https://thepreachersword.com/2020/12/10/6-reasons-why-you-need-to-study-the-bible/#more-18004
6 Reasons Why You Need to Study the Bible
In a recent article in Christian Headlines, Milton Quintanilla warns about the lack of Bible knowledge in 21st century America. Not just in our country, but in our churches.
Quintanilla quotes Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher, the newly elected secretary-general of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), who believes that biblical illiteracy is a growing, troubling trend in the global evangelical church today.
In an interview with The Christian Post, Schirrmacher explained that “beyond all theological differences, financial problems, and political questions”, “our biggest problem is that Bible knowledge is fading away.”
In the Western world, “more and more kids that come from evangelical families are not really rooted in the Bible,” and many end up departing from the faith, he asserted.
Young people, even those claiming to be Christians, Schirrmacher said, “only know about the Bible what they learned from their conversion” instead of growing deeper in biblical knowledge.
“The result is that people know much less and are more … much more open to secularism and strange things like the ‘health and wealth’ gospel,” he added.
Actually, the challenge to know God and His Word is an age-old problem. Jehovah laments through the Old Testament prophet Hosea, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
We briefly offer these 6 reasons why you need to grow in your Bible knowledge with added links for your further study.
(1) The Bible is the Word of God.
The Scripture claims to originate from God. Paul affirmed, “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 Tim 3:16-17) The word “inspired” means “God-breathed.” It denotes divine activity.
Peter penned that “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pet. 1:20-21). And John claimed that his Revelation came from God through the messenger of an angel (Rev. 1:1-3). Indeed as Batsell Barrett Baxter states, “There is ‘an air of infallibility’ about the writings that make up the Bible.”
(2) The Bible affirms God’s presence in our lives
Some folks falsely claim we don’t need the Bible because we can feel God’s presence in our lives. But how do you know that? Who told you?
The Psalmist wrote, “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth” (Ps 145:18)
The Bible teaches us that “eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers” (Ps 34:15; 1 Pet 3:12).
(3) The Bible declares God’s nature.
The goodness and greatness of God is demonstrated through his personality and attributes. God is love. Merciful. Forgiving. Compassionate. And holy. How do we know? The Bible tells us so! (Eph 2:4; Ps 99:9; Isa 55:7-8; Lev 11:44; Ps 86:15)
(4) The Bible reveals how to be saved from sin.
“What must I do to be saved?” This question is asked and answered in the book of Acts. Without the Bible, we know nothing of God’s plan, His purpose in Christ, and His offer of peace and pardon through the cross (Eph. 1-2).
(5) The Bible provides a blueprint for Christian living.
The Greatest Commandment to love God, the 2nd greatest command to love your neighbor and the golden rule would be unknown without the Bible. (Matt 22:37-40; 7:12). Practical guidelines for families, social relationships, and citizenship responsibilities are found in the Bible.
(6) The Bible informs us of our origin, purpose, and eternal destiny.
The Bible tells the story of creation in Genesis, why we are here on earth in Ephesians, and what God has planned for His people for eternity in Revelation. Without it we are groping in darkness and without a clue regarding our purpose.
There are many other important reasons why we need to read and study the Bible. But be assured that the Bible is able to make weak people strong spiritually through a knowledge of Him (Col. 1:9-14).
That’s why the apostle Paul exhorts us to read what God revealed to him through the Holy Spirit so we can understand His will for us (Eph. 3:1-6).
“Therefore do not be unwise {or Biblically illiterate} but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17).
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
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