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.” (KJV)

In John 14:26, Jesus said “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your REMEMBRANCE, whatsoever I have said unto you”

Now this is very important to us as believers, why? Because that which you know or have learnt by even the way of study that is what the Holy Ghost can bring to your remembrance.

And that also means the entire Bible from that which is called the Old and the New Testament.

This is why and how Jesus overcame the tempter in the wilderness for as a young Hebrew child He had learnt the Holy Scriptures.

In Jesus’ days, the educational system was between 4-11 years. They participated in the BET SEFER, that’s memorizing the Torah (from Genesis – Deuteronomy) (Boys) and girls will do the (Psalms). When you are through with the Bet-Sefer, you get into the Family trade (Boys) while the (Girls) learnt skills, with the most talented boys continuing their Torah studies on top of this. This is called the MET- MIDRASH, memorization now includes the Prophets and writings with Torah interpretation applications.

At this time, the 12-year-old will find a Rabbi and ask, “CAN I BE LIKE YOU? Because the Tamid (disciple) wants to be what the master is not what the master knows.

Matthew 10:24 “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord”

Now you can understand why Jesus was questioning the Doctors of the law in the temple at the age of 12years.

So, they now have to be tested by the Rabbi if they are fit enough to receive further training as disciples. But if the rabbi found they were not up to standard then they would ask them to join the family business. Meaning they were not good enough to continue their education into the Bet Midrash. So, it is a kind of grade “C” students. This is why the likes of Andrew and his brothers who were fishermen followed Jesus because they could not find a Rabbi who took them in.

But if a rabbi thought he can reproduce himself in them, then he takes them in as disciples by answering them;

“Yes, I believe you can become what I am, cult the dust” that is “Take my yoke” So this is what Jesus meant in Matthew 11:29 & 30

“²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”

Jesus chose his disciples instead of the disciples choosing him to be their master;

“Come follow me, I will Make you fishers of men” And so he said;

John 15:16 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you”

So, when after Peter healed the man by the beautiful gate it is said; Acts 4:13

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (KJV)

It wasn’t because they were start illiterates but such that couldn’t be absorbed in by the rabbi to continue their religious training. They have already gone through the first two stages of the average Hebrew child’s educational training in the scriptures and understood their faith and belief.

Again, I state that this is why Jesus could question the Doctors of the law in the Temple at the age of 12years and it was at that age of Education that enabled Him to overcome the devil by quoting the SCRIPTURES.

And so, we see that by this scriptural knowledge, Timothy was brought to faith and in fact salvation;

2 Timothy 3:15 “And that from a child thou hast KNOWN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, which are able to make thee wise UNTO SALVATION through FAITH which is in Christ Jesus”

So, you see, the scriptures produced the faith in Christ’s people! Timothy got the real saving faith through the scriptures and not just the Epistles.

Scriptures can be seen therefore as the embodiment of the truth of the salvation in Christ.

And it is the scriptures that you know that the Holy Spirit will quicken to your spirit in times of need. So, STUDY YOUR BIBLE!

To be continued…