Beware of being wise above that which is written. Beware of forming fanciful theories of your own, and then trying to make the Bible square in with them. Beware of making selections from your Bible to suit your taste —refusing, like a spoilt child, whatever you think bitter, — seizing, like a spoilt child, whatever you think sweet. What is all this but taking Jehoiakim’s penknife? What does it amount to but telling God, that you, a poor short-lived worm know what is good for you better than He. It will not do. It will not do. You must take the Bible as it is. You must read it all, and believe it all. You must come to the reading of it in the spirit of a little child. Dare not to say “I believe this verse, for I like it. I reject that, for I do not like it. I receive this, for I can understand it. I refuse that, for I cannot reconcile it with my views.” Nay! but O man, who art thou that repliest against God? By what right do you talk in this way. Surely it were better to say over every chapter in the Word, “speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.”
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
At my church I am currently teaching a Bible study on how to study the Bible. We are using the books Living by the Book by Howard Hendricks and William Hendricks and the corresponding Workbook. (Click the book titles to purchase on Amazon. There are also Kindle versions of the books, but my personal opinion is that the hard copy (at least of the workbook) would be most helpful for this particular study.)
I found this video for the class to supplement what is being taught. I hope the video will be a valuable resource for all who view it.
The Ministry of the word belongs to all. To bind and to loose clearly is nothing else then to proclaim and to apply the gospel. For what is it to loose, if not to announce the forgiveness of sins before God? What is it to bind, except to withdraw the gospel and to declare the retention of sins? Whether they [that is, the Roman Catholic Church] want to or not, they must concede that the keys are the exercise of the Ministry of the word and belong to all Christians.
The preacher should not enter his pulpit claiming to have received a revelation; his claim should be that he is a man who reads the Word and prays and believers that the Holy Spirit illumines and enlightens his understanding, with the result that he has a message for the people.
Life Is Worship 