Spiritual Bible Study
Engaging Scripture, Empowered by the Spirit
I’ve been sharing how Bible study tools are helpful, but they are not what make engagement with God’s Word possible. I wrote about how I guard against this in my preaching and teaching preparation, and I reflected on some of the blessings God has used to help me read and understand the Bible. I then gave three practical ways we can all learn to better engage the Bible.
What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping us engage God’s Word?
The Holy Spirit is our teacher and guide (John 14:26, 16:7-15)
The Holy Spirit reveals God’s knowledge, opens and elightens our eyes, to understand the things of God (1 Cor 2:6-16, 10:10, Eph 1:17-18, 1 Cor 2:6-16, 2:12)
The Holy Spirit gives spiritual discernment to understand spiritual truths, giving us the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:6-16)
The Holy Spirit leads us and gives us the power to live out God’s truth (Romans 8:14, Acts 1:8).
True Bible study is spiritual. It’s not just for your head, but it’s for your heart and soul. No matter how many tools you have — the latest AI or the largest library of commentaries — your study will not produce true spiritual fruit without the Holy Spirit.
As a preacher and teacher, this means I must always consult the Spirit before I consult any outside sources, and he should be the my main conversation partner. While some of us are blessed with backgrounds that have helped build strength in Bible study, the Holy Spirit helps make up for any deficits. And the Holy Spirit can come alongside us as we learn to better engage the Bible.
Next week at SOLA Network, we’re planning to release my new Author Interview with Paul Uyen. His book, In Your Light We See Light, presents a Reformed theology of divine illumination.
Be on the lookout, as his book is one of the best I’ve ever read, and his incredible testimony, from a prisoner in a county jail to a professor with a PhD in Systematic Theology, actually lives out what his book is all about.
New Warehouse Celebration Sale
The New Warehouse Celebration Sale is ending this month, and there are so many books that would be perfect for Father’s Day. Featured favorites include The Sing! Hymnal (Goatskin, Black) at 40% off, Herman Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics, 4 Volume Set at 45% off, and Expository Thoughts on the Gospels 7-Volume Set by J C Ryle at 52% off. Use code DIVEINDIGDEEP to save an extra 5% off your entire order always.
As we settle into our new warehouse, we’re celebrating with special discounts on some of our favorite books. Thank you for supporting our mission to connect Christians with biblically faithful resources.
More: Father’s Day Gift Guide at Westminster Bookstore
DIVEINDIGDEEP Weekly
In case you missed it, I recently sent out my Weekly Newsletter, and I invite you to connect with me there!
Our new giveaway is The Weightliness of Preaching: Applying Francis Grimké’s Enduring Wisdom To Your Preaching by Doug Logan and Matt Cohen, and we also have a month-long Summer Giveaway from The Good Book Company.
Our free eBooks include Before You Open Your Bible by Matt Smethurst and Why I Love the Apostle Paul by John Piper. My featured article was Learn to Better Engage the Bible: Three Practical Ways and a Quick Tribute to My Dad, which I shared an earlier version here first on Substack!
More: Free eBooks
Endnotes
In Thirty Second Theology, Sinclair B. Ferguson uses a clear question-and-answer format to help young readers build and strengthen their faith. The book presents foundational Christian doctrines in a concise and accessible way. Giveaway and review.
Dive In Dig Deep Weekly: A weekly digest of my book reviews and ministry news.
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