hen A. J. Cronin was a young physician in rural Scotland, a severe form of scarlet fever broke out. Affecting chiefly the children, the disease showed no signs of abating. When some of his patients began dying, Cronin traced the source of the epidemic to the milk supply from the Shawhead Dairy.

In his book Adventures in Two Worlds,* Cronin tells of entering the barn and finding an employee, Davit, milking a cow. He had a pale, sickly look and a twist of red flannel wrapped around his neck. He had a sore throat, and Cronin noticed that as Davit milked, fine particles of skin were peeling from his hands. This evidence convinced him that Davit had a mild case of scarlet fever and had contaminated the milk.

Just then Shawhead, the owner of the dairy, and Jean, his beautiful young wife, entered the barn. Cronin warned Shawhead that his milk was spreading scarlet fever and suggested that he shut down his dairy for a week or two.

Immediately the veins on Shawhead's forehead stood out, and he couldn't contain himself. "That's enough! I'll hear no more from ye. The very idea! My fine milk contaminated! It's pure sweet milk and always has been. Don't ye know we drink it ourselves?"

Taking a dipper, he plunged it into the milk and drank half of it himself and gave the rest to Jean.

In due course Jean contracted scarlet fever and died a few days later at the age of 26. Her death was made more tragic because it could've been prevented.

Ask the Doctor
Eternal death is just as preventable as Jean's death. But like Shawhead, many people close their minds to the lifesaving truths revealed in the Bible. They refuse to believe that a fatal disease has infected humanity and that only Jesus can save them from eternal death. They need Jesus, the Great Physician, but they don't know it, because they don't study the Bible.

It's just as vital for us to study God's Word, because through it we can develop and maintain a dynamic relationship with Jesus. As a pastor I've seen many neglect Bible study and lose their faith. Happily, I've also seen many develop a dynamic, growing relationship with Jesus through Bible study and prayer and grow into spiritual giants who face life's difficulties knowing that nothing-not hardship, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword-will separate them from "the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:39, NIV). They look forward to Jesus' second coming because He's coming for them.

If you want to develop a closer relationship with Jesus, here are some practical pointers about Bible study that can help.

Starting Points
1. Make a distinction between means and ends. In Jesus' day religious leaders confused ends and means in their Bible study. Jesus warned them, "You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me" (John 5:39, RSV).

Imagine! These experts could recite entire chapters of the Scriptures from memory, just as we can the alphabet. Yet they didn't understand that the Scriptures are a transcript of God's character. Consequently, they missed the significance of Jesus' life and ministry. Instead of accepting Him as Savior and Lord, they crucified Him.

Jesus was telling them that knowing the Bible cannot save; only He can save. But the Bible reveals Jesus, who died on the cross to save us from the penalty of sin (justification), who lives to give us victory over the power of sin (sanctification), and who is coming to deliver us from the presence of sin (glorification) when He returns.

These profound truths give focus to our study, because we don't want to leave a biblical passage until we've related it to Jesus. This isn't an easy task, but the Holy Spirit is our aid in helping us make this vital connection; He knows that Scripture and doctrines are lifeless when separated from Jesus.

Study the Bible in faith, seeking understanding, not in cynicism, skepticism, and smugness. The more we study with an attitude of humility, openness, and expectancy, the more our faith will grow, because "faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ" (Rom. 10:17, NIV).

Before beginning our adventure in Bible study, we need to come to grips with what it means to have a saving faith in Jesus. Answer this question: Do you know that if you died right now, you'd have eternal life?

For many years I said no to this question. I thought that Jesus gave me "seed money" by dying on the cross for my sins, but after that I had to earn my own salvation. But this belief gave me no assurance of salvation and no peace. Then I wrestled with Scripture until I could answer the question of my eternal destiny with a resounding yes. Immediately the Bible came alive in a new way, and since then it has consistently pointed me to Jesus.

When I understood that Jesus offers me salvation as a gift, not as a wage I earn by my good behavior, I had assurance of salvation in Jesus. It's not cheap grace, because it cost Jesus His life on the cross. Neither is it the unbiblical belief of "once saved, always saved," because I am always free to say no to Jesus and fall out of grace. It's within the security of salvation that we grow more and more like Jesus.

So if you're tentative about your salvation, make coming to grips with this issue your first priority of Bible study.

2. Have the right tools. I suggest the following tools for life-changing Bible study: a good study Bible, books by Ellen G. White (your pastor can help you select and find appropriate ones), a concordance, a Bible atlas, and a Bible dictionary.

If you can't afford to buy all the tools you need, buy them gradually, or borrow them from a library, perhaps your church library. Sometimes you can find great bargains at the Adventist Book Center or used book stores. Ask your pastor or a Bible student you respect for help in making the right selections. If you begin your study with a book of the Bible, get a good commentary on that book. These tools are no substitute for prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but they can help you better understand the setting of Scripture.

3. Have the right approach. Begin with one book of the Bible, and study it until you've studied all of it. For starters I suggest that you study the four Gospels in this order-Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John-in conjunction with Ellen White's book The Desire of Ages. This study should take you about a year, but take your time; enjoy the adventure of learning more about Jesus.

After the Gospels, study through the books of Acts, Revelation, and the writings of Paul. If you prefer, study Old Testament books, such as Genesis, Daniel, and the minor prophets. Sprinkle your study with devotional reading from Psalms and Isaiah (especially chapter 39 and onward).

When you feel confident in your Bible study, branch out into the study of biblical themes and doctrines. Your challenge will be to relate them all to Jesus. In fact, when you understand all the doctrines in a Christ-centered way, put them together in a systematic mosaic, and you'll have a masterpiece of Jesus.

You're in for one of the great adventures of your life.

*A. J. Cronin, Adventures in Two Worlds (New York: Bantam Books, 1962), pp. 42-50.

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Arthur R. Torres is senior pastor of the Seventh-day Adventist church in Garden Grove, California.