Some People Who Studied, Part 2

While it is easy to find reasons in scripture for studying God's word, and it is not too hard to find commandments to study God's word, sometimes we neglect to look at Biblical examples of men who took the time to study the scriptures. By looking at these individuals, we can learn much about how we should go about studying, what our motivation in studying is, and how we should make application from that study. Let us take a few moments to consider some of these people.

Ezra (Ezra 7:10)
Ezra prepared his heart to study, and then studied. And he did this so that he might teach others of what the Lord has said. He did not study simply for the sake of knowledge, but to be able to teach and help others in understanding God's will.

In this, Ezra sets an excellent example to be followed. In preparing his heart, he shows how important study is, and how seriously one should take it. In what he studied, he shows what we should be so diligent in examining. And in his purpose, he shows one of the things that study is necessary for. As Christians, we are to teach all the world (Matthew 28:18-20). We cannot do this if we do not know what we are to be teaching. We must follow the example of Ezra and study!

Lois, Eunice, and Timothy (II Timothy 3:14-15)
Lois had taught her daughter Eunice the scriptures, and in turn they both taught Timothy (II timothy 1:5). The scriptures were studied by them, even while Timothy was young. It is clear to see the importance placed on them by these godly women and this godly young man.

One of the examples shown here is of studying within the family, and the importance of such a practice. We also see that it is commendable to study with those who are young. People are never too young to begin learning God's word! And in these individuals, we see the end result of study. Because Lois studied and taught Eunice, who in turn studied and taught Timothy, who in turn studied and worked with the apostle Paul, and others, in teaching and converting untold numbers of people. Salvation is important not only for your own soul, but for other souls you can teach, study with, and influence towards salvation.

So how does your study compare with these individuals? Are you noble like the Bereans, in that you diligently seek to know and follow God's word? Are you like those Jews who studied God's word, but since you have your own ideas about how things are, you do not make application or have full understanding? Are you like Agrippa, in that other things are more important than what you know to be true? Are you like Ezra in that you prepare your heart for it and take it seriously? Are you like Louis, Eunice, and Timothy, learning the scriptures so that you may have eternal life and that you may help others have it as well?