Dear Believer, after listening to few believers weaknesses and reasons why they don’t really find pleasure in Studying the Scripture. I was inspired within me to address this issue because if less concern is given to it, it may breed error which may later be seen has norms in the body of Christ.
We must get it Right! Let me strictly say; My message is for few (and not all) who are sincerely wanting to grow and stop giving credit to his/her Weaknesses. Yes! Every man has a weakness but your real weakness begins the very day you start celebrating it when you can get rid of it (Isaiah 10:27). Every believer must intentionally take Scripture Studying has a Lifestyle, a thing of necessity, a daily routine(Joshua 1:8), has a fuel for growth, it should be the Culture of Every Believer! If you want to pray - Study the Scripture. You want to fast - Study the Scripture. It’s our Sword! It’s our Culture!
So… Pray along and keep your scriptures beside you has you study because at the end of this writeup, readers (Believer) Should be able to study the Scripture not basically about the measure of time frame used but how efficient the study has been able to achieve maximum productivity with minimum/No wasted effort in studying the Scripture. Follow me!
In my view I began to see this Topic to be a very serious and deep one and has the Lord will be helping us suggest a Helpful and Practical tips to come out of it and but before I commence, Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits and even the God of our salvation(Psalm 68:19).
What is the Scripture?
Before we check the Scriptural meaning, The Merriam-Webster defines the Scripture has the sacred writings of a religion. Etymology.
OUR SCRIPTURE: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16
The Scripture is a Spirit Filled or Sacred equipment for transforming lives in the procedures of Profitable Teaching, Reproof, Correction and Training. Scriptures are like a Map to Every growing Christian (I.e A Christian must not stop growing, it’s a continuous daily process). It's the message breathed by Holy Spirit ALONE expected to be Studied by us - Believer. In our Background scripture, it’s said to be “Profitable” and the way is been studied will tell if it will produce it main essence of studying - Efficiency I.e capable of producing desired results especially without waste.
In this case, our major focus is how to effectively Study the Scripture so that its real essence will be birth at the end of the Study. Any other thing can be done in different ways, but anything relating to God must be done in distinct and defined way. Not just anyhow!
Why the Scripture? what's the essence of the Scripture?
The scripture has many reasons which I will briefly talk about. The Essence of Scriptures can not be under-emphasized in understanding the person of the Trinity (Father, Son and the Holy Spirit). The Scripture gives us an Extensive teaching on how the Trinity Operates and how we Believers needs to operate around them (Gen. 17:1-7). The Scripture brings us in alignment and in accordance to our Purpose has Believers (Mathew 6:33). It’s an Elaborated Spirit filled book to knowing and walking in the ways of the Lord and also it’s a set of modules written for our Instructions (Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:11).
Key: You get to know more about the Essence of Scriptures has you Study it - They are deeper things!
Keep praying… We are about to accelerate and be reminded that this message is only for those who are intentional about studying the Scripture and Growth. Follow me!
WAYS TO EFFECIENTLY STUDY THE SCRIPTURE:
1. Be Filled with the Holy Spirit: The possibility is higher that when you study the scripture, you don't understand, not primarily because you're not skilled in reading or knowledgeable. It is because the Scriptures are Spirit-filled. They are not natural; they can't be understood by natural people (1 Corinthians 2:4). It was not written with the Knowledge of man but a Spirit in man so a man that must understand the scripture must be Spirit Filled.
“But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding - Job 32: 8” and “Our Background Scripture - 2 Timothy 3:16”.
It's fundamental that Every man needs the Holy Spirit to understand the Scripture beyond lines, verses and chapters and this is one of the Major Reasons the Holy Spirit was sent to us (John 14:26 - He will teach you all things).
The Holy Spirit is a Spirit that belongs to God I.e a man that will under His message (The Scripture) must have the same Spirit with Him. It will be hard if I write this my message to you in ‘Arabic’ which you don’t know. So.. we have to have the same Spirit (same language) to understand each other. The Language of this Kingdom is a ‘Spirit that is Holy - Holy Spirit’. When the Holy Spirit is allowed, there is a higher realm of understanding opened to us, and we have to be reminded that Scripture is one of the ways to behold Him, and as we behold Him, we are being transformed! - (Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 3:18). The question now is do you have the Holy Spirit? If yes, keep fueling it And if No time may not permit me to address how to have the Holy Spirit but I recommend that you meet your pastor, a brother or a Sister in the FAITH that CAN BE OF HELP (note my capitals!).
Hmmmm… a lot to say! But let me stop here, may God give you understanding. Amen
2. Study to know First: The Testament of Jesus give a practical and simple record of how Jesus 'Did First' all He began to Teach (Acts 1:1). If a man Study to Teach first, there's tendency that he/she creates a serious confusion in the Body of Christ and its church just because He did not 'Powder', 'Examine' or 'Ruminate' on what He studied, so he had less understanding about it before giving it out. Studying to know is submitting ‘totally’ to the Holy Spirit to teach you while Studying to Teach add no relevance to your study. Therefore, while you study to know first, it serve has a medium to correct YOURSELF has the Holy Spirit breaths on you.
The Apostles said, 'How can we do without sharing what we have heard and Seen'. You must have trusted it, tested it and most importantly live by it before teaching others. Even while you do this, you don't need to struggle while teaching because your Life Speaks it all.
3. Study with a Jotter/Book and a Pen: This aspect of this study may sounds demanding but a price needs to paid for growth!
Research tells us that Writing something down could help you retain the information better, researchers found putting pen to paper boosts connectivity between different areas of the brain.
Therefore, if you will want to be reminded of what you have studied it’s ESSENTIAL you put it down in a writing and Habakkuk 2:2 says “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it”
4. Study with a Manual: Studying with a manual is majorly useful during PERSONAL quite time (PERSONAL Morning Devotion). Note my initials ‘PERSONAL’ which means before or after your Family devotion it’s necessary you have a personal time with God. This is a serious case which helps to keep the momentum going even when you leave the Home for school or other assignments.
I recommend Youths manuals (if you will want to grow) e.g Scripture Union Daily Guard or Daily Power, this has really shaped the life of many including the writer. Get a manual today!
Above are the major points but I will need to outline more;
- Be Disciplined - (Acts 6:4, Daniel 1:8)
- Get a Quite Environment, Spot or Location - (Mark 1:35)
- Pick a Specific/Fixed Time - (Daniel 6:10)
- Be Consistent - (Acts 2:42 - 47)
- Be Intentional ( Ecc. 5:1)
- It’s not necessary you lay-down to study, you can decide to walk around this will prevent you from Sleeping.
- To overcome the issue of a lot coming through your mind while studying, I suggest that you read aloud, claiming what you’re studying. This shuns the mind from operating or been distracted.
- Don't Leave, make sure it essence is meant!
I conclude, When a Scripture is able to Divide your soul pointing out the Truth and suggests ways to make corrections and amendments is a big proof that tells you have studied Efficiently.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart - Hebrews 4:12
Let’s be encouraged, until our basics and foundation is the Scripture we will learn to learn and relearn. We must not continue like this. We must not keep building instructions that against Yaweh’s instruction.
Beloved, I have yet many things to say unto you… but I leave you with this Text; 1 Timothy 4:13 - Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
Grow in Grace and Love!
Shalom
Your beloved Brother Writes
Michael Olajiga
YMS
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