Bible Concordance An indexed list of verses, often alphabetized by topic.

Transcription

1 Bi bl est udy METHODS f o r Pa s t o r s Wi v e s

2 Bible Study Tools Basic Study Bible There are many basic versions of the Bible available. The New King James, New Revised Standard, New English Bible, and the New American Standard versions are based on original manuscripts. Use one of these basic versions for your study. There are others that are translations and paraphrases which can help give insight into the meaning of words and the spirit of what is being said. These include the Living Bible, Today s English Version, New Living Translation, and the Message Bible. Bible Concordance An indexed list of verses, often alphabetized by topic. Bible Commentary This resource provides in depth explanation and interpretation of Scripture. It s best to use this after you have sufficiently studied and interpreted the passage for yourself. Bible Dictionary This resource provides definitions of biblical terms and places. This tool is helpful for understanding context. Logos Bible Software Bible study software that can be purchased. This software includes an extensive library of resources such as Bible commentaries, concordances, various translations of the Bible, visual aids, and more. Biblegateway.com This is a free online resource that provides commentary, Bible study tools, and devotionals. SonicLight.com This is a free online resource that provides commentary and background information on each book of the Bible.

3 1 Observation First Read, read, and reread the passage. As you are reading, jot down what you see and observe. Remember you are studying a passage. Pay attention to the details. Treat the passage as if you are seeing it for the first time. The purpose of observation is to saturate yourself thoroughly with the content of a passage. Like a sponge, absorb everything before you. Learn to be exact and accurate in your observations 1. Ask questions like: Who are the characters? What is happening in the text? What is the author saying? Who is the author speaking to? How is it being said? What is the tone of the passage? What kinds of terms are being used? What terms are repeated? How is the passage structured? What is omitted? Are there comparisons being made? Is something being described? What kind of literature is it? o Narrative o Poetry o Parable o Apocalyptic o Discourse or sermons o Drama o Historical Pay attention to: Advice, admonitions, warnings, or promises Reasons or results make note of cause and effect relationships (often seen as if/then statements) 1 Wald, Oletta. The New Joy of Discovery in Bible Study. Newly rev. ed. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, Print.

4 Contrasts, comparisons, illustrations Repetition and progression of ideas Be alert for repetition of words, ideas, or statements. This often will give you a clue as to the author s purpose in a passage. Take special note of lists of items or ideas. Compare the items and see if there is any significance in the order. Is there a progression of ideas toward a climax? 2 This list is not exhaustive, but is a starting point. The more questions you ask the deeper your study will be. Make sure to list your observations as you go. Next Ask more questions! For each observation ask a deeper Interpretative Question. Interpretative questions are those questions arising from and based on the observations of terms, structure, and general literary forms, and atmosphere whose answer will result in the discovery of their full meaning. 3 Ask questions that will help you understand the text from the author s point of view and his intention for writing. Some examples of interpretative questions are: What is the precise meaning of a term? Why was it used instead of another term? Why was a particular statement written? What is its purpose within the context? What are the implications? An Example of Observation But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. Acts 1:8 Observations: 2 Ibid., 17 3 Traina, Robert A. Methodical Bible Study. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, Print.

5 Verse begins with but o Interpretative Question: What comes before this? What is being contrasted? What is being discussed? Jesus speaks definitively: you will receive power you shall be o Interpretative Question: Why does Jesus speak this way? What is the significance of what he is saying? Jesus lists where the disciples will be witnesses nearest to farthest o Interpretative Question: What does this signify? The disciples will only receive power when the Holy Spirit comes o Interpretative Question: Why will the disciples receive power? Why do they need power? Did they not have power already? What were they to do with it? Jesus makes a distinction of where disciples will be witnesses: both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria. o Interpretative Question: Why does Jesus specify both in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria? What do these places represent? What is their relation to each other? Jesus states that the disciples will be his witnesses o Interpretative Question: What does the word witness mean? What does it mean to be Jesus s witness? Resist the urge to answer your questions until you have sufficiently observed your passage!

6 2 Interpretation Bible interpretation is essential for understanding and teaching the Bible properly. We must know the meaning of the Bible then [when it was written] before we can know its message for today. 4 The answers to your Interpretative Questions begin the process of interpreting a passage, but there are many gaps that must be bridged in order to properly understand the meaning of the text. Things to Consider Context How does this portion of Scripture relate to its surroundings? What is being discussed in the verses before and after your section of study? Word Usage Note terms that are repeated throughout your portion of Scripture. Those terms are your key to discovering the meaning of the passage. Dig deeper into how the author uses those terms. Word usage can vary from author to author. Literary Form What type of literature is being used? This will dictate how your passage should be interpreted. For example, poetry uses a lot of imagery and descriptive language. Notice the language used in Song of Solomon 4:1-5: 1 How beautiful you are, my darling, How beautiful you are! Your eyes are like doves behind your veil; Your hair is like a flock of goats That have descended from Mount Gilead. 2 Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn ewes Which have come up from their washing, All of which bear twins, And not one among them has lost her young. 4 Zuck, Roy B. Basic Bible Interpretation: A Practical Guide to Discovering Biblical Truth. Colorado Springs, Co: Victor, Print.

7 3 Your lips are like a scarlet thread, And your mouth is lovely. Your temples are like a slice of a pomegranate Behind your veil. 4 Your neck is like the tower of David, Built with rows of stones On which are hung a thousand shields, All the round shields of the mighty men. 5 Your two breasts are like two fawns, Twins of a gazelle Which feed among the lilies. In this passage The Beloved describes his love figuratively, and his description of her should not be interpreted literally. Historical Context What is happening in history when your passage was written? Who was the recipient of the letter? Who was the audience? Where were they located? What were their customs/culture/beliefs? What was the political, social, spiritual environment? Researching the historical context will enhance the meaning of the text and make the interpretative process come alive. Purpose Why was the passage written? Discovering the author s motive for writing will influence the interpretation of the text. Once you have answered all of your interpretative questions and discovered the meaning of the text, summarize your findings and the main message of your passage. If you are studying a large portion of Scripture such as several chapters or a book, using a chart will help in summarizing the main ideas. 5 5 You can find in-depth information on charting in Oletta Wald s book The New Joy of Discover in Bible Study.

8 3 Evaluation & Application The whole point of studying the Bible is to get to know God better and to learn what He expects of us as His children. Bible study is not complete until we have applied God s Word to our lives. Evaluating your discoveries to determine their value and relevance is an important step before application can be made. This does not mean that you set yourself up as a critical judge, but with an honest heart continually appraise the general validity of a Bible passage in relation to present-day living. 6 In your study you will discover instructions given for a specific time and region, but it s important to note that you are looking for the timeless truths and principles that are applicable regardless of the point in history or culture. Once you have determined that the principles found in your passage are timeless and to be applied, your next step is to determine how they should be applied. Some questions you might ask yourself are: What should I do? Should my actions, behavior, or attitude change in some way? Is there sin I need to confess and repent of? What should I believe? Is my understanding of Jesus Christ, His Church, salvation, the Holy Spirit, grace, and mercy in line with what is taught in Scripture? Christian doctrine covers a wide range of areas that are all found in the Bible. 6 Wald, Oletta. The New Joy of Discovery in Bible Study. Newly rev. ed. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, Print.

9 Works Cited Traina, Robert A. Methodical Bible Study. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Wald, Oletta. The New Joy of Discovery in Bible Study. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, Print. Zuck, Roy B. Basic Bible Interpretation. Colorado Springs: Victor, Print.