Part 1 – Why Must a Disciple Study the Bible?
The Foundation of Discipleship
If you’re a follower of Christ, you’ve probably heard how important it is to read and study the Bible. But have you ever stopped to ask why?
Why is studying God’s Word essential to being a disciple?
Too often, we treat Bible study as an optional part of the Christian life—something we do when we have time. But Scripture tells a different story. God’s Word isn’t just helpful—it’s necessary for our spiritual growth.
Let’s explore why every disciple of Jesus must study the Bible.
God’s Will for Your Life: Sanctification
We often ask, What is God’s will for my life?
1 Thessalonians 4:3 gives us the answer:
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.”
God’s will isn’t about revealing every step of our future. His primary concern is our sanctification—our growth in holiness.
So how does this connect with Bible study?
The Bible is the Means of Sanctification
John 17:17 records Jesus’ prayer for His followers:
“Sanctify them in the truth—your word is truth.”
Did you catch that? Jesus explicitly connects sanctification to God’s Word. If God’s will is our sanctification, and sanctification happens through His Word, then studying the Bible isn’t just a good habit—it’s essential to fulfilling God’s will for our lives.
We can’t grow in holiness without God’s truth shaping us. That’s why disciples must be devoted to the study of Scripture.
But how exactly does Bible study change us? We’ll answer that in Part 2.
Tim Carter graduated from Southwest Baptist University in 2010 with a B.S. in Economics and Finance. He began serving at Cornerstone Baptist Church in June of that same year as the Student and Administrative Pastor, a role he held full-time until 2019. During that time, Tim transitioned to serve as a Lay Elder and Executive Pastor, continuing his dedication to Cornerstone in a volunteer capacity. In 2022, he returned to full-time ministry as the Executive Pastor.
Tim holds a Master’s degree in Christian Apologetics from Columbia Evangelical Seminary and has actively engaged in defending the Christian faith through moderated debates, academic presentations, and apologetics conferences. He enjoys deep theological discussions and interacting with cults and speculative theologies, driven by a passion for equipping believers and fostering a deeper understanding of the Christian worldview.