Why Should I Study the Bible on My Own?

Direct Answer

Yes — you should study the Bible on your own, because God intends ordinary believers to know His Word for themselves.

Les Feldick describes personal Bible study as "the fastest way you can spend an evening at home" and says it is the very reason he teaches. He insists that you don't need theological training to understand the Scriptures, and he warns that ignoring the Book leaves you vulnerable to pulpits that lead people down a primrose path. Instead, he wants you to be able to say, "this is what it says."

Key Scriptures

2 Timothy 2:15 — This verse directly commands believers to study so they can rightly divide the word of truth.

Acts 17:11 — The Bereans are commended for searching the Scriptures themselves to verify what they were taught.

What Does the Bible Say About Studying Scripture?

Scripture speaks directly to personal Bible study. Paul writes, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). The Book of Acts also commends the Bereans because they "searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11). These verses show that knowing and searching Scripture is an expected part of every believer's life.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About Studying the Bible on Your Own?

Les Feldick says the main thrust of his teaching ministry is "to get people to study the Word of God on their own." He teaches that you don't need a theological education to comprehend Scripture, and that God wants every one of us to become students — not just readers. He warns against trusting pulpits blindly, saying many people are "led down a primrose path" when they wait for someone else to interpret Scripture for them. Les's stock answer to questions is "what does your Bible say?" and if you can't find it in your Bible, he says, "you better run from it." He also reminds viewers that God left the Bible so ordinary believers can read and study it, and that study is done by comparing Scripture with Scripture and praying for God's wisdom.

What Does Les Feldick Say Is His Main Goal as a Teacher?

Les says the main thrust of his ministry is "to get people to study the Word of God on their own" and that it's "the fastest way you can spend an evening at home." He also says "the only reason we teach is to get people into the book."

Do You Need Special Education or Training to Understand the Bible?

No. Les teaches that "you don't have to be highly educated, you don't have to have a great theological education to comprehend the Scriptures." He says God "wants every one of us to become students and to study, not just read."

What Happens if You Only Listen to Preachers and Never Study for Yourself?

Les says that's "where people are getting led down a primrose path." Some pulpits are fine, but many are not, so believers must "get to the place where we can discern the Scriptures." He wants people to see what Scripture says and then "come back on their own and say, well yeah, this is what it says."

How Should You Actually Study the Bible at Home?

Read the book "not just to read a few verses for devotion, but learn to study it and compare Scripture with Scripture." Les says the Lord will give you wisdom, and prayer is essential because "as we commune with God, He has promised to commune with us through His Word." He also reminds viewers that many things people think are in the Bible aren't, so study helps you see what's actually there and what isn't.

From the Teaching

Fastest Way to Spend an Evening

Les says studying the Word is the fastest way to spend an evening at home and urges viewers to turn off unhelpful television and open their Bible.

The Goal Is Getting People Into the Book

Les explains that the only reason he teaches is to get people to study the Bible, and he is thrilled when someone begins studying for the first time.

No Theological Degree Required

Les insists that ordinary believers can understand Scripture without a theological education and that God wants us to study, not merely read.

Discern What Scripture Says

Les warns that people who only listen to the pulpit can be led astray, so he wants believers to study and confirm "this is what it says" on their own.

See What Is Not in the Bible

Les points out that people are often "brainwashed" into thinking things are in the Bible when they aren't; personal study clears that up.

What Does Your Bible Say?

Les's standard advice is to ask what your Bible says, and if you can't find it, run from it — the Word of God is the only reliable standard.

The Book Is for Ordinary Believers

Les explains that God gave the Bible so everyday people can read and study it, like the goal of putting Scripture in the language of the common man.

Compare Scripture With Scripture

Les teaches that Bible study means more than devotions; you compare Scripture with Scripture, pray for wisdom, and commune with God through His Word.

Bible Verses

2 Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

This is the verse Les points to when he says believers are to study, not merely read, the Word.

Acts 17:11: These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

The Bereans are an example of searching Scripture — which is what Les encourages — not blindly accepting someone else's statement about what God says.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is studying the Bible really that important if I already go to church?

Les says people get led down a primrose path when they only listen to what comes from behind the pulpit. Some pulpits are fine, but many are not, so he urges believers to study so they can discern the Scriptures for themselves.

What should I do if someone teaches something I can't find in the Bible?

Les's stock answer is "what does your Bible say?" If you can't find a teaching in your Bible, he says to run from it — because the Word of God is the only thing we have to go by, not what any denomination or group says.

Do I need to be a theologian to understand the Bible?

No. Les says you don't need a high level of education or theological training to comprehend Scripture. God wants everyone to study, not just read, and He left the Bible so ordinary believers can read and study it.

How can I make Bible study part of my daily life?

Les suggests turning off unhelpful television because studying the Word is the fastest way to spend an evening at home. He also says to study by comparing Scripture with Scripture and to pray while reading, because God has promised to commune with us through His Word.

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