Source/Author: Dr Michael Dalseno

There are many good reasons why all believers should study God's Word.

WHY STUDY THE WORD OF GOD?

By Dr  M.P. Dalseno

Paul exhorted Timothy to be “a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2Tim.2.15).

Why study the Word of God? At least nine reasons immediately come to mind:

1. The more we know about God’s Word, the more we will know Him. How can anyone form, still less maintain, a close relationship at a distance? Above all else, Paul wanted to “know” Him (Phil.3.10).

2. Missed blessings, attack and defeat sneaks up on those living at ease. There are a few such episodes mentioned in the Bible in which comfortable and self-satisfied people were overwhelmed, overcome or overrun (Jud.5.15-17, Jer.49.31, Jud.18.7).

3. In this demanding day and age, we are too busy NOT to study. There is so much at stake, so much to lose, so much to go wrong; we need to get as close to the Lord as we possibly can. Physical investments often collapse through lack of spiritual investments.

4. In order to avoid error, heresy, cultish deception, incorrect thinking, and going the wrong way. We are told that the Word is sufficient for “teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2Tim.3.16).

5. It balances you out. Each of us has our specific preferences, interests and emphases, and so we tend to dwell on these to the neglect of other balancing factors in life. “A just balance and scales belong to the Lord” (Prov.16.11).

6. So as to read, understand and apply it properly. There are many linguistic styles in the Bible: narratives, poetry, proverbs, prophetical writings, parables, epistles, hyperbole, idoms, etc, and we have to read them right if we are going to apply them right.

7. To take hold of the opportunities presented to us. A beautiful story unfolds in 2 Kings of a group of lepers who decided, “Why do we sit here until we die?” (2K.7.3). Studying God’s word opens many life opportunities.

8. Bridging the gap between Competence and Performance. Many of us desire effectiveness and influence as believers but lack the real competence to do so.

9. Where do you want to be in 5 or 10 years time? Will you be one of those still standing at a station waiting for a train that has long ago arrived, taken on its passengers and departed?