Studying the Bible: Its Necessity I. Introduction A. Let us begin an exploration into studying the Bible B. Before we get involved with matters of how to study the Bible, it is good for us to first examine the necessity of Bible study C. Those who do not see its necessity will not feel the need to engage in the study of the Bible as they ought D. Why study the Bible? E. Let us explore this question and the need we have to study the Bible II. The Necessity of Bible Study: God Commanded Study A. We need to study our Bibles because God commanded it! B. 2 Timothy 2:15 1. In older versions, like the KJV, the command is explicitly here to "study" 2. It is better translated to "be diligent"... 3. ...although the need to study is still present! 4. How else can one "handle rightly the word of truth" save by studying and understanding it? C. 2 Peter 3:18 1. We are commanded to "grow in the grace and knowledge" of Jesus Christ 2. How can we grow in the knowledge of Christ if we do not apply ourselves to knowing the knowledge of Christ? D. Hebrews 5:14 1. The Hebrew author presents for us the path to maturity in Christ 2. We are commanded to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus (2 Peter 3:18) 3. Maturity is defined in Hebrews 5:14 as being one who "ha[s] their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." 4. While one cannot underscore the need for constant practice-- to actually be doing the will of God-- enough... 5. ...you have to know the will of God sufficiently if you are going to practice it! E. We must continually emphasize that Christianity is not just an intellectual exercise, that it requires us to change our lives, yet if we do not know what we are to do and we do not know how to change according to God's will, how will we be able to please God? F. Study is most certainly necessary if we will know God's will for us! III. The Necessity of Bible Study: Proclaiming the Gospel A. We need to study our Bibles so that we can proclaim the truth of God to others B. Matthew 28:18-20 1. Here Jesus commands His followers to go and "make disciples" 2. To do that, we must "baptize" and "teach" 3. How can we make disciples if we ourselves are not His students (Matthew 10:24)? 4. How can we teach if we do not know? C. 1 Peter 3:15 1. Peter exhorts Christians to be able to make a defense for the hope in us 2. To make a defense, you must know what you're defending! 3. Could you make a defense of the hope in you? 4. Could you point to the Scriptures to show why we believe what we believe? 5. Can you explain to people, from the Scriptures, why we do what we do and why we avoid what we avoid? 6. This command is not just for the elder and the preacher-- it is for all! D. Hebrews 5:12-6:3 1. The Hebrew author chides the Hebrew brethren for their immaturity in the faith 2. They ought to have been teachers, but needed elementary teaching! 3. Some of these brethren were "in the faith" for over 25 years! 4. They should have been teachers, but were not 5. What would the same author say of us? E. It is manifest, then, that if we are going to be able to proclaim the Gospel as we have been commanded to do, we are going to need to study our Bibles so that we know what to proclaim IV. The Necessity of Bible Study: Spiritual Nourishment A. We must study our Bibles so that we may gain necessary nourishment for the soul B. Learning of God as consuming milk and/or meat: 1 Peter 2:2, Hebrews 5:12-6:3 C. Jesus as food: John 4:10-14, John 6:33-35, etc. D. If you tried to survive physically on the nourishment that you give your soul, could you survive? E. How much more should we be feeding our souls! F. It is certainly true that you gain spiritual nourishment from the assembly and the activities contained therein (Hebrews 10:24-25)... G. ...but how much more spiritual nourishment are you receiving? H. Consider the early church-- Acts 2:42 1. They "devoted themselves" to the "doctrines of the Apostles" 2. The brethren desired to learn the truth, and devoted themselves to it! I. Be not deceived: your spiritual growth is entirely tied to how much studying you do J. Study your Bible and feed your soul! V. The Necessity of Bible Study: The Spiritual War A. Ephesians 6:10-18 B. Paul ties all of these threads together in portraying our spiritual life in terms of war C. The armor of God represents the various aspects of our spiritual life that are essential D. They all in some way derive from study; after all, the "belt of truth" (v. 14) is present to hold the rest of the armor together E. Without study and knowledge, how can one be righteous, have the proper faith, and be saved (v. 14, 17)? F. If you don't know the Gospel, how can you have its preparation as your shoes (v. 15)? G. How can you wield the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, if you are ignorant of that Word (v. 17)? H. Standing firm is only promised to those who have their armor on-- if you are not studying the Bible and reinforcing your knowledge of the truth, how can you really fight this battle? I. Victory will be for those who know and practice the truth, but what will be the fate of those who do not know and therefore do not practice the truth? J. Consider Paul's metaphor and consider your view of Bible study K. Let us be all the more diligent to study our Bibles, that we be found approved by God, knowing the truth and wielding it properly! L. Songbook/invitation M. If there are any here today who have never known God, perhaps today you see the need to be on the Lord's side, and you have the ability to obey Him today and begin learning of Him N. Or perhaps you once obeyed God but have some spiritual need for encouragement O. However we can help you, please let us do so; come to the front as we stand and sing