Hello, friend. Welcome back to Authorized Sword Ministries.

We're so glad you're here again.

Where We've Been

In Lesson One, we learned that a new believer is like a newborn baby. And babies are meant to grow. Peter said, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby."

We talked about reading the Bible every day. Today we'll take the next step. We're going to learn how to study it for ourselves, and then how to live it out.

Today is Lesson Two. It's called "Study to Shew Thyself Approved."

Our Key Verse

Here is our key verse. 2 Timothy 2:15.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." — 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

Paul wrote this to a young preacher named Timothy. But it's good advice for every child of God.

Study

Look at the first word. "Study."

Reading is good. But studying means slowing down. It means paying attention, asking questions, and coming back again and again. It takes some effort, like a workman learning his trade.

The Bible tells us about some people in a town called Berea who did exactly that:

"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." — Acts 17:11 (KJV)

Notice two things. They were glad to hear the Word. And they checked what they heard against the Scriptures, every day. Friend, that's a good habit. Whatever any preacher or teacher says, including us, open your Bible and see if it's so.

Why Study the Bible?

Because this isn't just any book. It's God's Word.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." — 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV)

"Given by inspiration of God" means God breathed it out. Every page is from Him. And it's "profitable." It teaches us what is true, shows us where we're wrong, sets us back on the right path, and trains us to live right.

Rightly Dividing

Now look at the end of our key verse. "Rightly dividing the word of truth."

To rightly divide means to handle God's Word carefully and correctly. Think of a good carpenter. He measures twice and cuts straight. He doesn't force a board to fit where it doesn't belong.

So here are a few simple ways to handle the Word rightly:

First, read the verses around a verse. Who is speaking? Who is he talking to? What is happening in the chapter? A verse pulled out of its place can be made to say almost anything.

Second, let the Bible explain the Bible. When you find a hard passage, look for other places that speak about the same thing. The clear parts help us understand the harder parts.

Third, ask simple questions. What does this teach me about God? What does it teach me about myself? Is there a promise to trust, a command to obey, or a sin to turn from?

Fourth, keep a notebook. Write down what you learn and any questions you have.

Ask the Author for Help

Here's the best part. When you study the Bible, you're not alone. The Author is with you. Jesus promised His disciples that the Holy Spirit would guide them:

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." — John 16:13 (KJV)

So before you open your Bible, pray this simple prayer from the Psalms:

"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." — Psalm 119:18 (KJV)

Doers of the Word

Now, here's something very important. The goal of Bible study isn't just to know more. It's to become more like Jesus. Knowledge that never turns into obedience doesn't help us grow.

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." — James 1:22-25 (KJV)

A "glass" is a mirror. Imagine looking in the mirror, seeing dirt on your face, and walking away without washing it. That's what it's like to hear God's Word and not do it.

Jesus put it plainly:

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." — John 14:15 (KJV)

We don't obey to be saved. Remember, salvation is by grace through faith. We obey because we're saved, and because we love Him.

And obedience makes us strong. Jesus said the one who hears His words and does them is like a wise man:

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock." — Matthew 7:24-25 (KJV)

Have You Built on the Rock?

Friend, the most important thing the Bible teaches is how to be saved. If you've never trusted Jesus Christ, that's where to start. All have sinned, but Christ died for our sins and rose again. Turn from your sin and trust Him alone, and He will save you.

Next Time

In Lesson Three, we'll look at why God never meant for us to grow alone, and why a Christian needs a church family.

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." — Hebrews 10:25 (KJV)

A Prayer

Before we go, let's pray together.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this friend who is listening right now.

Thank You for Your Word, given by inspiration and true in every part.

Open our eyes to see wondrous things in it. Help us to study it carefully and to handle it rightly.

And Lord, don't let us be hearers only. Make us doers of Your Word, because we love You.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Thank you for spending this time with us.

We'll see you in Lesson Three.

From all of us at Authorized Sword Ministries, God bless you.