[Steve Myers] We had a question that came in about Bible study. I know as Christians we know we need to study the Bible. But one of the challenges is what this question posed. How do I have a successful, helpful Bible study? We know we're supposed to study the Bible, but where do we start?
So, I thought for a moment it might be good to just think about that for a moment. So I've got up on the board three things to start with. The very first thing I think that's important is that we realize that the Bible is inspired. It is God's words. So, as we begin to study the Bible, when we read it, we've got to realize that. 2 Timothy 3:16 talks about that, that God inspired His word. It is God breathed. It is the inspired word of God. So when we read the Bible, let's make sure we do that. And when we read things that we don't understand, let's get into it and study a little bit deeper and let's do what it said. Why? Because it is the inspired word of God and that's an important place to start.
Now the other thing that's also important is that we've got to set aside time to study the Bible. We can't just come up with it and hope that, well, maybe at the end of the day there will be enough time to do this. We have to set a specific time during our life every day that we're going to study the word of God. In the book of Ephesians it talks about redeeming the time or making the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:15). So every day, make the most of that day and begin it by spending time with God in His word, listening to Him, listening to what He's got to say for your life. It can change your whole day. So make sure you set aside that time to study the word of God.
And then of course, we've got to make sure we're listening. That means as we listen to God with the time we spend, we've also got to talk to God. We've got to talk to Him in prayer. Ask Him to inspire us and help us to understand His word, to look to His word. Proverbs chapter 3 talks about—that we need to trust in the Lord with all our heart, don't lean to our understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).
And so, pray and ask God to help your understanding, to guide you as you study His word, to help you understand what He's got for your life. And I think if we begin with these three things, understanding first of all that God has inspired His word, and what it says is applicable to my life, it will make a difference in my life. We've got to set aside that time to understand what God's saying to me personally. And pray to God. Tell Him what we need to understand, ask Him to inspire us and guide us and direct us. And that way we can have a helpful and successful Bible study.
