profitable devotions — the abc's of bible study - service-life.com

Leader’s Guide and Student Questions

Discussion material for high school youth groupswritten from a reformed perspective

Profitable Devotions —The ABC’s

of Bible Study


of Bible StudyLeader’s Guide

Rev. Mike Schout

Profitable Devotions — The ABC’s of Bible Study — Page 1

Introduction

The story is told of a lady who had a strange way of studying the Bible, which she later had to abandon. Each day, early in the morning, she would flip through the pages of Scripture with her eyes closed until her finger stopped on a particular verse. She would then open her eyes and make that verse her inspiration for her day. On one occasion, after seeing where her finger had landed, she discovered the following verse: “Judas went out and hanged himself.” That wouldn’t do. Perhaps if she tried it again, God would send something a little more applicable. The next time her finger hit the verse it read, “Go thou and do likewise.” Perplexed, she thought she’d give it one more try. This time it read, “What thou doest, do quickly.”

Although this story is a humorous illustration of what can go wrong when we study the Bible in the wrong way, perhaps it isn’t all that farfetched. Maybe that’s exactly how you feel. You know you’re supposed to have devotions, and hopefully you desire those devotions to be profitable, yet you lack the tools.

Could it be that part of the challenge of studying the Bible consistently and effectively is that we are unequipped, and therefore intimidated by this task? The Bible is big. Sixty-six books, spanning a period of more than 1,500 years. Multiple authors, varying genres, and countless names and events. The Bible is also unique. It’s unlike any other book. God wrote it. It comes with a heavenly authority. And the Bible is also ancient. It was written to people in foreign cultures, who lived a long time ago. It sometimes feels so far removed from our experience. What, to cite just one example, do the civil laws in Leviticus have to do with me in my twenty-first century western context?

The following material is intended to provide you with some basic, yet essential, tools for the task that theologians refer to as hermeneutics; that is, how to study and interpret the Scriptures. We are called to be surgeons of the Word, studying the body of the Bible with the utmost care, lest we misunderstand it, misinterpret it, and misapply its truths.

Countless books have been written on this subject, many of them extremely helpful. Yet most of those books, at least in my experience, are themselves just as intimidating as the task of Bible interpretation. Let’s try to simplify. We need some basic building blocks – so here are the ABC’s of study.

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the

thoughts and intents of the heart.’” Hebrews 4:12

— Profitable Devotions — The ABC’s of Bible Study

Chapter 1: Attitude

Leader’s Note: The goal of this lesson is to instill in the students an awareness of the challenges which stand in our way of fruitful study, as well as the appropriate attitude by which to come to the Word of God in light of those challenges. The way in which we view and approach the Scriptures will have major ramifications in terms of the effect they have on us. Incredibly, though we come to read the Bible, the Bible often ends up reading us. Our attitude is crucial.

1. What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles to having consistent and fruitful devotions?

Answers should include the following: busyness laziness distractions spiritual warfare: the devil, the world, and the flesh intimidating

2. Have you ever considered the task of studying the Bible to be intimidating? If so, how?

The Bible is ancient in time and context. The Bible is big in size and scope. The Bible is clear in many places, but sometimes confusing in others. It can be difficult to know how to apply passages to our own experience.

Prayerfully

3. Why is prayer essential before reading and studying the Word of God?

Without the Spirit’s illumination, our reading is in vain. We are not naturally disposed to the Bible, but rather fight against it.

Leader’s Note: have the students look up the following verses, borrowed from Pastor John Piper of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN.

Incline my heart (Ps. 119:36)Open my eyes (Ps. 119:18)Unite my heart (Ps. 86:11) Satisfy me (Ps. 90:14)


Expectantly

Leader’s Note: understanding the nature of God’s Word should radically change our expectation of reading the Word. It’s living and active!

Look up Isaiah 55:1-11

4. Why, according to this passage, should we come to the Word with a sense of expectation?

Because the Word never fails; God always accomplishes His purposes through it. Ancient Words, ever true, changing me, changing you.

5. How should our confidence in the Word’s power influence our attitude about sharing it with others?

Our responsibility is to give the Word, to plant the seeds, to offer the words of life. But God will bring about His purposes – either by way of salvation or by way of judgment. To Him be the glory!

Reverently

Leader’s Note: The Bible is unlike any other book, ever. Our approach should be one of reverence, befitting the author of the Word.

6. How is the Bible different than other books? How should this change our attitude towards it?

The Bible is the Word of God. It has been breathed out by Him. The Scriptures are inspired, inerrant, and infallible. We should come to the Scriptures with reverence.

7. Look up Isaiah 66:2. What does it mean to tremble at God’s Word?

To approach it with an attitude of awe; to avoid reading it flippantly, or thoughtlessly.

Leader’s Note: As you bring this lesson to a close, make sure to reemphasize the importance of coming to the Word with the proper attitude: prayerfully, expectantly, and reverently. Exhort the students to be on their guard in light of the enemies we face. The last thing the devil wants to see is young people treasuring and digesting and loving the Word of God. Fight the good fight of faith!


Chapter 2: Big Picture

Leader’s Note: The purpose of this lesson is to drive home the point that the Bible is a story about Jesus Christ. From Genesis to Revelation is the unfolding drama of redemption in which God, out of sheer grace, calls sinners to Himself through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. As big as the Bible is, it’s easy to overcomplicate things. Make sure the students see the big picture of the forest before they start trying to make sense of the trees.

1. On a piece of paper, write down in one sentence or less what the Bible is about. Share your thoughts.

Answers will vary. Hopefully many of the students will answer, “Jesus.”

Leader’s Note: Give them ample time to wrestle with this question. If they are intimidated by sharing their thoughts with the group, try to ask some prodding questions such as: is the Bible about you or God? Is it about believing or doing? Is there one story, or multiple stories? Convince them that while the Bible is about a number of things, its main thing hinges on God’s story of redeeming love through Jesus Christ.

2. Why is seeing the big picture so important when it comes to interpreting the Bible?

If we ignore the big picture of redemption, we will miss the central message.

3. Turn to Genesis 3:15. Why is this verse important for understanding the big picture?

Genesis 3:15 announces the great battle between the Serpent and the seed of the woman. The Bible unfolds and develops this theme throughout.

4. Read Luke 24:13-45. What does Jesus say is the message of the Bible?

Jesus claims that the message of the Old Testament is all about Him.

5. Why did the disciples’ hearts burn within them?

Because Jesus opened the Scriptures to them.

6. The drama of redemption is often divided into four parts. They are the following: creation fallredemptionconsummation


What are each of these periods about?

creation: God making all things out of nothing, for His glory; creating man and woman in His likeness, with the purpose of delighting in Him and obeying Him in all things.

fall: man rebelled against God’s law, and therefore condemned himself and the entire human race. Physical and spiritual death are the consequences of sin.

redemption: God purchases back a chosen people out of His storehouse of grace through His Son, Jesus Christ.

consummation: Jesus Christ will return to judge the heavens and the earth; the Father will usher in a new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness shall dwell, and where God’s people will worship Him and rule with Christ forever.

7. If the Bible is mainly about Jesus, where does that leave you?

God writes us into His story; we don’t write God into ours. To be a part of God’s redeeming love story is the most invigorating thing imaginable! There is nothing more amazing than that! And it’s all for His glory.

Leader’s Note: Conclude by driving home the importance of getting a big picture perspective of the Bible. Much like a puzzle, we need to see the whole before we can make sense of the parts. We minimize Christ and rob Him of His glory if we fail to see that the Bible is about him, as he himself testifies.


Chapter 3: Context

Leader’s Note: The goal of this session is to instill the importance of context when interpreting the Bible.

1. It’s been said, “A text without a context is a pretext.” What do you think this means?

Every verse in Scripture is written within a context. Plucking individual verses out of the Bible while ignoring the context can be detrimental.

2. Discuss the way you read a letter written from a parent or a friend. Where do you begin? Would you ever think of ignoring the first half of the letter and picking out a sentence in the middle?

When we read letters (if people still do that!), we start at the beginning. We wouldn’t dream of reading one sentence in the middle apart from the rest of the body. It wouldn’t make much sense, not to mention we could make it mean a number of different things.

3. The Bible is written in various genres (types of literature). Can you name some of them?

Historical narrative, prophecy, wisdom literature, poetry, parable, epistle, apocalyptic.

4. Augustine once said, “In the Old the New concealed, in the New the Old revealed.” What do you think he meant?

The Old Testament anticipates the New Testament, but is written in types and shadows. In the New Testament, however, is the age of fulfillment. The New illuminates the Old, and we must read the Bible with this in mind.

5. Discuss the importance of knowing a biblical book’s author, audience, surrounding culture, and purpose.

author: each author of Scripture brings his own particular humanness to the text. For example, Paul has a different writing style than Peter, and Peter writes differently than John.

audience: it’s important to know who the original audience is. For example, the gospel of Matthew is written to Jewish Christians, whereas Luke’s gospel is written primarily to Gentile Christians. As a result, each book will emphasize different things.


surrounding culture: the Bible didn’t drop out of the sky, but was written in real time and in real places. Often the Scriptures allude to the surrounding culture to make a point.

purpose: unless we understand the purpose of a biblical book, we’ll be fishing for application that probably isn’t warranted in the text. For example, Paul’s letter to the Corinthians is written to address specific concerns in that church. Before we can make application, therefore, we first have to study what issues Paul was dealing with in his own day.

6. Turn in your Bibles to the book of Romans 12:1-2. Break up into small groups and discuss the following things regarding context: Old or New Testament, author, audience, purpose of the book, structure, where the verse fits into the book as a whole, how it fits into redemptive history.

Old or New Testament: New

Author: Romans 1:1, “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle…”

Audience: Romans 1:7, “To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints.”

Purpose of the book: Romans 1:16-17, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’”

Structure: guilt (ch. 1:18-3:20), grace (ch. 3:21-11), gratitude (ch. 12-16)

Where the verse fits into the book as a whole: Romans 12:1-2 offers a clue when it says, “therefore.” We are to ask, what is the therefore there for? The exhortation found in this passage follows the sections of guilt and grace that come before. All men are equally condemned before God, because all have sinned and fall short of His glory. Yet incredibly, as Paul writes in Romans 3:21-22, “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.” As Christians, then, we stand before God having been justified in Christ. This means that our sins are forgiven and we have the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to us, as if we ourselves had never sinned. Amazing grace! It’s upon this foundation that Paul then exhorts his listeners to present our bodies as living sacrifices before God. We cannot lose our salvation, but we are called to holiness unto His glory.


How this verse fits into redemptive history: Paul’s exhortation, as we’ve seen, comes in the context of what he has said previously in this letter about a righteousness which comes apart from the law, a righteousness which is received by faith in Jesus Christ. This exhortation to present our bodies as living sacrifices, then, only makes sense when we see that through Christ we already are pleasing offerings to God. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 2:15, “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ…” This is our new identity in Him, and identity which can never change! Yet we still sin. We are not what we will be when we see Jesus face to face. What a privilege we have to offer our bodies, though sinful as they are, before the Lord in obedience and worship. We do so because of what Christ has done, we do so through the power of Christ and His Spirit, and we do so for the glory of God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Leader’s Note: Reemphasize the importance of locating the verse or passage within the framework of its context – both literary and historical. Remember that all of Scriptures points to Jesus Christ!


Chapter 4: So What?

Leader’s Note: The purpose of this session is to bring it all together. We considered the attitude with which we are to approach the Bible. We looked at the importance of seeing the big picture. We’ve also studied how context makes such a difference in faithful interpretation. But now we come to the end; the so what? We must drive home the point that the Scriptures do apply to the lives of these students. The Bible is living and active! As Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

1. Why is application important?

Answers will vary; hopefully the students understand that the Bible has something to say to them personally.

2. Our task in interpreting Scripture is to bridge two worlds – the world of the original hearers and the world of our own. What are some of the difficulties?

We don’t know enough about the original hearers’ world; sometimes it’s hard to determine what things in Scripture continue, and what things no longer do. For example, how do we make sense of the passages in the Bible that speak about slavery? What about head coverings?

Leader’s Note: Try to come up with some other “hot button” issues that people debate over. Some examples might include: gender roles in the church, the Sabbath day, what modesty looks like in the twenty-first century, etc.

3. The Bible includes three types of laws – the civil, the ceremonial, and the moral. Which type continues, and which ones have been fulfilled in Christ?

The moral law continues, while the civil and ceremonial laws have been abrogated in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is helpful to know in terms of application because it will inform us how to make sense of Old Testament civil laws, to cite one example. Additionally, we will apply the moral law with zeal, especially in light of what Jesus himself said about the moral law in such places as the Sermon on the Mount.

4. What purposes does the moral law play in the life of the Christian? Or to rephrase it, why do the Ten Commandments and other moral laws still matter?

The moral law has a threefold purpose: to convict us of sin and to drive us to Christ alone, to curb sin in society, and to give us a rule how to live in gratitude for God’s rich grace.


5. Distinguishing between law and gospel is vital when it comes to understanding the Bible. The law says, “Do this and live.” The gospel says, “Christ has done.” The law is an imperative – a command. The gospel is an indicative – a statement of fact about what has been accomplished for us by another. Discuss why knowing the difference between the law and the gospel is important.

The law condemns, while the gospel saves. The law is powerless to bring about godly change, whereas the gospel is the power of salvation to all who believe. In other words, we can keep the imperatives only in light of the great indicative of the gospel.

6. The Heidelberg Catechism is structured by guilt, grace, and gratitude. How might this same structure aid us in understanding and applying the Bible to our lives?

The passage might be used by the Holy Spirit to convict of us our guilt, such as the commandments. If the passage speaks about the gospel of good news, it teaches us about grace. If the passage lays before us an exhortation (in the context of the gospel), then it should be understood as gratitude.

7. We must allow the text speak for itself when it comes to application. Why is that important?

The Bible provides us with plenty of application for our lives. We shouldn’t impose our will on the text, however. Let the Word speak for itself! If Paul is addressing husbands and wives, then so should we!

8. Is the application of a particular passage always about us?

No; often times the application is to look to Jesus Christ, or to worship God in the splendor of His holiness, etc. Make sure the students are always asking, “how does this verse or passage fit into the context of redemption?”


Case Studies

Leader’s Note: As a group, turn to a few passages in the Bible (focus on more familiar texts). Take the students from reading the passage to applying the passage. Remember the principles we’ve already learned. Some example might include: David and Goliath, Daniel and the Lion’s Den, Isaiah 53, The Parable of the Prodigal Son, Philippians 4:13, etc. Make this a fun and engaging exercise by encouraging the students to work through these passages together. The goal here is not to give them all the right answers, but to motivate them to begin asking the right questions, i.e., issues pertaining to the big picture, the context, and application.


Notes


of Bible StudyStudent Questions

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Profitable Devotions — Student Questions — Page 1

Introduction

The story is told of a lady who had a strange way of studying the Bible, which she later had to abandon. Each day, early in the morning, she would flip through the pages of Scripture with her eyes closed until her finger stopped on a particular verse. She would then open her eyes and make that verse her inspiration for her day. On one occasion, after seeing where her finger had landed, she discovered the following verse: “Judas went out and hanged himself.” That wouldn’t do. Perhaps if she tried it again, God would send something a little more applicable. The next time her finger hit the verse it read, “Go thou and do likewise.” Perplexed, she thought she’d give it one more try. This time it read, “What thou doest, do quickly.”

Although this story is a humorous illustration of what can go wrong when we study the Bible in the wrong way, perhaps it isn’t all that farfetched. Maybe that’s exactly how you feel. You know you’re supposed to have devotions, and hopefully you desire those devotions to be profitable, yet you lack the tools.

Could it be that part of the challenge of studying the Bible consistently and effectively is that we are unequipped, and therefore intimidated by this task? The Bible is big. Sixty six books, spanning a period of more than 1500 years. Multiple authors, varying genres, and countless names and events. The Bible is also unique. It’s unlike any other book. God wrote it. It comes with a heavenly authority. And the Bible is also ancient. It was written to people in foreign cultures, who lived a long time ago. It sometimes feels so far removed from our experience. What, to cite just one example, do the civil laws in Leviticus have to do with me in my twenty-first century western context?

The following material is intended to provide you with some basic, yet essential, tools for the task that theologians refer to as hermeneutics, that is, how to study and interpret the Scriptures. We are called to be surgeons of the Word, studying the body of the Bible with the utmost care, lest we misunderstand it, misinterpret it, and misapply its truths.

Countless books have been written on this subject, many of them extremely helpful. Yet most of those books, at least in my experience, are themselves just as intimidating as the task of Bible interpretation. Let’s try to simplify. We need some basic building blocks – so here are the ABC’s of study.

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the

thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

— Profitable Devotions — Student Questions

Chapter 1: Attitude

1. What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles to having consistent and fruitful devotions?

2. Have you ever considered the task of studying the Bible to be intimidating? If so, how?

Prayerfully

3. Why is prayer essential before reading and studying the Word of God?

Incline my heart (Ps. 119:36)

Open my eyes (Ps. 119:18)

Unite my heart (Ps. 86:11)

Satisfy me (Ps. 90:14)

Expectantly

Look up Isaiah 55:1-11.

4. Why, according to this passage, should we come to the Word with a sense of expectation?


5. How should our confidence in the Word’s power influence our attitude about sharing it with others?

Reverently

6. How is the Bible different than other books? How should this change our attitude towards it?

7. Look up Isaiah 66:2. What does it mean to tremble at God’s Word?


Chapter 2: Big Picture

1. On a piece of paper, write down in one sentence or less what the Bible is about. Share your thoughts.

2. Why is seeing the big picture so important when it comes to interpreting the Bible?

3. Turn to Genesis 3:15. Why is this verse important for understanding the big picture?

4. Read Luke 24:13-45. What does Jesus say is the message of the Bible?

5. Why did the disciples’ hearts burn within them?

6. The drama of redemption is often divided into four parts. They are the following: creation fallredemptionconsummation What are each of these periods about?

7. If the Bible is mainly about Jesus, where does that leave you?


Chapter 3: Context

1. It’s been said, “A text without a context is a pretext.” What do you think this means?

2. Discuss the way you read a letter written from a parent or a friend. Where do you begin? Would you ever think of ignoring the first half of the letter and picking out a sentence in the middle?

3. The Bible is written in various genres (types of literature). Can you name some of them?

4. Augustine once said, “In the Old the New concealed, in the New the Old revealed.” What do you think he meant?

5. Discuss the importance of knowing a biblical book’s author, audience, surrounding culture, and purpose.

6. Turn in your Bibles to the book of Romans 12:1-2. Break up into small groups and discuss the following things regarding context: Old or New Testament, author, audience, purpose of the book, structure, where the verse fits into the book as a whole, how it fits into redemptive history.


Chapter 4: So What?

1. Why is application important?

2. Our task in interpreting Scripture is to bridge two worlds – the world of the original hearers and the world of our own. What are some of the difficulties?

3. The Bible includes three types of laws – the civil, the ceremonial, and the moral. Which type continues, and which ones have been fulfilled in Christ?

4. What purposes does the moral law play in the life of the Christian? Or to rephrase it, why do the Ten Commandments and other moral laws still matter?

5. Distinguishing between law and gospel is vital when it comes to understanding the Bible. The law says, “Do this and live.” The gospel says, “Christ has done.” The law is an imperative – a command. The gospel is an indicative – a statement of fact about what has been accomplished for us by another. Discuss why knowing the difference between the law and the gospel is important.


6. The Heidelberg Catechism is structured by guilt, grace, and gratitude. How might this same structure aid us in understanding and applying the Bible to our lives?

7. We must allow the text to speak for itself when it comes to application. Why is that important?

8 Is the application of a particular passage always about us?


Case Studies

profitable devotions — the abc's of bible study - service-life.com

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