Table of Contents

Part 3. General Responsibilities: 1. Prayer in Connection with Bible Study

Part 3. General Responsibilities: 2. Outside Responsibilities

Part 3. General Responsibilities: 3. Sunday and Holiday Work

Part 3. General Responsibilities: 4. Benefits of this Systematic Work

Samuel Ridout - How to Study the Bible - Part 3 - General Responsibilities

Practical [9]

Samuel Ridout

This document may be found online at www.stempublishing.com

You are welcome to freely access and use this material for personal study or sending to other Bible students, compiling extracts for notes etc, but please do not republish without permission.

With the prayerful desire that the Lord Jesus Christ will use this God-given ministry in this form for His glory and the blessing of many in these last days before His coming. © Les Hodgett (contact@stempublishing.com) (2011)

Part 3. General Responsibilities: 1. Prayer in Connection with Bible Study

How to Study the Bible

S. Ridout.

Part 3.

General Responsibilities

1. Prayer in Connection with Bible Study

We want to look a little more in detail at the subject of prayer, which has already been before us to some extent. Perhaps some of our readers have already felt that we were giving an undue prominence to mere study. It has been with no thought of excluding prayer, but rather preparing the way for it. We would say, however, even here, that the word of God. must ever precede prayer. We are not sanctified by prayer, but by "Thy word." There is danger in being occupied with prayer as a service, instead of looking upon it as simply a means and the natural out-going of the heart to God. But there is, without doubt, a danger of our becoming merely intellectual in our study and of losing that freshness of soul which is ever the mark of communion with God.

We are not now speaking of prayer in general, nor of that pouring out of soul to God in worship and supplication which is needed in our daily life. We are ever to be worshipers, suppliants, and intercessors — worshipers in recalling to mind the infinite fulness of that grace which has been shown to us and which has opened to our adoring gaze the perfections of the person and work of our blessed Lord; suppliants, because we are in a great and weary land where needs are constant in every direction, and where enemies on all sides would assail us and temptations allure us; intercessors, because there are those who are dear to us whom we must ever hold up before God — family, kindred, and friends. There are also the needs of the people of God in ever-widening circles, needs which we should never forget — His servants at home and abroad, the work of the gospel, the upbuilding of His people, the spread of His truth, the various means of a Scriptural character used to this end. All these and much more will take us often to the throne of grace, and we need hardly say that morning and evening we should spend a season upon our knees before God.

It is not, however, of prayer in this way that we speak, but rather as connected with our subject. Our studies are to be conducted in a prayerful way, and here we cannot be too simple. Whenever we open our Bibles, whether for reading our daily chapter or for any particular course of study, there should be a sense of incompetence and self distrust. We should realize our special tendency to having our own thoughts instead of having a mind open to the thoughts of God. We should therefore be as specific as possible.

For instance, one may say: "How can I bring my mind to bear upon a topic for only five minutes; it will take me that long to collect my thoughts." How would it do to ask the Lord to fix our attention on what is before us? Perhaps the subject is a little distasteful to us at the time. Can we not confess this to Him, and ask His help? Perhaps some difficult point meets us at the very outset. Let us ask Him to explain it to us. And so on, throughout the entire fifteen minute period or longer, let prayer be mingled with our study. We will be astonished and delighted to find how often we will receive direct answers to the simplest kinds of requests.

Of course, we shall not always at once get our answer. If we did, it would make us careless and we would lose that sense of reverence which must ever become us. Doubtless there will often be exercises and a sense of failure, but let us not be discouraged, only "continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanks giving." This will keep our study from being formal or merely intellectual. We will find our very prayers becoming more intelligent and direct; and if we really have desires, we will find them granted far oftener than we had thought possible.

In connection with this general subject of prayer, we would add another thought. Let us be on our guard against losing a sense of having to do with divine things; that we are really in the presence of God, and the ground whereon we stand is holy. This will make us reverent, and in connection with this, we will not lose that sense of glad enjoyment of even the most familiar truth and of wondering surprise as new things are opened to us.

If it were merely the natural mind trafficking in divine things, or even an investigator into Scripture subjects without any special personal interest in them, one would soon grow accustomed to truths, and the deepest and most wondrous things would lose their attractiveness; but where the soul is really engaged, and where the Spirit of God, the inspirer of all, is opening up to us "things new and old," this sense of wonder and surprise will not be wanting. Let us challenge ourselves if we begin to take things as a matter of course; and above all, if the simplicities of divine grace cease to have a special charm to us.

Part 3. General Responsibilities: 2. Outside Responsibilities

How to Study the Bible

S. Ridout.

Part 3.

General Responsibilities

2. Outside Responsibilities

"Oh," we hear some one say, "you forget that we have our meetings to attend; and I have a Sunday-school class and must prepare the lesson;" and perhaps another devotes an hour each week to tract distribution and visiting; and another holds a little gospel-meeting 'each week in some cottage which has been opened to him. Another has open-air preaching during the summer, etc. Are we to neglect these in order to carry out your schedule? Most certainly not. Forsake not "the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is." We should never allow ourselves to become neglectful as to attending the regular meetings. Promptness, regularity and attention to these things are certainly as little as we can render. How many have been stumbled by the absence of older Christians from meeting or their coming in late when unnecessary. We must surely make provision for these duties.

Then, as to the special preparation for certain work. A Sunday-school teacher dare not go to his or her class with the lesson perhaps barely read over and no distinct preparation. Let it not be thought that the children do not notice this. As a teacher can tell when the scholar has not prepared the lesson, so the reverse is also true. A little regularity and system will no doubt help here also. In fact, we believe that if some schedule has been settled upon and persistently followed out, it will enable one to pursue also other work more systematically.

Space will not permit our going into the whole subject of Sunday-school work, which will have a place elsewhere, but we may be allowed to suggest a certain line of preparation which ought to enable us to get a fair measure of acquaintance with the lesson without taking too much time. We will suppose that the lesson is clearly designated, and consists of as much as half a chapter. The first day, this could be read and a number of parallel passages and references looked up, occupying possibly ten minutes in all. The next day and those following could be occupied by an analysis of the lesson verse by verse, adding references to our Scripture. If ten minutes each day is used in this way, or its equivalent at one time, a half hour toward the close of the week will suffice to arrange in an orderly way what we desire to put before our class.

We cannot, of course, expect to carry our studies as far as we would like to do, and we would also say that the very young Christian would probably better not undertake to teach a class until he has had time to acquire a certain knowledge of truth. "Not a novice" would apply here. It is best that young Christians should be put in the Bible Class for a season at least, and graduated from that into the regular work for themselves.

The same remarks would apply to those who are conducting a little cottage meeting, or open-air preaching, or anything of that kind. We would distinctly state that wherever practicable, one should meditate upon and study the subject upon which he expects to speak. It is no mark of spirituality, nor do we believe it to be a correct application of the Scripture, that we should take no thought how or what we shall speak, nor expect the Lord to fulfil that promise given in a far different connection: "It shall be given you in that same hour what ye ought to speak." Here, He is assuring His disciples that they will never be deserted when brought before kings and rulers for His name's same. They need not meditate in advance any line of defence, or any elaborate statement of what they hold. If they have been living in the enjoyment of these things and bearing faithful witness, they may be sure that the Lord will not desert them in their time of need. This would also hold good where one was absolutely unable to know in advance what he was going to speak upon, or if an unexpected opening were given for preaching the gospel. At such times, often, there has been the greatest liberty and directness, and the Lord's help has been manifested.

But we speak not of the exceptional. Do not divine things require our careful attention? Instead of rambling on, scarce knowing what one is saying, is it not more honoring to the Lord to be before Him in prayer, and have a more or less distinct conception of what we are going to speak upon? Of course, it is not a question of words. We can trust the Lord for these as for all else, but we do plead for a little more care and study. It is not "writing sermons" or anything of that kind, but only treating rightly the blessed privilege we have, and esteeming that the things of the Lord require as much attention as we would give to temporal affairs.

The prophet Malachi rebukes the people for bringing the blind and the lame as an offering to the Lord, and in solemn satire suggests that they offer such things to their ruler and see if he will accept them. This may well apply to what we are saying. Robert McCheyne used to say: "Always beaten oil for the Sanctuary," the oil that is freshly beaten out in prayerful study.

A little judicious care perhaps may enable us to incorporate our Sunday-school and other work with our regular routine of study. This would be particularly true where we were devoting more than an hour to that work. We return, therefore, to our original plea for system, both in time and method in Bible study, and trust that the busiest life will still find room for at least fifteen minutes' daily work.

Part 3. General Responsibilities: 3. Sunday and Holiday Work

How to Study the Bible

S. Ridout.

Part 3.

General Responsibilities

3. Sunday and Holiday Work

We cannot be too thankful that the law of the land and the customs of the countries in which we live give us the Lord's Day free from the ordinary business of the week. While not under the law of the Sabbath (if we were, we should have most rigidly to observe the seventh day, Saturday, not the first), there is an evident necessity for a period of rest, one day out of the seven, needed by all alike, and doubly prized by the child of God as affording a cessation from that constant strain of business which is racking to nerves, mind, and heart alike.

"The Lord's Day," what hallowed associations, what precious privileges, what memories of happy enjoyment cluster about it! Although it has been greatly misunderstood by our fathers, and something of the rigor of the Jewish Sabbath imposed upon it, yet even so we are sure it was far better than the lawlessness which is now coming in like a flood and wiping away every vestige of reverence. Thank God for the day set apart to His worship. Even broad-minded statesmen cannot fail to see the menace there lies in turning this day into one of mere recreation and amusement. The loss of the fear of God is felt by the State, sooner or later; and it is to the best interests of government, looked at in purely this secular way, when by the individual, the family and the community, there is a wholesome regard for the proprieties and responsibilities of the first day of the week.

But our concern is not directly with all this: only let us see to it that we do not use our liberty and freedom from the law as an occasion to the flesh, and spend this precious day in idleness or worse, and set such an example that the world thinks of us as careless as themselves.

The Lord's Day, then, will be one of special enjoyment. The careful housekeeper will begin to provide for it in advance, by seeing that all possible work is got out of the way, while the members of the family endeavor to clear up as much as possible all necessary duties, so that they can rise fresh and bright and ready for the joys of the Day. Saturday night will not be made a time for all sorts of things that rob of necessary sleep, so that there is an excuse for sleeping late on Lord's Day morning. We may be pardoned for speaking in this plain way, but are persuaded that most of our readers will see the cause. With all of us, perhaps, there is a tendency to rob the Lord of His due by treating His day as one of mere family repose. We do not of course speak of the necessity perhaps for a little season of rest for those who have to rise up early and sit up late all through the week: but let it not be overdone and large numbers, without doubt, can rise as early on this day as throughout the week.

Two questions confront us. We have our private and public privileges on the Lord's Day. The one must not conflict with the other, and we cannot therefore lay down rules. For instance, those who have Sunday-school classes, and in addition possibly some extra gospel work, will find that if they attend the regular meetings for worship and ministry, together with these others, the day will be so fully occupied that there will perhaps be but little more time to devote to study than on any day in the week. We must not attempt to lay any burden upon these, only suggesting that they keep up, if possible, the brief period which they have allowed for study during the week. Of course, if one is spending from one to two hours daily, he will scarcely have that much time on the Lord's Day, and would not need it; but for those who have the fifteen minute or half hour schedule, we would suggest, if possible, that they continue to use that time.

But instead of going on with fresh work, we would suggest that these spend the time in a review of what has been gone over in the past week. The portion which has been memorized might be all reviewed and it would be very interesting at some time during the day, when the whole family can be together, for all to recite the verses which they have been learning.

The note-book for the previous week could be read over, and the questions which have been asked in it or put upon the margin of the Bible could be looked at to see if we have yet reached any definite answer as to some things. In this way, there would be no constraint felt to force work; and the very cessation from the usual routine will leave one with further hunger for the next morning.

We speak separately of those who have more leisure on the Lord's Day. Perhaps these have only a morning Sunday-school, which, with the meeting, and the gospel at night, is all of their public activity, with possibly a visit or two sometime during the afternoon. These might very profitably spend an hour in the afternoon in some general reading which bears particularly upon their study during the week, and in the review which we have above indicated. Sometimes one who has held quite rigidly to the fifteen minutes of the daily study will rejoice to devote an hour or two in the afternoon to more careful and prolonged work than he has been able to give during the week. So we feel that for all, the Lord's Day, so far from interfering with the regular routine of work, will serve to impress its results upon our memory and interest, and thus in liberty and joy we can take up on the following day what is never a burden, but a delight.

There are a number of holidays, too, during the year — single days such as New Year and others, and the longer holiday during the summer which many enjoy. We would suggest that the Lord's interests be not left out in the increasing leisure that we have. In the day of Israel's joy, and at the time of their feasts, there was ever to be remembered the Lord's share in the way of tithes and the care for His poor. Conscience will be kept clear, and the recreation sweetened, if the Lord is thus given His place in it all.

We might add a word, perhaps not greatly needed, for any over-conscientious persons who unduly burden themselves with routine and other work, and turn all into a semi-legal bondage. These should see to it that they do not misrepresent the grace of our Lord by making Him a hard master in the slightest degree. There is no service like the service of love; no devotion like that which comes from the heart set free by His grace. Let us see to it that we are living in the joy of that grace which makes duty joy, and labor rest.

Part 3. General Responsibilities: 4. Benefits of this Systematic Work

How to Study the Bible

S. Ridout.

Part 3.

General Responsibilities

4. Benefits of this Systematic Work

A year of faithful adherence to a system such as we have suggested,though in its briefest form, will be of incalculable benefit in many directions. We want to collect a list of these benefits together and set them before the eye of any who may question the wisdom, desirability or indeed the feasibility of taking up work like this.

1. The Bible will not be neglected. It is a sad fact that many children of God allow days and weeks to pass without more than a glance at their Bibles. Let one who has resolved to read a chapter every day, and who has allowed three or four days to elapse, or perhaps longer, try to "catch up." They will find how much easier it would have been to read one chapter daily. One is traveling, sickness has come into the family, the house is full of visitors, extra work at the office matters like these will be found to shut out all reading of the Bible unless there is in our soul the insistence upon the few minutes which we have set apart for this. In this connection we would advise that no one lightly undertake to dedicate a portion of time however brief, to daily Bible work, who has not determined in the fear of God to carry it through; and if prevented at the outset by unavoidable circumstances from going on, not to attempt to "catch up," but to resume one day's work at once and go on from that point.

Let the reader ask himself if his Bible is neglected or not? And then let him ask, without needless prying, whether many of his acquaintances are not neglecting it equally with himself.

2. The example will be contagious. If one is really possessed with an idea, he will be speaking of it to his friends. As soon as one gets established in this kind of work, he will find himself telling some brother about it, and they will begin comparing notes, and sooner or later, others will be encouraged and stimulated to take it up. There will also be a greater readiness to speak about the things of God, for the simple reason that one has something to say. We are often exercised about the Lord's people having closed lips in the meetings. Often, this is due to the lack of clearness of apprehension; they do not speak because they have so little to say: and indeed it is probably desirable that they should first have a certain, if only a small, furnishing to speak to edification. So too in prayer; the more familiar we are with the thoughts of God in a proper way, the more our desires will find definite expression, and we, in the earnestness of desire, would soon lose self-consciousness; and prayer in public as well as private would be a normal practice.

3. The mind will be disciplined. The mind of man is a most marvelous instrument, if we may speak of it in that way. It responds to training, and every exercise of its powers increases its capacity for further activity. Thus, the practice of forming rough outlines, or making more accurate and minute analyses of portions of our Bible, will increase the facility with which we are able to do it, and with facility comes enjoyment of the keenest kind. There are no natural pleasures greater than those connected with mental activity, and speaking even in an educational way, the benefit of these studies cannot well be over-estimated. Regularity, system, accuracy, niceness of distinction, perception, memory, judgment — every faculty will be brought into play; and instead of a vague feeling of helplessness, coupled with shame to speak of things of which we know comparatively little, there will be a good degree of familiarity and confidence of a proper character. How different would Bible-readings be, for instance, if every one came to them already fairly familiar with the chapter to be discussed, and with ability to make or understand distinctions such as we have been dwelling upon. Every one could be a contributor to the general interest, and we are sure the Lord's beloved people would, with His blessing, have an awakening that they would not easily allow to subside.

4. The whole life would be affected. Let us suppose that an ordinarily busy Christian young man has been accustomed to sleep until the last possible minute in the morning, so that he must hurry through everything to get to his business in time; who has spent his spare moments on the train or elsewhere in aimless conversation or reading of questionable things; whose evenings are spent in mere social intercourse, often leading to associations and amusements which cannot but injure the soul, and retiring late at night with conscience none too much exercised, to repeat the same experience day after day. Will such an one grow? Need we be surprised if he makes no progress?

Let us now suppose that he determines to adopt the fifteen minute schedule of Bible study, and sets apart the time in the morning. He rises and begins the work. Perhaps the first feeling will be one of discouragement and distance, and he will be tempted to throw it all aside and resume his more easy-going manner but he has a conscience toward God and perseveres. Occasionally he "oversleeps," but at the end, we will say, of two weeks, the habit is in a fair way of being established to rise a half hour earlier than was his custom in order that he may not be unduly hurried. Instead of a wild rush at breakfast, with perhaps slips of temper and forgetfulness, a certain quietness and happiness of spirit takes its place. Something has interested him in his work and a glance at the newspaper suffices instead of the absorbing perusal of columns of worthless matter. Lunch hour finds him eager to finish something that he began in the morning, and his earlier rising makes him ready for retirement earlier than before. We say nothing now of the effect of the word of God upon his conscience and heart, but merely its tonic influence upon his habits. In a year's time, can any of us doubt that the effect upon his whole life will be so marked that his profiting will appear unto all?

5. Our knowledge of Scripture will be gradually and largely increased and systematized.

6. Our love for the word of God will be deepened.

7. Our reverence for Scripture and belief in its absolute inspiration will cease to be an orthodox belief and become the intensest conviction.

8. We will become better Sunday-school teachers, or preachers, and whatever public service we are engaged in will feel the improvement.

9. Prayer will be more definite, broader and constant, while our very necessities will teach us to watch thereunto with thanksgiving. In short, we are persuaded that the whole life will be brought under the power of divine things more fully than before.

There are of course dangers here as everywhere. Pride ever lurks behind every duty, and a spirit of complacency at increased knowledge, a measure of self-denial, greater usefulness, or whatever else it may be, will call for self-judgment and confession but where is this not the case? The very land of Israel's inheritance was peopled with enemies, and the epistle which brings out in highest and fullest measure our blessings in Christ warns us to put on the whole armour of God, that we may be victorious in the inevitable conflict with Satan and his hosts. Dangers only deter the slothful. Let us not be amongst the sluggards.