In today’s church, a troubling pattern has emerged. Many pastors struggle to write sermons without relying on commercial helps. Teachers no longer labor over the Word, seeking truth through diligent study and prayer; instead, they lean on prepackaged study guides. And if shepherds and teachers fail to depend on the Holy Spirit for wisdom, how can we expect the average believer to grow in knowledge and faith?
This crisis is not new. The prophet Jeremiah warned against such spiritual negligence:
“For My people are fools; they do not know Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they do not know how to do good.” (Jeremiah 4:22, BSB)
Many churches have become spiritual marketplaces, where truth is not sought but purchased, where messages are crafted to entertain rather than transform. Instead of shepherds feeding the flock, we have hired hands distributing mass-produced spiritual fast food—quick, easy, and void of nourishment. Jesus cleansed the temple of those who turned His Father’s house into a den of thieves (Matthew 21:12-13). If He walked into many churches today, would He find a similar scene?
The Call to Return
I would be the first to say that I appreciate study helps. Wise counsel from those who have gone before us is invaluable. We all stand on the shoulders of others, and God has gifted the church with teachers for our growth (Ephesians 4:11-12). But I also see the danger for my own soul—and the souls of others—if I rely too heavily on these resources and neglect the personal, prayerful work of rightly dividing the word of truth.
Paul instructed Timothy,
“Study to show yourself approved by God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15, BSB).
Study requires effort. It demands a seeking heart, a humble dependence on the Holy Spirit, and a love for the truth.
If I were stranded on a remote island with a dozen other people and had nothing but my Bible, would that be enough? Would I be able to shepherd and teach others from God’s Word alone, without the crutch of study guides, sermon outlines, or commentaries? The answer to that question reveals what I truly depend on. The early church had no bookstores filled with Christian resources—only the Holy Scriptures and the Spirit of God. And yet, their faith turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6).
When pastors and teachers abandon the discipline of studying Scripture firsthand, they rob both themselves and their congregations of God’s rich wisdom. They exchange divine revelation for convenience, replacing fresh bread from heaven with stale leftovers from someone else’s table. But Jesus said,
“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4, BSB).
Believers, too, must take responsibility. We are called to be like the Bereans, who “examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true” (Acts 17:11, BSB). If we only consume what is pre-digested, we will never develop spiritual discernment.
A Plea for Revival
The solution is simple, yet costly: a return to the Word and dependence on the Holy Spirit. The church must forsake the shallow waters of commercialized Christianity and wade into the deep, life-changing truth of Scripture. Pastors must once again labor in study and prayer. Teachers must teach from an overflow of what the Spirit has taught them. And believers must hunger for the pure, unfiltered Word of God.
God’s promise remains:
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13, BSB)
The question is, will we seek Him?
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