Russell Haffner
In 2 Timothy 2:15 Paul said, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." If we want to follow the Bible we must learn how to read and understand, "rightly divide," what it teaches. Some become frustrated and quickly lose interest in the Bible because they don't know how to comprehend what they are reading. There is probably no more misunderstood book than the Bible. It is poorly studied and poorly understood.
Some haphazardly approach the study of God's word by simply opening the Bible to a random page and reading whatever they find. This method causes them to think the book is confusing because they never learn the context (or background). Reading a random Bible verse may be a good way to focus our thoughts toward the scriptures, but it is a terrible technique for studying the Bible. Others approach it with a superstitious awe that prevents them from truly grasping its teachings. Skeptics read the scriptures hoping to find contradictions. Unless we know how to "rightly" divide the "word of truth" we will never really learn what it teaches and understand its life saving message.
The phrase "rightly dividing" implies that we could be guilty of "wrongly dividing" the word of truth. When we wrongly divide the word we do not have the truth. There are many misconceptions about the Bible. Some mistakenly believe that every command in the Bible is for every person for all time. This approach will cause us to wrongly believe that we are commanded to build an Ark; to offer our son on an altar or to keep the law of Moses. We need to understand that only Noah was commanded to build an ark (Genesis 6:14), only Abraham was told to sacrifice his son (Genesis 22:2) and that the law of Moses has been removed and replaced by the Law of Christ (Colossians 2:14-17; Galatians 3:24-25; 1 Corinthians 9:21). Misconceptions have caused much division and strife in the religious world. However, the religious division could be overcome if people would simply rightly divide the word of truth and obey its teachings.
Why Should We Study the Bible?
- It is the only source of light (2 Peter 1:3).
- It is the basis of faith (Romans 10:17; Jude 3).
- It reveals the plan of salvation (John 8:24; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; Matthew 10:32-33; Matthew 28:18-19; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 3:21).
- We will be judged by its teachings at the Judgment (John 12:48; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:11-12).
Man was created as a logical being, and God expects us to use reason when reading His word (Isaiah 1:18). Let us study to show ourselves approved unto God rightly dividing the word of truth.
Perhaps you have enrolled in the school but have yet to start your first course. Beginning your studies is easy to do. Once you login to your account simply choose the course you would like to study from the "Course Schedule" option located on the blue menu bar of the school website. The "Course Schedule" reflects the designated order that Formal Students must follow. Informal and Auditing Students are recommended, but not required, to follow this schedule.
Once you have selected the course you would like to study you need to register for the course by clicking the "Register" button located on the course page. When this is done, you will have full online access to the course. You can begin watching the videos immediately by clicking the "Lesson 1" link. From each lesson page you will be able to view a 30-40 minute video lesson presentation.
If you are a Formal or Informal Student you will not only see tabs on the course page for Description and Syllabus, but also for Exams, Course Notes (for some courses) and Course Books (for textbooks published by WVBS). Click on the appropriate tab and the document will be displayed. These materials are provided to Formal and Informal Students completely free online. If you desire printed pages, there is a "Print" button located to the upper-right of the displayed document where you can print personal copies.