2. The Methods of Bible Study

Announcements

Family Game night (Feb. 20)

Quebec Trip (Boys practice after this)

Random Question

What’s an Olympic Sport that doesn’t exist but should?

Lesson

You want to study the Bible? First, you’ve got to be a C.I.A agent.

Imagine being a C.I.A agent showing up at a crime scene, these three things are going to be constantly going through your mind.

(NEW SLIDE)

C - ontext

Ø “What do I see?”

This step has to do with the facts and only the facts.

- Detective’s magnifying glass

If you’re a detective on a crime scene, what are some clues you should notice right away? (Weapons, blood, damaged property, things used to hide evidence, etc)

GATHERING EVIDENCE. People, locations, words, story, etc.

- "The National Bible Bee” (TV show)

(NEW SLIDE)

I - nterpretation

Ø “What does it mean?”

Crime scene

- Look at all the evidence, and piece them together

Apply that to Scriptural study

(NEW SLIDE)

A - pplication

Ø “How does it work?”

You know the facts, and you know what it means, but now, what am I going to do about it?

Let’s say you’re the detective on the crime scene. You’ve observed all the facts (clues), and you’ve figured out the crime. “The killer murdered them in the kitchen, dragged them into the backyard, and buried them. I found the finger prints and we know who the killer is. Done! I’ve solved the crime!”

You’ve solved the crime, but is your job done? (No!! The killer is on the loose, you’ve got to act on it!)

Let’s take a deeper dive into the Scriptures together and work through these principles.

(NEW SLIDE)

Context – “What do I see?”

Everyone turn to Philippians 4

It’s ultra important that we study the Bible with the right order in mind!

Parent disciplines you without talking to you...

- Need to know the facts before you shape the meaning.

Principle: DON’T ASSUME YOU KNOW!

Everybody knows Philippians 4:13

(NEW SLIDE)

Philippians 4:13 NKJV

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Can someone tell me what this verse means?

Common interpretation...

(NEW SLIDE)(NEW SLIDE)

(NEW SLIDE)

1. Look for Terms

(NEW SLIDE)

Ø Key words

Philippians 4:10-20

Context: Paul is vulnerable, he needs help from the church. As I read this passage, keep that background in mind, and tell me what are some key words you see.

I’ll help you out on this one and point out some of the key words...

Key Words

Rejoiced - vs. 10

Content - vs. 11

Strengthen - vs. 13

(NEW SLIDE)

Ø Repetition

Repeated words and key terms help us unlock the meaning of the passage.

Read passage

Now, look for words that repeat themselves...

Repeated Words

Care - vs. 10 (x2)

Need - vs. 11, 12, 16, 19

Know - vs. 12, 15

Abound - vs. 12 (x2), 17

Full - vs. 12, 18

Shared - vs. 14, 15

(NEW SLIDE)

2. Look for Structure

(NEW SLIDE)

Ø Grammatical structure

Main verbs

Adjectives

Adverbs

Main subject

Let’s specifically focus on vs. 13 for a second...

Philippians 4:13 NKJV

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

What is the subject of the sentence? (I, Paul, all believers...)

What’s the main verb? (Can do)

How many things can I do? (all things = direct object)

There’s an important preposition in the middle, what is it? (through)

All these things that I can do are through Christ, there’s someone who makes me able to do this...

Why is it important to know that all the things we can do are through Christ (Take “through” out, and you can do all things by your own strength)

What does Christ do to us? (Strengthens, VERB)

(NEW SLIDE)

Ø Literary structure

Every story has a starting point, then it builds and builds until you get to the climax, and then the tension resolves for the ending.

LOTR storyline...

Philippians 4 structure

vs. 10: Start (Rejoiced for the church’s care)

vs. 11: Build (Paul has a need, but he is content)

vs. 12: Build (Not only is he content now, but in any circumstance; whether abased or abounding)

vs. 13: Climax (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me; Jesus Christ gives me the strength to be content in all my circumstances)

vs. 14-20: Resolution (You shared with me, God has provided for all my needs, God will supply all your needs)

(NEW SLIDE)

3. Look for Literary Form

Ø “What genre of writing am I looking at?”

Let’s say you’re reading the Chronicles of Narnia, and you’re coming into this book expecting to learn about the history of England, is this book going to make sense to you? (ABsolutely not, “Since when do mice talk and swing swords?!” “I didn’t know ice witches are real!”

What’s the problem with my approach? (I’m reading with the wrong genra in mind, Narnia is fiction, not history!)

Same thing applies to the Bible, you’ve got to know what you’re reading!

Law (Rules & obligations)

Poetry (Word pictures, plenty of expressions)

Narrative/story (History)

Prophecy (Strong picture language, rebukes)

Epistle/Letter (Clear, directions, commands)

Apocalyptic (Pictures)

What genra is Philippians written in? (Epistle)

(NEW SLIDE)

4. Look for Atmosphere

Ø “What’s going on here?!”

Use your sanctified imagination!

Back to Philippians...

Philippians 4:14 NKJV

14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.

Paul is in a place of distress...

Where was Paul when he wrote Philippians? The White House? (Prison)

Let’s use our sanctified imagination here, what is prison like? (Dirty, cold, stinky, uncomfortable, etc.)

Ok, now let’s take that thought and bring it to vs. 11

Philippians 4:11 NKJV

11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

How does Paul’s atmosphere affect the way we understand vs. 11? (He really was content in ALL circumstances)

(NEW SLIDE)

Interpretation – “What does it mean?”

Hugely important step! Now that you’ve gathered as much evidence as you can, now it’s time to get to the main point...

Things that should cross your mind as you interpret the Bible.

(NEW SLIDE)

1. Questions

Why does Paul say this?

What does that mean?

Don’t be afraid to bombard the Bible with questions, it can handle it! This is key if we want to understand the meaning...

(NEW SLIDE)

2. Answers

Where can we find the answers to our questions? (The Bible!)

The more time you sspend observing the text, the better you will be at answering your own questions...

(NEW SLIDE)

3. Put it together

Preach through Romans for years...

- Can lose the main point

- Let’s not forget to see the big picture

(NEW SLIDE)

Application – “How does it work?”

(NEW SLIDE)

1. How does it work for me?

Bring a friend to camp, listen to preaching and think, “Man I hope she’s listening to this!” “He better be taking notes right now!”

Who are you focusing on? (Not you! The Bible first needs to be applied to our own lives!)

Ask yourself...

What does this have to say to me?

How would this work in my life?

What do I need to change?

(NEW SLIDE)

2. How does it work for others?

We should also be ready to share the Word with others to build them up in the faith!