Study is essential to building a positive life. King Ptolemy Lagua asked Euclid, “If there was not a shorter and easier way to the knowledge of geometry than he had laid down in his ‘Elements.” He answered, “There is no royal road to geometry.” I will add that neither is there a royal (i.e., easy) road to any study. Knowledge comes through study and hard work.
Concerning study the Proverbs writer said, “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things” (Proverbs 15:28; cf. 1 Peter 3:15). The apostle Paul wrote “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).
As students in the school of Christ, we are lifetime learners. Our study must not stop until we have gone to be with the Lord. As a student, there are several qualities that will help you in studying God’s Word. as well as other good materials.
First, you must have an open mind. This attitude is manifested throughout the Bible (Acts 17:11; Daniel 5:20; 2 Peter 3:2; 2 Corinthians 3:14).
Second, you must be spiritually minded. The Bible is a spiritual book (Colossians 1:9; Titus 2:6; James 1:8).
Third, you must have a passion to know the truth (Psalms 119:11, 103); you must also believe that you can know the truth (John 8:32; Ephesians 5:17).
Fourth, you must be a person of prayer, who asks for guidance and wisdom in your study of the Word (James 1:5; 3:15).
Fifth, you must be persistent. Some things (i.e., truths) can’t be fully understood without constantly studying them (Proverbs 12:27; John 5:39).
Sixth, you must be willing to accept revealed truth. Finding the truth will not help the student unless he accepts and applies it (Luke 8:18; Psalms 49:4).
Seventh, you must rid yourself of all preconceived ideas about the subject or text. This was one of the problems the Jews had (Mark 12:10; 15:28; Matthew 22:29; Luke 24:27,32,45).
Eighth, you must be a person of courage. To accept truths that have heretofore gone unnoticed will, in many instances, take great courage. It will also take courage to put them into practice in your daily life (Proverbs 22:22; Psalms 119:104).
Ninth, you must be able to use your reasoning skills (Acts 17:2; 18:4; 28:19; 24:25).
Tenth, you must believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible (2 Timothy 2:16,17). Every Christian is a lifetime learner. Through knowledge a positive spiritual life is built.
God’s Word must be the constant diet for our souls (cf. 1 Peter 2:1-3).
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