Bible Study is Always Good

The longer I have been a Christian, the more I have been convinced of the preeminence of the Word of God as revealed in the Bible. In Psalm 19
, David tells us, "The law of the Lord if perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." I think much of this passage is forgotten today in many churches today.

Each and every Christian should see it as his highest priority in life, above work, above family, above children, above spouses, above home, above fellowship, above politics, above hobbies, above all things to search the Word of God and pray to know Jesus Christ more. Some of scripture is hard and beyond understanding, but nearly all of it is able to "1 Peter 4:11

Do not mishear me. I am not saying that the Bible is the only thing. In fact, by saying the Bible is most important, I am unable to say it is the only thing. To read and apply the Bible with guidance from the Holy Spirit demands that we work hard, we fervently serve our children and wives, we manage our home well, we seek fellowship, we influence others, and we maintain our bodies and health. The Bible holds an impossible standard to follow, but by making it our chief focus we hope to attain something of the prize it describes.

I have, unfortunately, heard Bible study referred to as a "toxic" environment. I have seen it said that Bible study alone can be compared with the filling of the Dead Sea: without an outlet the water becomes toxic and no life can survive in it. In theory, I can suppose that it is possible for Bible study to degenerate in this way, but since this contradicts the clear teaching of scripture I must assume a contradiction has occurred in such "Bible studies."

A Bible study may be a Bible study in name only. If the true purpose of a gathering is actually to share personal experience or fellowship or prayer or singing or acts of service (all good things, I do not malign them) with a Bible present in the room: This a "Bible study" does not make.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. — 2 Timothy 5:16-17

If you have a "Bible study" that does not engage in teaching the Word but focuses on experience or personal beliefs or fellowship or anything else, you do not have a Bible study. If you have a "Bible study" that does not use the Word to reprove false teaching but merely provides positive applications, you do not have a Bible study. If you have a "Bible study" that does not use the Word to expose error in personal belief and behavior but elevate individual experience over the Bible, you do not have a Bible study. If you do not use the Word of God to train believers as if they were studying hard for the most important final exam of their lives, Final Judgment, but just have a "holy huddle," you do not have a Bible study.

Let us not confuse terms here. A Bible study is focused on the Word of God. Anything else may be excellent, but Bible study must be greatest among all the pursuits of Christians. Everything else may fall into place when this pursuit is realized. Sharing our lives will become an outpouring of our wish to show God's glory exposed in our failures and His miracles. Fellowship will become an opportunity to build one another up. Prayer will become ever more important as the Bible exposes our shortcomings and the Spirit convicts us more and more. Evangelism will become the natural mode of our speech and actions as the Word fills us and breaks down the dams of comfort and convenience we build up in this modern society.

Any attempt to develop programs or man-made systems to enforce rigorous Bible study will ultimately fail. Men and women of God will either pursue scripture and apply its precepts to their life, as difficult as it is to do so, or they will not. The Spirit will lead this process, not men. Men may provide guidance and wisdom to others, but only the Spirit changes lives and attitudes. It is not an easy standard to live by and its teachings work against many modern innovations in psychology and social behavior and science that seem improve our lives, but the truth is the truth and these things will be found to be man's folly sooner or later. Attempting to use these modern innovations of strategy and community building will prove to serve as a false hope that replaces the true hope found in scripture.

I ask that any Christian that reads this and agrees with it, do not allow compromise on this issue anymore. I pray that God will harden my resolve in this matter so that I will not compromise as I have unfortunately done too often, to the detriment of myself, my family, and those within the realm of my influence. I have gone with the flow of liberal doctrine and allowed man's experiences and learning and "wisdom" to cloud my understanding. I must not allow this disease to persist in my life. I recommend the same in yours.

The Word is the Word and the truth of Jesus is always good and satisfying to those who know Him. If we only take it and use it to its full advantage, there is no task that God can set us to that we will fail. Though, we might find ourselves doing tasks that we would not have sought ourselves. Yet, if we are doing God's work and building up eternal treasures it will be worth it.

Amen.