Spiritual Disciplines | Study
No other word makes people cringe and groan more than the word “study.” For those who have graduated, we have haunting memories of boring lectures with unimportant information taught unconvincingly. The spiritual discipline of study, though, goes beyond this understanding of study. We study the most supreme subject in all creation; God. Yet, the goal of study is not to arrive at an intellectual conclusion but instead to learn to take the knowledge and wisdom of God to express itself through our actions. Actions are the natural result of study. What we learn should either strengthen our current actions or cause us to repent and turn towards the righteousness that comes from obedience. The first step in this process is to sincerely study the word of God.
We have the honor of being able to study the mind of God. Furthermore, God has revealed himself to us through the form of Holy Scripture. Studying scripture allows us to renew and transform our minds according to the will and purpose of God’s plan He set out for us. Scripture teaches us the mind of God and provides the path we can follow for our every day life. Furthermore, beyond a mere “instruction manual for life” (as some would say) the scriptures tells the story of God’s redemptive work throughout the history of all creation. We study scripture to know God more and to know His will and purpose for our lives. Why would we do anything else other than dive head first into a full understanding of God’s mind through His word?
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord ; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Psalm 119:9-16, ESV
The Importance of Scripture
We can easily study the hand of God in nature and in creation to determine the character of God and how we should express our faith. Yet, the clearest indication we have of God’s hand unfolding throughout history and guiding our lives is scripture. It guides us in ways other writings cannot and serves as a testament to God’s glory. “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 3:16-17, ESV) We should study scripture fervently to guide and inform our lives and direct us to eternity.
- View Scripture In Light of Scripture Scripture is in a class all of its own as far as being a work of writing. While we can, should, and do analyze and unpack it, it still remains important to not make it say things that scripture does not say. When attempting to determine the true meaning of scripture, the first commentary we should go to is other scripture. Because scripture is God-breathed, there is a profound amount of internal consistency and harmony.
- Don’t Rush to Application Our temptation in interpreting scripture is to jump to how do I apply this. In doing so, we skip vital steps in the study process. Before we determine how we apply it, we need to ask key questions. First, we should ask what the text says. Some interpretative work needs to be done to understand the content of what we read. Then, we need to ask what it means. Scripture, while God-breathed and continually speaking, needs to be understood in our current context. The message of the Gospel never changes but the context does.
- Do Get To Application At the other end of common errors, people can easily come to the finality of study with the acquisition of knowledge. After asking what scripture means, we must question how we apply this living and active word. Even in Paul’s directions to Timothy, the purpose of scripture is transformative.
- Take Your Time Study can be a lengthy process. It involves reading through, dissecting, and even outside sources. At first it will feel unnatural and a lengthy process. Set aside the time to delve into scripture, study its meaning, and apply it to your life. To move beyond the simplistic devotional style reading, we will need to put in the time to learn.
At first, it would seem that the disciplines of study and meditation are polar opposites to one another. Meditation ultimately shapes the heart where study shapes the heart. Yet, these two are not opposites but rather two sides of the same coin. We first learn these two disciplines separate but the ultimate goal remains to bring them together; to study and meditate on scripture simultaneous. By learning to do these two at the same time we “will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23, ESV)
