How to approach your study of the Bible

(By Rick Lambert)

Persistently!

I Timothy 4:13, 15-16 – Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching…Practice these things; devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

1. “…devote yourself…” (prosechō – to turn the mind toward something; to give one’s attention to something.  It can even refer to an addiction.)  Our lazy, easy blend of reading for relaxation will never suffice when it comes to the living Word of God.  It may be so if you simply attempt to classify it as “good literature”.  For the follower of Christ, the Word of God is a major, faith-building tool.  To neglect it or treat it slightly is to dash your faith into ruin.  The study of the Word demands and persistent approach that overcomes our laziness and self-centeredness, while revealing the glorious inner working of our God.
2. “…practice these things…” (meletaō – practice, or review repetisously).  This is the missing ingredient to most studies, and the tragic neglect to any sermon preached – the Word is heard and read but not practiced as the most important work in life.  We are diligent to a fault in putting all effort at practicing temporal things and passing earthly tests, but fail with sophomoric neglect the practice of that which has eternal rewards.  We study, but rarely do we study to actually understand and live what’s been studied.
3. “…devote yourself to them…”  There can be no half-hearted approach to study.   
4. “Keep close watch on yourself…”  We study based upon daily inspection, spiritual desires or spiritual needs.  We should give as much, if not more attention to what we study than we what we wear, or what we eat, or how we use our time.  Pay attention to what you are spiritually longing for; for that which your spiritual heart truly desires.
5. “Persists in this…” (epimenō – derived from two words; epi – on, and meno – to stay. To stay at a particular direction, and not to lose sight of the course).  Our practice, focus and direction must be persistently upon the discovery and practice of the Word.  It must be a spiritual, formidable strength to withstand the weak dictates of our flesh.  The flesh is what we practice on – it should never determine the practice!