5 Lessons from the Bereans on How to Study the Bible
One of the most intriguing verses to me in Acts is 17:11-12A These (in Berea) 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. Therefore many of them believed. I like that word noble. It’s a disposition that is open, fair and willing to consider new ideas or teachings with a readiness to learn and discern truth.
We are more likely to be noble like that when we take a faith-based rather than skeptical or critical approach to the Bible. Do you ever catch yourself thinking while reading any part of the Bible, “I’m not sure I believe that?” From the passage, here are five ways to be noble minded.
1. Be Eager to actually “Hear “— “more noble” If you’re eager, you’re not defensive. You aim to settle on truth, not look for an argument.
2. Receive the Word — “they received the word” You want to soak it in with your mind, heart and soul. You’re going to open it as God’s word and not judge it.
3. Bring a Ready Mind — “with all readiness of mind” There must first be a willingness to set your thoughts and opinions aside in favor of what God says in Scripture. You can’t learn much if you only look for confirmation of what you already believe. Or for that matter, if you only look for things that make you feel good… missing the larger body of God’s truth.
4. Search the Scriptures — “searched the scriptures daily” Noble-minded people do not blindly accept the teacher, preacher, church or tradition—they go into the Bible themselves and search diligently, comparing Scripture with Scripture. Learn the key types, words and phrases that are only learned by studying with a curious mind.
5. Let Scripture Decide — “whether those things were so” The final question is not whether an idea is familiar, popular, comfortable or convincing, but simply: Is it true according to Scripture?
“Therefore many of them believed.” In the context, what they believed was the gospel that Paul shared. But it could apply to believing anything and everything God reveals in His word.
Catch This
But maybe all of this is better caught than taught. There’s a certain earnestness or hunger that goes with a noble-minded approach to the Bible. Just let these verses wash over you.
· My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. (Prov. 2:1-5) I don’t know about you, but I want to find the knowledge of God, so I’m going to have to have a noble-minded earnestness like this.
· Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. (Prov. 18:1-2) You separate, then seek. What do you separate yourself from? The noise that is always within reach, almost like candy—easy to grab and easy to consume. We’re talking about the opinions that rise to the top on the Internet through social media, podcasts and news feeds. Separate yourself from all of it. Fast from it for a few hours. Don’t latch on to others’ loud opinions. Set the distractions aside. Clear the noise so you can hear what the Bible itself has to say. It’s just you and the Bible. Pray, trust God and start searching.
Acts 17 compares those noble-minded folks in Berea with those in Thessalonica. What’s the evidence of that? Look at Acts 17:5-6. The Thessalonian unbelievers were moved with envy when the truth challenged what they already believed, and instead of searching the Scriptures to see whether Paul was right, they formed a mob and hunted him down. No open-mindedness to the truth there!
Aim to bring God a ready mind, an open Bible and enough humility to let His word have the final say.
Jody