Progress normally involves having a simple plan and following it. Success in football starts with a few basic skills well practised. In learning to cook, we do not start out with a complicated meal, but with simple tasks. Even the complex dish is cooked using the basic skills. Growth in our walk with the Lord takes time and effort but is really fairly simple, as is seen in this brief statement from Ezra, “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel” (Ezra 7:10, ESV).
Ezra had a simple three-part plan for his life. These same three goals would make every one of us better followers of the Lord.
First, he had 'set his heart' to study the law of the Lord. There is a difference between forced study and study because we have set our hearts on it. Those 'devoted' or 'dedicated' to an activity make better progress.
There are certain methods of study that are more productive than others. But persistence and devotion are often more important than method. A mediocre method will succeed if carried out. The perfect method will fail if not really practised.
So, let us study the scriptures often -- a little each day, and a longer study at least once per week. Let us talk over what we are learning with other faithful lovers of God. And let us practise what we are learning, which brings us to the next thing about Ezra.
He set his heart not only to study the law but to do it. Those who practice what they are learning learn the best. Who learns to ride a bicycle the one who reads about it or the one who gets on and tries to ride? Who learns to cook the one who reads about cooking or the one who cooks? Those who complain, “I just cannot understand the Bible” are often people who look upon the Bible as a riddle to be solved rather than a way of life to be followed. Understanding comes with action. Those who only study, without doing, do not learn much.
Lastly, Ezra not only studied and practised, he taught it to his people. So many people excuse themselves from any form of teaching. The teacher learns more than the student, yet we do not attempt to teach. We should not all become “teachers” (James 3:1); but everyone has someone that they ought to teach. Ezra was not prepared to be a missionary. He was teaching his fellow Israelites. Some cannot even do that. Some are too shy to teach even among their own nation. But even these must teach their own family (Dt. 6:7, 20-21; Eph 6:4).
Study. Do. Teach. It is a simple plan. It worked for Ezra; and it will work for us.