Why Do We Do Bible Studies?
In the Bible, God tells us to study the Bible.
Joshua 1:8 (NLT)
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
Deuteronomy 6:6-8 NLT
6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.
1 Peter 2:2-3 NLT
2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.
The Bible gives us many reasons to study the scriptures.
Proverbs 3:1-2 NLT
1 My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart.2 If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.
2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
Proverbs 4:10-13
10 My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life.11 I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths.12 When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.13 Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.
Revelation 1:3 (NLT)
God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.
Psalm 119:105 NLT
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:15-16 NLT
15 I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.16 I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.
The Bible gives us peace and hope.
Imitate the early church.
Acts 2:42 NLT
42All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
We need to know the truths of the scriptures so that we are not deceived by false teachers.
Colossians 2:8 NLT
8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 NLT
3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
Matthew 7:15 NLT
The Tree and Its Fruit
15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.
2 Peter 2:1-3 NLT
The Danger of False Teachers
2:1 But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.
Ephesians 4:14 NLT
14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.
2 Corinthians 11:3-4 NLT
3 But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. 4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.
Studying the Word helps us fight spiritual battles and experience victory!
We need to know the truths of the scriptures so that we are not misled by teachers with good intentions.
Acts 17:11 NLT
11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.
Spending time studying God’s Word helps us produce spiritual fruit.
Psalm 1:1-3 NLT
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
John 15:4-8 NLT
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
Another benefit of studying God’s Word is that as we mature, we can lead others in truth, too!
1 Peter 3:15 NLT
15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
What is a major benefit that comes from studying the scriptures?
Scripture transforms our minds.
God wants to transform us.
Romans 12:2 NLT
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Ephesians 4:23 NLT
23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
What can scripture do?
Psalm 19:7-8 NLT
7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
Psalm 119:50 NLT
50 Your promise revives me;
it comforts me in all my troubles.
John 20:30-31 NLT
Purpose of the Book
30 The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.
Romans 10:17 NLT
17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
Romans 15:4 NLT
Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 NLT
14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.15You have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Hebrews 4:12 NLT
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
A supernaturally discerning agent showing us right from wrong.
Proverbs 2:1-6 NLT
1 My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands.2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God.6 For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Matthew 4:4 NLT
4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Scripture nurtures our spiritual needs in a way that benefits us eternally.
Scripture transforms not just our minds, but our lives.
1 Peter 1:23-25 NLT
23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 24 As the Scriptures say,
“People are like grass;
their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
25 But the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
Bible study deepens godly community
Bible study helps us grow closer to God.
