The Biblical principles of Bible Study
2 Timothy 2: 1-26
Intro: I’m convinced that most of the church members, that makeup the body of Christ, are ill equipped for service. The prime reason for this is in the lack of biblical understanding of the mysteries of God that flow from the Word to those that are poorly nourished; much like a baby that pushes away a bottle of milk continually gets sick, so does the immature Christian who pushes away from Gods Word. Therefore the command given by Paul to young Timothy “Study to show thy self approved, a workman needing not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” is very imperative to all believers. The context of this message is exhort each believer to not only read the word of God but study it, not in part, but I its entirety.
Quote:
Any single verse of the Bible, taken in isolation, may actually be dangerous to your spiritual health. Every part of it must be read in relation to the whole message.
LOUIS CASSELS
I. Understanding the entirety of the Word of God:
1. Comes from hours of intense reading
Note: There are some among us this morning that simply read the Word of God as though it had little importance in the life of each believer. They read it as though it was a romance novel about two mortal people instead of a sovereign God reveling himself to sinful men that lay buried in the mire of filth and shame that binds them.
2. By prayerful consideration of the passages read
3. By careful study of each passage and correlating them with other passages “Hermeneutics”
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
There are few people that loved sentence diagrams in school, my self-included, but it’s a discipline that is taught for a purpose and must be used in the study of the Word of God. While breaking down each sentence, paragraph, and chapter we start to understand the full meaning of that which is written. If not done correctly we take passages out of context and develop a false understanding of scripture that leads to a false belief (theology) about the nature and attributes of God.
II. Why the Mandate to Study?
First lets define the term used in our text:
Study comes from the Greek word spoudazo {spoo-dad’-zo} meaning: to exert one’s self, endeavor, and give diligence to something:
Note: Why would someone want to give and extreme amount of energy to the study of God’s Word???
1. To equip others
2 Timothy 2:2
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Note: The purpose of equipping the Saints of God for service is two fold, let’s consider:
A. For spiritual warfare
1 Timothy 1:18 and 2 Timothy 2:3
18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
B. That others may be taught in the Word of God
Note: We have been admonished to learn and teach so that others may teach, which keeps a cycle moving and progressing ever forward.
2. To put an end to strife about belief
2 Timothy 2:14
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
III. Who should study the Word of God??
1. The Pastor/Preacher
Note: In the context of the passage being studied today we can say for a certainty say the Pastor/Preacher must study. Paul is exhorting young Timothy to Study. Paul being an Elder and Timothy being a very young man as well as a Shepard/Pastor to a particular flock must endeavor to apply himself to the Word with intense energy so as to be the solider of Christ Paul has envisioned him to be.
2. The laity / pew dweller
In the 12th century A.D. the Catholic Church took the Word of God out of the hands of the people and changed the language into Latin so that the common people could not read fro themselves the Word of God. In the next 400 years there would be men who would make a stand for the Word of God and the common people; Martin Luther, John Calvin, King James and John Knox as well as many others translated the Word of God into a language for the common people, all the while being tormented by the church for their actions.
IV. Why should I study??
Note: I shared with a bible study class some weeks ago about the importance of personal bible study and there was a statement made that’s imperative to the question being posed, “You can not teach that which you do not know!”
1. So that you can give an account of what you believe
Psalm 119:46
46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
1 Peter 3:15
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
2. So that you have no reason to be ashamed
Note: There is NO reason for biblical ignorance in our day, there is NO reason (at least for the majority) why you can’t study God’s Word for your self; even the inability to read is a poor excuse, every county in the state of Arkansas has a reading program, therefore get involved, study and learn.
3. So that you will be an approved workman for God
Note: When God testifies of your gifts and abilities by allowing you the privilege to preach, teach, admonish, and exhort others; my friend God has found you capable and through the Holy Ghost has placed upon you the seal of His approval by the opportunities before you.
V. What must I study?
This question isn’t loaded; of course we are to study the Word of God. The question points to specifics such as:
2 Timothy 3:16
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
1. Doctrine / Teachings of the Bible
Most preachers of today make a three point presentation on Sunday Morning filled with stories and illustrations, which is fine; but there must be clear and direct teaching on the doctrines of the bible and articulated in such away that the congregation can fully understand them. Many want to hide certain terms such as Calvinism, Election, predestination, hyper-dispensationalism etc… in a cloud of words that remove parts or all of its meaning.
Some books that I recommend
· The Great Doctrines of the Bible by Doctor William Evans
· Fundamental Facts of the Faith by Doctor Clifton L. Fowler
· The Doctrines of Grace by Doctors James Montgomery Boice and Philip Graham Ryken
2. Church History
It’s also as equally important to understand how certain teachings affected people, societies, and church life through the whole of history.
Book that I recommend
· Church History in plain Language by Bruce L. Shelley
· Eusebius, The Church History by Doctor Paul L. Maier
3. Theology / what the bible teaches about God
Proper theology is crucial to the Christian life, what we believe about God will not change who he is, but it will change how we view Him.
VI. The benefits of study
1. It increases our knowledge of God and what He desires from us
2. It enables us to overcome the uncertainties of life
Note: In the time we spend with God in prayer and study of the Word of God our FAITH grows, and as our faith grows out WALK with Christ becomes closer and as our walk becomes closer our RELATIONSHIP becomes sweeter. Then when those times of immense hardships fall on us we can respond to the one we know “Christ Jesus” who can help us in our greatest hour.
3. It equips us with the necessary tools needed to minister to others
2 Timothy 3:17
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
In Conclusion:
Congregation are you ready to meet the challenges of life, the hardships, the disappointments that will surely come, if not I exhort you to apply yourselves to the study of God’s Word.
Reader, what about you? Are you ready for the hard times in life; the death of a child or the death of a spouse? God’s Word has much to say about these things, we just need to spend quality time in the study of God’s Word.
9/26/06
Thomas L. Lanthrip
