Soon to begin textual studies in our classes Paced as a 5-year survey Opportunity to start coming to Bible class Opportunity to learn more Bible Opportunity to become serious Bible students However, not everyone will be serious students Attend half or less classes Not be prepared for class Not seek to understand Bored with the text

Serious Bible Student What does that mean? What does he / she do?

Serious Bible Student Spends Time in the Text

Spends Time I. in the Text God intends His word to be read Focus should be on the text – not merely about the text Preparing for class = read the text (whether answer questions or not) Do more than a quick reading or scan Reread & reread – see what you didn’t see before Raise questions about how verses / sections/ chapters relate to each other Meditate (1 Tim. 4:15; Josh. 1:8; Psa. 1:2)

Has a Different Attitude Toward Study Serious Bible Student Spends Time in the Text Has a Different Attitude Toward Study

Has a Different Attitude Toward Study II. Has a Different Attitude Toward Study Love for the word Believe the word Crave the word Can understand it Truth seeker who investigates and inquires Reads & studies with interest Serious Student’s Attitude: “This is the word of God” Thus – how much is written – is good Thus – dry sections – are good and important Thus – various accounts – must be good Thus – repetitive material must be good

Serious Bible Student Spends Time in the Text Has a Different Attitude Toward Study Wants to See the Complete Picture

Wants to See the Complete Picture III. Wants to See the Complete Picture See the original intended meaning This is what is called “inductive” Bible study You expose the meaning of the text – rather than impose Far more than merely learning some things from a chapter Bible was written to send a message – what is the message? Why was this book – this chapter, etc. written? One who doesn’t seek the original intended meaning – is not a serious student!

Wants to See the Complete Picture III. Wants to See the Complete Picture See the original intended meaning See the overall message of the Bible Wants to see the “bird’s eye view” of the Bible Wants to see the forest as well as trees One who only sees a few select trees – and not the forest – is not a serious student!

Wants to See the Complete Picture III. Wants to See the Complete Picture See the original intended meaning See the overall message of the Bible See the message of a particular book of the Bible What is the message of Isaiah? What is the point of Romans? What is the theme of Joshua? What is the main thing I am to get from Mark? One who doesn’t want to know the message of a book is not a serious student!

Wants to See the Complete Picture III. Wants to See the Complete Picture See the original intended meaning See the overall message of the Bible See the message of a particular book of the Bible See the message of a section or chapter How does this chapter fit into the message of the book? How does this chapter connect with surrounding chapters? One who doesn’t want to know the message of a chapter is not a serious student!

Wants to See the Complete Picture III. Wants to See the Complete Picture See the original intended meaning See the overall message of the Bible See the message of a particular book of the Bible See the message of a section or chapter See the text in its context That’s the point of growing in knowledge (2 Pet. 3:16-18) Some take passages out of context (v. 16) The danger is that you could be mislead (v. 17) The answer: grow in knowledge (v. 18) Often find a different meaning than we thought – or have used the passage The one who doesn’t want to know the text in its context is not a serious student!

Waldron’s Illustration of Bible Study Bible Stories, Books, Chapters & Verses Are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle

Waldron’s Illustration of Bible Study Bible Stories, Books, Chapters & Verses Are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle Start with one piece – analyze it State the obvious: “blue piece” Others may repeat obvious “Has a blue tint” Go to next: “This one seems to be red” Go to next: “This one different from rest”

Waldron’s Illustration of Bible Study Bible Stories, Books, Chapters & Verses Are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle When we get through Still have a pile of pieces Still don’t see picture Know a lot about parts

Waldron’s Illustration of Bible Study Bible Stories, Books, Chapters & Verses Are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle See how each piece fits into the larger picture See how each fits together Comparison to big picture See how verse fits into chapter See how chapter fits into book See how book fits into theme of Bible

Serious Bible Student Spends Time in the Text Has a Different Attitude Toward Study Wants to See the Complete Picture Seeks Help in Understanding

Seeks Help in Understanding IV. Seeks Help in Understanding Seeking help simply means want to learn Eunuch needed help (Acts 8:30-34) Ezra and other teachers helped explain the law (Neh. 8:7-12) What a teacher does – provides help Serious student will take all help can get!

Seeks Help in Understanding IV. Seeks Help in Understanding Seeking help simply means want to learn Suggestions: things that will help in understanding Good study text Reliable translation (KJV, NKJV, ASV, ESV, NASV) Center reference is very helpful Wide margin is good for notes

Seeks Help in Understanding IV. Seeks Help in Understanding Seeking help simply means want to learn Suggestions: things that will help in understanding Good study text Introductory information (found in good commentary) Who is the author of the book? To whom is it written? When was it written? What is the circumstance that prompted the book? What is the overall theme of this book?

Seeks Help in Understanding IV. Seeks Help in Understanding Seeking help simply means want to learn Suggestions: things that will help in understanding Good study text Introductory information (found in good commentary) Good comparative translations Not all translations are equal Several are good – seek to translate Many are mere paraphrase Yet – may use several for comparison Many are available on-line

Seeks Help in Understanding IV. Seeks Help in Understanding Seeking help simply means want to learn Suggestions: things that will help in understanding Good study text Introductory information (found in good commentary) Good comparative translations Bible timeline Important to know where books, characters, and events fit into the Bible story Some are available on-line / others can be bought

Kings Chronology - 1

Kings Chronology - 2

Kings Chronology - 3

Prophets Chronology

Seeks Help in Understanding IV. Seeks Help in Understanding Seeking help simply means want to learn Suggestions: things that will help in understanding Good study text Introductory information (found in good commentary) Good comparative translations Bible timeline Word studies Concordance (Strong’s – locate & define) Vine’s (Define original word – look up by English) Most Bible programs / apps have these

Seeks Help in Understanding IV. Seeks Help in Understanding Seeking help simply means want to learn Suggestions: things that will help in understanding Good study text Introductory information (found in good commentary) Good comparative translations Bible timeline Word studies Basic commentaries Value: like taking a class from various teachers – make a point or application haven’t considered How to use: start with your conclusion – and see if they can move you off that (look for evidence) Good commentary workbooks are available

Seeks Help in Understanding IV. Seeks Help in Understanding Seeking help simply means want to learn Suggestions: things that will help in understanding Good study text Introductory information (found in good commentary) Good comparative translations Bible timeline Word studies Basic commentaries Good Bible program blueletterbible.org Logos.com olivetree.com powerbible.com

Serious Bible Student Spends Time in the Text Has a Different Attitude Toward Study Wants to See the Complete Picture Seeks Help in Understanding Is Careful about Dangers

Is Careful about Dangers V. Is Careful about Dangers Careful student is well-aware the word can be mishandled 2 Tim. 2:15 – possible to not handle it right 2 Pet. 3:16-18 – word can be twisted 2 Cor. 4:2 – word can be used deceitfully

Is Careful about Dangers V. Is Careful about Dangers Careful student is well-aware the word can be mishandled Some dangers in Bible study Guessing at the meaning – without study or evidence Assuming commentaries are always correct Accepting anyone’s explanation without evidence Assuming most Bible related things on the internet are okay

Be Very Careful About Using the Internet Warning! Be Very Careful About Using the Internet

Serious Bible Student Spends Time in the Text Has a Different Attitude Toward Study Wants to See the Complete Picture Seeks Help in Understanding Is Careful about Dangers Wants to See Application

Wants to See Application VI. Wants to See Application Looks for the practical Bible study is not just for knowing what text says Practical stuff we can use Prov. 18:17 – two sides to the story Matt. 19:4 – should have learned from the story of creation 1 Cor. 14:1-5 – edification comes from word Rev. 4 – God is on his throne and in control 2 Cor. 12 – God’s answer of “no” is for our good Ezek. 3:15 – walk in their shoes gives a different perspective

Wants to See Application VI. Wants to See Application Looks for the practical Look to practice Not just for learning facts and knowing doctrine Be doers of word (Jas. 1:22) Ezra sought the law to do it (Ezra 7:10) May see things we are not doing (i.e. Neh. 8)

Serious Bible Student Spends Time in the Text Has a Different Attitude Toward Study Wants to See the Complete Picture Seeks Help in Understanding Is Careful about Dangers Wants to See Application