How to study the Bible

Introduction

Romans 3:22–23 CSB

22 The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction. 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;

What does “since there is no distinction” mean?

I asked Elaine that question the other day and many people get stumped. The reason to employ the method I am going to show you today is it helps you to see the big picture that God is painting through the author of the book

When you understand the leading up to this verse is when you see the true value in the verse

The danger here is people quote one verse they really like, but unknowingly compromise the true meaning of scripture when they don’t understand how something was being used. Example Phil 4:13

Philippians 4:13 CSB

13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.

Today we will be breaking down what I call the triple A method to bible studies

Triple A lifts you up when you are in trouble the same way the word lifts you up when you are in trouble

Body

Romans 2:25–29 CSB

25 Circumcision benefits you if you observe the law, but if you are a lawbreaker, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 So if an uncircumcised man keeps the law’s requirements, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? 27 A man who is physically uncircumcised, but who keeps the law, will judge you who are a lawbreaker in spite of having the letter of the law and circumcision. 28 For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. 29 On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter. That person’s praise is not from people but from God.

Central idea of the text (CIT)

The first thing we should do is read the text we are studying from our own perspective. After reading the text we need to summarize the main idea of what the author of the text is saying

Let students read the verses and come up with a CIT

What is the CIT

The question may then arise of why did he use circumcision so much. Why does that matter?

2. Author and his intent

You have to ask yourself who the author of this book was and why exactly did he write this to this people group in the first place. This book was written by Paul

Paul wrote this book toward the later part of his ministry and it was one of his most theologically put together books. That is why we use it for the Romans road because he includes so much in terms of what it means to walk the Christian walk

3. Audience

When you look at the audience of the book of Romans, you see a church that is very diverse in belief. You have gentiles who are anything besides Jews and then you have Jews.

The two sides had much division over how to please God or what was appropriate in worshipping God.

Paul in chapter 1 called out gentiles for worshipping idols that they had made

He calls out the Jews in chapter 2 for relying too much on old testament law for their salvation and not enough on faith in Christ.

God tells both sides though that they need an inward change and don’t just need to display acts of faith publically for their salvation.

4. Application

The way I approach the next part is very much driven by current day application.

To this point we have connected the dots and have a good idea of what the text really means. We have curved the issue of misinterpreting the text.

This is where you apply all of the context you have previously learned and look for key words and phrases such as circumcision, which was used as an outward showing that “I’m good with God” to the religious jews

We can then ask what am i doing to appear like a religious person and is my heart truly pure. Is my change Inward or just outward.

Now knowing these basic truths of this scripture, we can ask a question such as:

What is circumcision for me? The public religious thing that I do? How can I assure I have a true inward change for the Lord?

5. Reworked CIT

We are not saved by being a religious person and doing religious things outwardly, but we are saved by having a true inward change for the Lord.

Resources

Life application study bible

blueletterbible.org

e sword

Logos

Physical commentaries

Challenge

Study with the triple A method the background of 1 Timothy. We will begin a study of it starting next Sunday and you guys are going to fill in the background details for the book using this method! Author, Audience, Application.