Developing a Lifestyle of Personal Study

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2: 15). “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4: 13).

Personal study is a wonderful, exciting gateway to a large world of knowledge, learning and growth. For anyone to improve his awareness and identity, develop talent and potentials, build human capital and facilitate employment, enhance quality of life and contribute to the realization of dreams and aspirations, the individual must cultivate the habit of personal study. There is never and end to the journey of self-development and self-improvement, therefore, personal study is a continuous and unending process. The Bible encourages Christians to give attendance (attention) to reading/studying (1 Timothy 4:13). Developing a lifestyle of personal study means forming the habit of private study of the Bible, godly materials and edifying books.

John 5: 39 “Search the scripture, for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testify of me”. Christians are commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ to search (study) the scripture. The “Bereen believers”

 Gave themselves to the study of the word of God. Christians are to create time to dig deep into the word of God (2 Timothy 2: 15). Apart from the scriptures, Christians should create time to study their godly, edifying, academic and motivational books. Someone said “whatever can be conceived, can be achieved”. For Christians to develop the lifestyle of personal study there must be the desire, determination and discipline. Once the act of personal study is practiced, it becomes a habit and then a lifestyle or a way of life.

The benefits accruing to us as we develop a lifestyle of personal study cannot be overemphasizes. Some said “if you are not informed, you are deformed”. Another person said “If you are not updated, you are outdated”. Personal study does not only give individuals access to crucial information but also expends their minds to a better knowledge and understanding of things in the world. Personal study puts our lives in proper perspective.

The profits or gains of personal study include:

1.   Increase and strengthen our faith

2.   Enhances our knowledge and builds our wisdom

3.  Leads to spiritual growth, revives the soul, produces joy and leads to righteousness

4.   Accelerate personal development

5.  Ensures balanced life

6.   Makes us successful

7.  Challenges our values, virtues and thought process.

Though personal study, we develop different views about things or processes. Daniel was challenged to intensify his intercession for the return from the captivity through his personal study of the book of Jeremiah.

No doubt, there are precautions we must adhere to if we are going to gain the best out of what we read. It is commonly said “not all things that glitters are gold”. 

In trying to develop the lifestyle of personal study, we are to be  wise and selective. The type of material (book) we read either makes or mar us. We shouldn’t just study or read any book or material we pick up but read the preface or summary of the book to know what the book or material is all about.  Not all books with appealing tittles are good for us. We should avoid studying or reading books or materials that will cause confusion   in our minds about the truth that we have known or believed. We should avoid reading occultic, seductive, immoral, worldly, magical or mystical books. We should avoid studying any book that will not edify us. We should put our passion for personal study on godly and edifying books. We should study the Bible, academic, Christian and motivational books and make it our lifestyle. We should watch what we study, meditate and make the right application of what we gain from our study.