INTRODUCTION:

A. Why is there so little Bible study in a nation that does not lack for Bibles?
 What has happened in our country that people, generally, no longer desire to sincerely study God’s 
 Word?
 In a typical survey, brother Guy N. Woods, in his book, “How to Study  the New Testament 
 Effectively,” states:
 1. Nearly two thirds of members of the churches of Christ have never read the Bible through.
 2. Over half of them have no regular plan for daily study.
 3. Nearly one fourth do not know when the church was established or where to find the account
  of its beginning.
 4. More than half are unable to list in proper order the conditions of salvation.
 We must get back to studying God’s Word, and we must become more proficient and knowledgeable 
 in this most sacred of all books!

DISCUSSION:

I. CAUSE FOR FAILURE TO STUDY.

 A. People are too engrossed in material values and secular things.
  1. The Bible contains the only key to happiness, contentment, and peace of mind.
  2. When we realize this, then material values and secular things will take second 
   place in our lives.
 B. There is a general lack of interest in the contents of the Bible.
  1. The Bible holds all the answers to today’s problems.
  2. There is a little poem that says:
    The Bible contains
    The mind of God.
    The state of man.
    The way of salvation.
    The doom of sinners.
    The happiness of believers.
    Light to direct you.
    Food to support you.
    Comfort to cheer you.
 C. People can not seem to find time to study the Bible.
  
 A person will find time for Bible study when he feels it is so important to his everyday life that it 
 deserves a place in his daily schedule.
  2. If we do all the things we feel pressing upon us first, there will never be any time 
   to study God’s Word. 
  3. As the hymn goes, “Take time to be holy...feed on His word.”

II. WHAT IS THE REAL REASON FEW STUDY THE BIBLE?

 A. Ignorance of how to study the Bible is, no doubt the main reason for failure to study the Bible.
 B. To know God’s Word requires STUDY; to study effectively involves a practical and proper
  method of doing so.
  1. Am I earnestly desiring to have a better knowledge of the Bible?
  2. Am I willing to devote 15 minutes a day to the study?
3. Am I willing to adopt a simple system of study and pursue it faithfully?
  4. It is not enough for us as Christians to know that the teachings are there; 
   we must familiarize ourselves with  them (II Timothy 2:15,25).  This 
   necessitates study!

III. THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING GODÕS WORD.

 A. Each child of God should be striving to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord 
  Jesus Christ (II Peter 3:18).
 B. For the Word to profit, it must not only enter the mind, but be retained there until the 
  impressions so deepen that it is permanently embedded (Jeremiah 15:16).
 
IV. HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDYING GOD’S WORD.

 A. Set aside a certain time each day for study.
 B. Learn to take notes as you study.
 C. Study prayerfully and carefully.
 
 
 

V. VARY YOUR METHOD OF BIBLE STUDY.

 A. Study a particular book.
  1. Get ready to take notes.
  2. Who wrote the book?
  3. To whom was it written?
  4.
When did he write the book?
  5. From where did he write?
  6. Why did he write the book?
  7. What lessons can we learn from this book?
 B. Study by themes or subjects.
  1. Select a subject of the Bible that is of special interest to you.
  2. Use a concordance to find all the references on your theme.
  3. Run all the Bible references on your theme.
  4. Look up your theme in a Bible dictionary.
  5. Take notes, remembering always to put it in your own words for your own use.
 C. Another rewarding method of study is a textual study.
  1. Be very careful that the verses you select to study are  not taken out of context.
  2. Remember, “A text taken out of its context becomes a pretext!”
  3. Select a few verses that you are particularly interested in studying.
  4. Run cross-references.
  5. Read various commentaries and reference books.
  6. Take your notebook and write down in your own words what you have learned 
   about this particular passage.
 D. Bible characters are another great way to learn how God would have us to live.
  1. The Bible deals with men and women of like passions as ourselves.
  2. Principles to bear in mind when studying Bible biographies.
   a. Gather together all references to the person you are studying. 
   b. With all listed passages before you, check elements of power or weakness, 
    success and failure, mistakes made or things done that were pleasing.
  3. Biographical study shows us that the Scriptures were given to enrich one’s life.
VI. RESULTS OF STUDYING GOD’S WORD.

 A. A sincere study of God’s Word each day will help us grow spiritually (I Peter 2:2).
 B. Another blessing in studying God’s Word is that it brings us to a closeness with God 
  and Christ (Philippians 3:8-11).
 C. The study of God’s Word arms Christians with the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17).
  1. The Holy Spirit gave the Word of God to the Christian that he might use it both 
   as a defensive and offensive weapon.
  2. It is the wisdom of God and the power of God.
  3. It dissipates our doubts; it drives away our fears; it delivers us from the power of 
   Satan.

CONCLUSION:

A. I would like to close with a poem.
   When at the start of each new day
   I take time to study God’s Word and pray,
   I remain amazed at the strength I gain
   To handle joy, success or trials and pain.

   I find the courage to run each day’s race
   And fill contentedly my own special place
   That God has planned for me alone to fill,
   As I seek to know and ever do His will.

   When at the end of each departed day,
   I take time to study God’s Word and pray
   I’m grateful for God’s gift to me.
   He gift-wrapped this entire day, you see.
 

B. Are you allowing God to gift-wrap your day by a sincere study of His Word?
 

         Brenda Rutherford
         4905 Gadwall Dr. W
         Memphis, TN 38141