1. YOUR SURE GUARANTEE FOR ENRICHMENT IN LIFE AND MINISTRY
STUDY:
YOUR SURE GUARANTEE FOR ENRICHMENT IN LIFE AND MINISTRY
15 OCTOBER, 2016

2. What is study?
“the devotion of time and attention to gaining knowledge of an academic subject, especially by means of books”
Emphasis is on time, consistency and quality

3. Consider these references
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. (Prov. 15:14) For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments (Ezra 7:10) “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (II Tim 2:15)

4. Studying could be…
Closed
restricted to limited number of information and sources (bible and denominational publications)
Open
- not restricted to a limited number of information and sources

5. What to study? “The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments (II Tim 4:13)
The books: biblia; the parchments: membranas

6. Primary literature Examples Character Study: Jonah, Joseph, Jesus
Original, unfiltered writing – THE BIBLE
Examples
Character Study: Jonah, Joseph, Jesus
Subject Study: Forgiveness, Humility, Divine Supply, bible doctrines
Book Study: The Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, Paul’s epistles
The Bible exists because God speaks, and because He not only speaks, He also writes. His revelation should be read by His people.
“In the Bible we have a perfect library, and he who studies it thoroughly will be a better scholar than if he had devoured the Alexandrian Library entire” – C. H. Spurgeon

7. Secondary literature Edifying books that build can enrich your life
and ministry
Identify an area of need in your life or ministry,
get a book that addresses this and study
Make study deliberate and purposeful
Recommended: 1 hour per day! Be consistent and effective
““Up to the highest measure of their ability, [churches] should furnish their minister not only with the food that is needful to sustain the life of his body, but with mental nourishment, so that his soul may not be starved. A good library should be looked upon as an indispensible part of church furniture.”

8. Examples Prayer Divine Supply Divine health Closer walk with God 
““Up to the highest measure of their ability, [churches] should furnish their minister not only with the food that is needful to sustain the life of his body, but with mental nourishment, so that his soul may not be starved. A good library should be looked upon as an indispensible part of church furniture.”

9. Advanced readers Church planting/Missions Pastoral Counseling
Hermeneutics (Interpreting the bible)
Biographies etc.
““Up to the highest measure of their ability, [churches] should furnish their minister not only with the food that is needful to sustain the life of his body, but with mental nourishment, so that his soul may not be starved. A good library should be looked upon as an indispensible part of church furniture.”

10. Benefits of study
Study helps us to learn from skilled teachers who are otherwise inaccessible.
“We will never have to opportunity to sit under the teaching of John Calvin, Wesley or Luther to name a few. Yet through their writings, we can be taught by them”
Study helps us to learn specialized topics:
E.g. Church history, theology, church finance, leadership etc.
Luther said some of his best friends were dead ones. Learn from the divines of former ages
I John 2:27 ?

11. Benefits
Study helps us to learn about issues we might otherwise overlooked
“There are grave questions of the times which it will not do for pastors to be ignorant of, or to understand only in a vague manner ” – Thomas Murphy
“…be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” I Peter 3:15

12. Tips for becoming better at studying
Make time to study (We make time to do what we like)
Spend one effective hour per day to study, be consistent
Read good books. Be well rounded!
Ask your pastor for recommendations
Go public with your readings
Download books on your mobile device, read during public transit, talk to people about what you read, solicit feedback

13. Tips Consider purchasing books and read as a group (if possible)
Be disciplined – reading will not be enjoyable in the first place, it will take some effort!
“When we set out to read important books, we can expect opposition from our hearts”
Nothing compares studying with the BIBLE!
“ The more we read God’s Word, the more we know God. The better we understand God’s Word, the better we know God”

14. TIME TO PRAY!