Why Study The Bible?

Posted on

They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.

~John 20:9, NIV

“Belief in the resurrection is not an appendage to the Christian faith; it is the Christian faith.”

~John Sheldon Whale

If you read this blog, it stands to reason you are a daily bible reader. When you are reading the Bible, do you come across verses or passages that you do not understand? Does it bother you that you do not understand? In there something in you that wants to know more? More times than not, this is what prompts my daily bible study. I will read a verse that puzzles me and then I begin studying that verse in a quest to understand it more fully. One of the first things I do is exegete, or study the key words and I use BLUE LETTER BIBLE. It is free and simple. More intelligent folks use Logos but it is not free or simple. The second thing I do is look at various translations which is always helpful. Then recently, last three months, I copy the verse and paste it to ChatGPT and ask for their help. You can even tell them what commentaries and sources you like and in a split second, they will have your info. The last time around in the Psalms, I specifically asks them for the commentary of the Puritans. You can ask for the Reformers {Calvin and Luther} of mention a commentator by name. They will find the info in the blink of an eye. If you want them too: they will parse the Greek or Hebrew for you.

Here is what I think: there are many parts of scripture we do not understand and this calls for study. Our goal is not necessarily to know more but to understand clearly what God is saying to us. Obviously, people who refuse to study and use these study tools, do not want to know what God is saying. This is why so many people love the King James: they can read it without understanding what God is saying. If we don’t understand what He is saying, there can be no conviction of sin. I think the number one reason people refuse to read various English translations is their fear of understanding the truth. This is one reason the Jews hated Jesus: He made the truth simple so people could understand. Evil loves the darkness.

  • A heart felt thanks to all who attended the CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE. We do appreciate it. As much as I enjoyed it, I am thankful that it is history. It pushed me to get a lot done and I am tired of being pushed. If anyone wants a chicken salad sandwich, come by the house, we have over 50 left.
  • Let me remind the Grace Pointers that we are meeting in the fellowship hall Wednesday morning at 10:30 for a special VETERAN’S DAY service. Jumping Joe is hosting a ROUND TABLE Q&A for our veterans and we will be the audience. We may be the only church in this part of the country that has a Korean War veteran. He is 97 years young and still working. He is a professional shopper. He goes to estate sales and makes purchases for his friends. He served under McArthur and has some good stories. He lives in Huntsville, near the old airport and it is only the providence of God that guided him to Grace Point. His girl friend is a member of Grace Point. Colonel Smith, retired paratrooper, will lead the discussion. Following the round table discussion, we will have lunch. This weeks menu is a soup bar.
  • Menu for November Wednesday day services: Nov. 18 Pizza, Nov. 25 BBQ
  • THERE IS NO PM SERVICE November 25 {Thanksgiving Eve}
  • December 4…49er Christmas Party at 11:30. Christmas finger foods. Bring your favorite Christmas candy or cookie.
  • I hope you have a great day and thanks for reading the blog.

Leave a Reply