A couple of weeks ago, we looked at the components of building a strong spiritual house and three components were suggested – prayer, Bible study and worship.  This week we’re going to focus on Bible study.

Before we get started, let’s define “study”.  According to Dictionary.com, study means – “application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge, as by reading, investigation, or reflection”.  I propose that Bible study involves not only reading (which many of us do), but also includes investigation and reflection, or mediation.

So why spend time in Bible study?  If we go to Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we’ll see why:

 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (HCSB)

Notice our “why” in the first part of verse 16 – “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable (beneficial)”.   Paul then lists specific application of Scripture:

For teaching – sharing God’s truth with others

For rebuking – for exposing errors in lifestyle choices and in heretical teaching

For correcting – showing the fallen believer how to get back on the path to righteousness

For training in righteousness – developing knowledge and character that leads to a deeper relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

If we love God, we’ll want to know what He thinks is important, we want to know Him and how we may live to honor Him.  All those things, and more, are found in His Word.  It is up to us, to dig into Scripture and learn for ourselves what God’s Word says.

But we cannot do this with our human understanding.  We need the Holy Spirit within us to understand Scripture.  In “Biblical Ethics” by Oswald Chambers, he writes:

The Holy Spirit alone makes the Word of God understandable.  The regenerating and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit is to incorporate us into Christ until we are living witnesses to Him.

To become spiritually strong, we must build our inner being with God’s truth through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  We build on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ, adding the truth of Scripture, bit by bit, just as a bricklayer builds a wall, brick by brick.

A favorite quote of mine from Beth Moore is this: “No time spent in Bible study is ever wasted.”  Take the time to not only read Scripture, but study it. Investigate it. Meditate on it.  Make it a part of your daily routine.  For if you keep reading, keep studying, keep meditating, you will build a spiritual house that is able to withstand the wind of a storm.  And by your example, others will know the Lord you love.