STUDY, learn, read, investigate, examine, analyze, explore, inspect, observe. These synonyms provide parameters that provide different angles on the idea of STUDY. Each word implies an active engagement with a topic, a subject, a plant, an animal, a national park, a painting. In other words, the topics a human being can study are endless. Yet one subject stands out among all others for shaping one’s life in God’s Kingdom–the Bible.

Why Engage It?

Why does a Christian need to study the writings found within the Bible, both in the New Testament and in the Old Testament? Stated simply, these are what nourish our soul. We receive life from the words, thoughts, and ideas gained in Scripture. In addition, it is an instruction from God repeated in various ways. In the book of Deuteronomy one can find the words known often as the Shema, “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!” which are followed by “You shall love the LORD our God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might” (Deut. 6:4-5, NASB). One commentator notes that this trio of heart, soul, and might indicate that the love for God encompasses our entire mind, both conscious and subconscious. STUDY is an activity of the mind since following God is not merely an emotional journey.

How to Practice It

How then, does a person study the Scriptures. One begins by reading and exploring the words contained within. Whether one starts in the book of Genesis, the Gospel of Matthew or the book of Proverbs, the first step in STUDY is to read and explore the big picture of what lies in front of me. The second step in STUDY comes through the engagement with those words—your mind begins to recognize aspects that you simply don’t understand. This is the investigation and inspection stage. Questions naturally arise about the meaning of a word, the location of a city or mountain, even to the point of drawing connections between what you encounter in various places as you read. Write these questions down as they occur. You have permission to ask God questions in order to understand how to love God more fully.

Two questions one should never forget to consider are these, 1) What does this section I read tell me about God? and 2) What does this section I read tell me about humanity? These two questions keep our focus on the relationship we encounter with God rather than on acquiring further information with which to overload our already busy brains. As a person asks questions, their focus is not on finding answers (information) but on gaining understanding of the topic of study. Who is God? How does God view humanity (and me)? What does God desire for humanity (and me)?

Finally, the cycle of study is not complete until you share your gained insight with someone else in order to solidify it within your own heart, soul, and might. You can even find questions that continue to come back to mind and share those with others.

Through STUDY, the exploration and investigation of Scripture, you receive the nourishment necessary to love the LORD your God.