I admit at times I am too passionate about Bible study.
The last thing I want to do is turn people off towards opening their Bibles. But, I see a trend in churches, (especially those that are not Southern Baptist; I am not Southern Baptist but they are known for their deep love of Bible study.) there seem to be more book clubs than Bible studies. Meaning, they get together and read a lot of books Christians write on what the Bible says instead of reading the Bible together.
I love to read and read many of these same books on my own time. I feel when we get together in the church, we should be reading the Bible more than any other book.
Almost twenty- years ago, the Lord called me to be a Bible teacher.
I devoured every Bible study I could get my hands on to understand God’s Word better. One year for my birthday, my husband bought me Bible software to make my research easier. I loved it. It is my third program (Logos 7) which I use all the time.
God made me for research. He made me to study and learn and to teach anyone who listens for more than a minute.
I love to teach, really I do.
My husband is often my unwilling student.
Everything I learn, he learns…
If he doesn’t have time, then my kids have to listen. And I will gladly follow them around so they don’t have to sit and hear me out.
But, back to the Bible.
I think the church really wants to make it easy for everyone. But, sometimes, by putting scripture on a power point it can cause some people to become lazy. Hebrews 5:11-14 warns us about becoming lazy or dull of hearing. We don’t need to take our Bibles to a Sunday morning service anymore.
If we don’t open our Bibles at church, why should we open them at home?
I have been teaching a study on the Parables of Jesus. The only book we use is the Bible. Yet, there are those who do not bring their Bibles to a Bible study.
I know churches where you could never take your Bible and it would not matter. We are becoming Bible illiterate and it saddens me.
Our lack of biblical knowledge, both in our heads and hearts is clear by the state of our country, church, and of most families.
We need the Holy Spirit to teach us God’s Word, but we have to open the Book, first.
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I love God’s Word.
I didn’t necessarily set out to become a Bible teacher. One of my pet peeves is when people take scripture out of context to fit their worldview. It’s not even about memorization; it’s about living and breathing God’s letter to you.
I love getting the mail to see what’s there for me. I am seriously like a child when I get a package. If someone else in my family gets a package, I want to know what’s in it.
Whenever I get a real card or letter in the mail—not an email or e-card, but the real paper kind—I love to read and reread it. Someone took the time to sit down and write these words for me. I leave it on my table and pick it up a couple of times a day for about a week just to read it again.
That’s how I see the Scriptures.
God spent many years through many of His obedient followers to write me His eternal Words. Words to comfort me, teach me, love me, and save me.
There are Words that show me what I cannot see with my eyes—His Son.
Many people have died to print these Words, take them to other countries, and teach them. We have it so good.
How many Bibles do you have in your house? How many do you read?
 God doesn’t love us any less for not being in His Word. But, He wrote it for you. Ask Him to reveal Himself through the pages of His Word. He will do it!
 Go to Bible studies; get the Book, not an electronic version. Take notes, write in the margins, and highlight the verses you love.
Wear. Your. Bible. OUT! That’s why He gave it to us.
Pray, too. A lot.
This is not condemnation.
I hope this encourages you and sparks a new interest in God’s Word. If you have questions ask me. I will do my best to give you an answer. If I don’t know it, I will find someone who does.
Thanks for listening! I promise I will not follow you around. 🙂
All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete and equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
So accurate about churches and us being lazy! Just like who writes on paper now adays…obsolete, like the Bible! Thats what our culture wants us to think, but His word is Living and for all days and times! He blesses me when I read it and speaks to me…I can’t go without it. Thank you for showing us how important it is…
Thank you! We don’t always realize how important God’s Word is to us. We are staving and have no idea why.
I am an avid reader and student of the Bible too. In the group I am part of we rarely do books by others about some study. We might use one as a resource, but it is just the launching point for our own deeper study of the Scriptures.
Yes, I love to read so I read lots of different books. I have no problem reading a Lysa Terkeurst book but when we do those books more than Scripture that’s where I see the problem. Thanks for your input.
Pastor Stephanie. It amazes me also whenever I visit other churches and I see so many folks come in wothout a Bible under their arms. Now my little church is the most “Baptist” non-denominational church in the country I think; but I take pride there are Bibles right next to the hymnal in each pew; and we all stand for the reading of God’s word before each message. As for your question, I have six Bibles, and just an many commentaries, which I like to use to help expand my learning by comparing what others have learned. Still, my source is only God’s word.
I like to read many different translations and commentaries when I study. But the Holy Spirit teaches me the most! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I chuckled at your comment about “following them around” to share what you learned!! I can just see you now doing that and it is wonderful to think of your joy for scripture coming through in that way!! I, too, like to read from different versions, and though my own Bible is NIV, I really enjoy biblehub online so that I can read the verse in many versions on one page. Thanks for the reminder to GET IN GOD’S WORD!
My family doesn’t always get a chuckle over me. But sometimes I wait until they can’t get away. Thanks Julie!
Lots of good stuff here, Stephanie! I’m in my Bible on a daily basis, but I know I’d benefit from reading it even more. Like you, I love research and I enjoy logos. It’s become an essential part of my writing. Just a couple of points I take issue with–When you imply that churches that are not Southern Baptist do Bible Study like a book club, I cringed. I’m not Southern Baptist, but Methodist, and I can assure you that our church doesn’t do Bible Study like a book club. Your comment about people being lazy if the scripture is put on the screen (such as power point) saddened me. Many people struggle with vision problems or arthritis (and other debilitating conditions) that make it challenging for them to look up scripture in the Bible. Using a screen at church allows these people to have a visual as the Word of God is being read. To imply that they are lazy seems very harsh. Please note that I found your message meaningful and your encouragement for us to be in our Bibles is important, but I wanted to gracefully (I hope) point out that you may have made some unjustified assumptions. Wishing you continued blessings in your ministry.
Thanks, Katherine. I am not Southern Baptist either, so I was not slamming anyone. Southern Baptists are known for their deep love for Bible study. More Spirit-filled churches, like the Assemblies, are known more for their love of all things Spirit-filled and sometimes forget about the Bible. (That’s almost like my church).
I did not mean to offend you or anyone else with the lazy comment, it was not a slam for those who struggle with any physical issue. The book of Hebrews rebukes those who are dull of hearing (or lazy) because they are not in the word and prefer milk, not solid food. On any given Sunday a lot of people (Younger more than old) in all different denominations do not bring their Bible to church because it is easier to watch a screen than turn to a book or verse.
I did not mean by any stretch of the imagination anything against those with physical disabilities of any kind. I have a son with fine motor issues and walking issues so I would never call those people lazy.
I am truly sorry for coming across that way. It was not my intention.