STUDYING THE WORD FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND SUSTENANCE.

Text:  1 Peter 2. 2, 2Tim. 2.15

Desiring milk among children is a characteristic of their growing process. This they do till they reach the age of stability and are able to feed themselves through strong food. The same applies in the spiritual realm. Every believer, whether young or adult, must desire the milk of God’s word to grow up to sustenance, stability and full spiritual independence. Studying the Word is the age long process of reading the scriptures, meditating upon it and applying it to our daily life. This is as compulsory for a believer as his daily meal because though the physical food sustains the body, the Word of God keeps and stabilizes the soul and the spiritual body. Therefore, failure to remain consistent through in the study of the scriptures is a sign of spiritual laziness and lethargy, and may lead to compromise and backsliding. Commitment to regular study of God’s Word makes us strong and healthy spiritually. It also keeps us stable in the midst of destructive winds of doctrines around the world today.

Perils and Spiritual Sterility through ignorance of God’s Words. Hosea 4.6, Mark. 4. 14-19,

Every Christian is commanded to love God’s word and study it for growth and sustenance. Failure to do so makes us ignorant of God’s promises and purpose for our lives and brings destruction, spiritual famine and damnation. A believer who is void of the Holy Scriptures won’t know how to overcome temptation and to escape the snares of the devil (Eccl. 9.12). Stagnant believers always become carnal, worldly and compromising and will eventually backslide and die spiritually. This however breeds a weak church where canal comparison, envy and jealousy, murmuring and backbiting become apparent. Purity of heart and life, commitment and consecration, evangelism and soul-winning, and other spiritual accomplishments, will become forgotten as selfishness and worldly traits take over the congregation.

Principles of Systematic Study of God’s Word. Ezek. 2. 8-9, 3:1, Rev. 10.9, 1 Peter 1.23,

God had always commanded His children at all levels and in all ages to be diligent in reading and studying His words. It is an imperative command that we should study to know the instruction of the Lord and to carry them out promptly. However, to do this effectively requires systematic approach in our study. The following principle will help every believer to grow spiritually through the word.

Preparation:

i.                 Know the author of the scriptures. Without salvation experience, the Bible remains a closed book to anyone. Knowing God at new birth brings the Holy Spirit into the heart and life of an individual. It convicts of sins, and causes the sinner to take decisions to please the Lord as master. Note that the Holy Spirit now resides within the new born Christian to interpret God’s word to Him (John 15.3; John 6.63, 1 Pet. 1.23). As a child of God, now you can have access to the treasury of the Almighty.

ii.                  Have a good motive as you approach God for clarity of His word. Your main goal must be to know God more, and get more intimate fellowship with Him. Therefore be prepared to acquire as much from Him as possible (Phil 3.10). You need a longing heart that pant after God’s word (Ps. 42.1-2).

iii.                Believe that every word you read from the Bible is from God and is for your learning, instruction, admonition and correction. Also note that it contains promises you need to claim, and pitfalls you need to avoid that it may be well with you (2 Tim 3.16-17, Rom. 15.4).

iv.                 Ensure you have a solitary, quiet place where you can study and meet with your God. Remember, it is a place where God speaks to you through His word. Be ready to listen to all He says and be prepared to carry it everything He speaks out (Exo. 24.2,12, 15).

v.                   Be submissive to the Holy Spirit as your teacher and instructor. Your attitude must be “Speak Lord, thy servant heareth” (1 Sam. 3.9)

Practice:

i.                    You must practically get your study materials ready before your study time which includes a Study Bible with concordance and dictionaries, Devotional materials, Bible Atlas and maps, Encyclopedia of Bible Topics (1 Cor. 14. 7-9). These materials will further explain details of the scriptural passages and their backgrounds.

ii.                  Get also, writing materials to jot down what the Lord speaks to you.

iii.           Chose the pattern of study you which to follow. You can either study the bible by books (Book Study), By Bible character (Character Study), or by Bible doctrines (Doctrinal study). Whichever one you choose will give you the same inspiration through the Holy Spirit.

iv.                 Be systematic in your study to follow the chronological order of the chapters. Note that jumping chapters will make you miss so salient points of the scriptures that are equally beneficial to you.

v.                   Make a commitment to the Lord to be consistent and prompt at your personal altar. Consecrate your time to it and be sure you don’t miss the set time.

Prayer and faith: James 1. 5-6, Mark 11.24, 1 Tim. 2.8

You need time to pray before and after your study. Since you are carrying out a spiritual exercise, Satan may bring distractions, disaffections and discouragement to hinder the study but with prayer, you will overcome them. You also need to manifest faith in God to receive your entire heart request concerning your desired growth. Note that God knows your desire and is ready to meet them particularly as it is to His glory. Pray that God will give you grace to heed all the warnings and avoid all the pitfalls that the character fell into. Take time to claim the promises and ask for grace to manifest God’s glory as stated the passage read.

Profits and Success through regular Study of God’s words. Joshua 1. 8, Ps. 1.1-3, Psalm 119. 1-12, Prov. 4.18

Regular study of God’s words makes us a strong believer that is growing daily from one level of perfection to another. It brings supernatural spiritual growth and secular promotion and success. Few of the profits of heart-warming study of God’s words include but not limited to:

(i)It gives us an assurance of salvation as we continue in the Word and gives us sound spiritual foundation that cannot be moved in times of temptations and trials. (Ii)Helps us to discover the will of God to be done and that of error to be avoided. (iii) It enables us to understand and to know God more intimately and to do exploits for Him (Dan. 11.32) (iv) It makes us grow into wisdom beyond the human understanding and to excel above our adversaries (Ps. 119.98), (v) It makes us grow in Spiritual experiences and stable to withstand all forms of weather (Prov. 4.18). (vi) It helps us to discover hidden promises for special people who walk intimately with God (Isa 45.3). (vii) It helps us to discover God’s voice. Now God can speak to us as He spoke to the saints of old. It’s a wonderful experience when the Almighty God becomes your partner in your spiritual, ministerial and secular endeavour