20 Useful Reasons to Study the Bible

Why should you study the Bible? Why should you be a student of the Bible?

Reading and studying the Bible is a fantastic idea. Studying the Bible is like unlocking a treasure chest filled with wisdom, guidance, and timeless truths. Let's look at 20 useful reasons why getting into God's word is not just a good idea but a game-changer in life.

1. Spiritual Guidance

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

 

The Bible serves as a guide for making decisions and navigating life's challenges. Its teachings offer principles and values that can help you make wise choices in various situations.

2. Moral Foundation

 

Reading and studying the Bible offers moral and ethical guidelines, instructing you on how to live uprightly or righteously, treat others justly, and make honorable decisions.

 

"Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You." (Psalm 119:11)

3. Understanding God's Will

How can we know God's perfect will for our lives? We will only know when we study His word.

 

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)

What is the will of God for our lives? It is our sanctification. (1 Thessalonians 4:3)

4. We get wisdom for Living

"For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:6)

The Bible is a source of valuable wisdom, providing insights into relationships, work, finance, and other aspects of daily life. The teachings in it offer timeless principles for sailing through the complexities of our lives.

5. Building our Faith

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

In the Christian journey, we are encompassed by so many issues that have the potential of weakening or overthrowing our faith. So, studying the Bible allows us to hear what God has to say, and that strengthens and builds our faith in God.

6. Hope in Adversity

"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."  (Romans 15:4)

We may go through many hardships and reproach from the world, but we will find hope and peace in the word of God if we read and study it. All people may face hardships, but the one who reads and studies the word of God will have hope in those times.

7. Proper training and equipping for every good work

Reading and studying the Bible enable us to receive proper training for a victorious life. The Bible teaches, rebukes when we make faulty moves, corrects when wrong, instructs us to walk on righteous paths, and thoroughly equips us for every good work.

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

 

8. Learning about Jesus

 

We will know more about Jesus when we study the Bible. We will learn about the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and understand the significance of each of these phases of His life.

"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39)

9. Guides in Decision Making

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye." (Psalm 32:8)

The word of God contains priceless wisdom and instructions to guide us in every decision we want to make. We will have access to this invaluable wisdom and instructions when we read and study it.

10. Teaches us to Pray

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

Reading the Bible teaches us how to pray. It helps us to know the prayer strategies used by others in the Bible so that we may adopt them.

11. Knowing God's Nature and Character

Studying the Bible allows us to grasp the nature and character of God. It reveals God as loving, merciful, just, and sovereign, providing a foundation for a personal relationship with Him. It also shows the just and righteous nature of God. He will judge all things and actions of men in the end.

 

"Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him." (Isaiah 30:18)

 

12. Strengthening Relationships

 

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32) 

The love of Christ will grow in us and be demonstrated to others when we learn and study the Bible. We will know the dangers that bitterness, malice, wrath, and anger can pose to ourselves and others.

 

13. Overcoming Life's Challenges

 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

The Bible has stories that address life challenges. These are stories of people or individual life issues they faced and how they overcame them. Reading the Bible will help us to know these stories and what those people did to overcome those challenges. Whether they tackle an issue with prayer, direction, or a wise counsel.

 

14. Develop Eternal Perspective

 

Studying the Bible helps us develop an eternal mindset. It shifts our focus from temporary, earthly concerns to the enduring values of God's kingdom, encouraging us to live a life with an awareness of eternity.

 

"While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18)

 

15. Receiving the Life of God

 

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63)

Studying and meditating on the Bible makes the word of God come alive in us. We don't just have to read the letters but take time to meditate on them. By doing so, we will begin to see the transformative power of the Word in us.

16. Preparation for Spiritual Warfare

The Bible equips believers for spiritual warfare by providing insights into the nature of spiritual battles and the tools needed for victory. It teaches us to put on the Whole Armour of God so that we will wage good warfare and stand in times of difficulty. (Ephesians 6:11). It also encourages vigilance, prayer, faith, good conscience, and reliance on God's strength in facing spiritual challenges.

"This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck." (1 Timothy 14:18-19)

17. Character Transformation

The word of God has the power to transform an individual's character. Regular engagement with the Scriptures, through the work of the Holy Spirit, can renew the mind and shape attitudes, leading to positive changes in behavior and outlook.

 

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)

 

18. Learning from Examples

 

"Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." (1 Corinthians 10:6-11)

 

There are a lot of examples in the Bible, both positive and negative, from which we can draw lessons. It shows us the results of being obedient or rebellious. These examples serve as practical guides for living and making choices based on the experiences of biblical figures.

 

19. Trusting the Promises of God

 

Reading and studying the Bible helps us to know the infallible promises of God. It reveals the faithfulness, loving-kindness, and truthfulness of God. Again, learning the Bible shows us the unchangeable things about God that He CANNOT lie. Knowing these things, we gain strong consolation. (Hebrews 6:18)

 

"For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." (2 Corinthians 1:20)

 

20. Discernment

 

In a world filled with diverse beliefs and ideologies, reading and studying the Bible guides us to discern the truth. The teachings provide a solid foundation for assessing various perspectives and aligning our beliefs with biblical truths.

 

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

 

In summary, the Bible is the believer's manual for life. So, reading and studying it offers a transformative experience, providing guidance, wisdom, comfort, and a deepening relationship with God. Its teachings and instructions have a profound impact on our character, decision-making, and our overall worldview.