1. Unlocking God’s Word How to Study the Bible

2. First, I shake the whole apple tree [study the Bible as a whole], that the ripest might fall. Then I climb the tree and shake each limb [study of a whole book], and then each branch [study of a chapter of a book] and then each twig [study of the paragraphs and sentences], and then I look under each leaf [study of single words].” ~Martin Luther

3. Gain a sweeping overview of an entire book.

4.  Allows one to master the general contents of a book  Reveals how each part of the book is related  Ensures proper emphasis on each point

5.  Study Bible  Several Contemporary translations  Bible Dictionary or Encyclopedia  Bible Handbook

6. Ephesians

7. 1. One Sitting 2. Recent Translation 3. Rapidly (ignore chapter divisions) 4. Repeatedly 5. With Pen and Paper

8.  Nine items to be looking for as you read

9. QuestionsExample  Is the book history? ◦ Poetry? ◦ Prophecy? ◦ Law? ◦ A biography? ◦ A letter?  New Testament Letter (Epistle)

10. QuestionsExample  What is the first impression you get from the book?  What do you think is the purpose of the writer?  What “feel” do you get from reading it?  This is a book about unity and relationships.  Strongly doctrinal.

11. QuestionsExample  What are some of the significant words the writer uses?  What words are repeated the most?  What word or words is he emphasizing?  Chosen  Redemption  One  Unity

12. QuestionsExample  What seems to be the key verse (if any)?  What ideas or phrases are repeated that may show his main thought?  What is the writer’s key statement?  4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

13. QuestionsExample  Is the book narrative? ◦ A drama? ◦ A personal letter? ◦ A discourse? ◦ Poetry? ◦ A combination?  Does the write use figurative language?  Is he using a logical argument?  A general letter interrupted with two worshipful (spontaneous?) prayers

14. QuestionsExample  Is the writer angry? ◦ Sad? ◦ Happy? ◦ Worried? ◦ Excited? ◦ Depressed? ◦ Calm?  How do you think his hearers must have felt?  How does it make you feel?  Upbeat and passionate  It has a “manifesto” tone ◦ Intention of reminding the readers who they are ◦ Then challenging them to their responsibilities.

15. QuestionsExample  What is the main theme?  Is there more than one?  What is the writer saying?  What is his major emphasis?  We are to be unified because of Jesus Christ (“in Christ”)  Our responsibilities in relationships.

16. QuestionsExample  Are there obvious divisions of thought in the book?  How is the book organized? ◦ Around people? ◦ Events? ◦ Places? ◦ Ideas? ◦ Time spans?  Two major divisions separated by a “therefore.” (4:1)  In the first part, two prayers are recorded.

17. QuestionsExample  Who are the principle personalities in the book?  Which people are mentioned the most?  What parts do they play in the book?  Paul  The Ephesian Church  Evil Forces

18.  What do I know about the writer(s)?  When was the book written?  Where was the book written?  To whom was it written? Who were they?  Why was the book written?

19. Ephesians  Read your example later…

20.  An analysis method that DIAGRAMS the contents of a book  Allows you to visually see the books contents in division  Like a roadmap

21.  Helps summarize the main ideas and contents  See the entire contents of the book at a glance  Helps discover relationships between chapters and paragraphs  Raises awareness of ideas that are repeated  Serves as a memory device to recall the chapter’s content quickly  Enables one to think through a book and remember it

22. Ephesians Who the Members of the Church Are 1:1 – 3:21 What the Members of the Church are to do 4:1-6:24 1234:1-5:215:22-6:96:10-20 Who the Members of the Church Are 1:1 – 3:21 What the Members of the Church are to do 4:1-6:24 1234:1-5:215:22-6:96:10-20 Chosen by God Saved By Christ Empowered by the Holy Spirit Who the Members of the Church Are 1:1 – 3:21 What the Members of the Church are to do 4:1-6:24 1234:1-5:215:22-6:96:10-20 Chosen by God Saved By Christ Empowered by the Holy Spirit Three doxologies separate the work of the Trinity Who the Members of the Church Are 1:1 – 3:21 What the Members of the Church are to do 4:1-6:24 1234:1-5:215:22-6:96:10-20 Chosen by God Saved By Christ Empowered by the Holy Spirit Three doxologies separate the work of the Trinity Paul’s First Prayer

23.  Outline the high points of the book  Refer to your horizontal chart  Outline from major to minor ◦ Major divisions first  Subdivisions (Chapters)  Important points (Paragraphs)  Look at paragraph divisions for clues in outlining  Afterwards, compare it with as many others as you can

24. Ephesians I. The Disposition of Christians (1-3) A.Chosen by God (1) [Ends in Prayer] B.Saved by Christ (2) C.Empowered by the Holy Spirit (3) II. The Duty of Christians (4-6) A.Their responsibilities (4:1-5:21) B.Their relationships (5:22-6:9) C.Their resistance to evil (6:10-20) Concluding remarks (6:21-24)

25.  Select one thing the Lord spoke to you about and write an application statement.  4 “P’s”

26. Unlocking God’s Word How to Study the Bible