8. Six Things to Look out For

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Lesson

Mechanic looking at an engine...

A good mechanic will know what to look for in a car, and they’ll have a plan on how it will be fixed. As students of God’s Word, we’ve got to have an approach to our study, we need to be on the lookout for certain things. Tonight, we’re going to look at 6 things we need to be on the look out for when we read our Bibles.

Things that are Emphasized

1. Amount of space

I’m having a conversation with Oliver…

- For 30 seconds I tell him about that awesome bowl of cheerios I had this morning.

- For the next 30 minutes I talk to him about a 4-door honda side by side I want to buy.

What do I want Oliver to remember from our conversation? (The Side-by-side!)

Why so? (When we take more time on a certain topic, we are emphasising that topic)

This is mostly true with Bible study. If the author takes more time on a certain topic, place, or person, they really want you to know about it!

There’s just one difference, If one part of the Bible is shorter than another, does that make it less important than the longer part? (NO!)

PowerPoint Chart

- Genesis 1-11 vs. 12-50

- Jesus’ teaching in Matthew

342/1062 verses are Jesus teaching.

- Paul’s epistles

Ephesians 1-3 = Doctrine, 4-6 = lifestyle

Colossians 1-2 = Doctrine, 3-4 = Lifestyle

Romans 1-11 = Doctrine, 12-16 = Lifestyle

2. Stated purpose

It’s silly when we miss the clear statements in Scripture. Imagine ignoring your doctor.

“I’m going to do an open heart surgery on you. For 24hrs before the surgery you are not allowed to eat anything.”

And you tell all your friends you’re headed to the dentist for a cavity fill. You made sure not to eat any sweets and you even brushed your teeth three times. You missed the point. Why? You didn’t listen! Sometimes Scripture is so clear, we just need to listen.

You tell me what’s the point of the Gospel of John, just from reading this verse.

John 20:30–31 NKJV

30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

How about Proverbs

Proverbs 1:2–6 NKJV

2 To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; 4 To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion— 5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, 6 To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles.

3. Order

When you make a to do list, where are you putting the most important tasks? (On top!)

Order matters in the Bible! Sometime when we read lists, the most important will come first. Take a look at Luke 6

Luke 6:14–16 NKJV

14 Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; 15 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; 16 Jud as the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.

4. Movement from lesser to greater

Some books have a climax, everything builds up to that point, and break down from there...

2 Samuel - David & Bathsheba

Things that are Repeated

1. Terms, phrases, and clauses

Repetition is a way to emphasize things (Say it 3x). Got the point yet?

Something awesome about Scripture, especially the OT, is the way it uses repetition.

Let’s read only three verses in Psalm 136, and you tell me what’s emphasized...

Psalm 136:1–3 NKJV

1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. 3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever:

(Have the teens read the first three words of Hebrews 11:4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23)

2. Characters

Sometimes people reappear, and we want to notice what it has to say.

John Mark...

Acts 15:37–39 NKJV

37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;

Compare with...

2 Timothy 4:11 NKJV

11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.

3. Incidents and circumstances

Cycle in the book of Judges...

4. Patterns

Joseph & Jesus

Saul & David

5. NT use of OT Passages

Things that are Related

This is the glue that brings everything together

1. General to specific

Creation account

General - “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

Specific - 6 days of creation

2. Questions and answers

When questions are asked in the Bible, we need to be looking for the answer, it will help us understand what the author is trying to tell us.

Romans 6:1–2 NKJV

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?

Someone tell me in your own words what he’s asking?

Romans 6:1–2 NKJV

2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

3. Cause and effect

Psalm 1:2 NKJV

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.

If my delight is in the Lord, what will happen in vs. 3?

Psalm 1:3 NKJV

3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

Things that are Alike and Unlike

Alike

1. Similes

This is when you compare two things. I’m using a figure of speech to help you understand my point.

Rodney ran his marathon like a speedy rabbit.

Psalm 42:1 NKJV

1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.

What’s the picture here? (A thirsty deer)

What is he comparing the deer to? (His own soul)

So, what message is he bringing across? (We desire deeply to be in God’s presence)

2. Metaphors

What is a metaphor?

It’s a comparison made without using the words “as” or “like”

John 15:1–2 NKJV

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Should I expect to be a branch, and I’m a part of the Vine, who is Jesus?

Then how should I see this?

Unlike

This is a way to use contrast.

1. The use of but

Why do you think this word is important? (It shows us a change in direction)

Let’s look at an example in Galatians 5

Galatians 5:19–21 NKJV

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

What is this list like? (Bad, sinful)

Galatians 5:22–23 NKJV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Spot any difference from the first list?

2. Metaphors

3. Irony

Haman’s life has to be the most ironic story in the whole Bible...

King Ahasuerus learns about Mordecai saving stopping the plot to take his life… He asks Haman, “What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?”

Remember what Haman says? (Give him a royal robe and crown and let him be paraded through the city on horseback.)

King Ahasuerus says, “Let that be done to Mordecai!”

Haman’s death

Hung on the noose designed for Mordecai!

Things that are True to Life

This section is all about using your sanctified imagination, and you put yourself in the person’s shoes… The people in the Scriptures were real people with real highs, real lows.

1. Abraham

Offering Isaac

How would I feel if I had to sacrifice my son?

2. Moses

Leading Israel

How did he have so much patience?

3. Noah

Got drunk after getting off the ark

How is it possible for someone so righteous to do this?

4. David

David & Bathsheba

What ways do I get tempted like he was? What does David’s sin tell us about ourselves?

5. Peter

Rejection of Jesus

Why would he crack under the pressure of this moment? Am i totally loyal to Jesus?

6. Timothy

Young pastor

How would the responsibility feel like? Am I a godly person people can look up to?

Conclusion

Every time we study the Bible, we’ve got to be approaching it with a strategy...

What things are emphasized?

What things are repeated?

What things are related?

What things are alike?

What things are unalike?

What things are true to life?