Why do I need to “study” the Bible?

Do I need to eat well to live?  Technically, no.  We all eat poorly at least some of the time–and we don’t drop dead because of it.  But should we care about nutrition?  I sure think so.  What we eat matters to our physical life–and to our spiritual life.  Studying the Bible is not a legalistic discipline.  It does take discipline.  And it is worth it!

The idea that we do not need discipline in a our spiritual life is totally disproved by our natural lives.  A natural life without discipline is sad.  The damage can be extensive.  The motivation for discipline cannot be to ‘save ourselves’ or ‘make ourselves holy.’  The motivation must be Jesus gave everything for me–I want to know how to live well for Him!

John Piper is one of my favorite teacher authors.  He compiled this list of Scriptures that admonish discipline in a recent article that is well worth your time!

• Train yourself in godliness (1 Timothy 4:7).
• Strive to enter by the narrow gate (Luke 13:24).
• Take up your cross daily (Luke 9:23).
• Work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).
• I pommel my body and subdue it (1 Corinthians 9:27).
• If your right eye offends you, gouge it out (Matthew 5:29).
• Strive together with me in prayer (Romans 15:30).

My motivation for writing and even sharing about my book comes from my belief in studying the Word.  It is the only source of Truth.  Without investing time in Scripture, you are subject to other people’s opinions and errors.  Go to God yourself.  Dig into His Word.  He promises to help you understand it.

Here’s the opening piece of Soul Training in the Barn to give you a flavor for the book…and a glimpse of me.

“It is in our weaknesses that the strength of Christ is made complete in us.  Sometimes what appears as a strength is simply a completed weakness.  My passion for the Word springs from a desperate desire to know Truth…to know and share how to live the abundant life.  The deep need grew out of painful mistakes and mis-steps.  God used the Word to cleanse me and make me whole as the song says.  I thank God for all my many weaknesses for they drive me to Him–the One to whom I owe it all.”