STUDY THE BIBLE COURSE

for the Continuing CHURCH OF GOD

Lesson 1: Why Study the Bible?

Bob Thiel, Editor-in-Chief
Published by the Continuing Church of God

Preface:

This course is based upon the personal correspondence course initially developed in 1954 that began under the direction of the late C. Paul Meredith in the old Radio Church of God. Various portions have been updated for the 21st century (though much of the original writing has been retained). It also has more scriptural references, as well as information and questions not in the original course. Unless otherwise noted, scriptural references are to the New King James Version (NKJV), copyright Thomas Nelson Publishing, used by permission. The KJV, sometimes referred to as the Authorized Version is also often used. Additionally, Catholic-approved translations such as the New Jerusalem Bible (NJB) are sometimes used as are other translations.

Why Study the Bible?

WHY SHOULD we want to study the Bible in the 21^st century? What is the Bible? How shall we study it, in order to understand it? At the very beginning of this course we need to ask, and answer, these questions.

The Bible teaches, “STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD” (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV) and “Learn to do good” (Isaiah 1:17). So, Christians should study and learn from that study.

But WHY should we want to learn and be approved unto God? And is this study to be a tiresome, uninteresting DUTY which we force ourselves to undertake because of the stern command of a harsh God or is this study to become the most INTERESTING, the most THRILLING, the most ENJOYABLE and PROFITABLE interest that ever entered our lives?

WHY is the study of the Bible a dull, uninteresting, irksome task to most people, if at all, only as a duty out of fear of a harsh God?

Simply because these people have not KNOWN God, or what He is like and because they have never started to really UNDERSTAND the Bible!

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