How to Study the Bible (Part 3)

A number of weeks ago we began a 3 part series on how to study the Bible. Here is the third and final installment of that series where we consider APPLICATION: So…How Should I Respond to What I Have Just Studied?

So at this point you have read…and reread your passage…you have observed the text and you have asked several critical questions. You have also carefully considered the context. You have asked the question…What did the passage mean for the original audience?

Now…the next step in your Bible study is APPLICATION…what does it mean for me and how should I respond? This, of course is the ultimate goal of all personal Bible Study. Don’t stop before you get to this point.

The Bible is very clear about the importance of moving from understanding to practical obedience (James 1:22; John 13:17; Matthew 7:24-27; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).  
Helpful questions to think about at this stage include:

~ What is something I have I learned about God…maybe about His character, His plan, His priorities, His praises, His desires, His ways?

~ What is something I have learned about myself? Or maybe about my next door neighbour? Or about the world around me?

~ What do I learn about man’s “fallen (sinful) condition” in this passage?  (i.e., Is there human sin or brokenness evident?)

 ~ How is God’s plan of redemption evident in this passage? (i.e. grace? mercy? long suffering)

~ What do I need to repent of/change in either my thinking or my living…based on what I’ve learned?

~ How should I be pray in light of this passage?

~ Is there an encouragement or promise here that I need to meditate on?

~ What implications does this passage have for the way I engage my unbelieving friends?

~ How does this passage apply to my brothers and sisters in Christ?

~ How does it speak to our life together as a church?

So in summary of these three sections:

What does this Scripture passage say? That’s OBSERVATION.

What does this Scripture mean? That’s INTERPRETATION.

How should I (or we) respond? That’s APPLICATION.

Make no mistake…studying the Bible requires effort, but the dividends from your effort will be priceless. My hope is that as you put these principles in to practice the Bible will come alive as never before as you gain a deeper understanding of God’s words. No other habit can transform your life and make you more like Jesus than to study and act upon the Scriptures.

[This article was first published in Doing Life Together@Fellowship January 16, 2020]

How to Study the Bible (Part 2)

Last week we began to look at a three part Bible Study method: We began with Observation where we read and re-read the text, and asking several critical questions. In this post we are going to consider part 2 of this Bible Study method where we  Interpret: So we are asking the question: What does the passage Mean?

So you have read and reread your passage…you have observed the text and you have asked several critical questions. But what does it all mean? The next step in your Bible study is Interpretation…

First of all things…Consider the CONTEXT…It is critical…let me say again…it is critical to keep the context in mind. So be sure to read the passages that come before your text and the verses that follow your text. And ask the following questions:~ Are there any confusing words or phrases that I need to understand? Here is where you will do some legwork… individual research into those words. (NOTE: I would recommend biblestudytools.com a free resource available with dictionaries, commentaries and lexicons.etc.)
~ Why did the Biblical author write this passage? 
~ Is my interpretation consistent with what I noticed in my observations?
~ Are there other passages of Scripture that help me with my interpretation? (BTW…Jesus modelled this See Luke 24) Many Bibles come equipped with cross references.
~ Where does this passage fall in the history of redemption? 
~ How does it fit within the Bible’s teaching as a whole?
~ How does this text point me to Jesus? Keep in mind that no matter where you turn in your Bible…it is about Jesus.
~ Try putting the passage in your own words…this is called paraphrasing.
~ Narrow your passage down to one key phrase. This is your Big Idea.
It is important to point out that once you have interpreted as best you can…it can be a very helpful thing to consult a study help such as a commentary or Bible dictionary. Our Fellowship Church Library has plenty of good resources to help you. It is vital to note that these should never replace the Scriptures…just supplement and augment your personal study. 
Suggested Resources:
~ http://www.biblestudytools.com
~ “Treasury of Scripture Knowledge”  
~ Your own Study Bible…is always a great resource.
~ Strong’s Concordance of the Bible
~ The Bible Knowledge Commentary
~ There is so many more resources available in our own Church library! Let me encourage you to take your personal Bible study to the next level. It requires diligence and effort but God will honour it.“…rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Next Week...Application...how should I respond to what I have studied?

[This article was first published in Doing LifeTogether@Fellowship Newsletter January 9, 2020]

How to Study the Bible (Part 1)

IT’S NOT TOO LATE!!
Sometimes we think we need some new program or tool or thing to grow to be like Christ! Not true.  A simple Bible reading program will do. Check out the YOU Version Bible App for plenty of options. {My personal favourite is the Discipleship Journal Read through the Bible because it allows some days each month to catch up on missed readings.} Over the next three blog entries I want to share with you three important steps to reading your Bible.

STEP #1. OBSERVE: What Does the Scripture passage say?  This is the first step…(okay…after you pray…ask the Lord to speak to your heart) whenever we open the Bible our most basic task is to see first of all…what is there. You probably did this in Grade 3 when the teacher asked you to think about what you are reading while you are reading it. For me…I know that I have to read something over again and again just to get it.  The good news is that this observation step does not have to be complicated. Just read the text slowly and carefully gather the basic facts of WHO, WHAT, WHERE, and WHEN…as if you were an investigative reporter. {Psst! Hey another quick tip is to use a different trusted translation of the Bible.}

The following are some good questions to ask while you read:

• ~ Who is writing? Or who is speaking?
• ~ To whom are they speaking or writing?
• ~ Who are the main characters?
• ~ What words or phrases are repeated?
• ~ Are there clues to where this is happening?
• ~ Are there clues to show when it is being written?
• ~ Are there statements of contrast, comparison, or conditional statements?
• ~ Is there a logical progression in the author’s argument?
• ~ Are there words that help you to know mood, emotions? 
• ~ Are there any figures of speech/metaphors?
• ~ What are the section divisions and linking words?
• ~ What don’t I understand here in this passage?

Do not feel that you have to make this a lengthy step in the process.  Just think about what you are reading. NOTE: Make sure you know…some of these questions you will not get an answer in every passage you read. But… the more you ask the questions…the more attentive you will become to such things. I would recommend reading an entire book of the Bible rather than jumping around to different passages.

Next Week: INTERPRETATION…what on earth does this Scripture passage mean? [Any questions about this process or need any help…please just contact Pastor David]