2 Timothy 3:16 tells us

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

1 Peter 2:1-2 tells us

“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”

When you have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, repented of your sin and called on His name, you need to know that you have now become a child of God (see Adoption as a Son), your sin has been forgiven, you have been made righteous before God and received eternal life (see righteousness), you have been redeemed (see redemption). You need to live a holy life (see Understanding Holiness).You now have responsibilities as a child of God. The first is to belong to a church congregation and meet with other believers regularly, the second to pray (as we have explained above)and the third to read the word of God.

We notice from the scripture in Second Timothy that all scripture are given, by God and profitable to a child of God to give instructions for living right with God-it is our instruction manual-for reproof ( –gentle rebuke, reprimand, admonition), to make man of God complete and equipped thoroughly for every good work. For this to happen one needs the correct understanding of scripture.

Correct understanding of scripture is in turn obtained when scripture is studied under guidance and supervision of the men and women given as gifts to the church. Ephesians 4:7,8,11-16

:But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” …11 And He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. 12 For the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, the  trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ- 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

So then God gave gifts to the church in the form of Apostles- special messengers, Prophets, men with gifts to speak forth the mind of God at a given time, Evangelists- men gifted to preach the gospel to cause conversion to Christ, Pastors- shepherds of God’s people and Teachers- preachers with a special endowment to explain scriptures accurately. Please note that Apostles will have gifts that pan across the five- fold ministry and will prophecy, evangelise, shepherd and teach.

The believer then needs to study the word of God under guidance of the five-fold ministry.

Please take note of the following:

a) As a new born babe desire the milk of the word of God- start with understanding the foundational doctrines of salvation (see Needs) and move on to more solid food as you grow in your faith. Desire is key.

b) Be prepared to be corrected, to be given gentle rebuke or reproof

c) Let your mind be renewed with the word of God. Romans 12:2 says “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God.”

d) Get thoroughly equipped, thoroughly furnished for every good work by the correct understanding of the word of God; akin to a well decorated, well skilled and well equipped soldier.

You need to read and study the word of God. I would recommend beginning from the Gospel according to St John, then the Acts of the Apostles and the epistles-then the rest of the Gospels and the entire Bible (in time). Get a version of the bible that you understand well. I would recommend the New King James Version.

Memorise key scriptures starting with John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10, John 1:12, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, 2 Corinthians 5:21.