3 identifying the big idea

7/29/2019 3 Identifying the Big Idea

1/13

Christian TeachingMinistry

Lesson 3

Identifying the Big Idea


2/13

Steps of Bible Study

Observation

Interpretation

Generalization

Application

Implementation

What does it say?

What does it mean?

What is the big idea?

Whats the difference?

What must I change?


3/13

Steps of Bible Study

Observation

Interpretation

Generalization

Application

Implementation

What does it mean?



4/13

Step 2: Interpretation

What does it mean?

Agree or Disagree: Every

passage of scripture hasonly one meaning.

One interpretation

Range of applications

The author had a specificintention when writing.

Our job is to identify theauthors intent.


5/13

Rule 1: Continuity of the

Message Gods Word does not

contradict itself.

How does your passage fitinto the overall message ofScripture?

If the meaning of apassage is unclear,

compare it to clearteaching on the samesubject.

James 2:24You see that a person is

justified by works and not byfaith alone.

Romans 3:28For we hold that one is

justified by faith apart fromworks of the law.


6/13

Rule 2: Context of the

Material A passages meaning is

determined by its context.

A text without a context isa pretext!

How does your passage fitinto the rest of the book?

What is its place in thetrain of thought?

Why did the authorinclude it?

Matthew 4:8-9Again, the Devil took Him to a

very high mountain andshowed Him all the kingdoms

of the world and theirsplendor. And he said to Him,

I will give You all these thingsif You will fall down and

worship me.


7/13

Rule 3: Customary Meaning

Scripture should beinterpreted literally orrealistically.

If the plain sense makessense, seek no othersense!

What is the straightforwardmeaning of your passage?

Summarize the teaching ofyour passage in your ownwords.

I know the answerhasto be Jesusbut it sure sounds like a squirrel to me.


8/13

Incorrect Interpretation

Allegorization

Reads a spiritualmeaning into the text.

Sometimes calledsensusplenior, or fullermeaning.

Example: David andGoliath is a metaphor forfacing our fears in life.

Demythologization

Removes supernaturalelements from the text.

Boils the text down to apresumed historicalevent with a kernel oftruth.

Example: Jesus fed the5000 by setting a goodexample, encouragingeveryone to share.


9/13

Step 3: Generalization


A single-sentencestatement of the mainpoint of the text.

Basic summary of thepassages meaning.

Bridges the gapbetween the Bible andtoday.

Big

Idea


10/13

The Big Idea

How many points should agood sermon (or Biblelesson) have?

ONE!

Helps structure and orderthe lesson.

Brings focus and

consistency to thecommunication process.

Consists of a subject and acomplement

BigIdea

Subject Complement


11/13

The Subject

What is the author talking

about?

Determine the generaltopic of your passage.

Subject of Psalm 1:

Delight in Gods Law

Blessed is the manwho walks not in the counsel of the wicked,nor stands in the way of sinners,nor sits in the seat of scoffers;but his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a treeplanted by streams of waterthat yields its fruit in its season,and its leaf does not wither.In all that he does, he prospers.The wicked are not so,

but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in thejudgment,

nor sinners in the congregation of therighteous;

for the LORD knows the way of therighteous,

but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 1


12/13

The Complement

What is the author sayingabout what he is talkingabout?

Always contains a verb,usually involving some sortof response or result.

Complement of Psalm 1: Guiding people in making

wise choices.

Blessed is the manwho walks not in the counsel of the wicked,nor stands in the way of sinners,nor sits in the seat of scoffers;but his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a treeplanted by streams of waterthat yields its fruit in its season,and its leaf does not wither.In all that he does, he prospers.The wicked are not so,

but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in thejudgment,

nor sinners in the congregation of therighteous;

for the LORD knows the way of therighteous,

but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 1


13/13

Big Idea of Psalm 1

Delight inGods Law

guides

people inmaking wisechoices.

Delight inGods Law

Guiding inwise choices

3 identifying the big idea

Documents