The Value of Bible Study

 

The Bible is God’s great textbook for man. It is His lamp to our feet and light to out path in the world of sin. The value of Bible study cannot be overestimated.

 

Considered from a literary standpoint alone, the Bible stands pre-eminent. Its terse, chaste style; its beautiful and impressive imagery; its interesting stories and well-told narratives; its deep wisdom and its sound logic; its dignified language and its elevated themes – all make it worthy of universal reading and careful study.

 

As an educating power, the Bible has no equal. Nothing broadens the vision, strengthens the mind, elevates the thoughts, and ennobles the affections ad does the study of the sublime and stupendous truths of revelation. Knowledge of its principles is an essential preparation to every calling. To the extent that it is studied and it’s teaching are received, it gives strength of character, noble ambition, keenness of perception, and sound judgment. Of all the books ever written, none contains lessons so instructive, precepts so pure, or promises so great as the Bible.  

 

There is nothing that so convinces the mind of inspiration of the Bible as does the reading of the Bible itself, and especially those portions known as the prophecies. After the resurrection of Christ, when everything else seemed to have failed to convince the disciples that He had risen from the dead, He applied to the Inspired Word, and “expounded unto them in all the scriptures [the Old Testament] the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:25-27), and they believed. On another occasion Jesus said, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:31.

 

As a guide, the Bible is without a rival. It gives a calm peace in believing, and firm hope of the future. It solves the great problems of life and destiny, and inspires to a life of purity, patience, and well doing. It fills the heart with love for God and a desire to do good to others, and thus prepares for usefulness here and for a home in heaven. It teaches the value of the soul, by revealing the price that has been paid to redeem it. It makes known the only antidote for sin, and presents the only perfect code of morals ever given. It tells of the future and the preparation necessary to meet it. It makes us bold for the right, and sustains the soul in adversity and affliction. It lights up the dark valley of death, and points to a life unending. It leads to God and to Christ, whom to know is life eternal. In short, it is the one book to live by and die by.

 

As the king of Israel was instructed to reproduce a copy of the law, and to read therein “all the days of his life,” that he might “fear the Lord,” keep his word, and thus prolong his days and the days of his children (Deuteronomy 17: 18-20), so ought men now to study the Bible, and from it learn that fear which is the beginning of wisdom, and that knowledge which is unto salvation.

 

 

 

Bible Reading – their Value and Use

 

Briefly stated, a Bible reading consists of questions asked concerning some subject, and answers to them from the Bible. In other words, a Bible reading is a topical study of the Bible by means of questions and answers.

 

In either receiving or imparting knowledge, there is nothing like the interrogation point. Nothing so readily quickens thought or awakens interest as a question. Children would learn little if they asked no questions, and he would indeed be a poor teacher who asked and answered none.

 

Knowing the value of this means of awakening thought, arousing interest, and imparting information, God, in His wisdom, inspired those who wrote the Bible to ask many questions, that Jesus might set us to thinking and studying about the great themes which it deals. (See Job 38:4, 7; 14:14; Psalm 8:4; Malachi 3:1,2, 8; Exodus 32:26; 1 Chronicles 29:5.)

 

But God not only asks questions; He answers them. The following may be cited as a few short Bible readings, taken, both questions and answers, directly from the Bible itself: “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Psalm 34: 12-14. 

“Who may ascend the hill of the Lord” Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idle or swear by what is false.” Psalm 24:3-5. The bible itself, therefore, sets the example of giving instruction and of imparting most valuable information by means of asking questions and answering them.

 

The readings in these segments as originally prepared were contributed by a large number of Bible instructors, whose experience in giving Bible readings had taught them the most effective methods of presenting the different subjects treated.

 

The reading in these segments have been classified and carefully arranged according to topics. Thus prepared, it is once more sent forth on its mission of light and blessing to aid in the study of God’s Word.

 

As a help in enabling the reader quickly to discover the words which most directly answer the question asked, they generally printed in italic, unless the entire scripture quoted is required from other works have been printed in italics in order to call attention to the significant points in the quotations.

 

Bible readings will be found an excellent aid to private, family, and public study of the Word of God. The use of the New International Version will be mostly used in all these segments for clarity and for through understanding of these Bible texts.

 

God’s Holy Word

 

By William Walsham How

 

O Word of God incarnate,

O wisdom from on high,

O truth unchanged, unchanging,

O light of our dark sky!

We praise thee for the radiance

That from the hallowed page,

A lamp to guide our footsteps,

Shines on from age to age.

 

The church from her dear Master

Received the gift divine,

And still that light she lifteth

O’er all the earth to shine.

It is the golden casket

Where gems of truth are stored,

It is the heaven-drawn picture

Of Christ the living Word.

 

It floateth like a banner

Before God’s host unfurled,

It shineth like a beacon

Above the stormy world;

It is the chart and compass

That o’er life’s raging sea,

‘Mid mists and rocks and quicksands,

Still guides, O Christ, to thee!

[TOP]