` HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE PART 5 Practical Exercise

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Pauline Davis
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1 ` HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE PART 5 Practical Exercise Goal of Bible study: end up with written notes reflecting what God has taught you so that at a later date you can review them and ascertain if you are doing what you learned or if you need to review the lessons. The fundamental difference between Bible reading and Bible study is writing down what you are learning to facilitate learning and retain what you learned. 1. Pray: a. Make sure you are confessed up and that there is no unconfessed sin blocking your openness to the Holy Spirit. 1 Jn. 1:9 b. Ask the Author to help you understand what He has written to you: Lord, thank You for Your Word. I pray that You will give us the discipline to study this passage carefully. Please also give us the discernment to understand the details. Lord, guide us by Your Spirit and lead us into Your truth. We are committed to applying what we find here, and we pray that You will change us by Your Word, bringing our lives more in line with Your will and seeing things the way You want us to. Thank You for this time together with You. 2. Gather your tools. a. Bible to use: a good modern English, study Bible. Translation, not a paraphrase Modern English, not KJV or Geneva Bible Based on best Hebrew and Greek manuscript collections, not NKJV Study Bible with reliable notes from Evangelical scholars Modern study Bible better than ones 50 years old (e.g., the original Scofield Reference Bible 1909, 1917) I ll be using the NIV Study Bible. b. On line resources: (1) Bible Gateway allows us to put a variety of translations in parallel. The ones I use most frequently are: o NIV o ESV 1

2 o CSB o NKJV o NET o EXB 3. Decide on subject of study: passage, topic, or character. We are going to study the most familiar verse in the Bible: Jn. 3: Background: a. Get the historical context: Who wrote the book? Who were its original recipients? Where were the author and recipients located? When was the book written? What was the occasion for its writing? What was going on at the time? What was the purpose of the book? b. Read information provided by your study Bible on your subject as background. Here is what my NIV Study Bible has as introduction to the Gospel of John: 2

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6 Notes from the Introduction: Author: The writer is the apostle John, the beloved disciple Date of writing: The gospel was written as early as 50 AD until as late as 85 AD. It had been believed previously that it was the last for the four Gospels to be written because Clement of Alexandria (d. 211) thought John must have written to supplement the other three and that the theology presented in John s Gospel was too advanced for an early date. Now, however, some scholars are arguing that it may have been written within less than 20 years of Jesus ascension. This would put the writing of the Gospel of John to within the same time period that scholars believe the other three were written. Purpose and emphases: o Different from the other three, John provides a lot of information not in them. o John gives more attention to the evidences of Jesus divinity and Jesus teachings o Reports Jesus I am statements where He claims to be God. o Presents Jesus as the Word, the One who truly and fully reveals what the Father is like o Emphasizes Jesus pre-existence and Him being the Agent of the Creation of the universe o That He was incarnated as a human being to finish the work that the Father started, i.e., the redemption of lust human beings, Jn. 4:34. o The central theme of the Gospel is Jn. 3:16 (our study verse), so when we understand it we will have a handle on the central idea of the whole book. o John declares his motive and purpose in writing this Gospel in Jn. 20:21: But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. The study Bible also provides an outline of the book. Here is the first part, which covers the section we are studying. 6

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8 c. What literary genre are we dealing with in this passage? This called narrative. It is written as an account of the key events in Jesus public ministry and provides great detail on the crucifixion, resurrection, and aftermath. Interestingly, John did not include an account of the ascension of Christ back to Heaven; we have to turn to Luke for that in his gospel and the Book of Acts. 5. Passage to be studied: Jn. 3:16 a. Biblical context: With passages of Scripture, understand the context: who, what, where, when, why. From the outline we can see that chapter three occurs after Jesus baptism by John the Baptist, after the calling of His disciples, after His first miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding in Nazareth, and after He went to Jerusalem and cleared the temple of the money changers the first time. We need to read the chapter in which our passage occurs, so we do what Tim always tells us: CONTEXTICATE. Remember, chapter divisions are artificial and not part of the original writings so we will ignore them. 23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. (Jn. 2:23-25) Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him. 3 Jesus replied, Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. 4 How can someone be born when they are old? Nicodemus asked. Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother s womb to be born! 5 Jesus answered, Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, You must be born again. 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. 9 How can this be? Nicodemus asked. 10 You are Israel s teacher, said Jesus, and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. 8

9 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. 22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. (Jn. 3:1-22) Interesting note as evidenced by Red Letter editions of Bibles: The NIV translators believe Jesus words to Nicodemus end at v.15, and the rest are John s words. Some other modern translations believe Jesus words to Nicodemus continue through v. 22, but the consensus of scholarship today is that John begins his own commentary (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, of course) at verse 16 as he turns his attention away from the account of Nicodemus visit to the content of what Jesus was teaching. Nicodemus just kind of vanishes from the scene, and we are not provided the results of his encounter with Jesus. b. The questions we are asking are: Who: who are the people involved. What do we know about them? o Jesus, the incarnate Son of God during His first Passover of His public ministry o Nicodemus Verse 1 gives us a little information about him: Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. (Jn. 3:1) Jn. 3:1 (footnote) a Pharisee: Mt. 3:7 Footnote: 9

10 Essay on p. 1576: Chart, p. 1631: Note on Lk. 5:17: 10

Nicodemas was a Pharisee (as opposed to a Sadducee). The Pharisees were based out of the local synagogues, close to the people, and highly respected by them.

11 Nicodemas was a Pharisee (as opposed to a Sadducee). The Pharisees were based out of the local synagogues, close to the people, and highly respected by them. The Sadducees were based out of the Temple and held much of the political power. He was a member of the ruling council, the Sanhedrin. There is no footnote on the Sanhedrin at that point, so I turned in back of my study Bible to the Index of Topics. 11

12 Looked up Sanhedrin: Searched through verses until I reached Jn. 11:47. Footnote Jn. 11:47: This also referred me to a footnote on Mk. 14:55. 12

Footnote Mk. 14:55: Nicodemus was a man of influence and on the Sanhedrin, the ruling power of the Jews under the Roman s authority. We meet him only twice more in Scripture: - Jn.

13 Footnote Mk. 14:55: Nicodemus was a man of influence and on the Sanhedrin, the ruling power of the Jews under the Roman s authority. We meet him only twice more in Scripture: - Jn. 7:45-52 He stands up for Jesus in the Sanhedrin asking the council if they condemn a man without first hearing him? - Jn. 19:38-42 He helped Joseph of Arimathea to take Jesus body down from the cross and bury it in Joseph s tomb. Nicodemus brought a large amount of spices to use in wrapping His body for burial. Although Nicodemus does not appear again in any account of the succeeding history of Jesus followers, he apparently was deeply affected by his encounter with Jesus and was almost certainly a believer. Read passage in multiple translations: Bible Gateway. o In my study Bible is the NIV 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. o On line, I usually put these five in parallel: EXB, ESV, CSB, NKJV, NET Where: where did this take place? Somewhere in the city of Jerusalem. When: probably during or after the Feast of the Passover, spring. What: o What was the occasion? Jn. 3:2 tells us that Nicodemas wanted to question Jesus. He came to him at night. Perhaps he was concerned to be seen with Jesus by the other religious leaders or perhaps he knew he had to see Jesus at night to be able to talk with Him without being constantly interrupted by the crowds. In any event, this was a personal meeting away from public eyes. John himself and other disciples may have been present. 13

14 o Cross references: God so loved: - Ro. 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Eph. 2:4-5 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions it is by grace you have been saved. - 1 Jn. 4: This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. He gave - Isa. 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Ro. 8:32 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Whoever - Jn. 3: Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. - Jn. 5:24 24 Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. - Jn. 6:35 35 Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. - Jn. 10: I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to 14

15 steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. One and only Son - Jn. 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. Believes - Jn. 1:12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - Jn. 3: Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. - Jn. 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God s one and only Son. - Jn. 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God s wrath remains on them. - Ro. 10: If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. - Jas. 2:18, But someone will say, You have faith; I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 6 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. Eternal life - Jn. 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God s wrath remains on them. - Jn. 5:24 Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 15

16 o What do the terms in the passage mean? God Creator of the Universe; can be the entire Godhead or only God the Father. Love to seek the best for the one being loved The world every person who has, does, or ever will live He gave God provided what we could not do for ourselves; His provision of Christ is a gift that cannot be earned or deserved; it is entirely by grace. One and only or only begotten see Whoever Anyone who puts their trust in Christ. The problem with this is that, as Paul teaches in Ro. 1, no one seeks God much less wants to put their trust in Him: 9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. 10 As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. (Ro. 3:9-12) Belief or faith more than mere intellectual assent or even being absolutely confident in the truth of the Bible s teachings (Jas. 2:19 even the demons believe and tremble ). See Perish eternal condemnation to Hell; Jn. 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God s one and only Son. Each fallen human already stands in a state of condemnation; only trust in Crist can remedy that condition. Have eternal life Eternal life (as opposed to eternal death) is living with God and under His blessings forever. See 16

17 Jn. 5:24 Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. Eternal life begins with one s rebirth; when one receives Christ, one has eternal life as his present possession. o What were the motivations of the people involved? Nicodemus: What did he want to know? Who are you? Jesus: What was Jesus trying to do? Open Nicodemus eyes to be able to trust Christ as Lord and Savior. John: Why did John include this event in his Gospel? He believed that what Jesus told Nicodemus is central to our understanding of Who Jesus is and what He came to do. c. What is the main point of the passage? God s love for mankind. - In eternity past, God (the entire Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) loved the world of people so much that He valued their free will and did not to simply program us to be obedient worshippers, so we wouldn t fall into sin. - In human history, God loved us so much that He allowed us to choose to rebel against Him knowing that His just nature would require that He judge us and send us to Hell. - In redemption, He loved us so much that He did what we could not do for ourselves. Even though we were His enemies in our hearts, He sent the Son to take our place, pay our penalty, and provide a way for our rescue. d. What does this passage say about Jesus? Jesus is God s one and only Son; God s Son in a unique sense. He shares the same divine nature as the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus came to sacrifice Himself to purchase our redemption. e. Are there any promises given? Any that apply to you and that you could claim? If anyone believes in Christ, he will be given eternal life. As Christ is the only unique Son of God, faith in Christ is the only way to be given salvation. 17

18 One who puts their faith in Christ will not perish, will not be condemned to an eternal Hell. I can trust God s love for me in the challenges of my daily life, since I know that He loves me; He loved me so much that He sacrificed Himself to save me. f. Are there any commands given? Is there any action that you think you should take? No commands, but a clear invitation is given: believe in Christ and be saved. g. Are there any errors to avoid? Or confess? Failing to trust Christ s provision for one s salvation will result is missing out on the salvation He died to provide, and that is the only way to avoid Hell. h. Is there an example to follow? Or avoid? By implication only. We can think of people who trusted God s Son and those who did not. i. Are there any idioms or figures of speech? o One and only Son (NIV) or Only Begotten Son (see terms above) j. Is there anything I don t understand about this passage? k. What did this passage mean to the original recipients? How did they understand it? l. What is the central lesson being taught? The way of salvation provided by God is through faith in His only Son and it is available to anyone who puts their trust in Christ. 6. What principles can we apply to our lives? Ask God for direction. Write down what you are impressed to do or not do. 18

JOHN 3: the kingdom of God unless they are born again." 1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named

JOHN 3: the kingdom of God unless they are born again. 1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named 1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For