How often do you study your Bible?

Do you study it every day, every other day, once a week, or once a month? God in His great wisdom has told us to study.

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that neededth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15). To most who are familiar with the Bible this is a familiar passage. It is a passage that teaches at least three lessons.

First, it says to “Study to show thyself approved unto God...” This makes it a personal thing. In the context of the passage Paul was talking to Timothy, however the application can be made to all who follow Christ. On one occasion Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). We must be aware of what the Bible teaches.

If we do not know the way to live our lives how will we be ready for the day of judgment? Our destiny will not depend on how much our ancestors knew about the Bible, or how much our spouse knows. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad (II Cor. 5:10). Now think about it. We are to study God’s word for ourselves, which will enable us to know what God desires of us.

If we study and obey we will be approved in the sight of God.

Second, the passage reads, “...a workman that needeth not to be ashamed...”

Anyone who is a follower of God ought to know that they are to be workmen. When thinking of being a workman the words of Jesus come to mind, “ The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest (Matt. 9:37). There are over five billion people on the earth who need to know the truth of God’s word. After studying and obeying ourselves we must then work to teach others.

This is God’s desire that His word be studied on a regular basis (2 Tim. 2:15).

Since we will be judged by the words of Jesus, we must spend time with God’s word.

When in school and a test was scheduled, most would make sure they studied the text, and the test of eternity is far more important than a test in school.

The final part of this passage states, “... rightly dividing the word of truth... One must understand the divisions of the Bible.

While it is all inspired (II Peter 1:20,21; II Tim. 3:16,17), not all of it is for man to follow today. The Bible is divided into the Old and New Testaments.

The New Testament is what we are to follow today. The Hebrew writer told that the old was a shadow of things to come (Heb. 10:1-22).

With the death of Christ, the New Testament was given to man (Heb. 9:11-28). If we were to keep the old covenant today, we would not be able to have the forgiveness of sins (Heb. 10:1-4; Gal 3:16-4:11). Christ took the old law out of the way (2:14).

When we properly divide the word, we learn what God expects of us today. The last will and testament of our Lord shows that we are to study the word. This study of the word develops faith (Rom. 10:17), which leads to repentance (Acts 2:38) and a willingness to confess Christ before men (Matt. 10:32).

Then one realizes the need to be baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38). The word then gives one instruction on how to live the Christian life.

How often do you read your Bible? Make it a daily habit.