You and your Bible
By Cooper P. Abrams III
The Bible Gateway - Gospelcom.net
Bible Verse Links - A word of warning: The Bible Gateway - Gospelcom.net site gives the user access to some very helpful tools for Bible study. While the default version is the KJV, several modern versions of the Bible, including the NIV, NASB, NLT, among others, are also available. By having this link I am not promoting, nor do I condone, the use of these versions. In my humble opinion, you should use the KJV only
Importance Of Bible To You
God puts great emphasis on His Word. In fact, the longest chapter in the whole Bible (Psalm 119), speaks entirely about the Bible and its place in our life. God wants to talk with us and teach us. He cannot do this unless we read His Word.
2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that all scripture is "inspired" of God and is profitable to us. This is called the doctrine of the "inspiration of Scripture". It means every word that the writer wrote down was exactly what God wanted written. This is also called the doctrine of "verbal plenary inspiration", or in other words every word was inspired of God and was without error.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:17).
l. BIBLE IS OUR FOOD
The Bible is spiritual food to the Christian and is absolutely necessary if you are to grow and develop into a strong and mature Christian. We must have physical food to live, but also must have spiritual food to stay healthy spiritually. A new believer is Christ is called in the Bible a spiritual babe. Peter tells us that new babes in Christ are to desire the sincere milk of the word that they might grow thereby (1 Peter 2:2). The only way a baby can develop and grow to adulthood is to eat properly.
A Christian needs to feed from the Bible every day. A baby is not fed once or twice a week, but has to be fed constantly.
2. BIBLE IS OUR LIGHT
The Bible is called a light, because it guides our daily walk with God. it tells us what to do and know how to live. David said in Psalm 119:105, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." The Bible will be our guide trough this life.
3. BIBLE IS OUR SPIRITUAL WEAPON
Ephesians 6:11 and Ephesians 6:17 says we are to put on the whole armor of God that we might stand against the tricks of devil. When Jesus was tempted by Satan, He met every temptation with God's Word (Matthew 4:3-11). We can do the same. The Bible is our sword in the battle against Satan's temptations. Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Since the Bible is God's Word to us, and He is the author, then we must read and study it to know what He wants to tell us. The Bible is very important to us and is very profitable to us. We must therefore study it and live by it. There are different ways to feed on God's word in order to grow spiritually.
1. STUDY BIBLE BY HEARING IT
Romans 10:17 says, "faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. We need this faith in order to live properly for the Lord. One of the best ways to study the Bible this way is to hear it preached and taught at church. That is why it is so important to be in church every Sunday, not just Sunday, but also Monday night.
2. STUDY BIBLE BY READING AND MEDITATING ON IT
Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:13 to ". . . give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." Every Christian should read the Bible every day of his life. When we read the Bible, God is speaking to us. We must set aside a time everyday to read and study the Bible. Normally the best time is first thing in the morning. Get up a little early so you can spend some time with the Lord in reading His word and praying.
The best way to read the Bible is to have a plan and a goal. Some plan to start reading at Genesis and read through the entire Bible in one year. This is very good. But for a new Christian, it is usually better to first start in the New Testament. Here is a suggest order to begin in the New Testament:
Gospel of John, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Philippians, etc.
But we must do more than read, we must study the Bible. Think about what you are reading. AS a new Christian, don't expect to understand all you read. It may not all seem to make sense at first, but if you are patient and sincerely study, you will find the Bible fits together. But a casual or brief glance once or twice a week, will not teach you the Bible.
As you read, underline verses in the Bible that are special to you. Keep a small notebook beside you when you read and write down thoughts the Lord gives to you. Have a Bible reading schedule and mark it as you read.