Bible Study Methods & Contemporary Issues

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Why Study the Bible? State of our Hearts, Minds, Souls, and Bodies -- they are all tied together.

Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods 12 Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God’s Word

Defining The Terms Observation: What do I see? What does the text say? What are the facts? You are dissecting the text. Interpretation: What does it mean? We are to interpret objectively what the author meant.

Defining The Terms Application: How does it work? How will I allow the Bible to transform my life for His glory?

Defining The Terms Exegesis: Ex=“from” or “out of” or “Draw out from” Exegesis is allowing the Bible to speak out to us objectively and for us to draw out from the pages of Scripture the meaning of the text.

Defining The Terms Eisegesis: Eis=into Eisegesis is reading into the text subjectively something that really isn’t there. It is speaking our agenda’s into the Bible, as opposed to allowing God’s agenda speak out to us.

Defining The Terms Literary Genre: Is the literary form that the text falls under and the rules that govern that form. (Ex. Is it poetry or a historical narrative? Is it a metaphor or letter of exposition?)

Defining The Terms Context: Context refers to the authors willed meaning of the passages surrounding the text being study. It is that which follows before and that which follows after, of the that which is being investigated.

Defining The Terms Norms of Language: It’s all the possible meanings a word can have in the original author’s given language. (Ex. The word love has various meanings in our culture.)

Defining The Terms Norms of Utterance: Is the specific meaning that the original author meant by the word, phrase, sentence and so on in the text. The task in interpretation is to discover this one intended original meaning that the author has given to the text.

Defining The Terms Meaning: The meaning of the text is that pattern of meaning that the author willed to convey by the words he used. It’s what the author meant by the words he wrote. A passage will have only one meaning but many possible implications and applications.

Defining The Terms Implications: Implications are those Implications are those meanings in a text of which the author was unaware of but nevertheless legitimately fall within the pattern of meaning he willed. (ex. Eph. 5:18)

Defining The Terms Significance: Significance refers to how a reader responds to the meaning of a text or the application of the meaning to ones life. (Ex. Matthew 28:19-20 The great commission for one may be a Prof. at a Bible college, an over seas missionary, a pastor, being a witness at work, or support missions by giving)

Presenting Rules of Interpretation Context, Context, Context: Consistency Rule: Explicit vs. Implicit: Literal: Golden Rule Scripture interprets Scripture: Creation Ordinance: Literary Genre: Grammar: 3-Legged Stool: (Mouse Click Slide) (See handout) Presenting Rules of Interpretation Context, Context, Context: Literary, Historical, Cultural, Geographical. Only when we know and understand the context in which the text is written will you know how the writer intended the passage to be understood. The immediate literary context surrounding a text is the most valuable context available. (Explain the dangers of “Proof-texting” and give examples.) (Ex. Taxation, Key dates AD 6 &70, capitol punishment, clothing.) Literal: Golden Rule =“If the plain sense makes common sense, seek no other sense.” The Literal or Face Value principle is accepting what is written in its most normal, natural, customary sense. Where the plain truth is plainly stated to be plainly understood. Scripture interprets Scripture: Always let Scripture define Scripture. Let the Bible be your dictionary, search and allow the Scriptures to define the meaning of words, phrases and key ideas. Here again we find the importance of “Context”. We should recognize the profound unity in the Bible. We need to concentrate on the overall theological coherence and unity of all of Scripture. Scripture will never contradict itself so if there seems to be an apparent contradiction we must endeavor to find the common denominator that would harmonize the various passages involved. You do not have truth until you have processed all the passages dealing with a particular subject and found the single solution that accommodates them all. Literary Genre: Is the literary form used that the author’s writings fall under and the rules that govern that particular form. Historical Narrative, Epistles/Letter, Psalms/Poetry, Legal Writings, Prophetic/Apocalyptic, Wisdom Literature, Figurative; Parables, Metaphors, Idioms, Allegory. Each genre has its own certain rules, (ex. Of Prophecy and the “Near/Far principle”) (Would you interpret the figurative form in a wooden literal sense? Give examples, John 6) Even within each particular genre you would still apply the “Literal Rule” (Ex. If the literary genre was a metaphor you would apply the normal, natural, customary rules that pertain to metaphors.)

Presenting the Rules of Observation Questions: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How? Words & Phrases: That are Emphasized, Repeated, Related, Contrasts, Comparisons. (Mouse Click Slide) (See handout) Presenting the Rules of Observation Questions: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How? Asking the right questions of the text is absolutely critical for proper understanding of the text. The better the questions the better the answers. And the more you do it the better you get at it. And you start noticing and seeing things that you never have before, because your honing your observational skills. (Ex. Of bird watching or fishing) (Ask Rock if he can tell by the certain tug on his line what species of fish it is before you even reel it in?) Words & Phrases: That are Emphasized, Repeated, Related, Contrasts, Comparisons, etc.. Emphasized: truly truly, verily verily, behold, indeed, I tell you, Holy, Holy, Holy (Imperative Verbs) Related: and, then, so that, in order that, since, because, for. Progressions and Purpose statements. (Ex. Rom. 8:30) Contrasts: but, yet (1 Cor. 4:10) Comparisons: like, as, also, likewise, just as (Ex. 1 Cor 11:1, John 20:21) Repeated: (Ex. Psalm 119 of a theme that is emphasized.) Holy , Holy, Holy Grammar: Norm of Utterance/Word Meanings, Verbs, Sentence Structure, Subject and Object. What is the best possible way in which to determine word meanings? ( In the Context) The subject of the sentence does the acting and the object is acted upon. Verbs: Are action words that tell us who is doing what. (Tense, Voice & Mood.) Connectives: therefore, likewise, and, but, for Prepositions: In, upon, through, into, by, on Literary Genre: Is the literary form used that the author’s writings fall under. Historical Narrative, Epistles/Letter, Psalms/Poetry, Legal Writings, Prophetic/Apocalyptic, Wisdom Literature, Figurative; Parables, Metaphors, Idioms, Allegory. (Ask for examples of various literary genre’s.) (Next slide)

Presenting the Rules of Observation Grammar: Norm of Utterance/Word Meanings, Sentence Structure, Verbs, Subject and Object. Literary Genre: Historical Narrative, Epistles/Letter, Psalms/Poetry, Legal Writings, Prophetic/Apocalyptic, Wisdom Literature, Figurative; Parables, Metaphors, Idioms, Allegory. (Mouse Click Slide) (See handout) Presenting the Rules of Observation Questions: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How? Asking the right questions of the text is absolutely critical for proper understanding of the text. The better the questions the better the answers. And the more you do it the better you get at it. And you start noticing and seeing things that you never have before, because your honing your observational skills. (Ex. Of bird watching or fishing) (Ask Rock if he can tell by the certain tug on his line what species of fish it is before you even reel it in?) Words & Phrases: That are Emphasized, Repeated, Related, Contrasts, Comparisons, etc.. Emphasized: truly truly, verily verily, behold, indeed, I tell you, Holy, Holy, Holy (Imperative Verbs) Related: and, then, so that, in order that, since, because, for. Progressions and Purpose statements. (Ex. Rom. 8:30) Contrasts: but, yet (1 Cor. 4:10) Comparisons: like, as, also, likewise, just as (Ex. 1 Cor 11:1, John 20:21) Repeated: (Ex. Psalm 119 of a theme that is emphasized.) Holy , Holy, Holy Grammar: Norm of Utterance/Word Meanings, Verbs, Sentence Structure, Subject and Object. What is the best possible way in which to determine word meanings? ( In the Context) The subject of the sentence does the acting and the object is acted upon. Verbs: Are action words that tell us who is doing what. (Tense, Voice & Mood.) Connectives: therefore, likewise, and, but, for Prepositions: In, upon, through, into, by, on Literary Genre: Is the literary form used that the author’s writings fall under. Historical Narrative, Epistles/Letter, Psalms/Poetry, Legal Writings, Prophetic/Apocalyptic, Wisdom Literature, Figurative; Parables, Metaphors, Idioms, Allegory. (Ask for examples of various literary genre’s.) (Next slide)

Some Rules: Ignore the Numbers Context, Context, Context Humility

Chapter Summary Method of Bible Study From Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods

Caption Give the chapter a short, descriptive title. The shorter the title, the more likely you will remember it. Use one word if possible and five words at most. Try to find the key word of the chapter and fit it into your title.

Contents Describe, summarize, paraphrase, outline, or make a list of the major points in a chapter. The method you choose will depend on the literary style of the chapter and on your own preference. Choose the method with which you feel most comfortable and is easy for you to do. Don’t try to interpret the chapter; just make observations on its contents. Record what you feel the writer said.

Chief People List the most important people in the chapter. Ask questions such as, Who are the main people in this chapter? Why are they included? What is significant about them? If the chapter contains pronouns (he, she, they, etc.) you may have to refer to the previous chapter to identify the people. Write down your reasons for choosing certain people as the chief ones of the chapter.

Choice Verse Choose a verse that summarizes the whole chapter or one that speaks to you personally. In some chapters you may find a key verse that summarizes the writer’s argument; in other chapters there may not be a key verse. On occasion you may want to pick a verse from which you will be writing your application, a verse that you believe God would have you apply to your life.

Crucial Word(s) Write down the key word or words of the chapter. Many times the key word will be the one that is used most frequently (“love” in 1 Corinthians 13 and “faith” in Hebrews 11). Sometimes the key word may be the most important word but not the most used one. Also, a chapter may have more than one crucial word.

Cross-References Using the cross-references in your study Bible, look up other verses that help clarify what the chapter is talking about and list them on your form. Ask the question, What else in the Bible helps me understand this chapter? Cross-references are important because they are helpful tools in interpreting the meaning of a chapter, they enable you to see what the Bible as a whole has to say on any given teaching.

Christ Seen The entire Bible is a revelation of the person of Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus used the Old Testament to teach his disciples about himself. Any other scriptures you can think of that have this idea?

Christ Seen On the day of resurrection on the Emmaus road, Jesus taught two of his disciples: “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). As you study the chapter, be alert for statements that tell you something about Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, or God the Father. Ask yourself: What can I learn about the nature of Jesus from this chapter? What attributes of God in Christ are illustrated here? (Some examples: his love, justice, mercy, holiness, power, and faithfulness.)

Central Lesson(s) Write down the major principles, insights, and lessons you learn from this chapter. Ask yourself, Why does God want this passage in the Bible? What does he want to teach me from this chapter? What is the central thought the writer is trying to develop? A possible answer might be “We should be loving in all interpersonal relationships” (1 Cor. 13).

Conclusion This is the application portion of your study. Develop a project to help you implement in your life a lesson you have learned from the chapter or portion. It will benefit you to conclude your chapter summary by asking yourself two questions: 1) How do these truths apply to me personally? and 2) What specifically am I going to do about them?

Bible Study Method: Chapter Summary

Groups Psalm 1 1st Samuel 1 Galatians 1 Titus 1 Habakkuk 1 Revelation 1 Daniel 1 Proverbs 1 1st Corinthians 1 1st John 1 1st Peter 1 Malachi 1

Contemporary Issues Do you think you know what the Bible says about the topic? Y/N Categorize: Relational/Structural or Moral/Ethical