Some time ago, I felt God was challenging me to study the Bible. This may seem rather odd, as I do read the Bible regularly and even ran an online Bible study on my blog at one time. However, God pointed out to me that there is a difference between reading the Bible devotionally (which is what I was doing) and studying the Bible. When reading the Bible devotionally, we’re listening for what God is saying to us in our situation. Whereas when we study the Bible, we’re looking for the message God has for everyone. If I only want to feed myself, then reading the Bible devotionally is fine, but if I want to feed other people, then I need to study the Bible. This is my other challenge that God wants me to teach others the things he has taught me, but isn’t this the challenge he has for all of us?
Though by this time you ought to be teachers … (Hebrews 5:12)
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2:2)
I looked into different options for how I should go about studying the Bible. I did think about reading the complete series of a commentary, but I find them quite dull! I ended up studying for a Diploma of Christian Ministry, which turned into a Bachelor’s Degree. I finished in 2015.
