how to study your bible

How to Study your Bible

II Timothy 2:15

II Timothy 3:16

1 Peter 1:23 (NIV) “For you have been born again… through the living and enduring word of God”

1 Peter 2:2 (NIV) “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation”


What is the goal of Bible study?

1. Understand the Bible (more than an academic exercise)

2. Enhance our knowledge of God

3. Find the will for our lives based on His truth

4. Make us more like Jesus

5. Equip us better to serve

6. Teach others


MEANING vs. SIGNIFICANCE

“The Bible means different things to different people.”

“People can make that book say anything they want.”

“What does this passage mean to you?”


The Problem

If any given passage can “mean” anything – if there is no such thing as a “only one meaning” of a text – then the Bible has no authority and no relevancy.

If any given passage has many meanings than the “truth” of the text is constantly changing!

If any given passage has many meanings than the “meaning” of the text is being determined by the reader of the text and not the author!


MEANING vs. SIGNIFICANCEA passage can have only have the MEANING (singular) the

Author intended.

The SIGNIFICANCE of the meaning in the life of the reader may vary (plural).

Luke 18:10-14

Meaning – dependence on God’s grace

Significance

Rebuke!

Comfort and hope


The foundational principle of Bible study is to preserve the integrity of the meaning.

A

I

M


The foundational principle of Bible study is to preserve the integrity of the meaning.

A: Author’s

I: Intended

M: Meaning

HOW?


If we want to understand the biblical text, we must always ask, “What meaning did the author intend to convey?”


Three Progressive Objectives

Exposition

Interpretation

Application


Objective Understanding Benefit Means

“Exposition” Original Meaning Historical or Doctrinal Understanding

Five Stages of Analysis

“Interpretation” Contemporary Significance

Relevance for Present Times

Timeless Principles or Parallel Life Situations

“Application” Personal Life Relevance

God-Pleasing Life and Faithful Service

Meditation and Reflection (Conviction of the Holy Spirit)


Basic Principles of ExpositionFive Stages of Investigating a Bible Passage

1.Survey the Background

2.Examine the Context

3.Analyze the Grammar

4.Define the Words

5.Consult the Commentaries


1. Survey the Background

Reconstruct the historical and cultural background of our

text.

Book level

Passage level


2. Examine the Context

“the rest of the text”

Immediate context

Remote context


3. Analyze the Grammar

4. Define the Words

5. Consult the Commentaries






4.Define the Words



Choosing a Bible?

Study Bibles??? (benefits & risks)

Choosing a Passage to Study?1.Systematic

2.Personally Difficult

3.Theological Significance

4.Controversial

5.Personal Situation

6.“Go Backs”


Surveying the Background

Whenever we study the Bible we find ourselves in a foreign land. Thanks to the diligent work of our translators, we have the text in our language. But the times, the places, the people, and the customs are not those of our own daily world.

Our first goal is to locate the passage within its original setting – the life situation of the author and his immediate audience.



Each part of the Bible was written at a particular time, by particular people, in particular places, to particular people, in particular places, and for particular reasons.

God by His revelation reveals a timeless message fixed by the limits of time and space.

In order words, in order to discover what the Bible means we must discover what the Bible meant.



In pursuit of our major A.I.M., then, the specific goals of “Surveying the Background” can be summarized as follows:

1. To reconstruct the original life situation of both the author and the target audience.

2. To understand the historical and cultural significance of specific references within

the text.

3. To understand the text in the same way as the original audience as possible.



Who was the author of the text? What else does the Bible tells us about him?

What was the place of origin for the text? Why was the author there? What was happening there?

Who were the recipients of the text? For whom was it intended? Where did they live? What was happening there?



What was the date of the text? What was happening in the lives of the sender(s) and receiver(s) at this time?

What was the occasion of the text? For what purpose was it written? What problem was it designed to solve? What need was it designed to meet? What questions was it designed to answer?

What is the literary form of the text? In what style was it written?



What people are mentioned in the passage? Are any individual persons named? Are any groups of people named?

What places are mentioned in the passage? Where are these places? What significant events occurred there? Why were they significant at the time of writing? Do they possess any religious, political or geographical significance?



Does the passage refer to any physical objects which may have had any particular significance?

Do any of the customs or practices mentioned in the text seem to have particular historical or cultural significance?


Bible Dictionary

The New International Dictionary of the Bible (Zondervan)

The New Bible Dictionary (InterVarsity Press)

Bible Encyclopedia

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (Eerdmans)

The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Encyclopdia

Bible Atlas

The Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible

The New Bible Atlas (InterVarsity Press)


Colossians 1:15-20


Colossians 1:15-20When did Paul write the letter and what was his situation at the time?

58 – 64 AD; In prison at Rome

What was Paul’s relationship with this church?

He had never been there.

Who help start this church and who was one of its members?

Epaphras; Onesimus

Why did Paul write this letter? (Describe the problem there?)

Because of what Epaphras had told him. Judaistic Christians seeking to overthrow the faith of the Colossians. Native beliefs and superstitions. Maybe, Gnosticism.


Colossians 1:15-20

Why is Colossians called Colossians?

How did the city get its name?

Collossinus

Find Colosse on a map

What is an epistle?

An official letter


Colossians 1:15-20

What were the teachings of Gnosticism?Claimed a special knowledge above ordinary Christians by

special revelation.

Flesh (evil) cannot co-exist with spirit (good)

Belief in a Demiurge

Christ never became a man.

No “Trinity” and no freewill

Two extremes “asceticism” or “licentiousness”

Mixture of religion and philosophy

Old Testament was not inspired


Colossians 1:15-20

What special privileges did the firstborn in this culture enjoy? How does this apply to Jesus?

Succeeded his father as head of the house

Double portion

Christ is the head of creation and the church

Why is Psalm 89:27 a cross reference for our text?It is not about birth but privilege


Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV) 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.





4.Define the Words



Examine the Context“The rest of the text”

Reading passages in their context is absolutely essential for understanding the A.I.M.

Have you ever been taken “out of context?”

Two levels of context – Immediate and Remote

Immediate – the boundaries provided by the book.

The first boundary consists of the verses which you find directly preceding or following your text of study.

Gradually expands – paragraphs, chapters, sections until you grasp how your text fits into the author’s plan of the book.


Examine the ContextRemote context refers to the relationship between the

passage being studied and the rest of the “Book.”

We have an obligation to understand any particular passage in light of what the entire Bible has to say.

We need to test our understanding of every passage in light of other scriptures.

It will also enable us to use clear passages to help understand unclear passages.


Immediate Context

1. Read the entire book in a single sitting.

2. Make or read an outline of the book.

3. Make a theme sentence.

4. Locate the passage within the plan of the book.

5. Look for connecting words


Immediate Context





Immediate Context


Find the paragraph.

How does the preceding paragraph “prepare” your paragraph?

How does your paragraph “prepare” for the next paragraph?

Be careful with chapter and verse divisions or section headings (Eph. 5:21-22)


Immediate Context


“Therefore”

“But”, “Since”, “After”, “So”, “And”


Remote Context

A job that never ends!

Anytime we learn something new from God’s word we increase our knowledge of remote context.

We should never assume that any single verse or passage exhausts what the Bible says about a subject. (for example Rom. 10:13)


Remote Context

Cross-References and Parallel Passages

Eliminate and demand

God never contradicts himself

Same idea expressed clearer


Remote Context

Cross-References and Parallel Passages

Eliminate and demand

God never contradicts himself

Same idea expressed clearer

Topical Bible

Thompson Chain Reference Bible


Colossians 1:15-20

1. Read the entire letter.

Key passages which provide clues to the purpose or problem

Repeated words or subjects


Immediate Context







Remote Context

Cross-references in your Bible.

Nave’s Topical Bible






4.Define the Words



1

I Corinthians 11:25-29 (KJV) 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 27

Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.


Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.


What doe it mean to eat and drink UNWORTHILY?

Is Paul saying…

1. Whosoever is unworthy should not partake?

2. It should not be taken in an unworthy way?


Unworthy: adjective, unworthier, unworthiest.

1. not worthy; lacking worth or excellence.

2. beneath the dignity (usually followed by of): behavior unworthy of a king.

3. of a kind not worthy (often followed by of).

4. not of adequate merit or character.

5. not commendable or creditable.

6. not deserving.

Related forms - unworthily, adverb; unworthiness, noun


Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.


“Unworthily”… is it an adverb or Adjective?


John 21:11-15 (KJV) 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. 15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of

Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.


“These” is a demonstrative pronoun.

It is the plural form of “this.”

Webster defines as “the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned.”


John 21:11-15 (KJV) 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. 15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of

Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.


Analyzing the Grammar1. Start with words or sections of scripture that are unclear

to you.

2. Compare different versions of the Bible.

3. Look up words in a dictionary

4. Remember even the little words are important.






4.Define the Words



Define the Words

-Precise-

-Exciting-

-Tools-


Define the WordsTwo very important Principles

1.Any word has the potential to have several meanings.

2.The meaning of a word is determined by its context.


Coat

Trunk


Define the WordsGoals

1.Determine possible definitions

2.Decide which definitions best fit the context (immediate and remote)


Define the WordsWhich words?

Repeated words

Difficult words

“Theological” words

Variant words


Define the WordsHow to do a word study

1.Compare different versions

2.Identify the Greek, Hebrew or Aramaic

3.Survey how the word is used throughout the Bible

4.Consult an “Expository” dictionary



1.Compare different versions2.Identify the Greek, Hebrew or Aramaic




John 21:15-17 (KJV) 15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.


John 21:15-17 (KJV) 15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter,

Simon, son of Jonas lovest thou me more than these?

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.



1.Compare different versions

2.Identify the Greek, Hebrew or Aramaic








4.Define the Words



how to study your bible

Documents

bible passage

goal of bible study

study bibles

meaning dependence

meaning singular

given passage

biblical text

book level passage level