Bible Study is Essential For Spiritual Growth

Bible Study is Necessary For Spiritual Growth

The 1st century congregation in Corinth had a lot of problems: the wealthy members lording it over the poor, sexual immorality, disputes over leadership, disputes over food, unruly Sabbath services, and confusion on core fundamental beliefs.

Paul breaks the issues down and shows the congregation the way out and we use his instruction to this day. But, towards the end of his first letter to them he indicates that he considers at least part of the problem to be too little knowledge of God's way 1 Corinthians 15:34.

In other words "make yourself aware of what is righteousness so you can do it, make yourself aware of what is sin so you can avoid it. You are falling into these problems and being led astray because you are ignorant (agnosia = without knowledge) of God. You should be embarrassed".

Corinth had lots of engaging teachers, they were into having and showing off spiritual gifts, they were doing good works... but they were coming apart at the seams. What holds the people of God together (and He wants us to stay together) is dedication and devotion to the word of God.

Today, we are going to review some of what the bible says about study of the word.

Knowing God's Will

We cannot properly honor and serve out Father God or Jesus Christ unless we have accurate and informed knowledge of His will. If you are waiting to find out God's will through a dream, an epiphany, or inner compulsion... you'll probably be waiting a long time. Those happen, but are rare. We should seek to know  His will through the written word.

· Knowing God's will affects our present conduct, overcoming sin, learning Godly love, putting on the mind of God. It gives us reliable guidance for the development of our own soul.

· Knowing God's lets us see into the future rule of God on earth and later, the whole universe. It gives us progressive, forward thinking guidance for how we can live together in peace and fulfillment.

Matthew 7:21-23 notice how Jesus ties doing the will of God to the law... "get away from Me those of you who live as if there is no law. I want to fellowship with those who do God's will".

Romans 12:1-2 knowing His will encompasses knowledge in addition to the commandments... knowledge of ALL that is holy, good, and pleasing to God.

We are to test and examine what God's will is... therefore it is objective not subjective. We examine it through bible study. We test it by putting it into practice. But we cannot test and try out what we don’t even know about know in the first place. So, we must read and study.

Holy and Pleasing to God

To be holy means to be set apart for special service to God. Its an idea that does not spring forth from observation of the natural world, or through human reason. The the idea comes from God. Many take the concept of holy and apply it as they see fit: they declare objects like trees set apart for special use, legislating days like 12/25 as set aside for special purpose unto God. But, we should get our definitions of what is holy to God His own words.

Taking something that is forbidden and declaring it holy is not according to God's will. We that through study and application of scripture. That's why we don't do trees or 12/25. We weight it against scripture and find it unacceptable.

Good for You, Good for Everyone

Colossians 4:12 knowing and doing ALL of God's will leads to spiritual maturity and completeness.

Hebrews 10:36-39 learning God's will and doing it leads to eternal life and personal salvation from permanent non-being (destruction/death).

Matthew 6:9-10 knowing and doing God's will is more than a program of personal spiritual development it is the plan for how we can live together in peace... today... during the rule of Christ on earth... and into the entire universe... into eternity. God has called and chosen you to get on board with on that program now. Bible study is part of how you move toward that goal.

Effort = Active & Engaged

We acquire knowledge of His will through regular, diligent bible study... IE we have to apply our self, exert effort. Passively listening is not enough. You will learn, and retain, more if you come up with techniques for engagement. I will talk about some actual techniques in the final section of the message.

2 Timothy 2:15 be willing to work at it (like a tradesman who needs to master his craft) so that you can (literally) cut a straight path through scripture. IE. Put in the time and effort so you can correctly know and explain the meaning and application of the bible's words.

Timothy was a member of the ministry and was tasked with correctly preaching and teaching. But these words are applicable to all of us...

· Parents must put in the work and be able to properly explain the scriptures to their children. This is God's plan for building a foundation of biblical understanding in the young.

· Each of us is to always be ready to explain God's truth rightly and correctly to people who ask us. Saying something like "oh, I'll have to ask my minister about that" misses the mark.

· We have to keep your own self on track… so you don’t get off track

A Straight Path

Over my years in the Church of God (my opinion is) we have spent a lot of time correcting error... (error from without, and error from within). That has the effect of making our message seem somewhat negative and contrarian at times… overly fussy on particular points of bible understanding. Which opens us up for criticism that we miss the big picture of God's great love for everyone... or loving like Jesus... or focusing on becoming a good person etc.

I think we touch on all these matters in a balanced way... but we DO want to be CORRECT...  rightly dividing the word of truth (KJV). The phrase literally means cutting a straight path. So lets visualize making a straight path... then there is a big boulder in the middle of the path which you will have to go around... how will you know you have gone exactly  180 degrees around the boulder and are continuing to go straight? A slight deviation of 5 degrees will put you horribly off track over time (diagram). The earlier you encounter this boulder in your journey the worse you will miss the mark in the end.

You could use a compass... that's a good idea... what will be your compass? Here's another idea. Get rid of the boulder. Destroy the wrong ideas that are redirecting your understanding when you read scripture. That's help you get from God’s Church and His ministry.

Establishing Your Foundation

2 Timothy 2:14 in contrast to the diligent worker who applies themself to cutting a straight path... there is debate about words which has a negative affect on the listeners. So, not all bible talk is good bible talk. Not all bible study is good bible study.

If you dive into the bible with your head full of wrong ideas (either of your own, or something planted there by others) it will undermine your understanding. Worse... you'll probably find proof texts or carefully crafted translations that validate those errors... the more you do it the more you reinforce the error. That's how the bible works... so that "seeing they may not see, so hearing they do not hear etc."

Getting those boulders out of the way makes a dramatic difference.

2 Timothy 2:15-18 in contrast to the diligent worker who cuts a straight and clear path through the word of truth... there is "godless chatter", or "profane and vain babbling".

Profane = common, it does not mean dirty. It means anything that is not set apart for special service to God. Not wrong necessarily, but not of spiritual value... like the quarreling over words we read about earlier. But the specific example we are given IS wrong...

Vain babbling = empty words, which lead people away from God's truth. The example is bad teaching about the resurrection... a foundational doctrine. To this day there is still a lot of confusion about the resurrection… it comes from the wrong assumption that we posses an immortal soul.

Think of it as a giant boulder in the path. If you buy into the idea it will shade and shape how you read and study the bible. Verses will take on different meanings for you if yo have this idea lodged in your mind.

I’m going to guess you didn't figure out the correct teaching on this matter all by your self. You know it because you were taught. The Church has helped you remove this giant obstacle in your path (but you have to hold on to it). This is only one of many obstacles: free will vs. determinism, faith vs. works, what is the gospel, what is the holy spirit, etc. The Church helps you build a solid foundation... then you build upon it with your own personal bible study. Not just bible study... GOOD bible study.

 1 Timothy 3:15 the Church provides the foundation… to get your bible study pointed in the right direction... use the materials the Church provides... if you have the privilege of teaching within the congregation... us the materials the Church provides (pg. 51 of Transforming Your Life)

Wisdom From Above

Some truths can be known through observation of the natural world. But God's word gives you access to wisdom that comes from beyond... hope of resurrection from the dead is not revealed by science... individual human dignity... care for the weak and powerless goes against the idea of survival of the fittest... love and outgoing concern are not written into the atoms of the universe.

We have these beautiful truths because God gave them to us Psalm 119:97-104. God's truth is not beyond the ability of anyone to understand... but understanding begins with obedience. You will not progress in knowledge... or grow spiritually, until you surrender and start to listen and do Hebrews 5:12-14.

Tips: Passive Vs. Active

Passive forms of learning include: listening to recorded sermons, or participating in a daily bible reading program.

Active forms of learning include: learning so you can teach (parents, speakers), discussion with knowledgeable people, and (my favorite) taking notes and writing in a wide margin bible.

Listening to sermons, doing a daily bible reading are good... but they're not the sort of workman-like bible study we have been talking about here. I may be biased, but neither of these work very well for me. My mind starts to wander and I find myself just going through the motions. I think you'll get more out of reading and listening if you find ways to engage with the content:

· I find taking notes keeps me focused. You might write them in a journal... then transfer really good ones into a wide margin bible later.

· You could find a bible reading partner(s). Set up a time to discuss previously agreed upon biblical passages. Ask questions, share insights etc. You'll force yourself to focus so you don't sound like a dummy when you get together.

· Try making a list of key scriptures on a them and memorize them

Use Church Materials

Have you gone through the Church's 12 part bible study course? Again, integrate active forms of learning to stay focused: write all the scriptures out by hand... makes notes in the margins of your bible... create a small discussion group to go over sections together (family activity).

How about the Church's Bible Commentary Program (Troy Phelps) - its a bible reading program coupled with the online commentary found at UCG.org. Make notes, engage, discuss.

Online bible studies and discussions sponsored and hosted by UCG pastors all over the country. Don't just listen, engage and you'll get more out of it.

Conclusion:

Philippians 1:9-11 knowledge and depth of insight... built on a foundation of regular, diligent, bible study is vital to preparing for Christ's return.