A Christian’s growth in the Lord is tremendously aided by studying the Bible. It is well known that the book describes how God interacts with humanity and shows himself to us. The bible was also written for our benefit and to assist us in discovering the real meaning of life.
If you should ask people today what they think about the Bible, a lot of varied answers will be given. It’s been known as
- A sacred book
- An inspiration of God
- A history of God
- A relationship between God and people
- A revelation about God
As you start reading, reflecting, and studying the Bible, you’ll discover for yourself what it says, regardless of how it is described.
For the Christian to advance in his or her Christian life, they must feed on a variety of things. The Bible, or the word of God, is one such food. It is well known that as soon as a person is born again, they are urged to set aside some time every day for Bible study, or quiet time as it is more often known. He is therefore given a daily devotional on different topics, often organised in a series, that was written for this reason.
What is spiritual food for the christian?
According to the Bible, righteousness is a type of nourishment that satisfies a Christian’s hunger and thirst. As noted in Matt 5:6 ‘…Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…’ The Christian “feeds” on a variety of things in order to advance in his or her Christian life.
Christians are also advised to have the following daily practices:
- Study the Bible
- Meditate on scripture
- Memorise some bible verses
- Pray
- Practise what they learn
Some are just drawn to the Bible as a starting point for their conversion – either purchased by them independently to find out what it says, or given to them as a present.
What is special about the Bible?
Most new christians even as they go through their own growth process will look for an easy to understand devotional to use daily. Words can heal or damage. It is known that soft words heal the soul and there’s not a dearth of such words in the bible. This makes it a very unique book.
One may ask, why didn’t other inspirational and motivational books and various articles read didn’t draw them close to God like a Bible verse or a christian’s testimony? It is because the Bible is backed by God himself who inspired the writings and has not stopped using it to speak to people in various ways.
Most people who write devotionals are Bible scholars or ordinary christians with a desire or devotion to expound what they’ve studied, or what they know about God and the christian walk, to help others.
How can we use the Bible in our Daily Lives?
The following are some possible applications for the Bible:
- Reading it
- Hearing sermons
- Reading works written by Christians
- Taking in the audio Bible
- Listen to gospel music
- Employ a commentary as assistance.
- Adopt a reading schedule for the Bible.
How do you understand the Bible Correctly?
Online resources offer a number of methods for studying the Bible to gain a deeper understanding:
- Some people read the entire Bible cover to cover.
- Some choose a chapter that speaks to the circumstances they are in.
- Others read passages about certain characters, like Daniel or Esther.
- It is read to discover a biblical remedy for the predicament at hand.
- By using Bible commentaries
- Various versions are read for comparison or emphasis
- Listen to youtube videos on the Bible
God’s word makes a Difference
A lot of people think that the Bible offers instructions on how to live a righteous and happy life. It provides guidelines and lessons that support people in resolving moral conundrums and making moral decisions.
Below are examples of how the Word of God impacted the lives of real people.
- The Gideon’s Bible Project is still present in jails, hotels, schools, and hospitals throughout the world. Giving Gideon’s bibles to prisoners has transformed more lives from all types of deprivation.
- A woman who had given up on life and wanted to end it. However, she was in a friend’s car that evening when her hand came into contact with a Gideon’s Bible. When she read it after he presented it to her, her decision and life in general took a turn for the better.
- a testimony –
“…I do know and understand that if I don’t come to God’s word daily, I do lose focus. I get disillusioned. I get disoriented and confused. I need and I thirst for my daily bread. (Matthew 5:6) – Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for the shall be filled. Amen”
Testimony on the study of God’s Word
Behaviours that have been changed as people read, are the ff to name a few:
- Racial hatred
- Prejudice against another
- Traumatic experience to peace and joy
- Disillusionment about true riches
- Broken relationships rebuilt
The Bible thus shows what is good and what is not, and it makes sense to daily issues of life.
Without doubt the Bible does make an impact on a person’s life. Finding out the bits and pieces that give us this understanding are revealed as we study daily and continuously. Working out our salvation, namely the sanctification process takes place daily. There are things you can stop immediately or they go by themselves as soon as you give your life to Christ; whilst others may take time to be dealt with completely to ensure peace and joy that makes your spirit free.
Why studying the Bible is a Continuous Process for a Christian
- the more a christian studies, the more he knows;
- deepening of understanding the Bible. Old truths are seen in new ways leading to maturity in faith;
- re-evaluation of one’s understanding of certain passages in light of contemporary realities;
- spiritual renewal and refreshment;
- continual seeking of wisdom for life’s journey in the face of life’s challenges;
- learn different perspectives from community of believers;
- wisdom to discern truth from falsehood;
- knowledge to fulfil the Great Commission.
In conclusion, due of the Bible’s depth, application to real-world situations, shifting settings of people, and constant process of spiritual renewal, studying it is a lifetime endeavour for Christians. It is an active and transforming practice that influences and directs believers for the rest of their lives.
I hope you’ve gained some new insights into how the Bible can impact your christian growth. If you enjoyed the post, please leave a comment and also share.