1. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

2. Basic Bible Interpretation 2 Peter 1:20-21 & Selected Scriptures
Peter & the other apostles gave eyewitness accounts of the life & teachings of Jesus
They became bold after the resurrection
The origin of the Bible is in God, not the myths, fables, stories, musings or speculations of man

3. Basic Bible Interpretation 2 Peter 1:20-21 & Selected Scriptures
A Biblical mindset is characterized by striving to be transformed by the renewing of your mind
It is very difficult to develop a Biblical mindset if you do not know how to study God’s word for yourself

4. Basic Bible Interpretation 2 Peter 1:20-21 & Selected Scriptures
The key to protecting yourself & others from false teachers is comparing their teachings against the Bible
Biblical interpretation is not a matter of one’s opinion.
We must handle the word of truth accurately – 2 Timothy 2:15

5. Wrong Methods
Allegorical - the Bible is a collection of stories that reveal a hidden meaning.
Arose in Gentile Christianity, continues in Roman Catholicism, orthodox & mainline denominations
Gives multiple interpretations
Can be very fanciful

6. Wrong Methods
Devotional / Mystical - the Bible is spiritual food for edification
Often uses excessive typology & allegory
Seeking to apply the Bible to life is good, but interpreting it by one’s own thoughts & feelings is bad

7. Wrong Methods
Rationalism - Whatever is not in harmony with a materialistic paradigm is to be rejected.
The approach of theological liberals in rejecting
Genesis 1-11 as history
The deity & miracles of Jesus

8. The Grammatical - Historical Method
Primacy is given to the language & historical settings to determining the meaning of the writer
Word definitions & grammar are put in their historical context
Literary types are interpreted accordingly (poetry, didactic, wisdom, prophecy, prose, historical narrative, various figures of speech, etc.)

9. The Grammatical - Historical Method
It accepts God as He reveals Himself
Genesis 1-11 is historical narrative
Prophecy is true
Jesus is God & performed miracles, died for man’s sin & rose again
Some theological systems selectively use various methods as needed to support their system

10. Preparation for Bible Study
Be a disciple of Jesus Corinthians 2:12-16
The Holy Spirit enables us to understand & apply God’s word
Pray
Confess sins (Ps 139:23-24; 1 Jn 1:9)
Ask for wisdom (James 1:5)

11. Preparation for Bible Study
Humbly seek to discover what the Scriptures mean:
The Inductive method – exegesis
Trying to make the Bible back up pre- conceived ideas:
The Deductive method – eisegesis
Proof-texting – Improper Bible study

12. Proper Biblical Interpretation
Hermeneutics – proper Bible study
Observation - What does this say?
Read - become familiar with the book in which the passage you are studying occurs.
Write notes & ? for later study
Helpful to read several times, & in different versions.

13. Types of Bible Translations
Literal: strive to render word for word as possible
Excellent for in depth Bible study
KJV, NKJV, NAS, ESV, Darby, Young’s

14. Types of Bible Translations
Dynamic Equivalence: strives to translate thought / idea
Good for reading – NIV
Fair for general study

15. Types of Bible Translations
Paraphrase: strives to make it more understandable to the reader
Extremely poor for Bible study
original Living Bible

16. Proper Biblical Interpretation
Set the context:
How does the passage fit in with:
Surrounding passages,
Its book,
All of Scripture?
What type of literature is it?
The first rule of Bible study: Context is King!

17. Proper Biblical Interpretation
Lexical Study: Carefully define important and unfamiliar words
Grammatical Study:
Identify type (verb, participle, noun, adjective, adverbs, prepositions, etc
Identify their respective tenses, moods, cases, person, number, etc.

18. Proper Biblical Interpretation
Syntactical Study:
Identify sentence structure - main thought & supporting phrases
Note repeated words, cause & effect statements, commands, figures of speech, linking words

19. Proper Biblical Interpretation
Questions:
Who? What? When? Where? Why? & How?
Any other questions that come to mind.

20. Proper Biblical Interpretation
Comparison with related passages:
Parallel passages – same events
Topical similarity – same subject
Usage of the same words / phrases

21. Proper Biblical Interpretation
Interpretation - What did this mean to those to whom it was first written?
Gather information on the history & culture of those mentioned, geographical features of places.
Paraphrase the passage in your own words - keep it simple, but accurate

22. Proper Biblical Interpretation
Application - How does this apply to my life?
This requires an understanding of the passage, its principles of truth and a commitment to obey them

23. Proper Biblical Interpretation
Questions for self examination:
How does it affect my
Attitudes,
Knowledge,
Behavior,
Relationships,

24. Proper Biblical Interpretation
Questions for self examination:
What does it reveal about my
Motives,
Values,
Priorities,
Character

25. Realistic Bible Study
We do most of these things nearly automatically with most things we read
Use these steps when:
You do not understand,
A question arises,
To understand in depth

26. Bible Study Aides
Computer programs make information available in moments that used to take hours.
List of different Bible study aides
Bible study outline sheet

27. Conclusions
God has done His part in communicating His word to us
We must read & study to understand it.
It can be hard work – 2 Peter 3:16
Not all questions are answered – Deut. 29:29

28. Conclusions
Will you make Bible study a priority in your life?
Will you receive the blessings of Ps 19?
A restored soul
A rejoicing heart
Enlightened eyes
Wisdom

29. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ