4-Studying God’s Word

Every believer should be spending time in the Word of God, and every reader becomes an interpreter of the Word. The problem is that there are different ways to interpret what one reads, and the way we interpret the Bible influences what we believe and how we live.

In this section you will be discussing proper ways to study the Bible. This involves good hermeneutics (the principles for Bible study) and good exegesis (the practice of Bible study).

A. Hermeneutics – Principles for Bible Study

Without a set of rules, or guidelines, the interpretation of Scripture becomes subjective and will mean different things to different people. This opens the door for unlimited interpretations that can lead the reader into error with disastrous results.

Think of a mountainous highway without any guardrails or center lines. Can you imagine how many accidents there would be? The lines in the center and on the sides of the highway help guide the driver and keep them in the proper lane. This protects them from having a head-on collision with an oncoming car. The guardrails on the side of the road keep the car from driving over the edge and down the cliff. So it is, that proper hermeneutics serve as principles to guide and restrict the interpretation of the Bible so that we avoid going astray.

Discussion 1

Read the following interpretation of a well-known verse and discuss what you think about it.

Gen 1:26 – “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”

Interpretation: “Adam was a super being when God created him. I don’t know whether people know this, but he was the first Superman that ever lived. The Scriptures declare that he had “dominion” over the birds – which means he used to fly. Of course, how could he have dominion over something, and not be able to do what that thing does. I’ll prove it further. Adam not only flew, he flew to outer space. With one thought, he could go to the moon. It was Adam who was really the first man on the moon.”

Discussion 2

Someone needed guidance so they used the “grab and swing” approach to get a “word” from God. This might also be called the “open and point” approach. They asked God to let them know what they should do. Then they opened the Bible and pointed at the first verse they saw. This was supposedly what God would have them to do.

What do you think? Have you ever done this?

Matthew 27:5 – Judas went out and hung himself
Luke 10:37 – Go thou and do likewise
John 13:27 – Whatever you do, do quickly…

Discussion 3

When we read the Bible, our understanding is often influenced by what we have seen or heard. Most of us have watched a Christmas play where the shepherds, along with the wisemen, visit Jesus in the manger. Or we receive a Christmas card with the kings giving their gifts to Jesus in the manger. How many “wise men” were at the manger? (Luke 2:15-16; Matt. 2:1-11)

Discussion 4

Talk about the way you read and understand the Bible. How does it speak to you? Do you have any rules or guidelines that you follow to help you interpret what you read? How important do you think this is? (2 Timothy 2:15)

Discussion 5

One reason we need a set of guidelines is because of the differences in interpretation. An example of this is found in Proverbs 29:18 – “Without a vision the people perish…”

Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) Where there is no vision the people perish but happy is he that keeps the law.
Proverbs 29:18 (NIV) Where there is no revelation the people cast off restraint but blessed is he that keeps the law.
Proverbs 29:18 (NLT) Where there is no divine guidance the people run wild but whoever obeys the law is happy.

Discuss the different translations of this verse. Does it change the meaning? Does it bring clarification or confusion?

Discussion 6

Does the way we interpret the Bible affect us in different areas of our life, or only in the spiritual?

A man lived on the upper floor of a high-rise apartment building. One day he noticed a crack in the wall and called the maintenance man. Upon investigation, they discovered that there was a problem in the foundation way underground. Without a proper foundation, a building is not secure.

Jesus talked about this in His parable about the man who built his house upon the rock (Matt. 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49). Without a solid foundation we will not be able to withstand the storms of life. Discuss this parable. What stands out to you?

Hermeneutics is foundational to every area of our life. Your ministry, your family, your marriage, your finances, your job, your life, etc., are all influenced by what you believe, and what you believe is determined by how you interpret the Bible. Do you agree? Can you think of any examples?

Discussion 7

While there are different ways to interpret the Bible, we believe the proper way is the ‘Historical-Grammatical’ approach. The writers of the Bible were writing at a particular time in history within a particular cultural setting. Their words would have been easily understood by the people of their day. In order for us to get a proper understanding of what was being communicated, we must look at the Scriptural passage with that in mind. There are two important aspects to consider: the context of the passage and the content of the passage. We must understand the text in its context.

Take time to discuss the following ten guiding principles for Bible study:

Since Scripture originated in a historical context, it should be understood in light of that historical/cultural setting.
Try to see yourself a part of biblical events. Re-live the story as if you were there.
Interpret a passage in harmony with its context. A text without a context can be a pretext for anything.
There is only one interpretation of a passage, and it is usually literal. If the text makes sense literally, don’t look for a figurative meaning.
The goal of interpretation is to understand the “plain meaning” to the original recipients. Don’t look for hidden or mystical meanings. Say what the text says. Find the point and stick with it.
The Bible best interprets itself. Scripture best explains Scripture. Let clear passages help you interpret unclear ones.
In general, didactic (teaching) portions of the Bible take precedence over descriptive portions in establishing interpretation and doctrine. Biblical examples are only binding when supported by a command. Is the passage descriptive or prescriptive?
When two ideas (doctrines) in the Bible appear to be contradictory, hold to both, keeping each in perfect balance with the other. Let mystery be mystery and God be God. Remember that the finite mind of man cannot fully comprehend the infinite mind of God.
The primary purpose of Bible study is to change our lives not just increase our knowledge. You haven’t fully studied the Bible until you have applied it to yourself and others. So, make the application of the truth your ultimate goal.
Though there is only one interpretation there are many applications. In applying the Bible, the application is to be consistent with the interpretation. A text can never mean what it never meant.

Special Hermeneutical Approach

We have looked at the general guidelines for Biblical interpretation. Now let us look at the Special Hermeneutical Approach. This includes two important observations: the literature of the passage and the language of the passage.

Literature of the Passage

When looking at the literature of the passage ask yourself: “What kind of material are you studying?” There are 5 basic types of literature in the Bible:

Discourse material
Narrative material
Poetic material
Wisdom material
Prophetic material

Discussion 8 – Discourse Material

These are written or spoken statements that teach truth directly (explicitly). These can be found in the epistles (letters), the sayings and sermons of Jesus, the sermons and speeches in the Book of Acts, and in Old Testament sayings, sermons, and statements.

Think of some familiar passages that fit into this category.

Discussion 9 – Narrative Material

These are often stories. In the Red-letter editions of the Gospels, the black print is narrative, while the red print is discourse. Narrative teaches truth indirectly (implicitly) by example. Discourse teaches truth directly (explicitly) by instruction.

Narratives are misinterpreted when they are treated like discourses. This is known as “dogmatizing.” Just because something did happen, doesn’t mean it must happen. Never dogmatize narratives. Remember that teaching portions of the Bible take precedence over describing portions in establishing interpretation and doctrine. Biblical examples are only binding when supported by a command.

Take time to discuss this and look up some narrative passages and compare them with a discourse passage.

Discussion 10 – Poetic Material

The key to poetic material is there are three types of parallelisms:

Synonymous Parallelism – “and” – one line restates the other (Psalm 2:8)
Contrasting Parallelism – “but” – one line contrasts the other (Psalm 1:6)
Analogous Parallelism – “like, as” – one line pictures the other (Psalm 42:1)

Look up the verses given and discuss each. Think of other verses that fit into these categories.

Discussion 11 – Wisdom Material

There are two types of Wisdom literature:

Speculative Wisdom, such as Job and Ecclesiastes
Proverbial Wisdom, such as the short catchy sayings we find in the Book of Proverbs

Take a look at these books and discuss the difference.

Discussion 12 – Prophetic Material

The primary use of prophecy is Proclaiming (forthtelling), and the secondary use of prophecy is Predicting (foretelling). The primary purpose of prophecy is to inspire action.

Look up the following passages and discuss if they are proclaiming or predicting. Isaiah 9:6-7; 31:1; 35; 53; Jeremiah 32:36-44; Matthew 24; Acts 2:14-21; 3:4-8; 15:23-29; 1 Thess. 5:1-11.

Language of the Passage

When looking at the language of the passage ask yourself: “Is the text literal or is the text figurative?” Remember, there is only one interpretation of a passage, and it is usually literal. If the text makes sense literally, don’t look for a figurative meaning.

Short figures of speech include similes, metaphors, synonyms, and exaggerations (hyperboles/euphemisms).
Long figures of speech include allegories and parables.
Allegories are more figurative, the interpretation is blended, and there are many points of comparison.
A parable is more literal, the interpretation is separate, and there is one main point of comparison. Parables are misrepresented when they are treated like allegories. This is known as “allegorizing” which is reading hidden meanings into a parable beyond its main point.

Discussion 13 – Interpreting a Parable

Read the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. What is the main point of the parable? How does your interpretation of this parable compare to the allegorizing of Origin and Augustine as described below?

Element	Origen	Augustine
The Man	Fallen Man	Fallen Man
Jerusalem	Heaven	Heaven/Adam Fell
Jericho	Our Journey	The Sinful World
Robbers	Devil/Demons	Devil/Demons
Priest	The Law	Old Testament
Levite	The Prophets	Old Testament
Beat		Persuaded to Sin
Samaritan	Christ	Christ
Animal	Christ’s Body	Christ’s Body
Inn	The Church	The Church
Two Pence	Father/Son	Life Now/Future
Return	Second Coming
Innkeeper	Paul Incognito

Never allegorize parables. Focus on one main point. Relate the parable to the Kingdom of God.

B. Exegesis – An Inductive Method for Bible Study

What is “Exegesis”? An orderly and consistent method of studying the Bible so we can apply what it means to ourselves and others.

Deductive = Describing What We Know
Inductive = Discovering What We Don’t Know

Discussion 14 – The Preparation for Bible Study

Needed: A good Study Bible. Bible Resources for Bible study like a Bible Dictionary, Bible Commentaries, Word-Study Books, etc. A computer with access to the internet is highly recommended for it allows you to utilize many other helpful resources.

Read and discuss the following three important scriptures to keep in mind when studying the Bible:

2 Timothy 2:15 – Align Your Thoughts

Think about the important responsibility of studying and teaching God’s Word.

Luke 24:32 – Aim At Your Target

Remember that the goal in Bible study is that you and others would have a clearer understanding of God’s Word.

Psalm 119:18 – Ask Your Teacher

Pray for the illumination of God’s Spirit as you study (1 Cor. 2:10-14).

Discussion 15 – The Procedure in Bible Study

The key to effective Bible study is to learn to read the text carefully and ask the right questions of it. There are two basic kinds of questions one should ask of every biblical passage these have to do with the Context and the Content:

Discuss the following paragraphs on historical and scriptural contexts.

The Context

1. Historical Context:

Consider the historical background of the passage you are studying. Who wrote the text? When was it written? Where was it written? To whom was it written? What is the location and situation of the writer and the readers? What cultural, political, religious, architectural, geographical factors are relevant to the passage?

How? Read the Introduction to the book you are studying in a Study Bible. If possible, research the background in a Bible encyclopedia, Bible dictionaries, and Bible commentaries.

2. Scriptural Context:

What is the setting of your passage in the Bible? Work from larger to smaller. Where is your passage in the book you are studying (book context)? How does your text fit in the chapter you are studying (chapter context)? What are the verses right before and right after your text (immediate context)?

God not only inspired the text He also inspired the context. Pulling a passage from its context like pulling a flower from its roots. The exact meaning of a passage is usually controlled by the context.

Talk about the following illustrations of context.

What does trunk refer to?
What does board refer to?
What does house refer to?
What does fruit refer to?

Remember principle 3: Interpret a passage in harmony with its context. A text without a context can be a pretext for anything.

3. Historical Context

To understand the historical context read the introduction in a good study Bible or try to research the background in resources like Bible dictionaries, Bible encyclopedias, and Bible commentaries.

Discussion 17

Discuss the following examples of historical context:

To the church at Philippi Paul writes in Philippians 3:20: “For our citizenship is in heaven.” Philippi was a miniature replica of Rome. The Philippians dressed like, ate like, talked like the Romans.
1 Peter 2:13 – “Submit yourselves to those who rule over you for this is the will of God, that by doing so you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.” Who was the ruler? Caesar Nero, who hated and persecuted Christians.
In Revelation 3:16 to the church at Laodecia Jesus says: “I wish that you were hot or cold, but because you are lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Hot water came from Hierapolis. Cold water came from Colossae. When it got to Laodecia it was lukewarm.

4. Scriptural Context

Consider the verse in the context of the book in which it is found, the chapter in which it is located, and the verses immediately preceding and following.

Discussion 18

Read the following verses and discuss them within their context.

1 John 3:9
1 John 1:8–2:1
John 7:2

The “Feast of Tabernacles” celebrated God’s provision for the Israelites in the wilderness. A water ceremony remembered God’s providing water from the rock.

Discussion 19

To understand the Content, discuss this four step method of inductive Bible study:

The Role of a Detective	Look	What does it say?	Observation
The Role of a Scientist	Learn	What does it mean?	Interpretation
The Role of a Theologian	Link	How does it relate?	Correlation
The Role of a Doctor	Live	How does it apply?	Application

Discussion 20 – The Role of a Detective (Observation):

Read the points below and then choose a passage that you can practice on. When completed, discuss your findings with your group.

Key Question: What Does It Say?
Purpose: To see what has been written.
Process: Read the passage carefully as many times as possible, observing as much as you can. Use only the Bible for now. You may want to make a copy of the passage in your Bible to mark up. Read, read, read! Write, write, write! Underline, circle, connect! Look! Look! Look!

Observe the Nature: What is the type of literature? Is it a story, a saying, a parable, a letter? Is it worship or wisdom literature? Is it prophecy? What is the mood or feeling of your passage? Is the tone joyful, serious, sad, corrective, worshipful, prayerful, or what?

Observe the Facts: Ask six key questions: Who are the characters involved? What is happening? When are the events taking place? Where do they happen? How do they take place? Why are they taking place?

Observe the Words: What are the key words? What are the key nouns? What are the key verbs and their tenses? Are there repeated words? What is being emphasized? Identify the words that would like to study further.

Observe the Theme: What is the main idea? What is/are the question(s) the text is trying to answer? What is/are the key point(s) of the passage? Is there a key verse?

Observe the Structure: Circle and note any grammatical signals and structural transitions you think affect the structure of your passage. Note the natural divisions of the text and outline the key points by giving a very brief title to each.

Discussion 21 – The Role of a Scientist (Interpretation):

Read the points below and then choose a passage that you can practice on. When completed, discuss your findings with your group.

Key Question: What Does It Mean?
Purpose: To understand what the passage meant to the original recipients.
Process: Utilizing good resource tools to dig out the meaning of the text.

A. Genre Analysis

What kind of literature are you studying? Is it Discourse Material? Narrative Material? Poetic Material? Wisdom Material? Prophetic Material? How will this govern your approach to study? Keep in mind specific interpretive guidelines you may need to employ for your passage.

Recommended Help: How to Read the Bible For All It’s Worth (Fee and Stuart)

Thought-flow Analysis

Trace the thought-flow of the passage.

Thought Action: What are the verbs – the action words? Are they past, present, or future? Are they indicatives (statements of fact) or imperatives (commands), or conditions (if-then)? Are they active (the subject performs action) or passive (subject receives action)? Matt. 22:31-32; Phil. 2:12-13
Thought Direction: Note and identify the significance of the connectives in the text. Like joints in a plumbing system, the connectives direct the action of a text. Where the does the thought-flow start, end, and how does it get there? Phil. 2:12-13

Connectives:

Temporal: Connectives that show time (after, then, while, before, until, now, when)
Emphatic: Connectives that show emphasis (truly, verily, surely, indeed, only)
Locale: Connectives that show place (where, beside, above, around, before, below, behind, near, in, at)
Logical: Connectives that show relationship

Comparison: also, as, so… like, likewise
Condition: if…then
Contrast: but, nevertheless, much, yet, more, however
Series/Progression: and, nor, first, or
Reason: for, since, because
Result (purpose, conclusion): therefore, then, so that, so then
Manner (explain how an action takes place): by, through
Idea-Explanation/General-Specific (statements that redefine, or clarify): that is, for… (or certain punctuation marks)

B. Commentary Analysis

Read the interpretive notes on your passage in the footnotes of your Study Bible to help you understand the meaning. Consult additional biblical commentaries if you have them.

C. Summary Analysis

Draw your efforts together into a usable whole, summarizing what you’ve learned by revising your outline and giving an explanation of the meaning of your passage.

Outline: Expand and/or revise your initial outline of the passage to include the findings of the Look (Observation) step.
Exposition: Write out an explanation of what your text means. This is in effect your own commentary of the passage.

Optional Step (For More In-depth Study):

D. Word-Study Analysis.

For the key terms in your passage, discover what Hebrew or Greek words are used in the original and what these words mean.

Discussion 23 – The Role of a Theologian (Correlation):

Read the points below and then choose a passage that you can practice on. When completed, discuss your findings with your group.

Two Key Principles: Scripture Best Interprets Scripture / Scripture Never Contradicts Scripture

Key Question: How Does It Relate?
Purpose: To synthesize the text with the broader scope of Scripture.
Process: Compare cross-references and Consult theological resources.

A. Compare Cross-References:

Look up other passages of Scripture that relate to your text. As you do, write down any insights that emerge from cross-referencing. There are several kinds of cross-references to look for.

Word Cross-References: Compare key words in your text throughout Scripture.
Idea Cross-References: Compare the main thought of your passage with another one that has a similar main thought.
OT/NT Cross-References: Compare the OT reference quoted by the NT.
Event/Story Cross-References: Compare the different accounts of the kings of Israel in Kings and Chronicles. Compare the different accounts in the Gospels. Compare the OT events that are cited in the NT.
Contrasting Cross-References: Compare the text with contrasting statements or examples in Scripture. How? Look up the cross-references that relate to your passage in the margin or footnotes of a Study Bible. If you want or need additional cross-references, you can use the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

B. Consult Theological Sources:

If possible, investigate themes that are significant to your passage in any theology books or theological resources you may have to supplement your study.

How? Use the Scripture index in theological resources to find information on your text or use the table of contents or subject index to find themes that relate to it.

Discussion 24 – The Role of a Doctor (Application):

Read the points below and then choose a passage that you can practice on. When completed, discuss your findings with your group.

Key Question: How Does It Apply?
Purpose: To serve the Lord more effectively as the truth(s) of the passage are applied in our own lives, and to share these truths with others.
Process: Again, keep in mind that a text cannot mean what it never meant! Pray and meditate on the passage.

Follow these three steps:

A. Reflection: Find the principles!

What are the eternally applicable truths (in contrast to the time-bound illustrations and practices) that have emerged from your study? Pray and meditate on the spiritual and practical ideas found in your passage.

B. Action

Transfer the labors of your study into practical obedience. Answer the following questions with a view toward being a doer of the Word:

Personalize the Truth – What Should I Be/Do? What does this passage suggest I should be or do as a believer? Are there examples I should follow? Are there commands I should obey? Are there errors I should avoid? Are there sins I should forsake? Are there promises I should claim? Are there new thoughts about God I should have? Are there principles I should live by?
Practice the Truth – What Will I Be/Do? What specific things will I do to apply what I have learned? How will I change? How will what I have learned affect my family, friends, work, etc.? Where am I now in this area of my life? What steps will I take to do what this passage teaches?

C. Proclamation

True learning does not occur until you are able to teach someone else what you have been taught. Put together a plan for how you will share the truth with others.

1. Clarify

Reflect on how the truths of the passage could be communicated in your present ministry context -“contextualize” the message. Clarify two things:

The Nature of Your Passage: Does this passage teach something those I minister to need to believe or something they need to do?
The Needs of Your People: Who are you are the people you are teaching and what are they like? What do they need? What issues affect them?

2. Revise

Adjust your outline for the purpose of teaching or preaching.

3. Illustrate

A picture is worth a thousand words. Use simple, short, and applicable illustrations from the Bible, history, and your own life.

Discussion 25

Now that you have practiced different types of Bible study techniques, it is time to put them all together. Choose a passage of Scripture and look at it through the eyes of the detective, scientist, theologian, and doctor. When completed, discuss your findings with your group.

The Role of a Detective	Look	What does it say?	Observation
The Role of a Scientist	Learn	What does it mean?	Interpretation
The Role of a Theologian	Link	How does it relate?	Correlation
The Role of a Doctor	Live	How does it apply?	Application

Practicum 2 – Learning to Hear from God

Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice (John 10:27). He also talked about having “ears to hear” (Mark 4:9). At the end of each of the seven letters to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3 He says: “He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.” Learning to hear from God is an essential part of becoming a faithful and obedient disciple.

This week during your personal devotions take time to read and meditate upon 3-5 chapters asking the Holy Spirit to speak something special to you. Don’t worry about “getting it right.” It takes time, but as you practice you will learn to hear His voice. Be sure to write down whatever thoughts are impressed upon your heart and mind.

At your next small group meeting take time to share what you have written down and let the others comment. End your time by praying for each other and asking the Holy Spirit to speak. Continue to repeat this practice for the next several weeks until you become confident that you are hearing His voice.