HURDLES TO STUDYING GOD’S WORDS

“But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the WORD, and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces…” – Matthew 13: 23       

Enjoying a fruitful and productive Life involves overcoming the HURDLES to STUDYING GOD’S WORD: “But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the WORD, and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” (Mt.13:23). In order for His Word to perform in our lives, the soil of our hearts must be ready to receive it through diligent study. God’s Word – the seed – is flawless. It is the soil that must be ready and suitable for growth. The parable of the sower highlights three hindrances to receiving productive harvests from God’s Word: the wayside or unprepared heart; the rootless heart that cannot endure trials; and the heart choked by weeds of worldliness.

Knowing the value of God’s Word, one wonders why people do not invest time and effort to studying it! For many, the Bible is owned, read occasionally, taken to church – but not studied! The tragedy in contemporary Christendom is that as available as the Bible is, it remains a greatly neglected book. Here are five reasons why some people don’t study the Bible:

The matter of Relevance: Is the Bible archaic, out-of-date, and irrelevant to contemporary realities of modern life? Some people assume that the Bible may have something to say to another generation, but not ours. The truth is: God’s revelation is as alive today as it was when it was first delivered, and still applies to our day-to-day situations. The Bible presents His Will and Ways for all matters: choices, decisions, marriage, family life, business, career, relationships, and governance.

Lack of Method or Technique: Not knowing HOW to study the Bible, some people just give up trying. Yes, they realise that it’s impossible to know God apart from knowing His Word, but it just feels like an uphill task to understand the Bible. It’s like being fearful or reluctant to jump into a pool because one is unable to swim! Compounding the situation is a computerized culture in which many have become visually oriented and gradually losing the desire and ability to read!

Attitude of being “a layperson”: Some people assume that understanding the Bible beyond few common passages like, The Ten Commandments, The Golden Rule, and The Lord is my shepherd, is reserved for the clergy, “professionals,” experts, or theologians. But we really don’t need seminary training or the knowledge of Greek and Hebrew, to understand the Bible. Whoever can read can personally dig into scriptures. Bible study can be exciting and fascinating beyond words!

Excuse of Lack of Time: The common complaint is – “I just don’t have time”! But, everyone has the same amount of time – 24 hours per day! Indeed, some people have really busy domestic and work schedules. Where would Bible Study fit on the list of priorities of a full-time homemaker who tends four toddlers or her husband who works day and night? Unfortunately, it is when people face life-threatening situations that they realise that God’s Word is not an option, but an essential to life!

The badge of Doubt: Can everything in the Bible be believed? Given the prevalence of falsehood in the world, people have raised concerns about the miracles, prophecies, and other ‘hard-to-believe’ supernatural stuff in the Bible. There is also the argument that people try to make the Bible say just about anything they want it to say. But, the misuse of Scriptures does not invalidate its authority, authenticity, and credibility. The Bible is reliable enough for us to base our lives on it. The more we study it, the more consistent and reasonable it turns out to be.

Beloved, which of these reasons apply to you? The challenge is to personally uncover spiritual truths and make discoveries that relate directly to our lives’ experiences, rather than endure dry and boring theological enquiries. Against all odds, we can grow to love the Bible and live by this Living Book. The attraction to the grand terrain of biblical truth never pales.