Deeper with a Study Bible
Finally, back with another blog! This blog will be on the shorter side, but it is something I feel strongly about that I have been reflecting more on lately. However, this blog will be temporarily stepping outside of the blog series on spiritual warfare. Today I want to talk about going deeper and perhaps you have heard such things in the church before whether it be a sermon series, in a small group or etc. I want to talk about going deeper in a practical sense and that simply being with a Study Bible.
After I graduated from college in December of 2015 I wanted to go deeper in my faith for several reasons. One reason was starting in 2016 I was going to take some seminary classes at Indiana Wesleyan University and later Johnson University. Another reason was I had accepted a position at Ball State Christian Campus House (CCH) to become the next Assistant Campus Minister starting in May 2016. From this I felt a growing sense of responsibility and I wanted to grow deeper in God’s Word, the Bible. I wanted to know and understand the Scriptures more than I ever had before and from this desire it led me to search for a study Bible.
The previous Bible I had owned for some years was a New King James Version (NKJV) and at CCH the senior minister Mark Pike taught using the New Living Translation (NLT) and I felt I was able to understand this version more. After some searching online, I found a good study Bible from Tyndale House Publishers as it is called a “NLT Illustrated Study Bible.” I went into the local Christian book store in Muncie and I still remember picking up the Bible from the shelf in its box and being caught off guard by just the weight of this book being over 4.5lbs (over 2.1 Kilos). Returning home, I sat down removing the Illustrated Study Bible from the box and opening it up I was amazed at how much detail and visual graphics there were.
Now over six years later I still have that same illustrated study Bible and I can say it is rather worn. The exterior leather cover being the front, rear and back cover have become fully detached. The last pages of the Bible being maps of Israel from different timelines and other surrounding nations have detached from the spine of the book and periodically drop out and once almost into an outdoor fire. Out of the 2,377 pages that make up the Old and New Testament almost every page has highlighted marks I have made over these six plus years. Why do I tell you this? Am I sharing this to brag or draw attention to myself that I would boasts about how worn my Bible is? No of course not, I tell you this because of how much I value my time with God by reading His Word. It is “not just a book” it is something much more to me. I value the Scriptural truths, doctrines, revelations and the message of salvation contained in this book. Of course, this illustrated study Bible is replaceable and I could order a new one and have it by next week from the Book Depository based in the United Kingdom, but it’s the precious moments I have had with my Bible in growing deeper in my faith in Christ through His Word.
Recently we had a close friend named Margaret who is essentially a sister to Mikaela and I, come visit us here in Norway for two weeks. While we were out exploring Stavanger one evening, we were doing a question game and she asked the following, “If your house was on fire and there was only one thing you could grab and take with you what would that be?” Perhaps you have been asked this question before or someone has asked you this or perhaps you have posed this question to yourself. My response to her question was simply, “My Bible.” Margaret looked at me with a perplexed face to which I knew what she was thinking and I followed up by saying, “Yes I know it is a rather cliché response for a Christian perhaps, but for me I have invested so much of my time into this Bible with notes and highlighted marks I have made that it is invaluable to me.” She then responded, “Oh okay, that definitely makes sense.”
I am not sure how many Christians think about study Bible’s in general or purchasing a study Bible, but I wanted to highlight going deeper with a study Bible in this month’s blog because I believe it is worth it. When people have asked me about going deeper, I will bring up the importance of a study Bible as I would recommend and encourage any Christian to invest in a study Bible. I believe in this to the extent I have purchased several study Bible’s and gifted to those around me who are growing and maturing in their faith.
Let me give you an example of how a study Bible is impactful in going deeper. In the spring in the IMI International House Church (small group) we lead, we decided to study the letters to the Seven Church in Revelations 2:1-3:22. We were reading of the last church being “The Message to Laodicia, a Lukewarm and Uncommitted Church” in Revelations 3:14-22. Verses 14-16 read the following…
Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen - the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation: I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! - Rev 3:14-16 NLT
We discussed the significance of verse 15 in how Christians here in the church were lukewarm in being neither hot nor cold. Why might have Jesus chosen this in his words to the church in Laodicea? The following all comes from my NLT Illustrated Study Bible on this passage…
3:14-22: The letter to the church in Laodicea castigates lukewarm Christians whose inconsistent lives stand for nothing but themselves. They sicken Christ to the point of his spitting them from his mouth.
3:14 Laodicea, situated 40 miles (65 kilometers) southeast of Philadelphia, was the economic and judicial center of a metropolitan region that included Colosse and Heirapolis. The citizens of Laodicea were very proud of their self-sufficiency. After a severe earthquake (AD 60), Laodicea refused aid from Rome and rebuilt their city themselves (Tacitus, Annals 14.27), making it very beautiful. the Amen: Used as an oath, “Amen” is a promise of truth (Isaiah 65:16). Jesus is the truth (John 8:32; 14:6), and his message is authenticated by the truthfulness and reliability of his word. The description of Christ as the faithful and true witness declares that he knew them as they really were: Though wealthy and proud of their status and accomplishments, they were not measuring up to God’s expectations.3:15-16 neither hot nor cold: The hot springs in Hirapolis were famous for their healing qualities. Colosse was equally famous for its cold, refreshing springs. In contrast, the water available in Laodicea was smelly and lukewarm. Such water is distasteful; Jesus was saying that the church’s indecisive commitment to him was revolting.
What is not added here in the text is that geographically the city of Laodicea was between Hierapolis and Colosse. The Christian listeners in the church of Laodicea would have picked up on this rather quickly in Jesus’ words. Jesus wanted them to choose and make a commitment, follow me or do not follow me. Thus, he says you are neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm and thus “I will spit you out of my mouth!” Multiple people in the house church did not realize of the greater significance this passage carries in the use of hot, cold and lukewarm water as it illustrates Jesus’ wisdom in communicating with those in the church in Laodicea that would have hopefully struck a deep chord in their hearts to change their ways in no longer being lukewarm and commit to following Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
In the remainder of the passage Jesus advises them how they should change their ways and that he wishes to come around the table with them in sharing a meal together as friends. Jesus longs for committed followers in the church of Laodicea and he stands at the door knocking ready to come in if they will open the door and invite him in.
I am going to share below a few links if you are interested to learn more about the NLT Illustrated Study Bible I have and where you can purchase them from. As they come in a variety of colors so you are likely to find a study Bible you like if you decide to invest in this. Blessings
The Word of God is Alive & Powerful
Now See Why. Recapture the wonder of God’s Word. See what God is doing in a whole new way. The Illustrated Study Bible is a stunning visual study experience that will open your eyes to the truth of God’s Word. Hundreds of windows to the Bible world and over 1,000 images bring the story of Scripture to life in a new and compelling way.
Meet the people lived the Bible: over 120 profiles of Bible characters and empires.
Understand how the Bible fits together: A Visual Timeline of Bible events, 11 Section Introductions, 66 detailed Book Introductions, with articles on the Chronology of Jesus Ministry and a Harmony of the Gospels.
See where the events in Scripture happened: More than 150 full color maps and photos as well as 8 newly commissioned illustrations.
Explore the message of the Bible: More than 25,000 text and study notes, 200 Hebrew and Greek word studies and over 300 theme notes.
