Introduction

1. It was the best selling book in 1998

1. Last year in the U.S. it created in excess of $500 million dollars is sales
2. It has been the best selling book of all time.

1. It is a book of variety

1. Compilation of 66 books
2. Has 40 contributing writers, yet one author.
3. Its writers include kings, soldiers, shepherds, fishermen, tax-collectors

1. It was 1600 years in the making, yet…

1. Has a common theme
2. Has no error
3. Has no contradiction

1. Of course it is the Bible
2. Today and this evening, Lord willing, we will discuss the importance of daily Bible reading.

Discussion – Acts 17:11 "Those in Berea were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."

Therefore we should be daily Bible students because…

1. The Bible is the most unique book ever written

1. It is not a history book, but it tells the history of God’s people and others with complete accuracy.
2. It is not a book of romance but it contains the most romantic literature ever written. Read Song of Solomon and read the book of Ruth and the books of the prophets.
3. It is not a book of poetry, yet Keats, Shelley, Byron, Frost can’t hold a candle to the poetic language of the inspired writers. See Psalms, Ecclesiastes.
4. It is not an adventure novel but it recounts the adventures of God’s people and even those who oppose God. Read Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, Acts all tell of great adventures. Is there any more compelling drama than the last week of the life of Christ?
5. It is not a book of geography, yet it reveals places and people like no other book. And all of its geographical references are true and correct.
6. It is not a book of science, yet it tells of scientific facts in minute details. Read Isaiah 40:22, Psalm 8:8, Job 36:27-28, Genesis 2:1, Isaiah 51:6]
7. It is not a book of psychology, but tells of the ways to peace and happiness and abundant living. Philippians 4:6-7, John 10:10
8. These alone should intrigue us to study the Bible every day, but the Bible is so much more.

1. Because the Bible produces godly knowledge

1. It has been said of our time that we drown in information yet thirst for knowledge.
2. Hosea the prophet said, "My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will reject you from being priest for Me. Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children." Hosea 4:6
3. The wise man, in Proverbs 2:1-5, said this of knowledge. "My son if you receive my words and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasure; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."
4. Paul wrote of the Jews in Romans 10:2, "…that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge."
5. Knowledge of God through the study of His word will give us

1. Great energy for God
2. Great thoughts of God
3. Great boldness for God
4. Great contentment in God

1. Because the Bible provides godly direction.

1. If we go someplace that we have never been before, we need directions.

1. Without direction we could go in any directions – Hebrews 13:9 and Ephesians 4:14 both tell us to avoid every wind of doctrine.
2. Jesus tells us He is the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6
3. The word of God will provide direction for every area of our lives. 2 Peter 1:3

1. The Bible’s message is the light for our pathway to life Psalm 119:105
2. The Bible will direct us to be better fathers, mothers, children, husbands, wives, neighbors, and friends.
3. In Matthew 9:36, Jesus was moved with compassion because Israel was like sheep without a shepherd. A people who needed direction.

1. Because the Bible provides godly protection.

1. Jesus used the book of Deuteronomy to ward off Satan in the wilderness.

1. Man shall not live by bread alone. But by every word. 8:3
2. You shall not tempt the Lord your God. 6:16
3. You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve. 6:13

1. The word of God, the sword of the Spirit, is listed in the armor of God needed to withstand evil. (Eph. 6:10ff) While the other items listed are used in a defensive way, the sword is used as an offensive weapon against Satan. James 4:7 "Resist Satan and he will flee from you."
2. Study of the Bible will encourages us to watch our hearts. Proverbs 4:23

1. Because the Bible provides godly nutrition

1. We all must have food and water to sustain life.

1. Only when we are extremely sick or in an extraordinary situation do we not eat.
2. If we neglect giving our bodies proper nutrients, it begins to shut down.
3. The same holds true in a spiritual sense.

1. Jesus described Himself using these terms

1. John 4:13-14, "Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.
2. John 6:35, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."
3. John 6:51, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever."

1. It provides proper nutrition at the proper time in our lives.

1. As newborn babes in Christ, the Bible provides the sincere milk of the word- 1 Peter 2:2
2. As we mature in Christ, the Bible provides the meat of the word we need – Hebrews 5:12-14
3. Do not be guilty of staying on baby food. Just as babies must have solid food as they mature, so we need it for our growth.
4. We are to grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ – 2 Peter 3:18

1. If we are not growing through the nutrition of the word, we are dying.

1. Because the Bible is the only book that can save eternally.

1. Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes."
2. It has the power to convert us from a lost state to a saved one. Acts 3:19
3. It has the power to turn the chief of sinners to a chosen vessel of the Lord.

1. 1Timothy 1:12-16
2. Acts 9:15-16

Conclusion

1. The Bible is the greatest and most unique book ever written
2. It is the only book fully inspired of God 2 Timothy 3:16-17
3. It is the only way to find everlasting life.
4. We will be unprepared for eternity without it.

Introduction:

I. This morning, we looked at the "Why" of daily Bible reading

1. Because it is the most unique book ever written.
2. Because it provides us with the knowledge of God
3. Because it provides us with godly direction
4. Because it provides godly protection
5. Because it provides godly nutrition
6. Because it is the only book the can save us.

II. Tonight we will look at how we should approach daily Bible study

1. Not only the how to
2. But also some practical guides to Bible study

Discussion

I. The Bible is to be studied honestly

1. Daily Bible Study must be approached with an honest and open heart.
2. We must do away with preconceived ideas.

1. For example we almost always assume there were three wise men
2. Cleanliness is next to godliness is not in the Bible
3. If we have these ideas on matters that are not of monumental importance, we may have preconceived ideas on the plan of salvation, worship or other aspects of Christianity.

1. In the explanation of the parable of the soils in Luke 8:11-15, we see…

1. Those seeds falling on the good ground belong to those who hard good and honest hearts.
2. These hearts were honorable and would bring honor to God

1. Those on the day of Pentecost listened to Peter honestly

1. "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Acts 2:37
2. "Those who gladly received his word were baptized, and that day about three thousand souls were added to them." Acts 2:41

1. Those noble Bareans in Acts 17:11received the word with readiness and searched the scriptures daily.

2. The Bible is to be studied reverently

1. Greek word means to feel respect for or to show deference to
2. These writings are from God

1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2. 1 Peter 1:20-21, "…knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation (origin), for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they we moved by the Holy Spirit."

1. We should not take the study of the Bible…

1. Lightly but with a serious mind Titus 2:6-8
2. In hopes of being entertained but enlightened.
3. As drudgery but as pleasure. 1 John 5:3

1. The Hebrew writer in talking of God’s kingdom said this. "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which can not be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." Hebrews 12:28

2. The Bible is to be studied diligently

1. Means to earnestly strive after.
2. We are commanded to give diligence to the study of the word

1. 2 Timothy 2:15 – "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
2. 2 Peter 1:5-7 - Give all diligence to add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, to brotherly kindness love."
3. Deuteronomy 6:7, "You shall teach them (statutes) diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."
4. Hebrews 11:6 says God rewards those who diligently seek him.

1. Diligence involves…

1. A willing spirit and heart – Psalm 51:17
2. A sincere effort – 1 Timothy 4:13-14
3. Redeeming time wisely – Ephesians 5:16
4. Giving of ourselves

1. 1 Timothy 4:15 – "Give yourself entirely to them" them is reading, doctrine, and exhortation as found in verse 13.
2. 2 Corinthians 8:5 – Paul in commending the churches of Macedonia said, "They first gave themselves to the Lord."

2. The Bible is to be studied systematically

1. Systematic study involves much more than casual reading.
2. In our study we should…

1. Understand the context of the writing.
2. To whom the writing was intended for.
3. The historical events around the writing.
4. Study the complimentary passages like: Ephesians 2:8-10/ James 2:24

1. Go through parallel accounts of the text

1. The gospel accounts of the life of Jesus
2. The complimentary books of Samuel, Kings, Chronicles

1. Work from broad outlines to fine details

2. The Bible is to be studied responsively

1. The Bible appeals to us to change our lives

1. Romans 12:2, " And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
2. Ephesians 4:22-24 – We are to put of the conduct of the old man of sin and put on the new man which is created according to God.

1. Through the study of the Bible…

1. Our sins and weaknesses are exposed
2. Alternatives to a sinful life are revealed.
3. But we must act upon it.

1. Even if we have studied the Bible for years we should…

1. Be willing to dig deeper into the Bible
2. Understand more and more God’s will for us.
3. And respond by teaching it to others.

1. If you can read through the Bible and not respond to it you might need to examine your heart a litter closer.

2. Some practical suggestions to daily Bible study

1. Start slow with small goals

1. Determine to study a certain amount this next year

1. Possibly could be the entire Bible
2. Perhaps just the New Testament
3. Might just be the gospel accounts or Paul’s epistles

1. This way you might not feel the pressure to give up

1. Set aside time each day of the week for study and remain consistent.
2. Begin and end each study session with a prayer

1. Think about Psalm 119:18, "Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from your law."
2. James 1:21, "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls."

1. Read slowly and carefully

1. Meditate on the words. Psalm 1:1-2, Psalm 119:15-16
2. If need be read out loud as though you were reading to others.

1. Make use of study aides

1. Get Bible dictionary. Vines or Thayers are good.
2. Use Bible encyclopedia like Unger’s or Zondervon’s
3. Get a good concordance like Strong’s

1. Discuss what you study with others or get a study partner.
2. Read with the intention of being a doer of the word.

Conclusion

1. Hopefully these will cultivate a desire to be a serious Bible student.
2. We do not want to be destroyed for a lack of knowledge like those of Hosea 4:6
3. Let us endeavor to be daily students of the word.

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