Musing – How to Study the Bible.

Hebraic Musing – How to Study the Bible.

First and most important question – Why study the Bible?  Think of how you would respond to hearing a voice from heaven speaking directly to you.  Should we read/study the Bible with the same reverence?  

Might we be studying the Bible for the wrong reasons?  Guilt!?  Or, we need arguments against other perspectives?!  Are we only looking for material in preparation for a Bible study, sermon or message?!  Do we just want to be able to show off our knowledge (Competitiveness)?

Why did God give us the Bible?  Maybe God wants us to know who He is?!?!  As our creator He wants his role known.  And maybe God wants us to know ourselves and how we are to get along in this world.  Actually the “Law” or the Torah (first 5 books) is better called a “Teaching.”  The Torah is about more than just Do’s and Don’ts; it’s about how to live a righteous life.  Furthermore, our Loving God and Creator wants us to be living a Godly life, and He told us that!  “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim.3:16-17  NIV

God also wants you to have a relationship with Him.  Simply reading the Bible does draw us closer!  God the Father wants to tell us how and why we need a relationship with His Son.   The need to do so is evident from the opening of Genesis to the ending of Revelation.

God also want us to prepare us for our God-given mission.  He planned this for Abraham’s children (♫ “I am one of them, and so are you…”) right from the beginning.  “…and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Gen.12:3    So today… “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”  2 Cor. 5:20    

Do you want to know the “Mind of Christ”?  Every time you open your Bible prepare yourself for an encounter with your Creator.  “…But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Cor. 2:16

Do you want to grow in your knowledge of Him?  “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:2-3  How does a newborn baby seek its milk?

Should we pray before studying the Bible?  And maybe we should also pray after reading it!  Psalm 119 is long but full of phrases demonstrating the Psalmist’s yearnings.  Examples: “I will seek you with all my heart.” and “teach me your decrees.” and “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”

Do we believe and obey everything the Bible tells us to do?  Was the world and cosmos created in six days?  Do we obey everything we are told to do?  Are we challenged to put away the misdeeds?  “For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”  Rom.8:13-14

Do we let the Bible change us?  My favorite verse (one of many) is James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”  God expects us to be transformed when we read His Word! 

Points to ponder   or   RSVP

So when you read your Bible, do you get “Marching Orders”?

True religion is not about what we know;
                          it’s about how well do we put God’s Word into practice?

Is there a voice from heaven trying to speak to you?

♫  Read your Bible. Pray every day. And you’ll grow, grow, grow.  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          October 29, 2019

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Inspired by and excerpted from Francis Chan’s “MULTIPLY – Disciples making disciples” Part III.