Open Up the Book
Why Study the Bible? The Bible, consisting of sixty six books, was written over a span of 1500 years, across three continents, in three languages, from a variety of authors and in a number of genres. 1 There is no other book like it because God is ultimately the main author behind the text. Because the Bible is the Word of God it is fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. 2 To claim that the Bible is the Word of God is not to deny particular styles of the human authors, the diversity of genres, or even the complexity of interpretation. To quote Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, The Bible, it has been correctly said, is the Word of God given in human words in history. It is this dual nature of the Bible that demands of us the task of interpretation. 3 In an age driven by search engines and social media, we want quick answers to life s problems. With libraries and books being replaced by smart phones and E-readers, the idea of slowly working through the Bible seems tedious. The main reason for biblical illiteracy today is failure to read and study the Bible. At Calvary Church we want to curb this trend by providing the resources, tools, and spaces for serious Bible study to happen. Open Up the Book is meant to be a catalyst for just such a vision. Whether you re new to Bible study or an advanced scholar, the questions you should ask of the text don t change. Interpretive questions are divided into three main categories: Text, Context, and You. In the, Text section you seek to understand what a particular passage is saying. In the Context section, you ask questions about the original historical and literary context. Finally in the You section, you ask questions to draw connections to your own life context. As you work through this guide, never lose sight of the fact that at a most fundamental level, it s the Bible that questions and challenges you. We pray that the Holy Spirit would guide you in this journey as you open up the Book. Which leads to an important point. While good Bible study practices are crucial for a believer to learn, one should never forget that the Word of God is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). It is the means by which the Holy Spirit speaks, challenges, convicts, instructs and changes us. Before beginning the study, spend some time individually or as a group praying and inviting the Holy Spirit into the study process. It is only by His presence and initiative that the fruit gleaned from study can move from the head, to the heart, to action. A special thanks to John Carlson and Guy Bristol who have developed and taught this Bible study method. Their passion for God s word has benefited many. FOUR STEPS TO BIBLE STUDY Prayer Prayer should be incorporated through out the entire process. Text (Observation) Read the Text / What does it say? Context (Interpretation) Historical/Cultural Context What did it mean to the original audience? Literary Context What is the immediate surrounding context and how does this impact the meaning of the text? Life Context How did the people in the story respond? You (Application) What does it mean for me? 1 ESV Study Bible, Interpreting the Bible (Wheaton: Crossway, 2008), 2561 2 https://converge.org/about/affirmation-faith 3 Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003), 21.
FREE STUDY APPS FOR YOUR PHONE OR TABLET All of these apps offer multiple Bible versions and study aids. Check out the websites to see what will work best for you. Faithlife Study Bible faithlife.com Olive Tree Bible Software olivetree.com YouVersion youversion.com BIBLE SOFTWARE Bible software is an invaluable resource for Bible study. Software can be pricey, but the tools and resources that they provide are worth the investment. The three primary Bible software packages are: Logos Bible Software logos.com Accordance Bible Software accordancebible.com Bible Works bibleworks.com Each have their pros and cons depending upon the type of study you ll be doing. It s best to do your own comparison as only you know your needs. TEXT Bible Gateway: A resource for exploring a passage in a variety of translations. 1. What does the text say? Am I confident in understanding what the author intended? 2. Explore a few translations. Are there major differences that convey different meaning? Is more digging needed? 3. Are there key words that merit special study? Blue Letter Bible: A tool for doing word studies in the original languages.
How is the English word used elsewhere in the same Bible translation? What is the range of meaning of the original word (Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic)? How is the original language word used elsewhere in the Bible? 4. What is the genre of this passage? Does that have an impact on how we should read it? Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All its Worth: A Resource For Studying the Genre of a Biblical Book CONTEXT Historical/Cultural Context Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament John H. Walton, Victor H. Matthews and Mark W. Chavalas, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament 1. What did it mean to the original audience? Who was writing (or speaking) to whom?
What was the immediate reason for the message? What was the cultural context of the message when it was given? Is there important background information that gives further insight into how the original audience would have understood the message? Literary Context 2. How does this passage flow together with the surrounding context of the book or chapter? IMMEDIATE CONTEXT What is the message of the passage preceding this one? What is the message of the passage following this one? Together, do these sections flow together to support the message of the book as a whole?
Did considering the literary context clarify the meaning of the section you are studying? Did it confirm, challenge, or redirect your understanding? BROADER CONTEXT Are there other passages in the Bible that talk about the same subject or question? Do any of these other passages bring a different or counter-balancing perspective? Life Context 3. How did the people in the story respond? If the passage is a story... How was God involved as an actor in the story? How did the people respond to the situation? Did that response have a lasting impact on the course of their lives?
If I was in that story, how would I have responded? If the passage is a teaching or prophecy... What was the driving motivation of the teacher or prophet? What response did the speaker want to see in the audience? Do we know how the people responded to it? If I was part of the original audience, how would I have responded? YOU 1. What does it mean for me? 2. Does the passage show certain behaviors, attitudes or character qualities that we should aspire to?
3. What aspects of the story or teaching are universal (they apply to all people everywhere at all times) and what aspects might be specific to certain people at a certain time and place? 4. What does this passage teach us about how to live? 5. How would it change me if I applied that to my life? Roseville Campus 2120 Lexington Ave N Roseville, MN 55113 White Bear Campus 651.487.2855 4604 Greenhaven Dr www.calvarychurch.us White Bear Township, MN 55127