I assume you know, but just in case, my English name is Paul.
So when I was a young Christian I always used to end my sermons with Acts 17:11 from the NIV.

“Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
And I would encourage my listeners to go home and be a Berean.

But I also always tried to be a Berean myself.
Whenever I heard any preaching that I wasn’t sure was right, I searched the Bible myself to find out.
Sometimes I was surprised. New teachings. Alternate ways of reading something.
It was always fun to do, and to talk over with mentors or other Christians.

These days it’s way easier with online Bibles, google search, and now even AI, like Chat GPT is pretty quick and accurate at finding verses on a particular subject. They’re all good starting points. But also make sure you ask the Holy Spirit to lead your study, and to bring verses to light which might help you.

I saw a relevant verse drive by on the side of a bus once!

So, what do you think of this idea of “being a Berean” meaning do the research yourself to make sure of everything anyone says?

Here is what Chat GPT came up with…

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There are several Bible verses that encourage a Berean-like attitude—diligently examining Scripture, testing teachings, and seeking truth with an open and noble heart. Here are some key passages:

Testing Everything by Scripture

1 Thessalonians 5:21 – “But test everything; hold fast what is good.”
This aligns with the Bereans’ practice of examining Paul’s message against Scripture.

1 John 4:1 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
Like the Bereans, believers are called to discern truth from falsehood.

Isaiah 8:20 – “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.”
A strong Old Testament principle that echoes the Berean commitment to Scripture.

Searching for Wisdom and Understanding

Proverbs 2:3-5 – “Yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”
This emphasizes a Berean-like hunger for God’s truth.

Psalm 119:10-11 – “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
The Bereans were deeply engaged with Scripture, just as this psalm encourages.

Encouragement to Study and Rightly Handle the Word

2 Timothy 2:15 – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
Paul instructs Timothy to study and correctly interpret the Scriptures, just as the Bereans did.

Joshua 1:8 – “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.”
A constant study of God’s Word is key to wisdom and obedience.

Receiving the Word with a Noble Heart

Luke 8:15 – “As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.”
Like the Bereans, who received the Word eagerly and examined it carefully.

James 1:22 – “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
The Bereans not only studied but also applied what they found to be true.

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Is it right?

I really love the last verse there from James.
Don’t be satisfied with just hearing God’s word and understanding it. DO IT.

It looks like the Bereans were on to something doesn’t it.
Be a Berean.