How to Study the Scriptures
Already I sense a stronger Body of Christ called St. John! The new
Sunday Church School year kicked off with a crowd of all ages, and
people young and old eager to learn packed every classroom. I look
forward now to the beginning of the mid-week Wednesday ministries, the
new Bible studies forming, and a whole host of other endeavors
centered on scripture.
No wonder that the study of scripture serves as the first of the
six primary “marks of discipleship” that we’ve identified in our
year-long emphasis on BODY BUILDING—our 2003/2004 ministry theme.
But a certain, basic question surfaces for many of us as we
consider this initial step into deeper, stronger discipleship:
How does one study the scriptures?
Many of us begin to read the Bible with a genuine desire to
learn and grow from God’s word, yet our efforts end in frustration in
our attempts to understand and make sense of what we’re studying. How
do we then study the Bible?
Our brother in the faith, Martin Luther, had several distinctive
ways of studying scripture that would be helpful for all of us to bear
in mind. Luther would have us keep the following in mind:
The Bible has an intrinsic unity. That is,
the 66 books of scripture form a unified witness to God the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit. Some of us say, “But God in the Old Testament
seems much different than God in the New Testament.” What we have to
keep in mind is that there is one Holy Spirit who inspired all of
scripture. So as we study the Bible, we need to recall the verse
from the Letter to the Hebrews (Heb. 13.8) which declares that “God
is the same yesterday and today and forever” and is therefore,
unchanging. The God of the Old Testament and the God of the New
Testament are the one and the same, always unchanging.
All scripture points to Christ. Every book
in the Bible is ultimately about Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of
God. As we study, we are called to look intentionally for the ways
in which the passage before us brings us to Christ.
Scripture is held in perfect balance and tension between Law &
Gospel. The first chapter of John’s Gospel says
that Jesus’ life was filled with “grace and truth.” That’s another
way of speaking about Law & Gospel. The Bible reveals the truth of
our sin and need for God. At the same time, the Bible moves us to
receive God’s good news of His forgiveness and grace in Jesus
Christ. So scripture provides the ideal measure of truth and love,
thus guiding our whole lives in a way pleasing to God.
Scripture alone holds authority for life and faith.
We study scripture therefore to discern what God
would have us know, believe, and obey. God would never move us to do
something that goes contrary to what He has already declared in the
Bible. So decisions of morality in our life styles; ministries in
the church; relationships at home and in the community; how we’re to
treat others at work; all of these are guided and governed by God’s
word in the scriptures.
Scripture interprets scripture. This tried
and tested rubric prevents us from lapsing into error or
misunderstanding in our study of scripture. When we have a question
or concern about something we’ve read in one part of the Bible, we
look for an answer in another part. For example, we might read about
slavery in the Old Testament and worry that somehow the Bible
condones such practices. But when we move to the New Testament, we
see that God’s further revelation declares God’s intention for the
breaking of the bonds of slavery (see the New Testament letter of
Philemon). Scripture answers all questions about itself.
So it was, that Luther studied his Bible, and that study was the
most important dynamic of his life. His same Bible study principles
are still helpful for us, in the timeless discovery of God’s word.
I would simply add two more suggestions to enhance our Bible
studying.
First, find a Bible with good study notes and helpful facts
already included. Many find the “Life
Application” Bible helpful in this regard. I also enjoy the Harper
Collins Study Bible. Concordia Publication House sells a good study
Bible, too.
Secondly, if at all possible, find time to join a Bible study
group. Studying God’s word in a
community of believers allows us to share our insights together for
the mutual building up of our faith and understanding.
BODY BUILDING. It can’t be done without the study of scripture. May
God guide us all!
Your fellow student,
Mark
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