“Why study the Bible?” may seem like a silly question, especially if you’re a person who studies the Bible often, but it’s worth considering. Bible study can become a dry or optional habit if we’re not coming to God’s Word for the right reasons.
The Word of God is a priceless treasure. It’s true, and it always will be true; it’s enough, and it always will be enough; it’s unchanging, and yet it is living and able to speak personally to each of us.
Three Reasons We Study the Bible
1. We study the Bible to learn who God is, to know him better, and recognize his voice.
How do you get to know someone? When you meet someone new, you take in your first impression, you listen to what they say, and you watch what they do. Eventually, the real person will become known.
We go through a similar process getting to know God. Of course, God can reveal himself in any way imaginable at any time and to anyone. But if we have his Word, then he expects us to read it and to get to know him through it. As we read his Word and observe his actions, we get to know who he is.
When I began to take discipleship seriously, I had an insatiable desire to read the Bible. I couldn’t get enough of it, and still can’t. I found it intellectually stimulating and fascinating. That is still true, but more importantly, I find that I’m more interested in who God is. I can’t get enough of him. I’m learning that he is infinitely loving, merciful, gracious, in control, and powerful. I know that even when I face trouble he is with me, and the result will be for my good and his glory.
His voice is not harsh or pushy and I am learning to discern the difference between the enduring voice of God and the momentary messages of the world.
Jesus said, right before he was arrested,
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3).
And Paul wrote,
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Ephesians 1:17)
2. We study the Bible to gain wisdom, learn what is right, correct our wrong thinking, and receive guidance.
It’s tough to figure out what is right and wrong in this world, isn’t it? Cultural understandings, the views of other people, and our own biases make it very difficult to know with certainty how to handle the questions and problems life brings us. Even with the immovable truth of the Bible, it’s not easy.
For certain questions, Bible study is more complicated than settling on a verse or two and figuring that you’ve got your answer. Often there are other passages that present a different perspective, and you must take it all in while asking for wisdom and depending on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. There are a few issues that I am still struggling over, but the Bible is my guide. Not my feelings; not my friends; not the news media—God’s Word.
The more we study the Bible, the more we realize that it is not an outdated and irrelevant book, but the living Word of God.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (1 Timothy 3:16-17)
3. We study the Bible to follow Jesus.
My goal in life is to follow Jesus well. It doesn’t matter if we live in the United States, in China, in Brazil, or in a crowded refugee camp; if we live a comfortable and prosperous life, or if we must scrape together every meal; if we follow Jesus well, then we will have lived a successful life.
Jesus knew the Scriptures that were available to him, and he followed his Father flawlessly. He was not influenced by the Jewish elite of his time, the Pharisees; in fact, he often opposed them. He healed and delivered many people who came to him, and he taught with matchless authority. He was perfectly loving, yet he did not overlook sin, but took it upon himself at the cross.
We cannot follow someone we do not know, and we really get to know Jesus by reading our Bibles. I’ve heard it said that Jesus can be found on every page of our Bibles. Pastor Colin Smith says, “The whole Bible is his story: It begins in a garden, it ends in a city, and all the way through, it is about Jesus Christ.” In fact, John said in the opening words of his gospel, speaking of Jesus, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus is the Word of God, and the word of God is all about Jesus. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s Word points to Jesus. He is the One we need, and his Word is the way to follow him.
Depend on Jesus
That is a high bar for us – an impossible feat actually. This is why we need Christ to bear our sin and to give us his life and truth in return. Only by studying the Bible do I have a chance of following Jesus well by rooting myself in him and trusting him to change me. Bible study is a regular reminder of what it means to live like Jesus and for Jesus:
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Why do you study the Bible?
Post Credit: Open the Bible
Connecting Dots...to God 
I study the Bible in order to be a better pastor and preacher and teacher. And, it’s always been interesting to me how, with each reading of the same passage, I learn something new. God/Jesus/Spirit are mysteries that are ever evolving in our knowledge and relationship with them.
How is it that I can read something so many times and never notice a certain phrase or even a word? Here’s to learning new things and knowing God better – always! Thanks for your comment!
I study the Bible because I consider Jesus my friend, Lord, and Savior. Neither do I receive letters of encouragement, nor love letters from humans, but I find them in the Bible. So comforting to know that I am loved.
What a great thought when reading letters, or books, of the Bible. Thanks!
I first started reading my Bible to know about God, and then I realized it was the means to know God on an intimate level. My view of God was skewed…often based on my feelings and circumstances….until I studied my Bible to find the truth of his character. There is no substitute for the Bible. Not even the best written blogs. 🙂
You are absolutely right – no substitute. God’s character is so perfect, so amazing, so complete, that even after years of Bible study, I feel like I’m just beginning to, maybe, get a glimpse of who he is. Thanks Karen!