We would have heard this statement before ‘Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime’.

It is critical for us Christians to not only listen to Gods word being taught at church but to also know how to source it for all of its wealth and to be able to dig into scriptures to allow God’s word to transform our lives. A few reasons why we should study the Bible:

Gives us direction in life

Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Protects us from sin

Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

It protects us from temptation.

A good example is recorded in the gospel of Mathew, where on three different occasions, Jesus used scripture to refute Satan’s temptations.

Extracts from Mathew Chapter 4-10 (NIV)

4. Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

7. Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

10. Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”

It will help you become more like Jesus Christ,

John quotes the words of Jesus in his high priestly prayer where He asks God to sanctify the people with the word.

John 17:17 (NIV)

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth

The Bible is more than just a book, it is divinely inspired by the Spirit of God and is useful for every believer. It contains truth, and by the power of the Holy Spirit reveals to all readers a savior who is able to take us to Heaven.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

These are just some of the reasons to study the Bible. However, words cannot describe the power of personal revelation that you would receive as God Himself speaks to you through the word.