Dr Paul Allen

1. Studying the Bible matters because God matters. We study the Bible because it is God’s word to the world. We want to hear him. We want to slow down and carefully, thoughtfully, and reverently hear what he has to say to us. How valuable are these words? “More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10). Two of the greatest pleasures our world pursues—money and food—and the Bible satisfies us more than both. The apostle Paul wrote, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). Just as you “breathe out” every word of yours, God “breathes out” every word in the Bible. It alone is inspired in this sense. We cannot say this about any other book on any other shelf anywhere in the world—only the Bible. 2. Studying the Bible is different than reading the Bible. When we read the Bible, we move through a text at...

The Bible is a loving letter from our heavenly Father. (1 Thessalonians 2:13) If we take the things we learn, and apply them in our lives, we will live a life far more beneficial than those who do not. As you grow in knowledge, you will draw ever closer to God, the Giver of “Every good gift and every perfect gift.” (James 1:17) You will discover the beauty of prayer. You will find that God is strengthening you to cope in times of trouble. If you live and walk in harmony with His Word, the opportunity of life everlasting awaits you. Romans 6:2 The Bible gives us answers to questions and life that can be found nowhere else and offers illumination to its readers. Those that take in this life-saving knowledge are freed from the misunderstandings of life that dominate billions of others. For instance, many fear death, and the Bible can lift that fear. Genesis 2:7 (American Standard Version) 7 And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the...

Galatians 1:1–5 “Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father , who raised him from the dead.… To the churches of Galatia ” (vv. 1–2). Only the Lord knows why He chose Saul of Tarsus to be His chief apostle to the Gentiles, especially as he was in the midst of persecuting Christians. Nevertheless, in choosing to transform Saul of Tarsus into Paul the apostle, God clearly picked a man whose background would benefit him as he worked to proclaim Christ to the nations.  We know, for example, that Paul was born in Tarsus, a city known for its learning, and studied in Jerusalem under Rabbi Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), one of the most significant Jewish teachers of the first century. Doubtless this education provided him with much of the in-depth knowledge of the Old Testament that he demonstrates in his letters as well as training in the interpretation of Scripture. It also helped him develop his Greek, which would come in handy when it came...

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God , and is profitable … (2 Tim. 3:16). Ecclesiastes is one of the most difficult books in Scripture. Its ambiguous language and dramatic style often cloud its meaning. Charles Bridges recognized this difficulty, but he remained committed to writing a commentary because he believed all of God’s Word is profitable—even those parts that are ambiguous. Despite its difficulties, Ecclesiastes provides a wealth of practical instruction. To discover its jewels of wisdom , one must search its passages with a Christian spirit, not with idle curiosity. “Prayer, faith, humility, diligence, will bring rest and satisfaction to minds exercised in the school of God,” Bridges wrote. In other words, don’t despair over a difficult passage. Pray about it, rely on the Spirit of Christ for illumination, and persevere in your study. “We expect to find some difficulties in a revelation from a Being like God to such a creature as man,” Canon Wordsworth reminds us...

Here are tips on how to get the most out of the study of this “divine handbook.” These pointers will help answer the most crucial question of all, “How can a young man cleanse his way?” The psalmist responds, “By taking heed according to Your Word” ( Ps. 119:9). Why is it Important to Study the Bible ? Why is God ’s Word so important? Because is contains God’s mind and will for your life ( 2 Tim. 3:16, 17). It is the only source of absolute divine authority for you as a servant of Jesus Christ . It is infallible in its totality: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Ps. 19:7). It is inerrant in its parts: “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar” ( Prov. 30:5, 6). It is complete: “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these t...

bibles (Photo credit: fancycwabs ) “The Bible is easy.” “The Bible is simple for a child to understand.” “You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand the Bible.” I hear these and other statements at times from well-meaning church leaders and church members. The idea is to shrink the distance from us and the biblical text, to make the Bible seem accessible. Certainly, we have plenty of materials designed to help us out. From study Bibles to daily nuggets of biblical wisdom to devotional thoughts, you can purchase any number of options intended to help you dig into the Word every day. The Bible is a Tough Book But what happens when your Bible reading plan takes you into Leviticus ? Many of us don’t make it out of the wilderness. What happens when your eyes glaze over as you read through the Minor Prophets ? Many of us are afraid to pronounce their names. Stress the simplicity of the Bible, and the people you are hoping will read the Bible next year may be...

Reflecting God Study Bible (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) When it comes to cultivating in teens an appreciation for Scripture, more is needed than just stories or superficial lessons. Teens today are caught in the crossfire of a battle for their minds and souls. More than ever, they need the solid spiritual food that only the Bible can give, plus an ability and willingness to study on their own. Ephesians 4:14 tells us to grow in our faith so that "we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching." Judges 21:25 confirms that even in ancient times, people were prone to doing what was right in their own eyes. That philosophy – relativism – is as spiritually empty now as it was then. Christian teens must ultimately decide if they are going to live by the world's rules (which are really no rules at all), or if they are going to live according to God 's truth. What will they pursue, conformity or characte...