Learning the Bible

Question:

 Since I am employed in a secular job and unable join a Seminary, can I get Bible training in some way by being at home, so that I can know more about the Lord?

 Answer:

The love we have for God's Word, the place and priority we give the Bible in our lives is the indicator and measure of our love for God (John 14:21, 23).The more we know God's Word, and more the importance we give to God's Word in our daily lives, the more useful and beneficial it will be for our daily activities and needs (Psalm 119:97-105).

The best, easiest, and most effective method of learning God's Word is to read and study it personally, to meditate or to ponder upon it regularly, and to practically apply it in our day-to-day lives continually. If you are a Born Again Christian Believer by repenting of your sins and submitting your lives to the Lord Jesus, then the Holy Spirit of God resides in you (1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 1:13), and to the followers or disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit Himself not only teaches all things about the Lord, but also makes them understand those teachings and to put them to practical use in their lives (John 14:26; 16:13-15). The fundamental and unalterable fact is that without the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, no one can learn anything about God and His Word (1 Corinthians 2:11-14), from anywhere and from anyone. Hence the basic preliminary requirement to learn and understand the Bible is to be a Born Again Christian Believer so that the Holy Spirit of God can help and teach God's Word to you. Often people have a false fear that they are not good enough, or are not up to the moral standards required to learn God's Word. Such fears are false and from Satan; see from Psalms 25:8-14 a list of the kind of people God teaches His Word; and you will find that God does not withhold the teaching of His Word to us due to any weaknesses or shortcomings in us – He is ready and waiting, if we are ready to fulfill the preliminary requirement of being Born Again and come to Him in faith, to learn from Him.

I too am a person employed in a regular secular, and have never been to any Bible School or training program. I just trust in the Lord ask Him for His Word as per the need at hand, and whatever He gives, I share it with others, and endeavor to apply it in my own life as well. I regularly read the Bible according to a Bible Reading Plan, and by God's grace and guidance am able to read through the Bible from the beginning to the end, once every year. This has been going on for the last about thirty years, i.e. since the time I was Born Again, although by birth I belong to a 'christian' family, and was brought up observing all the traditional 'christian' rites and rituals. Whatever study and preparation is required to answer Biblical questions and for other Word related Ministry, is over and above this daily Bible reading. The desire to share with others, whatever God teaches me has resulted in God using me in this manner in this ministry of sharing and teaching His Word – on a voluntary basis, not for any remuneration, or for any status or position etc. in any Church or organization, but just so that I can help people learn and understand the Word of God and about our Lord God, and thereby learn more of God’s Word myself. I have found that the more I share God’s Word with others, the more I benefit from it personally, in many different ways.

Based on my own life experiences it is my suggestion that you begin by starting to read the Bible regularly and orderly – whether or not you are able to understand all that you read. The first time I read through the Bible, it was out of obstinacy born out of humiliation, that at least once in my life I will read through the Bible end to end, because a Hindu friend of mine had ridiculed me that you yourself have neither read nor know the Bible and you are trying to tell me about it – and since that first reading, I developed an interest and liking for the Word of God. But always do read God's Word with a prayerful, honest, seeking and submissive heart; ask God to teach and educate you (James 1:5) as you read His Word; and then whatever He tells or teaches you, apply it in your life as well as share it with some one, and you will find that as you do this regularly a change will come within you, you will develop an understanding about God's Word, and as you properly utilize whatever God has taught you, God will continue to teach you more and deeper things from His Word.

But beware, because fear of man do not hesitate or compromise in following, obeying and conveying whatever God has taught you from His Word – that will be detrimental (Proverbs 29:25; Jeremiah 1:9-10, 17-19; Galatians 1:10). It will take some patience and time in the beginning, because God will start by teaching and telling you the basic things in His way, as to a spiritual beginner (1 Peter 2:1-2). While He does this, you may have to 'unlearn' much of what men may have taught you, so as to be able to learn from God. He will give you that which is required in your life, and is according to the ministry He has planned for you. As you remain committed and faithful to Him, as you endeavor to use His Word honestly and correctly (2 Corinthian 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 2:15-16; 2 Timothy 3:14-16), gradually He will start taking you deeper into His Word, and using you more and more effectively for His service.Therefore have patience and never become complacent or lax in fulfilling your responsibility towards the Lord and His Word. Persevere in His ways, and you will never regret it in your life (Isaiah 40:31).

There is no better and easier way than this to learn God's Word.