Why Study the Bible?

Just last night I was reading Howard Hendrick's book, Living By the Book, and in it he discusses reasons why people DON'T study the Bible. None of the reasons shocked me; in fact, I could relate to all of them. What about you, can you relate to any of the following reasons:

1. It's not relevant to my life.
2. I don't know how to study it.
3. I can't understand it.
4. I don't have time to study it.
5. I doubt it.
6. It's boring.
7. I won't gain anything from it.


Like I said, I've definitely been able to relate to these reasons throughout my life, and although I'm learning to love studying God's Word and understand the importance more now, I still struggle with understanding it and finding the relevance in my life at times. And, yes, I even admit that there are moments when I'm reading the Bible and think, "This is boring." However, as believers, we should not consider reading God's Word as an option in our lives; it's a must!

Howard Hendricks continues by suggesting three reasons why it absolutely essential for us to be studying God's Word. The first reason is that:

Bible Study is Essential to Growth

When I moved to my apartment, my sweet grandmother gave me a plant that she potted herself and told me to "take care of it." Now, I've never had a green thumb ( I don't even really understand that expression), and truth-be-told, I don't have the desire to ever have a green thumb, buuut because I do like having real plants in my house and because my grandmother went to the trouble, I figured I'd try my best to keep this particular plant alive. So for a while I was doing so well; I watered it every few days like I was supposed to and the plant not only stayed alive, but it was growing, too. I was so proud of myself. But as time went by, I forgot to water the plant more often than not and eventually it started looking brown and kinda "sick" and the leaves started falling off. I tried to save it, but it was too late. I ended up having to throw the plant away and I keep hoping that my grandmother won't ask me about it.

You and me - we're like my plant - we need God's Word to grow; we need His truth in our lives or else we will be forced to remain in our spiritual infancy.

Hendricks says, "The Bible was written not to satisfy your curiosity but to help you conform to Christ's image. Not to make you a smarter sinner but to make you like the Savior. Not to fill your head with a collectioni of biblical facts but to transform your life."

God wants you to grow in your knowledge of Him, not just for the sake of knowing, but for the sake of growing; He wants you to be more like Him, and you can't do that with the Book closed.


The next two reasons to follow...