The Study of the Scriptures

1. What did Jesus tell the Jewish people about the Bible?

Jesus said, "Look in the Bible because it tells you about eternal life, and it talks about me." – John 5:39

KJV 39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

WEB 39 “You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.

2. Why were the Bereans praised?

The Bereans were praised because they eagerly listened to God's words and checked the Bible every day to see if what they heard was true. – Acts 17:11

KJV 11 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.

WEB 11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

3. Are some parts of the Bible harder to understand?

Yes, some parts of the Bible are like "strong food" that's harder to understand, while other parts are like "milk" and are easier to get. – Hebrews 5:12-14

KJV 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

WEB 12 For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the revelations of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food. 13 For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby. 14 But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.

4. Which writings are mentioned as being a bit tricky to understand?

Some things in the Bible written by the apostle Paul are a bit hard to understand, and some people who don't know much might twist them, which isn't good. – 2 Peter 3:15-16

KJV 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

WEB 15 Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things. In those, there are some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

5. Who understands God's things the best?

Only God's Spirit truly understands God's things. – 1 Corinthians 2:11

KJV 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

WEB 11 For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God, except God’s Spirit.

6. How much does the Spirit know about God's secrets?

God's Spirit knows everything about God, even the deepest secrets. – 1 Corinthians 2:10

KJV 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

WEB 10 But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

7. Why was the Holy Spirit sent?

The Holy Spirit was sent by God to help people remember what Jesus taught and to teach them all about God's ways. – John 14:26

KJV 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

WEB 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.

8. Why can't everyone understand God's Spirit?

Some people who don't believe in God's Spirit find His ways silly because you need a special kind of understanding to get it. – 1 Corinthians 2:14

KJV 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

WEB 14 Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

9. What should we ask for in our prayers about understanding God's word?

We should ask God to open our eyes so we can see amazing things in His law (the Bible). – Psalm 119:18

KJV 18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

WEB 18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.

10. What did the apostle Paul ask for in his prayers?

Paul asked that we get the wisdom and knowledge to know God better. – Ephesians 1:17

KJV 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

WEB 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him,

11. What do you need to do to understand God's things?

If you really want to understand God's ways, you have to search for it like you're looking for hidden treasure and cry out for wisdom and understanding. – Proverbs 2:3-5

KJV 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

WEB 3 yes, if you call out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding; 4 if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures: 5 then you will understand the fear of Yahweh, and find the knowledge of God.

12. What did Jesus do for His followers after coming back to life?

Jesus made sure His followers could understand the Bible better. – Luke 24:45

KJV 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

WEB 45 Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures.

13. Who else wants to know the good news about Jesus?

Even angels are curious and want to learn about the truth in the Bible. – 1 Peter 1:12

KJV 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

WEB 12 To them it was revealed, that they served not themselves, but you, in these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.

14. What's promised to those who want to do what God wants?

If you want to do what God wants, you'll know if something is from God or not. – John 7:17

KJV 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

WEB 17 If anyone desires to do his will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is from God, or if I am speaking from myself.

15. How did Jesus correct people who thought they knew the Bible but didn't really understand it?

Jesus told them that they were wrong because they didn't really understand the Bible or the power of God. – Matthew 22:29

KJV 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

WEB 29 But Jesus answered them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.

16. What can the Bible do for someone who believes in it?

The Bible can make someone smart about how to be saved through faith in Jesus. – 2 Timothy 3:15

KJV 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

WEB 15 From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.

17. When a rich young man asked about eternal life, what did Jesus tell him to look at?

Jesus told the young man to look in the Bible to find out about eternal life. – Luke 10:26

KJV 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

WEB 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?”

18. Who did Jesus call blessed?

Jesus said that people who hear God's word and follow it are blessed. – Luke 11:28

KJV 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

WEB 28 But he said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.”

19. What did Jesus say about the book of Daniel?

Jesus said, "When you see something bad happening, like the prophet Daniel talked about, pay attention." – Matthew 24:15

KJV 15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand: )

WEB 15 “When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation,

20. Which other book of the Bible is recommended for us to study?

The book of Revelation is a special book, and if you read it and follow what it says, you'll be blessed because the time is near. – Revelation 1:3

KJV 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

WEB 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand.