From The Pastor's Desk

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
            - II Timothy 2:15 KJV

       August is “back to school” time. From elementary school, to middle and high school, to college and to seminary, students of all ages are preparing to “hit the books”. With the start of school comes reading, homework, papers, projects and tests. If you want to pass, you have to do one thing on a consistent basis: that one thing is to study.

       Studying takes discipline and persistence. Cramming, all-nighters, and cliff notes are no substitute for consistent daily study. To study is to be prepared. The rewards for good study habits are passing grades.

       The Apostle Paul gives his young apprentice, Timothy, some good advice when it comes to being a Christian disciple. That advice is found in the above passage and is applicable to us today. We live in a day and age where daily Bible study is accessible to anyone with a desire to learn.

       We have literally dozens of resources at our fingertips to help us understand God’s Word. There are many modern translations that put the message in language we can understand. There are countless Bible programs for our computers. And, the internet has many great resources, from commentaries to concordances, to Bible studies and sermons; this information is just a “click” away.

       With all this information at our fingertips, we still need to commit to study God’s Word. The NKJV translates “study” as “be diligent”. Study takes diligence.

       The reason we do this is to “show thyself approved unto God.” We don’t gain Bible knowledge for the sake of gaining knowledge. We do it in order to build on our relationship with God. The word “approved” is a word to describe a coin that is genuine. It has been tested and proven to be the real thing, not counterfeit.

       We also study so that we can share God’s Word with others. Paul encourages Timothy to be one who is “rightly dividing the Word of truth.” The NLT says we are to be one “who correctly explains” and the NIV “who correctly handles” the Word of truth.

       I believe we are to be life-long learners. We need to study God’s Word as Paul tells us. If you are not a member of a Sunday School class, I want to encourage you to go “Back-to-Sunday School.” Getting involved in Sunday School helps you learn God’s Word more than you could by hearing sermons. It also helps you learn to consistently study your lesson and get into God’s Word.

       If you were tested by God for your own personal Bible Study, would you pass or fail?

        I love you and it is a privilege to be your pastor.

                                 Jeff McCarthy