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Bible Study Advice

Bible Study

By Jill Briscoe

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” ~ Psalm 119:105

A student asked me:  “When we engage in Bible study, can we truly trust our Bibles?” 

“Oh, yes,” I said happily.

I remain sure that we can.  I was able to tell her that even though we don’t have the original manuscripts, thirteen hundred pieces of very ancient copies of the originals are in the British and Vatican museums.  Archeologists have become the Bible’s friends, explaining puzzle after puzzle of the past and revealing by the discoveries of their spades that many of the so-called contradictions are mere difficulties.

The Bible claims its writers were inspired; Christ Himself endorsed the Old Testament over and over again.  Prophecy, which is history written in advance, came to pass, proving the uniqueness of the documents.  But above all, the Bible is relevant, proving its promises to the ones who will approach it and claim them for themselves.

It is a lamp and light to our way.  When we are in the dark, we can switch the Scriptures onto our problems and see the answer.

The Bible is a fire, burning its rebukes into our minds.  “Fathers, do not exasperate your children” (Eph .6:4), it tells us.  That means, “Dads, don’t drive your kids up the wall!”

Texts like this one act like a hammer, breaking our hard hearts into pieces (see Jer. 23:29).  The Bible is like a sword, pricking our consciences (see Eph. 6:17), and it’s like milk, nourishing our infant trust till we learn to lean harder on Jesus.  It’s like a seed that grows with us (see Luke 8:11), and like honey to our taste!  It’s a sweet word when we’re sour, and a satisfying meal when we’re hungry (1 Cor. 3:2)!

“Yes, I said to my student, emphatically.  “We can certainly trust our Bibles!”

Lord, thank You for Your Word, which is a treasure of light for my life.  I cannot imagine how dark my life would be without it.  I praise You for the miracle of preserving Your truth down through the ages so that I can easily engage in Bible study and find guidance from You for any situation.  You are such a faithful, never-changing God, and I praise You! Amen.

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