Class 1 - Introduction to Observation

Ground Rules

Be Humble - We will not agree on everything.

Be Teachable - We all need to grow & no one is right on everything

Be Reasonable - Not everything is worth dying over

Be Worshipful - Every truth is meant to cultivate deep affections for God

Inductive Method Review

Something you remember/something you learned from the last unit.

How has the inductive method impacted your Bible reading recently?

Review

Hermeneutics are the Rules (with principles)

Literal

Contextual

Literary

Exegesis is the Process (opposite is Eisegesis)

Induction is the Method (opposed to Deduction)

Three Phases/Disciplines of Inductive Study

Observation (what do you see?)

Interpretation (what does it mean?)

Response (what is its significance?)

Input from Class

Thoughts about Inductive Study

Observation, Interpretation, Response are not separate stages (you do only one at a time)

These three work in a spiral

Observation isn’t inferior to meaningful Bible study (it isn’t only preparatory)

Chapter 3 - Translation

Köstenberger begins his unit on Observation with translation

Multiple translations is not required but it is a rare, wonderful asset.

Rare - I mean that there are so few who have had multiple translations (out of 10 billion, possibly only 5% have had more than 1 translation)

Wonderful (not talking about translating theory or translating accuracy) ...

What benefit do you get when you have variations? You get an immediate clue you need to observe.

Example of Observation

Ephesians 4:12 ESV

to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Ephesians 4:12 KJV 1900

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Chapter 4 - Asking the Right Questions of the Text

Four kinds of questions

Questions of content

Questions of relationship

Questions of intention

Questions of implication

Questions of Content

3 “for” in KJV, 1 “to and 2 “for”

These are prepositions

Questions of Relationship (BOTH LEGITIMATE IN ENGLISH)

Prepositions can relate to one another in a series/consecutive phrases

Prepositions can relate phrases by purpose & result

Purpose

To equip the saints

Result

For the work of the Ministry

For the edification of the Saints

Homework

Consider Ephesians 4:12 and answer:

the Question of Intent

the Question of Implication

Read Chapter 4 - Observation (context through implication)

Review Chapter 3 - Comparing Bible Translations

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