I am a new Christian; I hear they call people like us ‘baby Christians’. Hmm, baby sha, a full grown man like me? I also hear they call the people on the next level after being baby Christians Matured Christians. That’s more like it, but how do I join this train full of matured minds? When will I stop drinking spiritual milk and start cracking spiritual bones?
A friend of mine at my new church, The Elevation Church, confided in me. He said studying the bible could help me become matured. Could help me? Or would help me? He wasn’t specific, but I know that pal of mine, he just wants me to find out myself because he knows I have got an inquisitive mind.
In my quest for answers I opened my dictionary to understand the meaning of Study. According to the dictionary, Studying is:
“The devotion of time and attention to acquiring knowledge or detailed investigation and analysis of a subject or situation”.
What I understand by this is that studying results in additional knowledge, which can be applied either in a test or even when discussing with a friend. Hmm… What then happens when I study the bible?
In this little time that I have become a born again Christian, I have realized that the Bible is not just any other book, the benefits of studying my bible are life changing.
Hebrew 4:12 is quite instructive about this: -
For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Once I discovered this truth, I started to read the bible. I learnt a lot about God and the word just because I had the Holy Spirit as my teacher but I yearned for more. So, I began to study the bible instead. Now, this approach revealed the truth and power of God’s word to me such that I began to apply it to my day to day life and I suddenly began to pass all of life’s tests with flying colors. This is simply called wisdom.
I came to the full realization that actual study is a bit deeper than just reading the bible. So this is how I have decided to study the bible going forward:
• I set aside time and prepare - when I’m alone and comfortable.
• I use materials – my pen and paper is great, concordance etc. is helpful.
• My spiritual preparation – I pray and I am expectant to receive revelation from God.
• I rely on the Holy Spirit to reveal truths to me.
You can also start like me, right from where you are, whatever you are struggling with.
The simple thing to remember about studying the bible is this: Read, study, trust the Holy Spirit, gain knowledge and apply wisdom. These are my thoughts, what are yours?
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