It is no secret that we currently live in a biblically illiterate society. We live in a society where few people read and study their Bibles regularly. This has contributed to the moral decay in our culture.

What about you? How often do you read and study your Bible? How much do you value the information revealed in the Bible? As part of our goal to “Grow to Spiritual Maturity,” at least once a month, we are studying ingredients for spiritual growth (2 Peter 1:1-11). Once we solidify our faith in Christ, we must acquire virtue. Virtue is moral excellence, goodness, righteousness, and noble character.

We also are to add to our faith knowledge (2 Peter 1:5). Peter is talking about knowledge from the word of God. We shouldn’t pursue knowledge from God’s word to boast, brag, and receive compliments for having Bible knowledge.

Why should we pursue knowledge?

  • Pursuing knowledge helps us know God (2 Peter 1:3; 3:18). Through His creation, God gives evidence for existence, but through His word, He reveals His character, nature, and attributes (Psalm 19:1-8).
  • Pursuing knowledge helps us know the truth about ourselves. We learn where we came from, what we should do, and where we are going (Genesis 1:26-27; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; 2 Corinthians 5:10; John 12:14).
  • Pursuing knowledge helps us please God. It helps us please God in every part of our lives (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Colossians 1:9-10).
  • Pursuing knowledge equips us to defend our faith. We can defend our faith against false teachers and answer for our faith (2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 Peter 3:15).
  • Pursuing knowledge equips us to teach others (2 Timothy 2:24; Matthew 29:18-20; Ephesians 6:4). We are equipped to teach the lost, our children, and one another.
  • Pursuing knowledge increases our faith (Hebrews 11:6). Our faith is strengthened and empowered through the word of God.
  • Pursuing knowledge helps us grow spiritually (1 Peter 2:2-3). Just like babies need milk to grow, we need constant feeding from the word of God to grow.

How do we pursue knowledge?

  • We need to take advantage of group study opportunities (Acts 2:42). We have so many avenues for growth. We have Bible classes, weekly Zoom studies, monthly ladies’ classes, teen studies, gospel meetings, and our Summer Bible Series. You could even open your home for weekly or monthly studies.
  • We need to read and study our Bibles daily (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15). Worship assemblies and Bible classes only occur four hours a week. We must be in the word more than that! We must carve our time daily for Bible reading and study. This is why we provide Bible reading schedules.
  • We need to invest in a good spiritual library (2 Timothy 4:13). Resources like Bible dictionaries, maps, workbooks, and commentaries (used with discretion) can aid us in our understanding of God’s word.
  • We need to listen carefully to preaching and teaching from the word of God (Romans 10:17; James 1:19; Luke 8:8). The Bible greatly emphasizes the value of listening to the proclamation of God’s word.
  • We need to look to engage in spiritual conversations. We must seek out, ask questions, and learn from the seasoned saints (Titus 2:1-5).

Conclusion:

Growing in knowledge of God’s word is a lifelong quest we must continually humbly pursue.