Many of us would rather eat dirt than study. Learning is time-consuming and challenging, and we tend to avoid it because it requires discipline. The word disciple comes from the Latin word discipulus, which means “learner,” and despite our disinclinations, learning is essential to discipleship.
Unbiblical doctrines and attitudes have plagued America’s churches for centuries and persist today — liberal trends that deny the authority of Scripture or the deity of Christ, extreme separatism from the secular culture, prosperity gospel preachers, and more. Add this to the superficial materialism that characterizes the secular culture and the importance of growing in the knowledge of God and his Word becomes clear. We can love God from the moment of conversion, when we know only the basic principles of the gospel, but zeal without knowledge can be misguided. We can even be the perpetrators of false teachings if we are ill-informed, but growth in our knowledge of God fuels our love for him, and our actions become more faithful to his will.
Learning is a way to become more like Jesus (Luke 2.40, 46-47), and the Bible shows us repeatedly the importance and the benefits of growing in knowledge. A few examples:
- “The wise lay up knowledge.” (Proverbs 10.14a)
- “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” (Proverbs 18.15)
- “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11.29)
- “And you shall love the Lord your God…with all your mind.” (Mark 12.30)
- “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12.2)
- “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God…. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5.11, 14)
Growing in knowledge facilitates a deeper relationship with God and bolsters our witnessing. It also improves spiritual discernment, which helps us walk in obedience, convicts us of sin, and protects us from false teachings. So where do we begin? Should you pursue formal theological education? Maybe, but most Christians will grow in knowledge through other means. As singles, we have more flexibility in our time for seeking the Lord through deeper study. We should rejoice and be good stewards of that privilege and trust that through it God is making us fit for his kingdom and for our future marriages, careers, children, and ministries. Here are a few ideas to get you started, along with some of my recommendations:
- Find a good study Bible and a plan for reading it. God’s Word is our primary source for growth in knowledge, but sometimes we need a little help in understanding it and disciplining ourselves to read it. I like the ESV Study Bible, with its year-long plan for reading through the Bible. Try book studies, such as Kay Arthur’s and John MacArthur’s. Commentaries are also helpful. Desiring God offers suggestions for each book of the Bible here.
- Take advantage of group studies at your church or other churches in your area.
- Check out seminars and conferences available through Bible colleges, seminaries, and churches and are open to the public. For example, The Gospel Coalition offers a slate of presentations from leading theologians and pastors at their annual conferences.
- Read, read, read. But be wise about the authors. Always measure what you read and hear against Scripture. Read old books. Christians of earlier eras have much to teach us. Try Augustine’s Confessions, John Owen’s The Mortification of Sin, and Jonathan Edwards’s sermons. A string of free e-books are collected here. Read biographies of influential Christians, such as Eric Metaxas’s Amazing Grace and Bonhoeffer or Timothy George’s biography of William Carey. Read newer authors, such as Timothy Keller, David Platt, and John Piper. Finally, read heavier theology. A few of my favorite introductory books on Christian doctrine: Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology (or his less intimidating Christian Beliefs), Bruce Ware’s Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, and John Stott’s The Cross of Christ.
Loving Jesus more should be the goal and joy of learning no matter the context. Now go do your homework!
Bethany Wester
