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Study to Show Yourself Approved
2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of truth (NASB).
How many would say, âI take this passage of Scripture to heart, and I have been diligent in my studies; but lately, I havenât got much out of it?â Perhaps, you fall under the category of a new convert, and find the Bible to be overwhelming, and hard to understand. It can be frustrating, and it may be tempting to place yourself under condemnation, because you feel youâre falling woefully short.
Take heart, lack of understanding of Godâs word is not deal breaker. Itâs question of the heart. There are some who can quote the Bible, but their hearts are no closer to God than the ones who havenât read their first chapter. Moreover, some of them are quite distant from Him. Think about this: the Pharisees in the days of Jesusâ earthly ministry were of the strictest sect when it came to the Word of God; nonetheless, their hearts were far from Him.
The main thing is approaching Scripture with an honest, sincere heart. It is Godâs intention for all of us to know His Word, which is one reason Holy Spirit lives in us. He is the Teacher, and leads us in all truth. If you truly desire His truth in the way He intended you to know, He is faithful to get you there.
John 16:13 Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself (of His Own initiative); but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall he speak: and He will shew you things to come.
Here are few things you might find helpful. To be honest, one part may sound counterintuitive at first, but at least consider it.
Ask, Seek and Knock
Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
A great place to start is here: ask, seek and knock. With these, one might add, believe. Verse 11 tells our Father gives good gifts to them who ask. Remember, God is good, and He wants you to know Him and His Word.
The Bible is not a textbook. It is a library of books that is both spiritual, and relational by design. Spiritual things require Holy Spirit, in order for us to grasp them (1 Corinthians 2:9-16). Think relationally when it comes to the scriptures. Not only study to get to know Him, but study with Him.
Step Back and Reset
This may sound counterintuitive, but there may be a time when you study and read less than normal. Some tend to double down when they feel like theyâre not gaining anything. That may prove unfruitful for a couple of reasons. One reason is it becomes an exercise of self-effort, where a person relies less on Holy Spirit, and more on his own effort.
A second reason is that after studying a great deal, you can come to the point where you feel like you already know whatâs being said, before even reading whatever passage of Scripture youâre about to study. Thus, missing what the Lord wants to reveal to you, because your mind is closed to anything new. Itâs not intentional, but it happens.
By stepping back, and resting in Him, you position yourself to see something you havenât seen before. In fact, when reading the Bible, it pays to read it as if itâs the first time ever.
Of course, if you stay focused on certain books, such as the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), or just the New Testament for example, it might be time to dig into the other books. Which leads to one more thing.
Be Systematic
Isaiah 28:9-10 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall He make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.
In order to be spiritual, some have adopted the idea of merely opening their Bible, closing their eyes, and then blindly bringing their index finger down on the page, and start reading where ever it lands. If Holy Spirit leads a person to do it that way, by all means he should go for it. Just opening the Bible, and reading wherever it opens does have merit, simply because one is reading Godâs Word, and His Word does not return void. However, it may not be very fruitful sometimes.
When it comes to daily study or devotional, it may be more useful to start with chapter one, and read as you would a chapter book. One verse at a time, chapter to chapter, book to book. Perhaps, read from Genesis to Malachi, Matthew to Revelation, and then repeat. In course of using this method, you may start finding cross references along the way. Of course, the Lord may lead you to study certain topics.
