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Bible Study: Knowing the Disciple's Playbook

I have spent twenty-five years of my life coaching the game of basketball. Some of my teams have been very good and some have not. One of the most important characteristics of an outstanding team is that they are all on what coaches like to call, “the same page.” What does this mean? It means that all team members understand the team’s vision, what their defined role is and have passionately sold-out to accomplishment team goals, rather than personal goals.

How foolish would it be for a basketball team to come down the court on offense with a specific play called, and then all five players did what they wanted, rather than what the had coach called? The result--chaos!

The successful coach has a philosophy and a playbook to match that philosophy. In the Christian life, God wants all the members of His team to be on “the same page.” First, He desires to have a loving relationship each member through His Son Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Mark 12:31-32), second, He wants to see lives lived in conformity to the image of Jesus for His glory (Romans 8:29; 1 Cor. 10:31), and third, His children are to multiply disciples who study their Bibles so that they may “observe all things that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18-20, NKJV)

Once a team commits itself to being on “the same page,” each team member must exercise the disciplines necessary to play their best. The players bodies must be in tip-top shape, fundamentals must be learned and executed, and each player must know all the plays. This is where true commitment is measured. Each team member must ask, “Am I committed in word only, or do my actions speak louder than my words?”

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we become members of team Jesus. The members of the team are involved in a life long process of discipline and team building. Bible study is a key discipline in our growth process.

The apostle Paul had a son in the faith named Timothy. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul sits in Roman prison knowing that the end of his life is very near and he desires to leave some parting wisdom to his spiritual son. Chapters three and four of 2 Timothy are very revealing as to the importance of Bible study as a discipline of the Christian life.

First, he instructs his son in verse 14 to, “continue in the things which you have learned.” What were those things? The truths of the “Holy Scriptures” learned from childhood. Bible study from his youth had played an important part in his development as a child of God.

Secondly, Paul reminds his son of the character of the Scriptures. Bible study is not just the study of a human book that is written by a man, but it’s very words are “God-breathed out.” He teaches him that “all Scripture is given by inspiration (God-breathed out) of God.” (2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV)

Thirdly, Bible study has tremendous equipping value for the disciple. It is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV) My pastor will often quote Warren Wiersbe’s description of this verse as, ‘ the Scriptures teach us what is right, what is not right, how to get right, and how to stay right.”

Lastly, in verse 17 Paul gives the purpose of Bible study, “that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Bible study is a key to growth in our discipleship with Jesus. I am a member of team Jesus and each day as I study my Bible, I know that He is teaching me through His Spirit to be on “the same page” with Him.

Submitted by Rick Roth