My Dear Friend,

Five times Jesus corrected, and in a sense insulted, Jewish Old Testament scholars and zealots for insufficient knowledge of the very Scriptures in which they were considered experts.

Each time He posed this simple, searching question: "Have ye not read?" or "have ye never read" (Matthew 19:4; 21:16; 22:31; Mark 2:25; 12:10)? It is surprising, almost astonishing, that, despite intensive rabbinic instruction in the Torah, Prophets, and Writings, they still had significant gaps in their Bible knowledge. What does this tell us?

Even Bible experts sometimes lack Bible knowledge. And if this is true of them, what about us? Certainly, we need to take Bible study seriously. Very seriously!

God lamented to Hosea, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge [of God]" (Hosea 4:6). Could it be, is it possible, surely it isn't true, that at the base of all our problems as Christians and ministers lies a deficiency in Bible knowledge? Either an ignorance of certain biblical texts or a failure to understand when and how they should be employed? Yes, that's very possible. In fact, it's more than possible, it's probable.

Paul believed a full, personal knowledge of God's Word illuminated by our personal Teacher, the Holy Spirit, plus the additional scriptural insights the Spirit has given teachers and scholars to pass along to us, is sufficient for our Christian walk and work: "The scriptures are the comprehensive equipment of the man of God, and fit him fully for all branches of his work" (2 Timothy 3:17, Phillips). The message to us?

We need a full-orbed knowledge of God's Word. And we need not only raw biblical information but also the Christlike wisdom to apply that information with accuracy to our lives and others’ lives as the Spirit enables us (See Genesis 41:33, 39; Prov. 2:1-6; 4:7-9; Daniel 1:17-20; 2:48; 4:8-9; 5:11; Acts 6:10).

Oswald Chambers believed (in my words) that for every person or situation we face in life and ministry there is a person or event recorded in the Bible that parallels what we are facing and shows us how God would have us deal with it. That is, if we are continuing to study God's Word. And if we are letting His Spirit lead us.

Pastor, superintendent, missionary, elder, Christian disciple, got a problem? Need a solution to it urgently? Maybe the solution is simpler than you think. Maybe it's already in God's Word just waiting for you to discover it by prayerful research.

Why not go to God in prayer and lay your need before Him? Ask for His solution to your problem. Lay aside all your distractions. Forget the unnecessary to focus on the necessary! Then get into - or get back into - God's Word. Study one book, chapter, or subject at a time. Then another, and another! Don't be negligent.

Make a start immediately! But, once started, don't rush your research. Study your Bible deeply, reading every passage slowly and thoughtfully, and in different translations. Also, study it widely, examining chain references, letting the Spirit lead you all over the Bible and letting God's Word soak deeply into your spirit. And humbly acknowledging your need of assistance, read teaching and devotional books that expound God's Word and that offer the inspired and inspiring insights God has given teachers to give to you. Continue this daily. It will lead you into an entirely different, elevated, spiritual lifestyle.

Soon you will find you rarely have to search for solutions to your life problems. Instead biblical solutions will come to your mind left and right via the Teacher. "The Comforter … the Holy Spirit … he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26).

Isn't life complex and confusing enough? How many times has human wisdom left us entangled, dissatisfied, and depressed? Let's not continue following counsel that has repeatedly proven itself to be insufficient, or worse, harmful!

Jesus spoke to the Jewish religious experts long ago, desiring to help them. Today He is speaking to His church, to Christians, to us, longing to help us: "Have ye not read?" He's giving us a simple solution to life's complexities. Let's be simple and take it!

For His simple solutions,

Greg Hinnant
Greg Hinnant Ministries