Last week we talked about the need to know what you believe as demonstrated in the Apostle’s Creed, this week we will start to talk about why we believe such things.  Without the Bible we would have no way to study the teachings of Christ, the history of the early church, or the history of the Jewish people.  We also wouldn’t know what to expect in the days to come.  The Bible is your sword to fight the enemy and it is very important that we study it daily to seek the teachings God has put before us.

But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.  But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:13-17 (NKJV)

Many people today question whether that scripture is still accurate.  Since our Bible has been handed down for thousands of years, from spoken word for many generations and now in written form that has been translated to 100’s of languages and seemingly more interpretations of those translations.  Can we still trust the Bible to be the Word of God?  I hear many people say that the King James is the only legit version of the Bible and all else is false teachings.  Where does this come from scriptually?  It doesn’t!  I have prayed and spent much time studying many different versions of the Bible and have come to the conclusion that the Bible is alive!  I have read the same verse and have had different truths jump out at me.  You should read what ever version of the Bible is best of you.  When you find “your version” you’ll know.  You may notice I almost always use the New King James for my studies.  This is “my” version it speaks to me best and though I use other versions when preparing these studies, in case I may have missed something, I find the NKJV to be the easiest for me to understand.  Does that make it better than the NIV?  Nope, The NIV just isn’t written in a way that speaks to me.  Since, “all scripture is given by inspiration of God” would you not agree that the God-fearing men and women who translated the scripture would also be “inspired” by God?  I belive that God will not let a false translation of his word to spread in the Church.

Why should we study the Bible?

Well in a nutshell because God has instructed us to do so…

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

We also should study it because we are instructed by Paul that we must be able to defend the teachings of the Bible against the enemy. 

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;  and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:2-4 (NKJV)

I know its hard to set aside time in our busy lives to study God’s words, but with out this time alone in His word we will never grow spiritually.  Studying the Bible gives us a thirst and a desire to know God better and to serve him with more commitment.

I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food. Job 23:12 (NKJV)

This week let as all commit to spending at least 10 minutes a day studying the Bible and earnestly praying that he will show us His will for our lives.