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Bible Teaching and Study
121
Compare Scripture With Scripture
The Bible is its own expositor. Scripture is to be compared with
scripture. Students should learn to view the Word as a whole, and
to see the relation of its parts. They should gain a knowledge of
its grand central theme, of God’s original purpose for the world,
of the rise of the great controversy, and of the work of redemption.
They should understand the nature of the two principles that are
contending for supremacy, and should learn to trace their working
through the records of history and prophecy, to the great consumma-
tion. They should see how this controversy enters into every phase
of human experience, how in every act of life a person reveals one
or the other of the two antagonistic motives, and that they are even
now deciding on which side of the controversy they will be found.
Every part of the Bible is given by inspiration of God and is
profitable. The Old Testament no less than the New should receive
attention. As we study the Old Testament we shall find living springs
bubbling up where the careless reader discerns only a desert.
The book of Revelation, in connection with the book of Daniel,
especially demands study. Every God-fearing teacher should con-
sider how most clearly to present the gospel that our Savior came
in person to make known to His servant John—“The Revelation
of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him, to show His servants things
which must shortly take place.”
Revelation 1:1
.
When real love for the Bible is awakened, and students begin to
realize how vast is the field and how precious its treasure, they will
desire to seize every opportunity for acquainting themselves with
God’s Word. Its study will not be restricted to any special time or
place. This continuous study is one of the best means of cultivating
a love for the Scriptures. Encourage students to keep their Bibles
always with them. As they have opportunity, let them read a text and
meditate on it, thus gaining some precious thought from the treasure
house of truth.
The great motive powers of the soul are faith, hope, and love, and
it is to these that Bible study, rightly pursued, appeals. The outward
beauty of the Bible, the beauty of imagery and expression, is but the
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setting, as it were, for its real treasure—the beauty of holiness. In its
record of the men and women who walked with God, we may catch