The Discipline of Study

Bienhome Muivah *

He that studies only men will get the body of knowledge without the soul; and he that studies only books, the soul without the body. He that to what he sees, adds observation, and to what he reads, reflection, is in the right road to knowledge, provided that in scrutinizing the hearts of others, he neglects not his own.
Caleb Colton

The purpose of spiritual Disciplines is the total transformation of the person. They aim at replacing old destructive habits of thought with new life-giving habits. Nowhere is the purpose more clearly seen than in the discipline of study. The apostle Paul tells us that we are transformed through the renewal of the mind (Rom. 12:2). The mind is renewed by applying it to those things that will transform it. 'Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things' (Phil.4:8).

The discipline of study is the primary vehicle to bring us to 'think about these things'. Therefore, we should rejoice that we are not left to our own devices but have been given the means of God's grace for the changing of our inner spirit.

Many Christians remain in bondage to fears and anxieties simply because they do not avail themselves of the discipline of study. They may be faithful in church attendance and earnest in fulfilling their religious duties, and still they are not changed. Those people may genuinely seek to worship and obey Jesus Christ as Lord and Master, they may sing with gusto, pray in spirit, live as obediently as they know, even receive divine visions and revelations, and yet the tenor of their lives remains unchanged. Why? Because they have never taken up one of the central ways God uses to change us: study. Jesus made it unmistakably clear that the knowledge of the truth will make us free. 'Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free' (John 8:32). Good feelings will not free us. Ecstatic experiences will not free us. Without knowledge of the truth, we will not be free.

This principle is true in every area of human endeavor. It is true in biology and mathematics. It is true in marriages and other human relationships. But it is especially true in reference to the spiritual life. Many are hampered and confused in the spiritual walk by a simple ignorance of the truth. Worse yet, many have been brought into the cruel bondage by false teaching.

Let us therefore apply ourselves to learning what constitutes the spiritual disciplines of study, to identify its pitfalls, to practice it with joy, and to experience the liberation it brings.

What to study?

Study is a specific kind of experience in which through careful attention to reality, the mind is enabled to move in a certain direction. Remember, the mind will always take on an order conforming to the order upon which it concentrates. Perhaps we observe a tree or read a book. We see it, feel it, understand it, draw conclusions from it. And as we do, our thought processes take on an order conforming to the order in the tree or book. When this is done with concentration, perception, and repetition, ingrained habits of thought are formed.

The Old Testament instructs the Israelites to write the laws on gates and doorposts and fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your forehead that 'they shall be as frontlets between your eyes' (Deut. 11:18). The purpose of this instruction is to direct the mind repeatedly and regularly towards certain modes and thought about God and human relationships. A rosary or a prayer wheel has the same objective. Of course, the New Testament replaces laws written on the doorposts with laws written on the heart and leads us to Jesus, our ever-present and inward Teacher.

We must once again emphasis that the ingrained habits of thought that we formed will conform to the order of the thing being studied. What we study determines the kind of habits that are formed, which is why Paul urges us to focus on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and gracious.

The process that occurs in study should be distinguished from meditation. Meditation is devotional, study is analytical. Meditation will relish a word. Study will explicate it. Although meditation and study often overlap, they constitute two distinct experiences. Study provides a certain objective framework within which meditation can successfully function.

In study there are two 'books' to be studied: verbal and non-verbal. Books and lectures, therefore, constitute only half the field of study, perhaps less. The world of nature and, most important, the careful observation of events and actions are the primary non-verbal field of study.

The principal task of study is a perception into the reality of a given situation, encounter, book, etc. we can go through a major crisis, for example, without any perception of the real nature of the tragic situation. But if we carefully observe and reflect upon what occurred, we can learn a great deal.

Four Steps

Study involves four steps. The first is repetition. Repetition regularly channels the mind in a specific direction, thus ingraining habits of thought. We may smile condescendingly at the old teaching method of recitation, but we must realize that sheer repetition without even understanding what is being repeated does affect the inner mind. Ingrained habits of thought can be formed by repetition alone, thus changing behavior. This also is the central rational behind psycho cybernetic, which trains the individual to repeat certain affirmations regularly (for example, I love myself unconditionally). It is not even important that the person believe what he or she is repeating, only that it be repeated. The inner mind is thus trained and will eventually respond by modifying behavior to conform to the affirmation. The principal has, of course, been known for centuries but only recently has it received scientific confirmation.

This is why the issue of television programming is also important. With innumerable murders being portrayed each evening on prime time Television, the repetition alone trains the inner mind in destructive thought patterns.

Concentration is the second step in study. If, in addition to bringing the mind repeatedly to the subject matter, the person will concentrate on what is being studied. The human mind has an incredible ability to concentrate. It constantly receives thousands of stimuli, each one of which is stored in its memory bank while it focuses on only a few. The natural ability of the brain is enhanced when, with singleness of purpose, we centre our attention upon a desired object of study.

We live in a culture that does not value concentration. Distraction is the order of the day. Many will, for example, go through all the activities of the day and evening with the radio on. Some will read a book and watch Television at the same time. Most people find it virtually impossible to go through an entire day focusing on a single thing. We are the lesser for this dissipation of our energies. When we not only repeatedly focus the mind in a particular direction, centering our attention on the subject, but understand what we are studying, we reach a new level.

Comprehension then is the step in the discipline of study. Jesus, as you remember, remind us that it is not just the truth but the knowledge of the truth that sets us free (John 8:32). Comprehension focuses on the knowledge of the truth. All of us have had the experience of reading something over and over and then, all of sudden, we understand what it means. The 'eureka' experience of understanding catapults us on to a new level of growth and freedom. It leads to insight and discernment. It provides the basis for a true perception of reality.

One further step is needed: reflection. Although comprehension defines what we are studying, reflection defines the significance of what we are studying. To reflect, to ruminate, on the events of our time leads us to the inner reality of those events. Reflection brings us to see things from God's perspective … In reflection we come to understand not only our subject matter, but ourselves. Jesus speaks often of ears that do not hear and eyes that do not see. When we ponder the meaning of what we study, we come to hear and see in a new way.

It soon becomes obvious that study demands humility. Study simply cannot happen until we are willing to be subject to the subject matter. We must submit to the system. We must come as student, not teacher. Not only in study directly dependent upon humility, but it is conducive to it. Arrogance and unteachable spirit are mutually exclusive.

All of know persons who have taken some course of study or attained some academic degree who parade their information in an offensive manner. We should feel profound sorrow for such people. They do not understand the spiritual discipline of study. They have mistaken the accumulation of information for knowledge. They equate the spouting of words with wisdom. How tragic! The apostle John defines 'eternal life as the knowledge of God'. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3). Even a touch of this experiential knowledge is sufficient to give us a profound sense of humility.

Now, having laid the basis, let us move on to consider the practical implementation of the discipline of study.

Study of Books

When we consider study, we most naturally think of books or other writings. Though only half of the field as earlier stated, books are most obvious and clearly important. Unfortunately, many seem to think that studying of book is a simple task. No doubt this flippant attitude accounts for the poor reading habits of so many people. Studying a book is an extremely complex matter, especially for the novice. Study is an exacting art involving a labyrinth of details. To convince people that they must learn to study is the major obstacle. Most people assume that because they know how to read words they know how to study. This limited grasp of the nature of study explains why so many people gains so little from reading books.

The first and most important book we are to study is the Bible. The psalmist asks, How can a young man keep his way pure? He then answer his own questions, By living according to your word. And adds, I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Ps. 119:9,11). Probably the 'word' that the psalmist refers to is the Torah, but Christians throughout the centuries have found this to be true in their study throughout scripture. All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16,17). Note that the central purpose is not doctrinal purity (though that is no doubt involved) but inner transformation. We came to the scripture to be changed, not to amass information. We must understand, however, that a vast difference exists between the study of scripture and the devotional reading of scripture. In the study of scripture a high priority is placed upon interpretation: what it means.

All too often people rush to the application stage and bypass the interpretation stage: Also, we are not seeking spiritual ecstasy in study, in fact, ecstasy can be a hindrance. When we study a book of the Bible we are seeking to be controlled by the intent of the author. We are determined to hear what he is saying, not what we want him to say. We want life-transforming truth, not just good feelings. We are willing to pay the price of barren day after barren day until the meaning becomes clear. The process revolutionizes our lives.

The apostle Peter found some things in the epistles of 'our beloved brother Paul' that were 'hard to understand' (2 Peter 3:15,16). If Peter found it so, we will as well. We will need to work at it. Daily devotional reading is certainly commendable but it is not study. Anyone who is after 'a little word from God for today' is not interested in the discipline of study.

For many people, a weekend is a good time for such an experience. Others can arrange a block of time in the middle of the week. If only one day is possible, a Sunday is often excellent.

What should you study? That depends on what you need. One of the great needs among Christians today is simply the reading of large portions of scripture. Remember that the key to the discipline of study is not reading many books, but experiencing what we do read.

Blessed Reading!