“I Never Thought of That …”
The value of any sermon of bible study is determined by the persuasive thought culminating in knowledge one gains from that lesson. Often, the emphasis the speaker uses on a phrase, or the association of other passages expressing the subject at hand, or simply the re-telling of a familiar story prompts a thought a bit different than you previously considered. As a bible example, examine Mark 2:1-12 and note the concluding statement: “And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, “We never saw it on this fashion.”
Paul indicated our need to THINK/REASON on God’s truth. (1 Timothy 4: 13 – 16; Philippians 4:8). The Bible has always been its own best commentary and dictionary. But without THINKING/REASONING of God’s truth, using it to prove itself becomes difficult! Therefore, it is not just READING it that matters; it is a matter of STUDYING IT and by this process, obtaining the understanding of truth and righteousness!
A lesson Grandmother taught me years ago is akin to this point of thinking/reasoning of God’s truth. When we finished our bible study, she would allow me to draw a bucket of fresh water from her well and take it to her kitchen, placed on her “water stand” beside the stove. As I would draw the water from her well, she would say, “Bible study is like drawing water from that old well. You’ll always get a bucket of water – but you’ll get a bucketful you never had before!” Indeed!
Too many people study God’s word with the simple intent to glean from the top, rather than to gain from the deep springs of this living word! Yet Paul wrote, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33) Does that sound like a small two-gallon bucket of water? Does this not prove to us that we can and should imbibe the riches of His word, search it out to its fullest degree and be grateful for its consistent freshness, profit and increase to our knowledge and wisdom of God? No, true students never discover something “new” in the sense God just added it: instead, their searching discovers items they never considered before and enlightens their increasing love for God’s truth! Muse on that reality, dear reader!