THE PURPOSE OF OUR BIBLE STUDY

Many things could be said about Bible Study and the benefits of learning the Holy Scriptures. Here are three key purposes of Bible Study for us to focus on.

#1 To Know The Reality Of The Word Of God. That the Holy Scriptures are in reality God speaking to us. That you can trust what is written with your life and eternal destiny!!!
2 Timothy 3:15-17 > Here Paul instructs Timothy that the Scriptures he learned in his childhood (the Old Testament) is what would make him wise, revealing the Messiah Jesus, and thus granting him salvation. The Scriptures are "inspired", "God-breathed".
Hebrews 4:12,13 > These verses reveal to us that the Word of God connects us with the person of Jesus Christ directly. That when we take in the word of God, the gospel (read Hebrews 4:1-11), and not just "hear it", but "mix it with faith", we profit, receiving the promises of God manifest in our lives. Verse 12 says the word of God is "living and powerful". That it divides between soul and spirit, it reveals your own thoughts, intentions, motives. Verse 13 reveals that this "word of God" is a person, Jesus Christ, and that "there is nothing hidden from HIS SIGHT, but all things are naked and open to the "eyes of HIM" to whom we must give account." Verses 14 through 16 reveals Jesus the great High Priest is this living word!!!
John 1:1-18 > The ultimate "Word of God" is a person!!! This person is the eternal God, the creator of all things, who "became incarnate of the Holy Spirit, and the Virgin Mary, and became man". The Word (Greek - "Logos") is not just a name that describes Jesus, but reveals that Jesus embodies the "Word" of God, which is to say that Jesus is the sum total of the revelation of God. Jesus is the express image of God (Hebrews 1:1-6). Jesus is the complete and sum total of the sayings of God. In John 5:39 Jesus says, "You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." The scriptures are a direct link to God. Revelation 19:10 says "...Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy". 2 Peter 1:19-21 reveals the written "scripture" is a prophecy about Jesus written by holy men who were moved/inspired by God. The Word of God is really, truly the Word of God.

#2 To Know The Truth. That the Holy Scriptures are in fact "the word of the truth of the gospel" (Colossians 1:5,6) which has come into the world to bring forth fruit, which is the salvation of souls!!! The Scriptures are a revelation to mankind of "that which is really true". The scriptures are a testimony of Jesus Christ.
John 14:6 > The Truth is a person. Jesus is the Truth. His life, including all his salvific acts - incarnation, baptism, transfiguration, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, session at the Father's right hand, and His glorious second coming - all the scriptures testify testify of Jesus the Christ/Messiah. www.themessiahjesus.blogspot.com
John 8:31-51 > Jesus equates his word with "the Truth"
John 16:5-15 > The work of the Holy Spirit is to "guide you into all truth".
John 17:14-20 > Jesus reveals through his prayer to the Father that the "word" is "truth".

#3 To Become Partakers Of The Divine Nature That the Holy Scriptures are supernatural and God's grace-filled means by which we are transformed into the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:16-18). The Scriptures are given to us for our salvation; that we would be saved from our sins continuously, moment-by-moment, as we let the word of Christ dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16).
2 Peter 1:2-4 > We are called to "be partakers of the divine nature". It is through the knowledge of Jesus Christ (verse 2), that we have God's grace and peace multiplied in us. It is through this knowledge that we experience life and godliness, glory and virtue. It is through the great promises of God's word that we escape the corruption that is in the world, and become like God, partaking of his divine nature.