THE HEART OF A BIBLE STUDENT

A student is defined as a person engaged in a study; one who is devoted to learning; a learner; a pupil; a scholar; especially, one who attends a school, or who seeks knowledge from professional teachers or from books; as, the students of an Academy, a college, or a university; a medical student. A Bible student, therefore, is one who is devoted to learning the Bible, by whichever means are available.

So, which means are available to those interested in knowing more about the Bible?

●     Personal study as one depends on the Holy Spirit for guidance, and maybe a concordance or applicable study materials.

●     Group study with like-minded believers.

●     Learning under pastors and other church leaders.

●     Attending a Bible school or seminary.

Why do we need to study the Bible? “Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the LORD and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel” (Ezra 7:10). Just like Ezra, we should be determined to know and obey God’s Word, and then teach it to others.

●     We need to gain knowledge of His will as written in His Word. The Bible is our instruction manual, teaching us how to do life; it is our GPS to navigate life in a way that helps us stay on track. “Anyone who does what pleases God will live forever” (1 John 2:17). “All who do what is right are God’s children” (1 John 2:29).

●     If we know the truth, false teachers cannot lead us astray. “Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ” (Colossians 2:8).

●     We need to be able to prove its validity and usefulness. “Taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8).

●     Obedience is how we express love for Him, but we can obey only if we know what His commandments are. “Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). Also, Jesus told His disciples, “If you love me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15).

●     We need to teach others as we fellowship with them, but how can we teach them if we’re unfamiliar with the material (Bible)? “So, if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 5:19).

If you’re a Bible student, you need to be diligent in your efforts by using all the resources available to you. The more you put what you learn into practice, the more meaningful it will be, and the more confidently you can share or teach others. And if you are a Christian but not a student of the Bible, I encourage you to start studying. The devil loves to create confusion and conflict around the Word of God; study it and don’t open yourself up to misinterpretation that will lead you to disobey God, and mislead others to do the same. Do you remember Satan and Eve in the Garden of Eden? Satan twisted the Word of God and got Eve to disobey Him, and then Adam got sucked into it and could not standing boldly for the truth he knew.   

Knowing the Word of God has great benefits; study it and live by it!