I thought I knew a lot about the Bible. I was in church a lot, hearing sermons between three and ten times a week. My parents were missionaries.

I attended a Christian college where we had required classes in Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey, devotionals before every class, and Chapel services several times a week. I led a Sunday School class in church and helped lead the youth group. I knew a lot about the Bible – or so I thought.  I mean, all anyone needs is to open the Bible for themselves and read it, right? 

Wrong. There were huge gaps in my Bible understanding. Part of it was my hodgepodge approach to the Bible as if it were a food buffet with a variety choices to select. The truth is that I had not yet read much of it and had a limited understanding of the portions of the Bible that I had been reading.

Yes, God teaches us by His Spirit through the reading of His word. Words have meaning in the context of sentences, paragraphs and the cultures in which they are written. The authors had intent in writing. The audience had historical and cultural contexts for understanding. There is a framework in which God has revealed the Scriptures and in which they were written. There were specific things that were being addressed to specific audiences. We can learn from all of that. Rightly dividing the word of truth requires that we be students.  Adding to our faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity requires growth to maturity over time. (2 Peter 1)

There are very good reasons why God tells leaders to teach the word. It presupposes that even a person doing self-study needs a guide. Self-study is also repeatedly entreated in Scripture. (2 Timothy 2:15) The Bereans were commended for comparing what they heard with what God has written. (Acts 17:10-12) Bible literacy is God’s idea and a vital part spiritual growth. 

Discipleship is very much a part of the great commission. That means an interaction of learning and teaching between people.

“Teaching them to observe [obey] all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:20)

If the command from our Creator to teach people to obey all that He commanded is not enough, here are more reasons to study the Bible.

Deuteronomy 6:6-8, Deuteronomy 17:18-20, Joshua 1:8-9, Psalm 1:1-6, Psalm 19:7-11, Psalm 119:11, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:165, Proverbs 1:1-7, Proverbs 2:1-22, Proverbs 3:1-7, Proverbs 4:20-21, Isaiah 55:11, Hosea 4:6, Matthew 4:4, Luke 24:25-27, John 8:30-32, Acts 6:2, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 6:11-17, 1 Timothy 4:13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:2, Hebrews 4:12, James 1:22, 1 Peter 1:24-25, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Peter 1:5, 1 John 5:9-13, Revelation 1:3.