For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

                                                                                                               Hebrews 4:12

When we consider the issue of Bible study, we need to understand and identify five progressions involved with getting the most out of studying the word of God. It’s been said that prayer is talking to God and studying scripture is listening to Him. I believe it is impossible for us to grow in our faith without a serious, tenacious study of the Bible. But if we do not move from study to belief to lifestyle, we miss the entire purpose for the study of scripture.

Often we hear people speak of “going deep” in their faith and in the study of scripture. I define “going deep” as moving from mere study to living out the truths of scripture in our day-to-day lives. If Christian living is not clearly displayed in our lives for the world to see, can we truly say that we are benefitting from the study of scripture?

The Bible is living and active and altogether capable of changing us on the inside if we commit ourselves to the study of this magnificent book. I don’t believe that we can have effective Christian living void of the study of scripture. So if you want to “go deep”, let me challenge and encourage you to work through all five of the following progressions as you commit (or recommit) yourself to spending time in the word of God!

5 Progressions Of Bible Study:

1. Reading/Speaking Scripture

How many people are there in the world today who have little or no exposure to the Bible? Many have developed strong opinions of a book that they have not even read. I believe there is an entire class of people who avoid the Bible because they know that it will convict and challenge the way in which they are living. But for believers, this should never be the case. Our very spiritual food is the word of God. We should be reading and studying God’s word everyday. There is always something for us when we open up the pages of scripture. In addition to reading (since most of us read silently), I recommend that you speak the word of God. Understandably, not every environment is conducive to reading out loud, but speaking scripture will bring a different dynamic to your study and life.

2. Memorizing Scripture

This is the level in which many people express difficulty. There are lots of people who declare an inability to memorize. In a normal situation, our brains are able to recall and analyze multiple pieces of information. Whether it is a phone number or the lyrics to your favorite song, repetition is the key. I suggest printing the passage that you desire to memorize and placing it in a prominent place in your home (refrigerator, bathroom mirror, etc), so that you can review it often. When we memorize scripture it puts it in our mind. Technology has helped significantly in our accessing scripture (cell phones, etc.), but memorizing it allows us to recall scripture even without our phone or a Bible in our possession. Memorizing scripture also allows us to use God’s word as we engage in spiritual warfare and it allows believers to accurately share the truth with those who have questions regarding salvation.

3. Meditating On Scripture

If memorizing scripture puts God’s word in our minds, then meditating on scripture puts God’s word in our hearts. It’s not enough that we read and even memorize scripture, we need to contemplate the significance that each passage has on life in this world and on eternity. Meditating on scripture moves us from the cognitive to the affective part of our being. In other words, we not only acknowledge God’s word intellectually, we take it to heart by recognizing the importance that it has on our daily lives.

4. Believing What You Study

Moving to this level is what separates those who live in spiritual victory from those who fail to see the power of scripture manifest in their lives. We not only need to read, speak, memorize, and meditate on scripture, we must believe the truths that we encounter in the word. That may sound rather strange to say, but believing what we read is far different than merely digesting it.

For example, Jesus says that we are forgiven in the same capacity that we forgive others (Matthew 6:14-15), yet it is quite possible to find believers who still hold on to bitterness from a past event and refuse to forgive someone who has transgressed against them. This effectively blocks the forgiveness of God, yet you can still find this refusal to forgive.

Likewise, we are told that we are all equally in need of salvation through Jesus (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 53:6, James 2:10), yet you still find individuals that believe they are living lives superior to those around them. If we truly believe the scriptures mentioned above, shouldn’t we see a culture of forgiveness and a lack of spiritual arrogance? Yet both of these are still realties, therefore, believing scripture is necessary in taking us to the final level, seeing biblical truth as a reality in our lives.

5. Applying The Truths Of Scripture To Your Life

Reading, speaking, memorizing, meditating, and believing scripture will greatly impact the life of any believer, however, it is when biblical truth shows up as a reality in our lives that demonstrates we are truly “going deep” in our spiritual growth. There is no shortage of opportunities to study the Bible but it is this application of biblical truth that demonstrates to the world that we are indeed followers of Jesus Christ.

When we truly love each other (John 13:34-35), treat others properly (Matthew 7:12), and enjoy the fruit of the Spirit consistently flowing from our lives (Galatians 5:22-23), then we will know that Bible study has gone full circle and taken us deep in the faith. Here’s to seeing you and I experience “rivers of living water” flow from our lives as we believe in Jesus! (John 7:38)

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

                                                                                                            2 Timothy 3:16 

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

                                                                                                            2 Timothy 2:15