Studying the Bible

The LHMM discourages the direct study of the Bible in a class setting...as in a verse by verse study of a particular book. (See Present Truth magazine July-Aug 1984 #592) In that article, it is called "textbookism" (or "open" study) as opposed to "topical textism" (also called "Berean Bible Study") which would be the studying of the Studies in the Scriptures volumes in a subject manner order determined by their literature with Scriptures used as proofs for the various points.
Some objections presented are the following:
* God did not design the Bible to be a textbook so we should not use it as one
* God's special servants have been used to help us understand the Bible and we should avoid interpreting it ourselves

Some references:
E7 p.223-224 Extreme Textbookism repudiates the Truth and thus brings one into the second death class. Textbooksim...where so called open Bible study that is study of Biblical books chapter by chapter and verse by verse.
E5 p.136 Mild form of Textbookism – In the second of these forms it sets aside the “Studies in the Scriptures” as text-books, using the Bible as such, and doubtless results in one’s being remanded to the Great Company.

2 Tim. 3:16,17: "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." It doesn't say "the writings of those who interpret the scriptures," etc. Every book of the Bible, except maybe Proverbs, is written within a context, and each verse has a place in that context. Topical study of the Bible can help us to understand it, but if we never see the context of the verses we read, how will we really know what it says?

Jesus said in John 16:13, "When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth." He didn't say "the interpreters of scripture". This doesn't mean others aren't used to help us understand, but it does point us to the source!

If Berean Bible study is the only correct method what literature apart from the Scriptures did the Bereans use to guide their study?
Acts 17:11 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.

Is it possible that Johnson discourages direct study of the Scriptures because people may come to different conclusions that do not agree with what has been written in his books? If so, why would he fear this?

Do you believe you should not study the Bible directly?
How would we determine who "God's special servants" are?