What does the Bible itself say regarding the importance of Bible study? A lot; but, for this article, we will take a look at two passages, one in the Old Testament, and the other in the New. Both of these passages are the foundation to scores of centuries-old theological works. They convey to us the power and importance of what is important in life—why we do things, how we can do things right, and what we can do to be the best we can be. The basic “meaning of life” stuff.
The first important passage is Deuteronomy 6:4-9, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (NIV)
This verse starts out what is called the Shema; it means to hear what God has to say. This saying was, and still is