1. The Desperate Need For Personal Study: Hos. 4:6 (God's people were destroyed for lack of knowledge. The same principle is true today.) 1 Cor. 3:1-2, 1 Pet. 2:2 (The word of God is spiritual food. A new Christian feeding on God's word is like a baby feeding on milk. How often do you spiritually starve yourself?)
A.Search: Acts 17:11 (The Bereans were commended for regularly searching the scriptures to test the message of the apostles.)
B.Constant Use: Heb. 5:12-14 (The more you learn, the faster you can learn. Your spiritual senses will become sharper the more you consistently exercise them.)
C.Teaching At Home: Eph. 6:4, Deut. 6:6-9 (It is critical that you study and teach God's word in your home and to your children.)
D.Learning In The Assembly: 1 Cor. 14:31, Deut. 31:11-13 (God intends for you to learn more of his word at the assembly of the church. Even children can learn at the assembly of the church. This is a valuable compliment to regular Bible study.)
2. What To Study For: 2 Tim. 3:16-17 (Paul outlines four types of things you can learn from God's word. You should search for each of these as you study.)
A .Doctrine: Neh. 8:8 (This word means instruction, learning, that which is taught, precepts. It has to do with informing of the basics of right and wrong. You should study God's word to learn the basics of what is right and wrong, understanding the basics of what God is saying.)
B. Reproof: 2 Tim. 4:2 (This word means proof, conviction, convicting one of his sinfulness. It differs from doctrine in that doctrine defines what is wrong and reproof demonstrate to the hearer wherein they have done this wrong. You should study God's word to find conviction of what your problems are.)
C. Correction: Eph. 4:28 (This word means a straightening up again, rectification, restoration to an upright state, improvement. This picks up where the previous two leave off. Whereas doctrine identifies the sin, reproof proves to us our guilt of that sin, correction shows how to overcome the sin. You should search God's word to find information on how to overcome your problems such as the above passage on how to overcome stealing.)
D. Instruction In Righteousness: Heb. 12:5 (This word means tutorage, education or training, discipline, instruction which aims at the increase of virtue. This differs from doctrine, reproof and correction in that it includes all of these kinds of teaching as they specifically relate to righteousness. You should search God's word for training from God in how to live your daily life.)
3. Steps To Follow: Prov. 2:1-5 (This passage outlines three specific steps to follow in order to gain spiritual understanding.)
A. Hide His Commands: Ps. 119:9-11 (Hiding his commandments means memorizing principles in God's word. This will help you resist sin.)
B. Apply Your Heart: 2 Tim. 2:15 (The word "study" means be diligent. You should be diligent and apply yourself to studying God's word.)
C. Cry For Help: Jas. 1:5 (You should pray to God for the wisdom to understand his word.)
D. Guaranteed Success: Ps. 1:1-3, 1 Tim. 4:15 (You will be blessed if you pursue God's word. Meditating on God's word brings the promise of spiritual profit.)
4. What The Word Will Do For You: Ps. 119:130 (God's word brings light, specific blessings to your life.)
A. Change Your Mind: Rom. 8:5-8 (God's word can help you change your perspective from carnal to spiritual which will help you resist sin.)
B. Resist Sin: Mt. 4:1-11 (Jesus used the word as a defense against sin.) Ps. 119:9-11 (God's word will help you keep your heart and life clean.)
C. Changed To Be Like Christ: Jas. 1:21-25, 2 Cor. 3:18 (Studying God's word is compared to looking at your face in a mirror. When you study God's word, be obedient and you will be blessed. When you look in this mirror, you also see the glorious life of Christ. The more you are obedient to God's word the more his word will change you to be made more like the glorious image of Christ portrayed in the scriptures.)
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