Berean Bible Church 480 Cooper Rd Loganville Ga Phone:

Berean Bible Church 480 Cooper Rd Loganville Ga 30052 Phone: 770-852-8680 Email: jamie.merritt@bereanchurchga.com

CLASS SCHEDULE: Week 1 (Jan 6)- Intro to Class Week 2 (Jan 13)- The Interpretive Journey Part 1 Week 3 (Jan 20)- The Interpretive Journey Part 2 Week 4 (Jan 27)- The Interpretive Journey Part 3 and Interpreting the Epistles Week 5 (Feb 3)- Interpreting Old Testament Narratives Week 6 (Feb 10)- Interpreting Acts Week 7 (Feb 17)- Interpreting the Gospels Week 8 (Feb 24)- Interpreting Parables Week 9 (Mar 2)- Interpreting the Law Week 10 (Mar 9)- Interpreting the Prophets Week 11 (Mar 16)- Interpreting the Psalms Week 12 (Mar 23)- Interpreting Wisdom Literature Week 13 (Mar 30)- Interpreting Revelation

HELPFUL RESOURCES: How To Study the Bible: J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays, Grasping God s Word (Zondervan) Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, How To Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Zondervan) Howard G. Hendricks and William D. Hendricks, Living by the Book (Moody) Bible Handbook: David Dockery, The Holman Bible Handbook (Holman) Bible Dictionary: I. Howard Marshall, A.R. Millard, J.I. Packer, and D.J. Wiseman, New Bible Dictionary (InterVarsity Press). Brian S. Rosner, T. Desmond Alexander, Carson Goldsworthy, New Dictionary of Biblical Theology (InterVarsity Press). Biblical Theology: Vaughn Roberts, God s Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible (IVP Books) Craig Bartholomew and Michael Goheen, The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story (Baker) Graeme Goldsworthy, According to the Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible (IVP Academic) D.A. Carson, The God Who is There: Finding Your Place in God s Story (Baker) Old Testament Introduction Raymond Dillard and Tremper Longman, An Introduction to the Old Testament (Zondervan). New Testament Introduction D.A. Carson and Douglas J. Moo, An Introduction to the New Testament (Zondervan).

Word Studies: Edward Goodrick and John Kohlenberger III, eds., Zondervan NIV Exhaustive Concordance (Zondervan). W.E. Vine, M.F. Unger, and W. White, Jr., eds., Vine s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Thomas A. Nelson). Bible Atlas Thomas Brisco, Holman Bible Atlas (Holman). Bible commentary Logos Bible Software (see www.logos.com) Expositors Bible Commentary (Zondervan), Available on CD-ROM. G.J. Wenham, J.A. Motyer, D.A. Carson, and R.T. France, New Bible Commentary (InterVarsity Press), Available on CD-ROM Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary (Chariot Victor Publishing), Available on CD- ROM. Seeing Jesus in the Scriptures: David Platt, Danny Akin, Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Christ-centered Exposition Commentary Series (B&H Publishing). Michael Williams, How to Read the Bible Through the Jesus Lens: A Guide to Christ-Focused Reading of Scripture (Zondervan). David Murray, Jesus on Every Page: 10 Simple Ways to Seek and Find Christ in the Old Testament (Thomas Nelson). Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament (IVP Academic). Edmund Clowney, The Unfolding Mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament (P&R Publishing). Internet Helps www.biblicaltraining.org www.biblegateway.com www.crosswalk.com

WHY DON T WE FEAST ON GOD S WORD? I don t have time! I don t know how. I m just a layman. I go to church every Sunday. I have my doubts about the Bible. WHY WE MUST FEED ON THE BIBLE: Because it s essential for SPIRITUAL GROWTH Because it s essential for SPIRITUAL MATURITY Because it s essential for SPIRITUAL EFFFECTIVENESS A LOOK AT THE BOOK: WHAT IS THE BIBLE? The Bible is a DIVERSE collection of different writings. It contains 66 books It was written by about 40 human authors It was written over nearly 2,000 years It has two main sections: The OLD TESTAMENT and the NEW TESTAMENT 39 books make up the Old Testament 27 books make up the New Testament It was written in 2 main languages: GREEK and HEBREW It contains a mixture of different types of LITERATURE However FUNDAMENTALLY The Bible is one BOOK written by one AUTHOR telling one STORY about one main HERO.

FAULTY APPROACHES TO READING THE BIBLE: The Hero Approach reading the Bible as a moral hall of fame that gives us one example after another of heroic spiritual giants to emulate. Result: despairing reading. The Rules Approach reading the Bible on the lookout for commands to obey to subtly reinforce a sense of personal superiority. Result: Pharisaical reading. The Artifact Approach reading the Bible as an ancient document about events in the Middle East a few thousand years ago that are irrelevant to my life today. Result: bored reading. The Gold Mine Approach reading the Bible as a vast, cavernous, dark mine, in which one occasionally stumbles upon a nugget of inspiration. Result: confused reading. The Guidebook Approach reading the Bible as a roadmap to tell me where to work, whom to marry, and what shampoo to use. Result: anxious reading. The Doctrine Approach reading the Bible as a theological repository to plunder for ammunition for my next theology debate at Starbucks. Result: cold reading. THE BEST APPROACH?? The JESUS Approach reading the Bible as a book primarily ab out Jesus and what he has done rather than a book about me and what I must do.

Now What? Get in a Small Group and discuss each of these steps and answer each question: STEP #1: TALK ABOUT IT 1. What are the greatest obstacles for you in studying the Bible? 2. What specific facets of your schedule or priorities in your life are you willing to rearrange in order to accomplish your objectives in study of the Word? 3. What price do you think you will have to pay to faithfully study God s word? Step #2: DEVELOP A PLAN As we ve seen, study of the Word doesn t happen automatically every day. It takes time and work. It takes intentionality. So it s necessary for us to develop an intentional plan for what Bible study is going to look like in our lives. Use the following guidelines to form your plan for intentional study of the Word 1. Set a time and place. Where is the most effective place and when is the most effective time for you to study the Word? 2. Set a starting point. Choosing where to begin your study is crucial. It s better to start off simple if all of this is new to you. Why not start in a New Testament letter like Philippians or 1 Peter? These books are shorter, they can be read altogether in one sitting, and then they are easily divided into paragraphs for study. 3. Set a pattern. Over the course of the next few weeks you will learn a hands on approach to studying the Bible. Take the tools you receive and use them each day or each week to help guide your study. The main goal is to set a routine for what you do when you sit down to read and study. And make sure that routine involves you reflecting on the text, praying in light of the text, and writing what you learn from the text! STEP #3 PREPARE TO FIGHT Are you prepared to fight against anything that will keep you from God s Word? Make no mistake what you are about to do will not happen easily. A fight is coming! Are you ready? Here s how you can fight well: Pray for grace to desire and long for His Word. Pray for grace to know how to best balance your schedule to study His Word. Pray for grace to grow in the knowledge of His Word.

The Basic Interpretive Journey involves 4 steps: STEP 1- OBSERVE THEIR HOME Critical Question: What did this text mean to the BIBLICAL AUDIENCE? STEP 2- UNDERSTAND THEIR HOME Critical Question: What are the DIFFERENCES between the biblical audience and us? STEP 3- BRING BACK THEIR HOME Critical Question: What is the theological principle in this text? STEP 4- APPLY IT IN MY HOME Critical Question: How should Christians today apply the theological principle to their lives? MASTERING STEP 1 OBSERVATION Read PRAYERFULLY Read THOUGHTFULLY Read PATIENTLY Read SELECTIVELY Read IMAGINATIVELY Read MEDITATIVELY

STUDYING THE BIBLE: FROM THEIR HOME TO OUR HOME (Practice text) Joshua 1:1-9 STEP 1- OBSERVE THEIR HOME What did this text mean to the BIBLICAL AUDIENCE? What do I see in this text? Answer the who, what, where, when, and why. In 15 words or less, write out what the author is talking about by using past tense verbs and referring to the original audience: STEP 2- UNDERSTAND THEIR HOME What are the differences between the biblical audience and us? What is the historical, cultural etc context?

STEP 3- BRING BACK THEIR HOME What is the theological principle in this text? Identify the similarities between their situation and ours. Filter through the New Testament STEP 4- APPLY IT IN MY HOME How should individual Christians today apply the theological principle to their lives? Who should I be? How should I think? What should I do? Etc.

Continuing Mastering Step #1 Observation 6 Things to look for when Observing a Text Look for things EMPHASIZED Look for things REPEATED Look for things RELATED Look for things ALIKE and UNLIKE Look to things that are true to LIFE Mastering Step #2- Understanding their Home BIG IDEA CONTEXT is KING!! Our PRIDE Our AGENDA Our CULTURE Context must trump 3 aspects of our lives: Getting the Context Right: Study the HISTORICAL CULTURAL context Study the THEOLOGICAL context Study the LITERARY context

Basic Principles of Interpretation: Remember that CONTEXT rules Always seek the FULL COUNSEL of God s Word Remember that Scripture will never CONTRADICT itself Avoid basing doctrine off of an OBSCURE Scripture passage Interpret Scripture PLAINLY unless there is good reason NOT TO. Compare with Church HISTORY

STUDYING THE BIBLE: FROM THEIR HOME TO OUR HOME ASSIGNMENT #1- Read 2 Corinthians 1:1-11; OBSERVE, OBSERVE, OBSERVE! What is Paul talking about? What is Paul saying about what he is talking about? Look, Look, Look!! Anything being emphasized, repeated, related, alike, unlike, or true to life? In one or two sentences, write out what Paul is saying to the original readers and why he is saying it. Assignment #2- Go home, pick a book, and study it s context. Answer the who, what, where, when, and why questions of the book. What were the social conditions at this time? What were the political conditions at this time? What were the religious conditions at this time?

Mastering Step #3- Bring It Back Home BIG IDEA Identify the Theological Principle(s)! Getting it Right: Is my Theological Principle BIBLICLAL Is my Theological Principle COMPATIBLE Is my Theological Principle ETERNAL Is my Theological Principle CROSS CULTURAL Is my Theological Principle APPLICABLE Mastering Step #4 Apply it in your home 4 Steps Toward Faithful Application: MEDITATE on the Timeless Truth RELATE the Timeless Truth(s) Today Relate it specifically to a CONTEMPORARY situation PRACTICE the timeless truth WHO should I be? HOW should I think? WHAT should I do? WHERE should I go? WHO will I teach?

Studying NT Letters: EXPECT some Difficulties 2. KNOW some General GUIDELINES: NT Letters are OCCATIONAL Documents NT Letters are NOT THEOLOGICAL Treatise NT Letters have a COMMON Form 3. APPLY the Interpretive Journey Observe their Home READ the letter in one SITTING RECONSTRUCT the original situation behind the letter Understand their Home CONSULT Bible Dictionaries and Introduction to your commentary Look for MAJOR Divisions Think in PARAGRAPHS Bring it Back Home What is the Theological PRINCIPLE? Did you GET IT RIGHT? Write it out using PRESENT TENSE verbs Apply it in your Home UTILIZE the 4 steps to Faithful Application.

STUDYING THE BIBLE: FROM THEIR HOME TO OUR HOME (Epistles) Hebrews 12:1-3 STEP 1- OBSERVE THEIR HOME What did this text mean to the BIBLICAL AUDIENCE? What do I see in this text? Answer the who, what, where, when, and why. In 15 words or less, write out what the author is talking about by using past tense verbs and referring to the original audience: STEP 2- UNDERSTAND THEIR HOME What are the differences between the biblical audience and us? What is the historical, cultural etc context?

Why Study OT Narratives? Because OT narratives make up nearly HALF of the OT. Because OT narratives are EXCITING, Because OT narratives depict REAL LIFE. Because OT narratives reveal truth in IMAX form. Difficulties with OT Narratives: The meaning of OT narratives can be SUBTLE or AMBIGUOUS It s easier to make OT narratives MAN-CENTERED. The reader can get easily get ENTHRALLED and miss the BIG IDEA It s easy to assume its just a STORY. It s easy to ALLEGORIZE everything. 8 PRINCIPLES FOR STUDYING OT NARRATIVES: Learn to OBSERVE Explore the PLOT Discover the SETTING Know the CHARACTERS Don t forget the NARRATOR Find the IRONY Locate the LITTLE story the BIG story. Remember God is always the HERO

STUDYING THE BIBLE: FROM THEIR HOME TO OUR HOME (OT Narratives) Exodus 17:1-7 STEP 1- OBSERVE THEIR HOME What do I see in this text? Answer the who, what, where, when, and why. In 15 words or less, write out what the author is talking about by using past tense verbs and referring to the original audience: STEP 2- UNDERSTAND THEIR HOME What are the differences between the biblical audience and us? What is the historical, cultural etc context? Interpret this story on 3 levels.

What Kind of Book is Acts? Acts is a SEQUEL Acts is a STORY Acts is THEOLOGICAL History Why did Luke write Acts? 1) To reveal the HOLY SPIRIT 2) To proclaim God s SOVEREIGNTY 3) To advance the CHURCH 4) To encourage PRAYER 5) To promote DIVERSITY 6) To prepare us for SUFFERING 7) To empower our WITNESS How is Acts Organized? Acts 1:8 holds the KEY Chapters 1-7: The Christian Mission to JERUSALEM Chapters 8-9: The Christian Mission to JUDEA and SAMARIA PETER is the main character (ch1-12) Chapters 10-28: The Christian Mission to the ENDS of the EARTH PAUL is the main character (ch13-28)

Grasping the Message of Acts: 1) Look for what Luke intended to COMMUNICATE to his readers Is this PRESCRIPTIVE or DESCRIPTIVE? Consider a BOTH/AND Approach 2) Look for POSITIVE and NEGATIVE examples in the Story 3) Read INDIVIDUAL passages in light of the OVERALL story of Acts and the NT. 4) Look for other parts of Acts to CLARIFY what is normative. 5) Look for repeated PATTERNS and THEMES

STUDYING THE BIBLE: FROM THEIR HOME TO OUR HOME Acts 9:1-19 STEP 1- OBSERVE THEIR HOME What do I see in this text? Answer the who, what, where, when, why, and how. In 15 words or less, write out what the author is talking about by using past tense verbs and referring to the original audience: STEP 2- UNDERSTAND THEIR HOME What are the differences between the biblical audience and us? What is the historical, cultural etc context?

What are the Gospels? The Gospel is GOOD NEWS! The Gospels are STORIES about Jesus The Gospels are TEACHINGS of Jesus The Gospels are FOUR books Matthew, Mark, Luke = SYNOPTIC Gospels The Gospels were written by different AUTHORS The Gospels were written for different AUDIENCES How Should we Read the Gospels? Read them HORIZONTALLY Read them VERTICALLY In the Historical setting of JESUS In the Historical setting of the AUTHOR Read them HOLISTICALLY Recognize what was SELECTED Recognize how it was ARRANGED Recognize how it was ADAPTED

What Should we look for in the Gospels? 1) Look to answer the STANDARD questions of any story. 2) Look for interpretive INSTRUCTIONS from the author himself. 3) Look especially for anything REPEATED in the Story. 4) Look for PLACES where the story shifts to direct discourse. 5) Look for the KINGDOM Motif 6) Look for special LITERARY Forms EXAGGERATION METAPHOR AND SIMILE IRONY RHETORICAL QUESTIONS PARALLELISM

STUDYING THE BIBLE: FROM THEIR HOME TO OUR HOME (Gospels) Mark 5:35-41 STEP 1- OBSERVE THEIR HOME What do I see in this text? Answer the who, what, where, when, why, and how. In 15 words or less, write out what the author is talking about by using past tense verbs and referring to the original audience: STEP 2- UNDERSTAND THEIR HOME What are the differences between the biblical audience and us? What is the historical, cultural etc context?

Why a Separate Lesson on Parables? Because throughout History they have been ABUSED Because throughout History they have been ALLEGORIZED Parables Defined: A parable is a STORY with TWO levels of MEANING, where certain details in the story represent something else. -Duval and Hays in Grasping God s Word Varieties of Parables: TRUE Parables a parable that is a STORY pure and simple, with a beginning and an ending; it has something of a PLOT. SIMILITUDE Parables parables that function like ILLUSTRATIONS from everyday life. KINGDOM parables parables that expressly tell us something of the nature of the KINGDOM The Function of Parables: To call forth a RESPONSE in the hearer. To ADDRESS and CAPTURE the hearer. To CONVICT the hearer. Tools for Interpreting Parables: READ and RE-READ the parable Locate the parable in its CONTEXT. Identify the AUDIENCE Find the points of REFERENCE Look for ONE main point for each main character of group of characters. Make sure the main points you discover would have been UNDERSTOOD by the original hearers.

STUDYING THE BIBLE: FROM THEIR HOME TO OUR HOME Luke 14:15-24 STEP 1- OBSERVE THEIR HOME What do I see in this text? Answer the who, what, where, when, why, and how. In 15 words or less, write out what the author is talking about by using past tense verbs and referring to the original audience: STEP 2- UNDERSTAND THEIR HOME What are the differences between the biblical audience and us? What is the historical, cultural etc context?

The Traditional Approach MORAL Law Laws revealing TIMELESS truths regarding God s intention for human behavior CIVIL Law- Laws dealing with the national Israel s LEGAL system CEREMONIAL Law Laws that deal with SACRIFICES, FESTIVALS, And PRIESTLY activities The traditional approach helped NT believers know whether or not the law APPLIED to them. The Problem with the Traditional View These distinctions are ARBITRARY because no such distinction exists in the TEXT. The law by nature was THEOLOGICAL We need a method CONSISTENT with all legal texts. Understanding the Covenant Approach The Mosaic Covenant is closely connected to Israel s CONQUEST and OCCUPATION of the land. The blessings of the Covenant are CONDITIONAL. The Mosaic Covenant is no longer a FUNCTIONAL covenant. The Law as Covenant is no longer APPLICABLE over us as LAW The OT law must be INTERPRETED through the lens of New Testament TEACHING

6 PRINCIPLES FOR STUDYING OT LAW: Read and RE-READ Learn to OBSERVE Find the CONTEXT Note the DIFFERENCES Discover the THEOLOGICAL PRINCIPLE Apply with NEW TESTAMENT Doctrine.

STUDYING THE BIBLE: FROM THEIR HOME TO OUR HOME (OT Law) Leviticus 5:1-6 STEP 1- OBSERVE THEIR HOME What do I see in this text? Answer the who, what, where, when, why, and how. In 15 words or less, write out what the author is talking about by using past tense verbs and referring to the original audience: STEP 2- UNDERSTAND THEIR HOME What are the differences between the biblical audience and us? What is the historical, cultural etc context?

Discovering the Prophets... There are 4 Major Prophets There are 12 Minor Prophets The terms Major and Minor have nothing to do with IMPORTANCE Prophetic literature is difficult because we have nothing SIMILAR. Prophetic literature primarily contains short SPOKEN or PREACHED messages Only a SMALL percentage of OT prophecy deals with events in the FUTURE to us. FIGURES OF SPEECH are the main weapons in the prophets ARSENAL Prophetic books are primarily ANTHOLOGIES The Historical-Cultural and Theological Context Historically, the prophets emerge in one of TWO contexts: Prior to the ASSYRIAN invasion or... Prior to the BABYLONIAN invasion Theologically, the prophets were covenant ENFORCERS Culturally, the prophets were flat out WEIRD

The Basic Prophetic Message: You have BROKEN the covenant! IDOLATRY SOCIAL INJUSTICE RELIGIOUS RITUALISM 2. You had better REPENT! JUDGMENT is coming! 3. You can still receive HOPE beyond judgment and a FUTURE restoration. Interpreting the Prophets OBSERVE, OBSERVE, OBSERVE! GRASP the central message of the Prophets. Find the HISTORICAL and CULTURAL contexts FILTER the message through New Testament DOCTRINE MAJOR on the MAJORS

STUDYING THE BIBLE: FROM THEIR HOME TO OUR HOME Micah 6:6-8 STEP 1- OBSERVE THEIR HOME What do I see in this text? Answer the who, what, where, when, why, and how. Micah Time period: 740-686 Historical setting: A contemporary of Isaiah before Assyria s destruction of Israel. God s judgment on idolatry and injustice. Practical Advice for Study Composed of three sermons (1-2; 3-5; 6-7). Each sermon includes two emphases: Oracles of judgment. Oracles of future hope. Structure of prophecy reflects balance of God s justice and mercy. In 15 words or less, write out what the author is talking about by using past tense verbs and referring to the original audience: STEP 2- UNDERSTAND THEIR HOME What are the differences between the biblical audience and us? What is the historical, cultural etc context?

Psalms as Poetry: Hebrew poetry by nature was addressed to the mind through the HEART The Psalms themselves are MUSICAL poems The Vocabulary of poetry is purposefully METAPHORICAL Psalms as Literature: Psalms are several different TYPES Each Psalm is characterized by its formal STRUCTURE Each type of Psalm was intended to have a given FUNCTION in the life of Israel There are various PATTERNS within the Psalms Each Psalm has it s own INTEGRITY as a literary unit Types of Psalms: LAMENT Psalms THANKSGIVING Psalms HYMNS of Praise SALVATION-HISTORY Psalms CELEBRATION and AFFIRMATION Psalms WISDOM Psalms Songs of TRUST

Interpreting the Psalms: 1. READ, READ, and RE-READ 2. Identify the STRUCTURE of the passage 3. LOCATE and VISUALIZE each figure of speech 4. ENTER the emotional world of the Image 5. Try to IDENTIFY each Figure of Speech 6. Work though the INTERPRETIVE process

STUDYING THE BIBLE: FROM THEIR HOME TO OUR HOME (Poetry) Psalm 3 STEP 1- OBSERVE THEIR HOME What do I see in this text? Answer the who, what, where, when, why, and how. 6 elements of LAMENT 1) address, 2) complaint 3) Trust 4) Deliverance 5) Assurance 6)Praise In 15 words or less, write out what the author is talking about by using past tense verbs and referring to the original audience: STEP 2- UNDERSTAND THEIR HOME What are the differences between the biblical audience and us? What is the historical, cultural etc context?

What is Wisdom: Wisdom is the ability to make GODLY CHOICES in life. Nature of Wisdom: Wisdom is THEOLOGICAL Wisdom is PRACTICAL Wisdom is MORAL Wisdom is MYSTERIOUS General Guidelines: Proverbs are not LEGAL GUARENTEES from God. Proverbs seem to have been written to EDUCATE youth. Proverbs must be read as a COLLECTION Proverbs are worded to be MEMORABLE, not THEOLOGICALLY accurate. Proverbs at times need to be TRANSLATED to be appreciated.

STUDYING THE BIBLE: FROM THEIR HOME TO OUR HOME (Wisdom) Proverbs 7 STEP 1- OBSERVE THEIR HOME What do I see in this text? Answer the who, what, where, when, why, and how. In 15 words or less, write out what the author is talking about by using past tense verbs and referring to the original audience: STEP 2- UNDERSTAND THEIR HOME What are the differences between the biblical audience and us? What is the historical, cultural etc context?

The Historical Context of Revelation: Churches were facing intense PERSECUTION Churches were tempted to COMPROMISE Understanding Revelation: Revelation is a LETTER Revelation is a PROPHECY Revelation is APOCALYPTIC The Purpose of Revelation: Get a HEAVENLY perspective on life right now Get GOD S perspective on life right now Interpreting Revelation: Read Revelation with HUMILITY Seek to DISCOVER the message to the ORIGINAL readers Avoid creating CHRONOLOGICAL maps of FUTURE events Take Revelation SERIOUSLY, but don t always take it LITERALLY Pay attention when John identifies an IMAGE Look to the OLD TESTAMENT and HISTORICAL context when interpreting images and symbols Focus on the MAIN IDEA and don t press all the DETAILS

STUDYING THE BIBLE: FROM THEIR HOME TO OUR HOME Revelation 12:1-17 STEP 1- OBSERVE THEIR HOME What do I see in this text? Answer the who, what, where, when, why, and how. In 15 words or less, write out what the author is talking about by using past tense verbs and referring to the original audience: STEP 2- UNDERSTAND THEIR HOME What are the differences between the biblical audience and us? What is the historical, cultural etc context?