Why is studying the Bible is important in growing in my Christian life?"

The Word of God can make us to achive three things.

1. Spiritual growth: 1 Peter 2:2  As newbornbabes [ The attitude of a Child] , desire the sincere milk of the word [ Create appetite] ,that ye may grow thereby [ Aim of focus] .

2. Spiritual Maturity: Hebrew 5: 11 -14 Ofwhom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again whichbe the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

3. For spiritual service: 3 Timothy 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and isprofitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

How can you help somebody to study the Bible?

First I would define the terms in his or her question so that he or she can understand my answer properly. The first term is ‘The Bible’. Which I would define solemnly as the word of God, for it is written; in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God (John 1:1). It is made up of a compilation of 66 books from Genesis to Revelation. It was given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped and prepared unto every good work (2 Timothy 3:16). The word Doctrine in this verse means to establish one in God’s Order or ways. Hence the Word of God is the one which can establish one in the ways and patterns of God’s dealings with mankind. The word ‘reproof’ there means to dismantle false teachings and errors based on human traditions which are not according to God’s standard. Then the disciple can be corrected and instructed as a true follower of Christ. Secondly, a ‘Christian’ is a follower or a disciple of Jesus Christ. Actually the disciples where first called Christians at a place called Antioch (Acts 13), because they acted like Christ. So, people called them ‘little christs’ or ‘Christians’ because when they looked at them they were just like Christ Himself. The last term is ‘growing’, it means to increase in size, or to develop, or to mature from a young or little state in order to be to in a full functional state.

After that I shall try to establish whether the believer has a sound foundation in personal relationship with Jesus Christ who is the foundation of any real life giving spiritual life. I shall ask him or her if he or she had a personal confrontation with the risen Christ as Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). And whether there is a revelation that Jesus is indeed the Christ and the readiness to personally acknowledge the truth by publicly confessing the Jesus Christ to others. Based on this foundation can I be sure that the instructions I shall give him or her concerning the importance of the Word of God in Christian growth shall not be a waste of time.

After that I shall start to tell him or her what Jesus said about God’s word in the life of a believer. For example in John 8:31-32, It says; Jesus spoke to those Jews who believed on Him if you continue in my word then are you my disciples indeed and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. The Jews where formerly sinners but they had become believers now, and they probably thought that was good enough, but Jesus said that they needed to continue in His Word if they were to be disciples indeed. I believe that continuing in God’s Word transforms one from being a sinner to a believer then to a disciple, who now matures to be a servant and eventually a friend of Jesus as we enter into the mature sonship with the Father. This progression is clearly shown in the gospel according to Saint John’s gospel in which sinners who do not know Jesus call Him all sorts of names, while believers call Him ‘saviour’, Then the disciples call Him ‘Master’ as in John 13:13, you call me Master and Lord: and ye say well for so I am. Then the servants call Him ‘Lord’ as in , John 14:15; Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what His Lord doeth; but I have called you friends; This is the basic Christian growth which is triggered by taking heed to the Bible and allowing the Words of Christ to dwell richly in us (Colossians 3:16). 

Lastly I would encourage the believer to study and apply the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation by the help of the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Truth (John 15:26, John 17:17). Moses admonished Joshua to mediate on the Law of the LORD day and night so that Joshua could be able to observe and do all that was written in the law. David also testified of the importance of delighting and meditating on the Word in Psalms 1:1-3. I would also be careful to tell the believer that God’s Word will not work if he or she does not cultivate the Fear and the Holiness of God in his or her life. For example, Psalms 119:11 teaches that if we keep God word we shall not sin against God. As the English people say that, ‘the Bible shall keep you from sin or sin shall keep you from the Bible’. So in order to grow and be blessed we need to fear the LORD and greatly delight in His commandments (Psalm 112:1). The apostle Peter admonished young believers to desire the sincere milk of the word of God so that they may grow thereby (1 Peter 2:2). This means that we take the word of God as our food for it contains all the spiritual nutrients we might require to grow and mature properly. For His word is spirit and life (John 6:63), so important is the word of God for all believers that we should give attention to it for it provides health and healing to all flesh (Proverbs 4:20-22).