HANDLE WITH CARE RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH An Equipping Class based on How to Study Your Bible Precept Ministries International # 1 SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE BIBLE INTAKE Hearing the Word Reading the Word Studying the Word Memorizing the Word Meditating on the Word 1
STUDYING THE WORD STUDYING THE WORD The basic difference between reading and study is simply a pen and a paper or some other means of preserving your thoughts 2
WHY STUDY THE BIBLE? 5 MINUTE BIBLE STUDY 1. ACCORDING TO THE VERSE, WHY SHOULD WE STUDY THE BIBLE? 2. WHAT OTHER REASONS CAN YOU THINK OF? 3
WHY STUDY THE BIBLE 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1Peter 2:2-3 ESV WHY STUDY THE BIBLE SPIRITUAL GROWTH We re to have an ATTITUDE... like a newborn infant We re to develop an APPETITE... for spiritual milk We re to know the AIM... not just to know but to grow 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1Peter 2:2-3 ESV 4
WHY STUDY THE BIBLE 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:12-14 ESV WHY STUDY THE BIBLE SPIRITUAL MATURITY Understanding deep truths is hindered by under-developed ears Milk dependency is a result of lack of skill in the Word Maturity comes by constant handling of the Word 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:12-14 ESV 5
WHY STUDY THE BIBLE 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2Timothy 3:16-17 ESV WHY STUDY THE BIBLE SPIRITUAL EFFECTIVENESS Every word proceeding from the mouth of God is profitable for the child of God The end game is maturity and preparedness 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2Timothy 3:16-17 ESV 6
SO WHY DON'T WE STUDY THE BIBLE? 7
WE DON T STUDY BECAUSE... WE RE NOT REALLY ACADEMICS? OR BECAUSE IT S HARD WORK? MAYBE PEOPLE DON T STUDY THE BIBLE BECAUSE... THEY DON T KNOW HOW They ve never been shown any tools 8
MAYBE PEOPLE DON T STUDY THE BIBLE BECAUSE... THEY ARE NOT MOTIVATED They ve never experienced the rush THE RUSH FACTOR The Bible is GOD-BREATHED (2Timothy 3:16) The Bible is LIVING & ACTIVE (Hebrews 4:12) The Bible was written for OUR INSTRUCTION (Romans 15:4, 1Corinthians 10:11) The Holy Spirit is OUR INSTRUCTOR (John 16:13, 1John 2:27) The Bible can RENEW our minds and TRANSFORM our lives (Romans 12:2) 9
THREE ATTITUDE STAGES TOWARDS STUDYING THE BIBLE 1. The CASTOR OIL stage You study because you know it s good for you, but it s not too enjoyable 2. The CEREAL stage Your Bible study is dry and uninteresting, but you know it s nourishing 3. The PEACHES & CREAM stage You are feasting on the Word of God and it s mmm, mmm, good! INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY 10
INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY 11
DEDUCTIVE VS. INDUCTIVE STUDY PREMISE Starting Belief PRECEPTS Resulting Belief Inference & Reasoning Inference & Research The Details Are Aligned to the Belief The Details Are Discovered INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY Is about slowing down and really looking at what the Scripture is saying Uses the Bible itself as the primary source of information about the Bible Draws us into personal interaction with the Word of God and thus, with the God of the Word 12
INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY 1. OBSERVATION What does the passage say? 2. INTERPRETATION What does the passage mean? 3. APPLICATION What difference does the passage make? OUR PLAN JANUARY Mining the Detail Tips & Techniques to Help with Observation Things to watch for Questions to ask Ways to highlight your Bible How to organize all the detail you glean FEBRUAY - JUNE Making Sense of the Detail Tips & Techniques on How to Interpret the Detail Helps that will be helpful How to understand different types of Scripture Practicing 1 & 2 Thessalonians Study every second week 13
When you know what God says, what He means, and how to put His truths into practice, you will be equipped for every circumstance of life. ~ How to Study Your Bible HANDLE WITH CARE RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH 14