Why Should We Study the Bible?

God bless you. How are you doing with your New Year's resolution to read the Bible every day?

You make sure to eat every day, don’t you?

Just as our bodies cannot live without food, our souls also need nourishment. That nourishment is the word of God. Reading and studying the Bible strengthens our souls and helps us keep our faith strong.

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

Ro 10:17

Even a strong, healthy body becomes weak if we stop exercising and taking care of it. In the same way, even if we have faith now, it can wither if we stop studying God’s word.

Temptations and hardships can arise when we least expect them. At such times, our hearts need to be filled with God’s word so that we can recognize what is true, keep our faith from being shaken, and make the right choices. To hold on to our faith in every situation and live according to God’s will, we need to keep the Bible close to us.

“If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”

1 Ti 6:3—5

We are taught to begin everything with prayer, right? The same is true when we study the Bible. Before you begin, ask God to help you understand His word.

The Bible was written by many different writers over a period of about 1,600 years, from around 1500 BC to the end of the 1st century AD. Because people lived in times and circumstances very different from ours, learning about the historical background can make the Bible easier to understand and its message more meaningful. Shall we look at Abraham as an example?

“The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.’ . . . So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.”

Ge 12:1—4

Today, moving away from the place where we were born and raised may not seem like such a big deal. In Abraham’s day, however, people depended greatly on their families and clans for protection, so leaving one’s homeland was a dangerous undertaking. Abraham had to travel a great distance toward the land God would show him, without knowing exactly where God was leading him. The long journey would also have involved many possible dangers, including attacks by hostile groups or robbers.

That’s right. When you understand the historical background first and imagine what the situation was like, the Bible becomes much easier to understand and much more engaging. Above all, remember that the Bible was written by God for His beloved children.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

2 Ti 3:16

So, we can think of the Bible as a letter from our spiritual Parents, given to teach and guide Their children in the right way.

Yes. The most important thing when reading the Bible is to discover the love of God revealed through His word. As you read, ask yourself, “Why did God give us these words?” Then you will begin to understand His deep wisdom and love.

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!”

Ro 11:33

When we truly realize that God loves us, our hearts are filled with joy and gratitude. We also gain the strength to overcome life’s difficulties. So keep studying the Bible and discover God’s love for yourself.

Getting started is the hardest part. But if you keep at it, reading the Bible will become a good habit, and you will naturally stay close to God’s word. I’ll be cheering you on. You’ve got this!