Maybe like me, you hear it all the time…
- No one will take the time to read that.
- We can’t expect them to study hard.
- No one has the time to spend 30 to 45 minutes doing a Bible study at home and they certainly don’t want to sit for more than an hour being taught by a Bible teacher..
We’ve created a culture of biblical illiteracy conceived from the excuses that we can’t or won’t study God’s Word.
We’ve minimized our expectations on other people’s Bible study habits, as well as our own, and then we wonder why people who say they know God have little understanding of who He is or what His Word says.
There are several problems that stem from lowering the bar when it comes to Bible study.
- One is, we reduce our efforts to know God more.
- We limit the influence that God’s Word has on our lives.
- We minimize our spiritual growth and, in effect, minimize our influence.
- We set ourselves up for failure and ridicule because we aren’t grounded in what we believe and we are prepared to give an answer to those who ask.
- We hinder and harm our influence in other people’s lives.
- We don’t pass down a solid, biblically-based faith to the next generation and we rob them of the truths God has entrusted to us.
- We aren’t equipped to walk through the doors or do the good works that God has for us.
- We demonstrate that God isn’t as important to us as we say He is.
It’s really time that we rethink Bible study.
Studying God’s Word was never intended to be easy. To really begin to understand who God is and what His Word teaches us, we can’t expect it to be like a drive-thru experience where we get it fast and we get it our way.
It’s time we stop seeking the easy way out and be willing to take the road of discipline and dedication.
We get out of things what we are willing to put into them.
What are you willing to invest in your study of God’s Word?
Will you take a moment and watch the video below and share your thoughts about your own experience when it comes to expectations of studying God’s Word?
If you can’t view the video above in your reader, please click this link.
9 VERSES THAT HELP US UNDERSTAND WHY WE NEED TO RETHINK BIBLE STUDY…
- So we’ll know what is true: “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11 (NKJV)
- So we won’t be ashamed by our ignorance of the Word: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV)
- Because God’s Word is profitable and equips us to live according to God’s will and God’s Word: “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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)
- Because God’s Word cuts deeps and discerns our intentions and reveals our heart: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)
- So that we may do according to God’s Word and our way will be prosperous and successful by fulfilling God’s will and living out His Word: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)
- Because God’s Word is necessary nourishment for our heart, mind, and soul: “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 (NKJV)
- Because God’s Word will never return void: “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV)
- Because the Scripture reveal to us who Jesus is and why He came and how much He loves us: “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” John 5:39-40 (NKJV)
- Because God gifted us with His Word so that we might have hope: “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4 (NKJV)
You ladies who have been with me in this online journey know I’m a doctrine girl who has been grieved by the cultural Christianity and the misunderstanding… and even misrepresentation of God’s Word – for quite some time.
So, for the next 4 weeks, I will be doing a series our studying God’s Word and I hope you will join me and invite your friends to subscribe as well.
Next post we’ll discuss some Bible study basics that can help you know some of the resources out there that are available to make your study of God’s Word an adventure you won’t want to miss.
You can help me in this series by doing a few things…
- By sharing your own thoughts or ideas about Bible study in the comment section below as well as on YouTube because you may be sharing something someone else needs to know or asking something someone else would like to ask.
- By sharing any questions or struggles you might have in your own personal Bible study.
- By sharing this post and the YouTube post on your social media so others can be encouraged in their own study of God’s Word.