Jesus said to his fellow Jews, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.†In this phrase, he both rebuked them for their lack of faith and at the same time extolled studying the scriptures as the way to know of him.
A lot of Christians say that they want to know Jesus better and yet refuse to truly dive into the scriptures which testify about him. They are comfortable knowing just whatever the pastor can communicate in 15 minutes each Sunday. Bible class attendance is an almost universal frustration among pastors.
I want to make clear a couple of things. Studying the word is not primarily an academic exercise for those who like learning. It is spiritual discipline for all who through faith love Jesus. Also, it is not something that happens only in bible class but occurs in many settings both public and private.
I could simply encourage study of the word by telling you that your Lord expects it of you and I would not be lying. But instead I want you to understand the benefits of studying the word. And no, the primary benefit is not being able to win the latest bible trivia based game show.
The prime benefit is knowing God’s love for you in Christ Jesus fully. Through searching the Word, you come “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge.†And knowing this grants you comfort in trial, purpose in life, and wisdom in all things. And most importantly, it gives you the knowledge that your sins and their guilt need no longer crush you or rule over you. They are forgiven by God through Christ’s death and they no longer rule over you on account of his resurrection.
Christians don’t study the word because they want to be smart but because they wish to be made wise in the fear and knowledge of the Lord. When their pastor gathers people to teach, they gather to be made discerning. Where other members of their congregation gather to focus on a book or topic, they are found there. When they are with their family, they are not afraid to wear out the pages in their bible to really understand what it reveals.
No, every Christian does not have to be at every opportunity to study the Word. Other responsibilities will often require them to miss this or that gathering. But every Christian has habit of studying the Word.
Studying the Word is just what the people of God do. They desire to by made wise in Jesus. It is a habit of those made holy by Jesus.
This post is part of a series called Seven Excellent Habits.
“Bible class attendance is an almost universal frustration among pastors.”
I notice that Pastor Erickson, First Lutheran, Tooele, UT, has the Bible study after the service at 12noon. (Mormons have theirs after their service also perhaps this is why it’s later?) This is the first time I’ve seen this after the service. I wonder if more people come then.
Do you think that perhaps people may prefer that time? Could it be too early for them before the service? Just wondering for our church, too.
Phil,
Studying the Word is not and should not be limited to only the Scripture of the Old and New Testaments. As the Word is the 2nd person of the Trinity, the Logos who became incarnate, it is important to make our study and incorporation of all that has been revealed to us through the Word which includes NOT ONLY the Scriptures, but also the prayers/hymns of the offices and the Liturgy, the canons and decrees of the Councils, the writings of the Holy Fathers and, for those not learned in literacy, the holy icons. It’s a far more holistic approach for the purposes of holiness.