How To Study The Bible Like A Pro - Class #8a - Methods Of Bible Study Series

VIII. METHODS OF BIBLE STUDY

There are many Bible Study methods. However, there seems to be a basic template or pattern that all of them use to one degree or another. This pattern is also good because it leads us, step by step, to the important goal of Application!

A. Every Passage of Scripture has ONE INTERPRETATION and MANY APPLICATIONS.

1. Interpretation

a. WHAT THE BIBLE MEANS.

The "literal" meaning of each passage of the Bible understood on the basis of the rule of interpretation, must be our starting point for applying the Bible to our daily lives. The test of a good interpretation is whether it makes good sense of the text and its context.

The whole Bible must speak for itself. We cannot build doctrines on isolated portions of Scriptures. It’s easy to quote individual Bible verses to prove your point. It is a much greater challenge to see how individual verses fit into the whole picture.

REMEMBER: Individual verses of the Bible must be understood in the context of OTHER VERSES IN THAT PASSAGE.

Q. Does Acts 2:38 teach that baptism is necessary for the forgiveness of sins?

Answer: Yes, by itself.

NOTE: But many other passages about water baptism in the Bible make it clear that baptism is necessary for discipleship and Christian growth, but it is not necessary to get into heaven.

Q. Does James 2:24 teach that works are necessary for salvation?

Answer: Yes, by itself.

NOTE: But James 2:24 must be understood in the larger context of New Testament grace.

Q: What does it say? (Many of our methods will be different methods of Observation)

2. Application

b. WHAT THE BIBLE MEANS TO ME.

One of the great Bible scholars of this century, F. F Bruce, wrote, "The place of the Bible in the life of the church has constantly added to it a wealth of fresh and practical meaning which the interpreter cannot ignore."

1). Determining Meaning

a). What do the particular key words or phrases mean?

Pay attention to those elements that are repeated in the current passage or used elsewhere by the same author.

b). What is the significance of a particular key word, phrase or sentence?

c). Does the element carry any special significance given the historical and social context?

d). What does it contribute to the overall meaning of the text?

e). How would the meaning of the text be effected if this particular element was left out?

f). Determine the relationships between the key words and phrases.

g). Look for the following connecting words:

Contrast but, however, even though, much more, nevertheless, yet, although, then, otherwise

Condition if, whoever, whatever

Comparison too, also, as, just as, so also, likewise, like, in the same way

Correlatives as...so also, for...as, so...as

Reason because, for this reason, for this purpose, for, since

Result so then, therefore, as a result, thus, then

Purpose that, so that, in order that now, immediately, just then, until, when, before, after,

while, during, since

Geographical where, from. Is there a progression in the story, account or argument?

Questions to ask yourself:

Is there a climax?

What is implied by the use of particular terms, phrases, or sentences?

Answer: Any implications must be clear and reasonable – be careful not to exaggerate or over extend what the text says in order to support a preconceived idea.

Temporal/Time

IMPORTANT: Do not build major Doctrines on isolated or unclear verses of the Bible. Passages of Scripture in which a doctrine is merely touched on must be interpreted by those passages where a doctrine is expressly taught.

Ex: 1 Corinthians 11:6.

Ex: The idea that the gifts of the Spirit "died out" with the Apostles. There is no Bible verse in the New Testament that teaches this very popular idea, even though some preach it as a fact.

B. Ways To Study The Scriptures

We are going to take a quick look at each method for Bible Study, and then help you choose one to use along with what you have learned so far.

The four basic methods of Bible Study are:

1. TOPICAL

This is just what the name implies. You choose a topic in the Scriptures to study. Pick one that interests you. Something that you would like to learn more about. Then, using a Concordance, look up all the references to that topic, write them down, and then look them up in the Bible. This can take some time. Do Not Get In a Hurry.

Reading each passage carefully, answer these questions in your own notebook:

1.) What does this passage mean?

2.) How does it apply to me?

3.) What can I learn from it?

Some Biblical topics are: prayer, fasting, grace, salvation, tithing, faith, repentance, confession, etc.

2. EXPOSITORY

The word literally means "a detailed explanation." Referring to a study of the Bible it means a detailed study of a verse, a chapter or a book (or books) of the Bible.