Why Study the Bible?

 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

I remember when I was in grade school. My teacher would tell me that I need to read our textbooks. Of course, I didn't like reading some textbooks. I didn't like history and related subjects. But I like science because of two reasons: 1) Science topics are practical, something we can really apply in our daily life (even as kids); and 2) Science involves experimentation. 

We would believe our teacher and believe what science books tell us then. If our science textbooks says that heat boils at 100 degrees Celsius, and an indicator of this is the fast stream of steam from a kettle, and science says that at that degree, you may get a 2nd degree burn which is painful, I would be believe it, and I would not touch a kettle with my bare hand. 

We would also be taught that gravity affects all matter with the same effect, whether a 2-kilogram rock or 20-gram paper. At first, it seemed incredible, but when our textbook tells us to experiment by crumpling the paper, we then see that the difference in speed of fall is the air resistance. That also tells me that I should not drop a stone to my classmate, as that would seriously hurt. 

We study these things, or our parents want us to study these things because they know that we need to know them to live better lives, if not to avoid being hurt, among others. And we live by them because we know they are true. If we do not believe the lessons and experiment, we usually "enjoy" the consequence. 

That is also why we have to study the Bible. The Bible contains the Truth about how to live life in a manner that fulfills our purpose here on earth, maximizes the value of relationships, and guides us to the path to eternal life with our Creator. 

While we believe and enjoy the knowledge of scientific facts and truths to deal with nature here on earth, we should also believe and live by the truth and lessons taught by the Bible to prepare for eternity. And we can only live by the truth taught in the Bible if we read and study them with an open and believing heart.