Reading and studying the Scriptures are the spiritual disciplines we will look at in this lesson. Whether we call them “the Holy Scriptures,” “the Word of God,” “the Bible,” or “the Old and New Testaments,” we are speaking of one and the same thing. God has spoken to us in a Book that is more important than any other book ever written. The disciple of Jesus must make this Book the central focus of his study, because in it we find the way to eternal life.
Beginning with two examples of studying the Word of God, we will pause on these questions:
- “How did we receive the Scriptures?”
- “What are the Scriptures?”
- “Why should we study the Scriptures?”
- “What are the results of studying the Scriptures?”
EXAMPLES OF READING AND STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD
The first example we will consider is from Acts 8:26-35. This is the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch.
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth.”34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. (Acts 8:26-35)
What did this Ethiopian eunuch discover as he read the Word of God? Of course, what he discovered he did not discover on his own, but with Philip’s help. And yet, in the end, he discovered something he had not known until that moment, because he received the answer to his question: “Who is the prophet talking about — himself or someone else?” The eunuch was puzzled by these words about the One who, like a sheep and a lamb led to the slaughter, offers no resistance whatsoever to His humiliation and death, and who at the same time has a countless posterity — and that precisely because He loses His life. Reading a portion of the Holy Scriptures with Philip’s help, the eunuch discovered that the prophet is not speaking about himself, but about the Messiah, about Jesus Christ. He is the One this text is about. He is the Lamb who both dies and has a countless posterity, because we too are all His posterity.
From the way the eunuch arrived at this conclusion we can learn a great deal. First, it is normal that when we read the Word of God we understand some parts of it, but also come across difficult passages that are not clear to us. So what are we to do with those places in the Word of God that we do not understand? Of course, we must pray that the Holy Spirit would give us light upon His Word, but we must also seek someone, like Philip, “to explain it to us.” As the eunuch said: “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” This shows us that it is normal, when we read the Word of God, for us too, like this man, to have questions. It is normal to have a question, but neither should we leave those questions unanswered. We must seek answers. This is the way a person grows in the faith — by asking those who are more mature in the Lord about what he does not understand. Even our Lord Jesus is an example of this. Do you remember what He did when He was twelve years old and His parents lost Him on the way back from Jerusalem, where they had gone for the feast of the Passover (Luke 2:46)?
46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. (Luke 2:46)
This is the way to grow in the knowledge of God — to read His Word and to ask questions about the things said in it that we do not understand. The way we read the Word should be like the way we eat fish. When we eat fish and come across a bone, we do not give up on the fish, but simply set the bone aside and keep going. In the same way, when we come across something in the Word of God that is unclear to us, or that we cannot “swallow,” we should “set it aside” and ask someone who might know its meaning — for example, some brother or sister older and more experienced in the faith, or our pastor.
Notice one more detail in the example we are considering. The eunuch was reading aloud. For in verse 30 it says that when Philip drew near to the chariot, he “heard” what the eunuch was reading and recognized that the text was from the book of the prophet Isaiah. This means that the official was reading aloud. And this is a good practice. When we read the Word of God at home, even if we are alone, let us read it aloud. When you read aloud, you concentrate more on what you are reading and do not let your thoughts wander. When you not only read but also hear the biblical text, you remember it more easily and it is stamped more firmly upon your heart. So let us read the Word of God aloud, meditate upon it, and when we come across something difficult, ask someone who knows.
The other example we will consider is the Bereans, from Acts 17:11.
11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. (Acts 17:11)
The “Bereans” spoken of in this verse were the citizens of the city of Berea. They were of more noble character than the “Thessalonians” — the citizens of Thessalonica. Why? Because the Thessalonians rejected the teaching of Christ, while the Bereans received it. When the Apostle Paul preached the gospel, they received it “without prejudice.” It is very important that when we listen to sermons in church we do not reject the preacher. For rejecting the preacher stops the grace that flows through that preacher. But in this verse we see that the Bereans are an example to us in two things. They not only received the teaching “with great eagerness,” but together with this they also “examined the Scriptures” in order to find in them confirmation of Paul’s words. We have no right to doubt the Word of God, but we do have the right to question whether a given preacher is preaching the Word of God accurately. This is a “holy” doubt, “without prejudice,” which challenges us — without rejecting the preacher — to find still more proof of the preached truth in the Word of God, and so to strengthen our convictions in it. But neither should we blindly trust and accept as true something for which we find no proof and confirmation in the Bible. That is why I too encourage you: when I preach the Word of God, do not accept my words just like that — “on trust” — but examine the Bible for yourselves and check whether I am telling the truth. And when you become convinced from your own experience that what is preached from the pulpit is the same as what is written in the Holy Scriptures, you yourselves will be encouraged.
Notice also when the Bereans examined the Scriptures. “Every day.” This means that we too, like them, must examine — that is, study — the Scriptures every day. This is precisely the spiritual discipline we are speaking of — the daily reading and studying of the Scriptures.
HOW DID WE RECEIVE THE SCRIPTURES?
We have already said that God has given us the Holy Scriptures contained in our Bible. But the question is “How?” The short answer to this question is: “Through men, inspired by the Holy Spirit.” They did not write automatically, but the Holy Spirit gave them the thoughts that they were to write, using their own individualities and talents, and at the same time controlling the process of writing so that it was carried out without any errors. In Exodus 31:18 we read how God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses.
18 When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God. (Exodus 31:18)
Here it says that the Ten Commandments themselves were written by God’s own hand. Of course, the “finger of God” is a figure of speech (an anthropomorphism — the attributing of human qualities to God), but it makes clear the fact that the first words of God to man were written in a supernatural way, personally by God Himself, upon tablets of stone. Later these tablets of stone were broken by Moses, and he prepared others on which God would write His commandments again; but more important than this is that God had a personal meeting with Moses and a series of conversations in which God conveyed to him what He wanted to be written in His Word.
In Galatians 1:11-12, on the other hand, we read how the Apostle Paul received from God the things he later wrote down in his letters. The example of Moses was from the Old Testament, and the example of Paul is from the New Testament.
11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:11-12)
Here we see that Paul, like Moses, received the message he conveys to people through revelation from God. What does the word “revelation” mean? Literally this word means “the drawing back of the curtain.” As when a new monument is unveiled — it is covered with a curtain, which at the very moment of its unveiling is taken down, and then the monument is seen in all its glory. The word revelation means something that until now has been hidden from us, which we could not see or know, but God removes the curtain from it and discloses it to us. In the Old Testament He reveals to us Himself, His character, His will; and in the New Testament He reveals to us the fullness of His saving plan through Jesus Christ. Through Christ, who dies on the cross for our sins, and through our faith in Him, we are saved. The Old and New Testaments are like the roots and the crown of a single tree. They are different in appearance and purpose, but they are the same tree. Just as the leaves cannot do without the roots, so the roots cannot do without the leaves, from which in turn they receive the substances they need in order to function properly.
In Hebrews 1:1-2 some of the ways in which we received the Scriptures are also mentioned. How did God speak?
1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. (Hebrews 1:1-2)
Notice, here it says that before the coming of Christ, God spoke to His people through the prophets, and He did so in many different ways. For example, to Ezekiel God said: “Get up and go out to the plain, and there I will speak to you” (Ezekiel 3:22). To Jeremiah He said: “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message” (Jeremiah 18:2).
Here we cannot fail to mention that Jesus Christ is the most final and most complete revelation of God to us. So if we want to know whether something is the will of God, we must ask ourselves the question: “What does Christ say or think about this matter?” and “Would Jesus Christ do it?”
2 Timothy 3:16 gives us the answer to the question: “Who gave us the Scriptures? Who is the source of the Scriptures?” The short answer to this question is: “The Lord.” But this is exactly what is important for us to understand — that the Lord both gave them to us and gave them to us through men; yet the fact that He gave them to us through men does not mean that they are from men — they are still God’s.
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16)
The key word in this verse is “God-breathed.” It shows the degree to which the Holy Scriptures belong to God. They are inspired by God to such a degree that we can safely accept that these are the words of God Himself, who speaks to us through His Scriptures. The word “God-breathed” means “breathed out through the mouth of God.” For when a person speaks, air comes out of his lungs and sets his vocal cords in motion. A current of air passing through our vocal cords makes us able to speak and to say anything at all. So when the Apostle Paul says that “all Scripture is God-breathed,” this means that God is the One who said it. To such a degree does God accept it as His own, and to such a degree does it belong to Him, that it is an authority upon which we can fully rely as the Word of God Himself.
There is one more verse in support of the fact that the Scripture is not a human word but the Word of God, and that is 2 Peter 1:20-21.
20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21)
These verses sum up everything we have said so far. The authors of the biblical books were holy men, “carried along” by the Holy Spirit, and in the end their writings convey not their own thoughts and words, but those of God. So this is how we have the Scriptures — God speaks through men, carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, our gaze must be not upon men, but toward the Holy Scriptures. For we men are all sinful and insufficient. That is why, when we want to know the truth about God, we must seek it not somewhere else, but turn to the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, which are the Word of God. And let us be disciplined like the noble Bereans, who, whenever they heard something new, immediately compared it with the truth of the Holy Scriptures.
WHAT TO DO WHEN, IN OUR READING, WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND SOMETHING IN THE BIBLE
When we encounter a problem in interpreting the Scriptures, we must always remember that the best way to interpret the Scriptures is through the Scriptures themselves. For example, in Matthew 24:23-24 it says:
23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (Matthew 24:23-24)
How are we to understand this verse? Who are the false messiahs and false prophets spoken of here? If we are not careful, we might assume that this verse refers to the false teachers who go around from house to house trying to attract new followers to themselves. But here it speaks of “great signs and wonders,” and they do not perform signs. On the contrary, they claim that the time of miracles ended back in the first century. Another assumption might be that these are the psychics who claim to have supernatural abilities. But with the psychics it is clear that they are not from God. Whereas the verse speaks of men who will try, if possible, to deceive even the elect. That is, they will present themselves as Christ and as prophets of God. Distinguishing between them and the truth will be very difficult, and therefore we must be careful toward every supernatural manifestation and toward the claims of every newly appeared leader in the body of Christ.
The best way to interpret the Scriptures is through the Scriptures themselves. This means not trusting the opinion of one person or another, but seeking out other verses and passages that speak on the same matter — not only about deception and not only about supernatural manifestations, but about the two together. For example, in Revelation 13:11-15 it says:
11 Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. (Revelation 13:11)
The “second beast” spoken of here is the antichrist, and the dragon, or “first beast,” is Satan. The antichrist speaks in the spirit of Satan. Here we have a devilish imitation of the Trinity. Just as we have God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, so in this chapter we have the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet.
12 It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. (Revelation 13:12)
Here is a sign — he had been wounded, but his wound had supernaturally healed.
13 And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. (Revelation 13:13)
Here it speaks of other signs, one of which is the bringing down of fire from heaven to the earth.
14 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. (Revelation 13:14-15)
The third sign prophesied here is the giving of life and speech to an image of the beast made by men.
If both Satan and the antichrist are going to perform signs, then how will we be able to distinguish truth from deception? Whoever knows the truth — he will not be deceived. When bank employees are taught to distinguish counterfeit banknotes from genuine ones, they are not taught to recognize all the counterfeit banknotes made by the forgers of money. Instead they are shown the genuine banknote and taught to recognize it in detail. So if some banknote is not like the genuine one they know, then it is not genuine. If someone says something that is different from the Word, he is a liar and a false teacher. This is exactly why we insist on reading and studying the Word. Because reading and studying the Word means knowing and understanding the truth. And then, if we know the truth and hear or see something false, we will recognize it at once, and so God will protect us from deception and from entering into error.
If we are in difficulty in understanding some passage, then what are we to do? The way to seek the answer to a question we do not understand is to seek another biblical passage that speaks about the same thing.
WHAT ARE THE SCRIPTURES?
In the Word of God we find a number of metaphors and comparisons that reveal to us various characteristics of the Word of God. For example, in Psalm 119:105 the Word of God is compared to a “lamp” and a “light” — a floodlight.
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (Psalm 119:105)
The Word of God gives us light. Light means clarity. For if it is dark and you cannot see, you cannot orient yourself as to which way to go and what to do. Besides this, light gives us sight, an understanding of what is where; it is a point of reference that frees us from wandering.
In Psalm 119:160 the Word of God is defined as “truth.”
160 All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal. (Psalm 119:160)
Today we live in a relative world — a world in which everyone has his own truth. Do you remember what Pilate said to Jesus when Jesus told him that this was why He had come into this world, to testify to the truth? “What is truth?” This question betrayed his attitude toward the truth. For Pilate, truth was a relative concept (John 18:37-38).
37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” 38 “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. (John 18:37-38)
Pilate’s question is rhetorical. When he posed it to Jesus, he did not expect an answer from Him. By his question Pilate is in fact saying: “Truth is something relative. Truth cannot be defined. For one person one thing is true, for another something else is true…” This is exactly the idea that Satan is promoting in the world today — the idea of “pluralism” — a teaching according to which at the foundation of the world lie many independent spiritual entities; a principle of social order that presupposes a multiplicity of opinions, positions, expressions, political organizations, and so on. Pluralism allows everyone to have his own truth and to hold to his own opinion, as long as he does not impose it on others.
But having the Word of God, we cannot accept such a relative notion of truth. We do not believe in a multiplicity of truth. Truth is one, and it is God’s truth — the truth of the Word of God.
Besides being truth, the Word of God is eternal. It “endures forever.” In other words, it is eternal. In Isaiah 40:8 the durability and permanence of the Word of God is emphasized by being presented in contrast with the transience of the grass and the flowers.
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
The truth of the Word of God is imperishable, and this applies both to the words of God the Father and to the words of Jesus (Mark 13:31).
31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Mark 13:31)
When will the words of Jesus pass away? The correct answer to this question is one: “Never!” Their validity will not pass. They do not expire; they are imperishable.
The Word of God is not only eternal. It is “imperishable” (1 Peter 1:23). And besides this, it is like a seed — to the one who receives it, it gives life, and eternal life at that.
23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (1 Peter 1:23)
What have we learned so far from these verses we have considered? That the Word of God is:
- A lamp — it gives light (Psalm 119:105)
- Truth (Psalm 119:160)
- Eternal (Isaiah 40:8)
- Imperishable seed, which produces the fruit of eternal life in us (1 Peter 1:23)
WHY SHOULD WE STUDY THE SCRIPTURES?
We know that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). So what must the one do who wants to have more faith? To hear the word of Christ (Romans 10:17).
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (Romans 10:17)
Notice, not only from reading, but from hearing. How can you “hear” the Word of God — by reading it aloud. Of course, we should not become petty about it, but this verse could be for us one more encouragement that we too, like the Ethiopian eunuch, should read the Word of God aloud.
Another benefit of the Word of God is that for us it is a spiritual weapon (Ephesians 6:17).
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17)
Here the Word of God is described as a “sword.” With whom will we fight with this sword? With the enemy. The fact that we have a sword suggests to us that we have an enemy to fight. Who is our enemy? Satan. Do we want to defeat him? Then we must know how to wield the sword of the Spirit. A classic example of this is Jesus, who was tempted in the wilderness. How did Satan attack Him then? Through his temptations — temptations in which he even quoted the Bible to Him. But how did Jesus answer him? With “It is written,” “It is also written,” and “Away from me, Satan! For it is written” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). The Word of God is our weapon against temptations. But we must know it in order to be able to use it. That is why we emphasize that we must read and study the Word of God straight through — so that we do not know it half-heartedly or partially, but wholly and fully. Then, if Satan attacks us with one thought, the Holy Spirit in us will tell us another thought with which to overcome the temptation and to be victors over Satan.
In Colossians 3:16 we read why we should read the Word of God and what happens when the Word of God is in us.
16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Colossians 3:16)
God desires that His Word, His words, become part of us. Then we will have a new song and grace in our hearts.
In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we also read why we should read and study the Holy Scriptures.
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- The Word of God is “useful for teaching.” If you want to be wise and clever, then read the Word of God and you will gain practical knowledge for your life.
- Useful for “rebuking.” When you read the Word of God you will understand how holy God is, and also where you are sinning, so that you can repent of your sin and restore your relationship with your Creator.
- Useful for “correcting.” It is important not only to feel rebuked and to repent of your sin, but also to correct yourself, so that you no longer allow the same failings in your life.
- Useful for “training in righteousness.” If you are not sinning, the Word of God encourages you to keep on living a righteous life and protects you from sin.
- Useful for “equipping.” It is very important for each one to sit down by himself at home and to begin to study the Word of God on his own. Whoever reads and studies will be thoroughly equipped.
The Word of God is useful because it reaches to the innermost parts of our being and can correct us at the deepest possible level. The Word of God affects us not only on the mental, but on the spiritual level. It penetrates inside us and “searches out our motives.” The motives are what set us in motion and cause us to do one thing or another. When they are corrected and right, then everything we do will also be in order. In Hebrews 4:12 we read that the Word of God is like a scalpel that performs a spiritual operation on us in order to remove the tumors from our soul.
12 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)
Our heart is very important. Because out of what fills the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34), and by our tongue our body and the whole course of our life is set in motion (James 3:6). From our heart come the “wellsprings of life” (Proverbs 4:23). And that is why the Word of God is so important, because it has the ability to be stamped upon our heart and so to have an influence on us and to change our life.
And so, why should we study the Word of God?
- It will give us faith (Romans 10:17);
- It will give us victory, because it is the “sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17);
- It will give us grace in our hearts (Colossians 3:16);
- It will thoroughly equip us (2 Timothy 3:16-17);
- It will rebuke us and change us (Hebrews 4:12).
THE RESULTS OF STUDYING THE SCRIPTURES
The first result of reading and studying the Scriptures is progress and “good success.” When you read the Word of God and study it — when you “meditate” upon it “day and night” — every day, as we said — and when you apply it in your life — when you act carefully according to what is written in it, then you will make progress on your way — you will develop and you will have “good success” (Joshua 1:8).
8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:8)
The second result of reading and studying the Word of God is that, if we have it in our heart, it will protect us from sin (Psalm 119:11). Do we want not to sin — to act as God wants? Do we want to live a holy and prudent life? Then we must keep His Word in our heart.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11)
The third result of reading and studying the Word of God is that it will give us comfort (Psalm 119:52).
52 I remember, Lord, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them. (Psalm 119:52)
A successful life, a godly life, comfort… The fourth result of reading and studying the Word of God is eternal life (John 20:31).
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31)
The fifth result of reading and studying the Word of God is “salvation” (1 Peter 2:2-3). For us the Word of God is like spiritual milk — food that helps us reach salvation and spiritual maturity.
2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Peter 2:2-3)
This verse encourages us that, just as the baby hungers for its mother’s milk, so we too should have a spiritual hunger for the Word of God.
The sixth result of reading and studying the Word of God is blessedness in our activity. When we read the Word of God and see something for which it rebukes us, we must repent of that sin. First we must remember it — not forget it — but also we must carry it out (James 1:22-25).
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:22-25)
The seventh result of reading and studying the Word of God is an increase in our reverence for the Lord and a readiness to share the gospel (1 Peter 3:15).
15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (1 Peter 3:15)
If we are persistent in studying the Word of God, there will come a moment when we will be able to answer those who ask us about our hope. That is, we will pass from the level of the eunuch to the level of Philip. At the beginning we mentioned that when you do not understand something in the Word of God, you must ask those who know. But who are they? They are those who have studied the Word of God before you. But if you are persistent in studying the Word of God, a day will come when those who do not know will ask you, because you will already have studied it and will know it. So if we are persistent in the discipline of reading and studying the Word of God, a day will come when it is not we who ask others, but others who ask us. But I want to tell you one thing. It is very important that, when we do not know something, we say: “I do not know.” It is better to be honest about our ignorance than to begin to invent things that confuse both ourselves and the people who are listening to us.
APPLICATION
Every disciple of Jesus who can read must have a copy of the Holy Scriptures. You must have a Bible. And you can begin with the New Testament. For the new believer, the New Testament is easier to understand than some parts of the Old Testament.
You must also have a plan. Some kind of daily plan for reading the Bible is better than reading at random or jumping from place to place according to whatever comes to a person’s mind. Begin with some New Testament book, for example one of the Gospels, and read one chapter a day until you have read the whole book. In this way, in one month you will have read it.
In addition, the believer can read one psalm a day together with the reading from the New Testament. For the Psalms are prayers to God, and they teach us how to pray. And the reading of the Word of God should always be accompanied by prayer.
Our goal in all of this should be for the reading of the Bible to become a daily habit for us. Do you know what a habit is? A habit is to do something without thinking about it, something that has become part of you. And what could be better than for the Word of God to become part of us?