1. II Timothy 2:15.

a) Study - to hasten to do a thing, to exert oneself, endeavor, give diligence.

b) Shew – present.

c) Approved – accepted. The word is used of coins and metals in the Sept. (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New testament Words).

d) Workman – one who labors. This implies that there is an effort that must be put forth.

e) Ashamed – no reason for disgrace or humiliation.

f) Rightly dividing – to cut straight. Includes making necessary distinctions.

g) Word of truth – obviously called the word of truth because the scriptures are true. Consider II Timothy 3:16-17.

2. Why study the Bible?

I. The Bible projects the goodness of God.

A. From beginning to end, the scriptures reveal the love of God.

1. John 3:16 – "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

2. I John 4:7-8 – "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."

B. From beginning to end, the scriptures reveal the mercy of God.

1. Psalm 119:156 – "Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments."

2. II Corinthians 1:3 – "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;"

C. From beginning to end, the scriptures reveal the grace of God.

1. Genesis 6:8 – "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD."

2. Ephesians 2:8 – "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"

D. From beginning to end, the scriptures reveal the longsuffering of God.

1. Numbers 34:6 – "And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,"

2. II Peter 3:9 – "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

II. The Bible provides guidance for our lives.

A. In family matters.

1. Ephesians 5:22-32 depicts the love a husband and wife are to have for one another.

2. Also notice Colossians 3:18-19 – "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them."

3. Ephesians 6:1-3 deals with the parent/child relationship. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

4. Also notice Colossians 3:20-21 – "Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

5. I Corinthians 13 provides a list of characteristics of love. The behavior outlined in I Corinthians 13 is to be included in our relationships with out families.

B. In business matters.

1. Romans 12:17 – "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men."

C. In social matters. 

1.Proverbs 18:24 – "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

2. Matthew 7:12 – "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."

D. In eternal matters.

1. John 12:48 – "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."

III. The Bible promises the gift of eternal life.

A. Because of our sin, we deserve to die.

1. Romans 6:23 – "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

B. But, because God is full of mercy and grace, he has promised eternal life.

1. Romans 6:23 – "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

2. II Corinthians 7:1 – "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

C. This promise is to all those who obey.

1. Hebrews 5:8-9 – "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;"

D. It is through the scriptures that we come to knowledge of what we must do to have eternal life.

1. John 8:32 – "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

1. Why study the Bible? It:

a) Projects the goodness of God.

b) Provides guidance for our lives.

c) Promises the gift of eternal life.