Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. (2 Timothy 2:15–17; NKJV)

Since the earliest days of Christianity, believers have not only read the Bible, but also committed themselves to studying it. Two thousand years of study have brought quite a lot of diverse and detailed viewpoints. But why study the Bible at all? Isn’t the Bible simple enough for even a child to understand? And haven’t theologians figured it all out by now? Let’s dive in.

The overall message of the Bible is pretty straightforward. God created a good world and placed humankind in it to watch over and care for creation. But humankind doubted Gods goodness, rejected God’s authority, rebelled against God’s rule, and brought the curse of evil upon God’s good creation. Since that time, God has been progressively carrying out His plan of redemption and restoration for the world. (Gen 1:31; 3:14–19; Rom 5:12–17; 5:18–25; Rev 21–22)

At the same time, there are a lot of details along the way. The Bible is significantly longer than most books. It consists of 66 books by 40 writers from three continents spanning roughly 2000 years. In its pages we find historical narrative, law, poetry, prophecy, and wisdom. These genres are woven together in major themes such as bondage, deliverance, covenant, and kingdom. Making sense of how these details fit together is no easy task. Well-meaning, Bible-believing scholars often disagree on the details.

Yet, God has communicated to us through those details. And we can know God more by studying the details. Also, if God has communicated to us about His character, plans, and purposes in detail (as He has in the Bible), then we are not at liberty to imagine those things. To do so would be to reject what God has already revealed about Himself and reimagine God according to our own desires. (Deut 29:29; Ps 119:33–40; Prov 25:2)

Studying the Bible, then, has the same primary value as reading the Bible—knowing God. While reading the Bible brings us in close proximity with Him to know Him generally and intimately, studying the Bible brings us under the authority of His divine revelation to know His heart and purposes in greater detail. Reading and studying the Bible are complimentary ways of knowing God more closely and completely. (Mark 12:29–30; 1 Cor 10:11; 2 Cor 10:3–6)

One of the ways Bible study compliments reading is by helping us answer some of the harder questions about faith and life. Just reading the Bible gives us a general understanding of God’s goodness, holiness, love, and righteousness as well as our own human weakness and sinfulness. But why does evil exist? What is God’s design for Israel? What is God’s heart on identity, relationships, and sexuality? All of these kinds of questions can be easily answered by studying the Bible. (2 Tim 2:15; 3:16; Heb 5:12–14)

Another way Bible study compliments reading is by reinforcing our needs for comfort, instruction, and hope in this life. Often, we find ourselves in situations similar to those in the Bible. Other times, our circumstances have no close parallel. In all cases, Bible study helps make clear what is going on in the spiritual realm and how God might have us respond in ways that would glorify Him and also be for our own good. (Rom 15:4; 2 Cor 1:3–7; 2 Thess 1:4–5)

A third way Bible study compliments reading is by giving us tools to answer others who challenge our faith in Christ. The Christian worldview is only one of a variety of worldviews people hold. Every worldview has mechanisms for spreading its tenets. One way is by challenging those who hold differing worldviews. Did you know the Bible calls King David a prophet? How can we believe in a book that talks about unicorns and dragons? These are some of the common challenges non-Christians ask Christians that can be easily answered through Bible study. (Ps 119:46; Matt 10:16–20; 1 Pet 3:15)

So, why should we study the Bible? Bible study is not about uncovering deep, hidden, mystical truths. It is about gaining a more detailed understanding about who God is and his plans and purposes in this world. Doing this helps us know God more closely, further meets our needs of comfort, instruction, and hope in this life, and helps us be sure of our own faith and able to answer others who ask.