The Pharisees WANTED to believe Jesus was wrong! They found every way they could to condemn Him.  More “twisting of scripture”.
      7. Trivia – some are not really interested in learning what the Bible really says, but they want to know facts to show how smart they are. They want to impress others with their knowledge.  Longest, shortest verses; Difficult sayings; how many times a word is used, details about characters for trivia purposes, etc. NOTE: These facts are useful to emphasize points, but that is not the goal of study.   Matthew 6:7, while speaking of prayer, noted those who prayed thinking they would be heard for their many words.
      8. To criticize it – increasingly, many set out to find fault with the Bible – looking for alleged contradictions, how it is “out of touch” with our times, etc. 1 Corinthians 14:33 – God is not the author of confusion.
      9. Appealing to the wrong standards – whether it’s the teachings of men, traditions, etc. Some gauge their study based upon the beliefs of their favorite teacher(s).  They determine that they cannot be wrong, so whatever interpretation they reach must be truth.
      10. If we approach God’s word with improper attitudes, we are NOT going to handle His word accurately. We will be misled, and unless we change our attitude, there will be eternal consequences.  Paul warned in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall.”

 

In this lesson we have addressed what Bible study is and how it relates to Bible reading.  While they are different, we need BOTH to balance our time in God’s word.  We have also begun an examination of attitudes necessary for Bible study by noting improper attitudes. Next week we will continue our study by noting some proper attitudes

It is my hope in these lessons, we have the genuine desire to listen to God through His word.  To do that we must study His word regularly and properly.  Perhaps, in some small way these lessons will help us achieve that goal.  What about you?  Are you properly listening to what God is telling you?  Think about it.

[1] https://onwardinthefaith.com/whats-the-difference-between-reading-and-studying-the-bible/

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