Bible study is the act of digesting the word of God in your heart for a healthy spiritual growth. It is unfortunate that the Christians across the world could not tackle the rise in abominable acts in the societies. Why? The significance of personal Bible Study got diminished!! We need to promote private Bible Studies.
The 2012 online survey of Life-Way Research shows that only 19% of churchgoers personally (not as part of a church worship service) read the Bible every day.
But the shocking statistics for 2014 conducted by the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture says only 9% of Americans read the Bible daily.
According to the Canadian Bible Engagement study (May 2014), 55% of Canadians never read the Bible, 28% seldom read the Bible and 11% read it once a week or more frequently.
The British Bible Society released a study showing many British citizens cannot identify certain Bible stories; 43% of children have never heard the story of the crucifixion.
This sharp drop in Bible studies is a signal of end time tribulation. The faith of the young ones in Jesus Christ is becoming irrelevant. Jesus predicted this faith scarcity recorded in the book of Luke chapter 18 verses 8: “… Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
The seven reasons for a personal Bible Study include:
1. God’s Identity Card
Bible study is the easiest way to identify God. The reason for the high number of lukewarm Christians is due to the failure to know the profile of the Lord Jesus Christ they accepted as Savior.
It is impossible to enjoy a good relationship with someone you can’t identify. And you will find it easy to know the identity of the Lord when you always study the word of God in the Bible.
For instance, you might not know the name of the Lord if you have never read a passage such as Exodus chapter 3 verse 14: “And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
2. Authentic Road Map
This generation is filled with false Pastors and Prophets. If you obey their teachings without studying the Bible, then you will miss the right track to heaven. The Bible is the only perfect Book that describes how to live in holiness, love and peace.
The journey to heaven requires bible study. This is synonymous to your map readings, and obedience to traffic rules when driving on the highway.
If you don’t study the word of God regularly, then it is impossible to know the right lifestyles acceptable to the Lord. Second Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 and 17 says: “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.”
3. Bible Study yields Miracle
The study of God’s word in the Bible can ease your heart from heavy burden. It restores hope, strengthens faith and can heal your broken heart. I had never regretted studying the Bible every day.
In the past, I suffered memory loss. But, when I gave my life to Jesus and read the Bible daily, I noticed a great improvement. I’m no more suffering from memory loss! Hallelujah!!
4. Bible is God’s Amplifier
God is not dumb and He won’t hesitate to speak, if you are ready to hear from Him. Your regular Bible study will give answers to questions bothering your heart.
For instance, I noticed my heart always becomes troubled when I play jokes. And my pastor did the same to make us laugh during the church service. So, no one told me it was wrong to be a clown! I prayed to God to explain the misery of my troubled heart.
I didn’t hear from God until I stumbled on Ephesians chapter 5 during my personal bible study at home… “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”
Bible study will save you from a lot of mess in the Christendom today.
5. Understand God’s cultural views
The careful study of the Bible shows that God is so much interested in the cultural practices of His beloved children. He warned the Israelite not to follow the culture of the Amorites and others, because such cultural practices are bunch of abominations. (Exodus 23:23-25)
In a scenario where the culture of your land contradicts God’s view, it is wise for you to engross yourself in an uninterrupted bible study. For instance, America and some countries had legalized the practice of homosexuals which is against God’s will.
Leviticus chapter 20 verses 13 say: “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.”
Everyone in this generation requires an intensive personal bible study, this will give us the understanding of God’s view on the right culture to practice.
6. Bible Study Exposes Devil’s secret
You will know more of devil’s devices if you study your bible every day. And you will also find it easy to scrutinise the false teachings of the antichrists in the Christendom.
Devil knows that a lot of ‘lazy Christians’ find it difficult to read the Bible, so he is recruiting a lot of brilliant Pastors. Their job is to deceive the people with ungodly doctrines.
The bible study I did in the book of second Peter opened my eyes to see many sugar-coated deceits in our midst. “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.” (2 Peter 2:1)
7. You will overcome temptation and sin
Jesus Christ did intensive Bible study when He was young and it helped Him in the desert where there was no Bible to read. He overcame Satan’s temptations through the word of God. Listen! ‘You can’t give what you don’t have!’
The Devil is not happy about God’s salvation for your life. So, he will whisper many temptations to your heart, because he does not want you to be free from sins. But, Jesus Christ will wash your sins away if you give your total life to Him.
Read your Bible Daily and you will overcome all the temptations of devil.
