Learn To Be A Berean

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.

Acts 17:10-11

I remember the first time I heard this verse, a family member told me about it. He said, “You are like the Bereans.”

I probably gave him a blank stare, I didn’t understand.

So he explained,

“They always searched the Scriptures to see if what they were told was true.”

Those were my early Christian days. We both had opposing views on many things, but he knew I was trying as I consistently dove into the Bible to learn more about it. To prove or disprove what I would learn.

Just Read The Bible

Over the last three years, I have tried to do that more than ever before.

I don’t know about you, but our family does not go to church. In fact, as a family, we have never walked through a church door. Though we once attended annual meetings put together by a church far from home. Moreover, I have not studied with anyone in many years.

I have found, for me personally, just reading the Bible from page to page, like the Bereans has been the best medicine for me and my family. This has removed so much interpretation others place into Scripture. This has removed persuasion, and has enabled Scripture to become more clear, focused, and it completely aligned the Bible.

For me, this allows Scripture to lead, instead of someone else.

The Christian Walk

However, one of the joys of Christianity is communing with other brothers and sisters in Christ. This benefits us spiritually and even physically.

So if you go to church, bravo!

Enjoy the company, enjoy the Word.

Just let the Bereans be “the” example for your Christian walk. No matter what you learn, no matter who it is from, always challenge it.

There is no harm in that, correct?

Of course not.

What Did The Bereans Do?

So what did the Bereans do?

…They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

They always allowed themselves to “receive the Word” of God.

Not Luke’s word, not anyone else’s word, but God’s Word.

They knew, if Luke was telling them the truth, then they would find the answer in the Word without any contradictions. It means, they would be able to read and come to the same conclusions as Luke, simply by reading the Word of God.

The Bereans did this with “all readiness of mind.”

Were they ready to absorb what Luke had to say?

No.

Rather, they had “all readiness of mind” to “search the Scriptures daily.” They did this in order to see if what they were told was true, and to learn more about the Word for themselves.

Now what exactly does that last quote mean to you?

Does it mean we just glance over a verse or two that we are taught?

Does it mean once we are taught a message that it ends our lesson?

Of course not.

Learn from the Bereans.

They “searched the Scriptures.”

That is plural.

That means they read the Word, they read what we call chapters of text. The Bereans read a little each day, to verify if what they were taught was true and accurate.

I would venture to guess, they analyzed a subject from various angles to prove or disprove a point, as they had “all readiness of mind” focused on Scripture.

So Luke’s goal was to deliver a message. The Bereans made it their job to open the Word, read it in-depth, and verify if what Luke told them was true. The Bereans did that each and every day, with “all readiness of mind.”

I don’t know about you my friends, but that is one heck of an example for Christians today.

I hope you join me in following their example.

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