My oldest son Adin, who is nearly three years old, loves to ask questions. "Why?" seems to be his favorite. Our newest family tradition is to get Adin and his baby brother, Abel, together on the couch in the living room before bedtime. My wife or I will read a brief Bible story from a children's book to the boys and try to ask Adin a relevant question or two. Finally, I will word a short prayer. Immediately thereafter, the boys are taken to their bedrooms and put to bed after listening to a short library book or two of their choice.

The productivity of these family devotional times seems to be dependent upon how tired Adin is and what kind of mood he is in. Recently, as we were gathering on the couch, Adin brought one of his library books and expressed an interest in reading it instead of the Bible story book. He was especially fond of that particular library book, having asked for it to be read many days in a row, several times each day. This book was more exciting to him than the Bible story book. I informed him that we could read that book afterward, but that now it was time for our Bible story. He then proceeded to ask his favorite question, in a rather agitated fashion, "Why?" I briefly explained that God's word was more important than his library book and that we would read his library book afterward. That appeased him.

My desire as a Christian father and husband is to cultivate a love for and a knowledge of God's word in my family. I hope that when my boys are of age that they will value the Scriptures greatly. I pray that they will see the need and benefit for diligent study.

Sadly, I'm afraid that many disciples are not convinced of the need and benefit of daily Bible study. They tragically deprive themselves of so many treasures through their negligence and failure to get into the word! I believe there are a number of reasons for this trend. One of the reasons may center on the fact that some have just never taken the time to ask why--why should they study the Bible daily? Allow me to briefly share some of the reasons why I study the Bible.

1. I STUDY THE BIBLE FOR THE SAME REASONS I EAT FOOD...

• That life might be sustained--the word of God is food for the soul (Matt. 4:4).
• That I might grow--morally and spiritually (I Pet. 2:2; II Pet. 3:18).
• That I might have strength--to live faithfully in service to God (Matt. 10:22).

2. I STUDY THE BIBLE FOR THE SAME REASONS I TAKE MEDICINE...

• To help overcome diseases--that is, sin (Psa. 119:11).
• That I might stay healthy for life--eventually, eternal life with God (III John 2).

3. I STUDY THE BIBLE FOR THE SAME REASONS I TURN ON A LIGHT WHEN DARKNESS FALLS...

• That I might be able to see where I am going--namely, the spiritual direction or path I am taking (Psa. 119:105).
• That I might avoid stepping where I shouldn't--into immorality and other spiritual dangers (Eph. 5:11).

Friends, do you study the Bible? If so, have you ever asked yourself why? There are many good reasons to study the Scriptures daily. For those who are outside the body of Christ and still lost in sin, however, the best reason for Bible study is found in I Peter 1:23. It is only through God's word that spiritual life may be found! Penitent believers who are immersed into Christ have been "born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever." The new birth, and consequently eternal life, is impossible without a study of the sacred Scriptures. Let us love God's word, study it, and teach it unashamedly to the world!