For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6 (NIV)

March is a special month for us as it marks the beginning of our Give a Bible campaign. Every day, through our work, we meet men, women and children who have never seen or touched a Bible before, let alone learned of or read the scriptures. The moment when they open a Bible written in their language, they start to know that they are a beloved child of God. There is a huge difference in hearing that you are loved, and reading it for yourself.

As we deliver Bible’s to people in villages, communities, and cities around the world, we are reminded of how important it is to read and study the Bible. Many believe that reading and studying the Bible are the same thing, but they are two very different ways of learning more about the Bible and the full importance of God’s Word.

Studying the Bible

Studying the Bible is our chance to dig deeper into the scriptures and be a witness to the greatness of God. Through studying and reflection, we can begin to understand the history of Christ and the importance of each event that is written in the books of the Bible. As we study the Bible, we begin to identify the things that we do not understand and give ourselves the opportunity to dig deeper, whether it be through personal reflection or through a group discussion.

Reading the Bible

Reading the Bible gives us the chance to intimately connect with God and take in His glory and goodness. When reading, we can reflect on the words that He is saying and learn from the stories of the followers of Christ. When we study the Bible, we tend to get so caught up in family lines and historical facts that we lose the intimate message of the Bible. Reading can lead to studying the Bible, but by reading the Bible first, we can take in what God is trying to say and know how to approach each chapter and verse.

To read the Bible and to study the Bible are both important to fully understand who God is, as well as the magnitude of His greatest gift of all; giving His son to die on the cross for our sins. As we read and study the Bible, we must remember that God wants us to learn more about Him and find understanding, peace, and grace every single day.

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him —
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord —
Isaiah 11:2 (NIV)