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Bible Study: More than an Experience

Today, many people are looking farther than a theoretical knowledge of God; they are seeking some sort of experience. Tragically this leads to confusion upon truly knowing God. In a generation of “I need to feel it”, we have substituted programs, music, ideas for Bible study.

While Christian music is a wonderful avenue of praise to our Creator, its intention has never been to replace the Scriptures. Our lack of enthusiasm for Bible study is rooted, in our lack of instruction of righteousness.

What can the consequences be of this? A deficiency in a completely engaged life for the worshiper. Without knowing our substitutions leave of either searching for more sensationalism or contentment that everything is fine. The latter case being dangerous because in turn it leads to barriers where God can penetrate to speak to our hearts. The former gives way to “new” theology experiences, church bouncing, and as we see with modern society the need more brutal images, more explosion in our movies to keep us content, that same principles applies in churches as well.

Bible study on the other hand takes time, takes effort and energy, and requires devotion to a religious literature. Sacred Literature is not intended to entertain us, not necessarily intended to be a "can’t put the book down" experience, but rather a day by day life changing catalyst.

What does all this mean for Worship? For one we must re-evaluate what worship is. Worship is not going to church. Worship is not singing songs around a campfire. Worship has nothing to do with externals or what we can do. Worship starts at the mind and heart. Worship is about attitude, worship is about character. When we come to grips of who God is, and give him rightful place and come in a humble and subordinate attitude to him, so he can do things with our lives.

So how does Bible study fill this void? Certainly Bible study is not to be the only requisite for worship. Worship should not be viewed as an event that takes place, for worship is a process of the heart that never stops. That of course is personal worship, not corporate worship. Now Bible study brings worship closer to home than any other form we can do. After all, Bible study requires (should) to make our thoughts a slave to the Bible Text. In Bible study we can see our life reflected in both positive and negatives, we can see the outcome. As we engage in more frequent Bible study, God take part in it, after all they are His words.

Psalm 119:105 says that the Bible is a lamp for our feet and a light in our path. The imagery of feet and path gives us the illustration of a journey. Bible study is a journey not an end. Songs and programs are end, they give us a point, they take us and drop us off where they intended to. Bible study on the other hand does not serve to have a final end (that is Jesus’ job). Bible study takes us on the journey to knowing Christ and to realize that not even religious service can take that place (Phil 3:7-8).

Bible study is not a worship experience, it is a worship journey. With each Bible study the believer gains skills, tools to recognize the dark and dangerous path in this world, and the main skill is Jesus.

Submitted by David Salazar