What makes Bible study pointless?

[Steve_S]

I would never, under any circumstances that I could think of, discourage someone from reading the Word of God, no matter what their intentions, because the truth is there.

Dear Steve,

if I had children and if they wanted to read the Bible, I'd prefer giving them a children's Bible to giving them the entire adult's version. So they don't read the things they could get scary of..

Have a nice evening

Thomas

This is quite a stretch for the topic of conversation here. But still, even then, if I had children and came about one day and one of them had unilaterally decided reading the Bible I would not take it out of their hands.

[nChrist]

Faith still comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, and I firmly believe in God's Promise that His Word will never return void. So, I believe that the more Bibles in people's hands - the better. Growing and maturing in God's Word is a different issue. I do believe that babes in Christ are many times neglected and need a good Bible teaching local assembly. Guided study and teaching someone how to study the Bible is a great help to new believers. Naturally, it's very difficult to learn alone without any help, but I would not try to discourage someone trying on their own. Instead, I would encourage them to seek out Bible teaching to help them.

[nebula]

"Bible study without Bible experience is pointless."

~Bill Johnson

Your thoughts?

What is "Bible experience"?

What Walla said:

We are supposed to be doers of the word not just hearers.

[Steve_S]

"Bible study without Bible experience is pointless."

~Bill Johnson

Your thoughts?

What is "Bible experience"?

What Walla said:

We are supposed to be doers of the word not just hearers.

Again, I don't disagree in principle here. I believe there would be a much better way of putting it that wouldn't potentially discourage Bible study, though. I also believe that Bible study is going to be more likely to bear fruit. The main issue I have here is that I easily see where this phrase could be interpreted by new Christians and even some more mature ones, to be discouraging Bible study. I know that wasn't the intent behind it, but I just wish it was more expansive.

[nebula]

Again, I don't disagree in principle here. I believe there would be a much better way of putting it that wouldn't potentially discourage Bible study, though.

How is it discouraging Bible study?

[Steve_S]

Again, I don't disagree in principle here. I believe there would be a much better way of putting it that wouldn't potentially discourage Bible study, though.

How is it discouraging Bible study?

I didn't say it was, I said it has the potential too, especially for new Christians and nonbelievers that may be seeking. They certainly could be confused about the term "Bible experience." I guess my main issue is that I don't see a reason to associate the word "pointless" with Bible study, ever.

Let's, just hypothetically, say that someone studies their Bible for 3 or 4 hours every day. They're seeking, perhaps they don't have faith in Jesus yet. Perhaps they want to learn as much as they possibly can about what was taught. Perhaps they have doubts. Perhaps they are feeling alone and just want some comfort in something they grew up with but never accepted. Would you be willing to tell them to go ahead and stop, it's pointless, their study is not bearing fruits because they haven't had faith in Jesus yet? I'm not saying that the intent of this phrase is something like that, just that it could be taken like that. Pointless is a strong word to associate with scriptural study under any circumstances and something about it just doesn't sit well with me, I guess. Maybe I'm taking it the wrong way or overthinking it, I could be, but something about it just bothers me in general.

[nebula]

Again, I don't disagree in principle here. I believe there would be a much better way of putting it that wouldn't potentially discourage Bible study, though.

How is it discouraging Bible study?

I didn't say it was, I said it has the potential too, especially for new Christians and nonbelievers that may be seeking. They certainly could be confused about the term "Bible experience." I guess my main issue is that I don't see a reason to associate the word "pointless" with Bible study, ever.

Let's, just hypothetically, say that someone studies their Bible for 3 or 4 hours every day. They're seeking, perhaps they don't have faith in Jesus yet. Perhaps they want to learn as much as they possibly can about what was taught. Perhaps they have doubts. Perhaps they are feeling alone and just want some comfort in something they grew up with but never accepted. Would you be willing to tell them to go ahead and stop, it's pointless, their study is not bearing fruits because they haven't had faith in Jesus yet? I'm not saying that the intent of this phrase is something like that, just that it could be taken like that. Pointless is a strong word to associate with scriptural study under any circumstances and something about it just doesn't sit well with me, I guess. Maybe I'm taking it the wrong way or overthinking it, I could be, but something about it just bothers me in general.

If the Bible study is offering them hope and comfort, if it is changing their life, if they are coming to know God better - then they are having a Bible experience.

[nebula]

If you seek God, you will find him.

And that is having a Biblical experience.

[oldzimm]

"Bible study without Bible experience is pointless."

~Bill Johnson

Your thoughts?

I don't believe Bible study to be pointless. How can one learn God's word without studying the Bible? The problem is, there are some Churches out there that have a doctrine that may not truly follow the true message in the Bible and their Bible study groups can lead new Christians on the wrong path.

[Steve_S]

"Bible study without Bible experience is pointless."

~Bill Johnson

Your thoughts?

I suppose what it comes down to is having an owners manual to something, reading it, but failing to follow the instructions? You attempt to operate the machine in the same manner you would have had you not read the instructions, so the manual was of no value to you? From that standpoint, I would agree, but I also agree with what N'Christ said about faith coming from the Word of God. The more you read, the more your faith will increase, and you should bear fruit?

There are people that hate God, and hate Christianity, and they will sometimes gain a surface knowledge of scripture so they can attack it. They don't read the Bible with an open mind, and most read what others say about the Bible, rather than the Bible itself. Unless God opens their hearts to accept the truth, that knowledge is worthless to them, but to a sincere person, that takes the time to read the Bible, I have to believe it will profit them? If you seek God, you will find him.

With regards to the people that open the Bible to gain surface knowledge but don't have an open mind, I'm just fine with that. Lee Strobel wrote a book (though I haven't read it) about how he became a Christian by doing just that. I'm not afraid of them using the bible to refute what I believe because I know what I believe to be true. I'd much rather then open the Word to try to refute it, it's better than not being in the Word at all.

Though these particularly verses aren't making direct reference to a situation such as this, I think that the logic still applies.

Php 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

Php 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

Php 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

Php 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

It doesn't matter what their intention, at least they are reading the truth, even if they don't believe it and are doing so to mock or refute it. God can handle their criticism. If a thousand people open the Bible tomorrow to mock it and just one gets saved as a result, it's worth it.