“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15, KJV).
A. LITERARY PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETING THE BIBLE
1. Historical content. Since the author wrote from a historical context you must learn the background to know the meaning and interaction of words. This involves culture.
2. Grammatical context. Interpret the Bible within the laws of language.
3. Literal. “When the plain sense of scriptures makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual literal meaning.” ~David Cooper
B. PRACTICAL HELPS (4 QUESTIONS)
1. What is the point of the passage? “You don’t have a thought until you can write it down.” That means, “Thoughts disentangle themselves over lips and finger tips.”
2. What is the thought found in parallel passages?
3. What are the problems in the passage?
4. What are some practical applications of these passages?
C. LEARNING FROM THE BEREANS
“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).
1. Yield, “received the word.”
2. Intentional, “with all readiness of mind.”
3. Search. Word for word study of the scriptures. Word searched means “to sift” as in sifting grain.
4. Regular schedule. “Daily” study the Bible daily just as you pray for “daily bread.”
5. Practical. “Whether those thing were so.”
D. STEPS IN BIBLE STUDY (THE FIVE THINGS ARE LIKE THE FIVE FINGERS OF A HAND)
1. Hear. “Faith comes by hearing . . . the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).
2. Read. “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation and to doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:13).
3. Study. “Study to show yourself approved unto God” (2 Tim. 2:16).
Five Books
? Bible concordance
? Bible dictionary
? Bible commentary
? Reference Bible (Scofield, Liberty, etc.)
? Dictionary Webster
4. Memorize. “Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin” (Ps. 119:11).
5. Meditate. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night” (Joshua 1:8).
E. TEN REASONS TO STUDY AND LIVE SCRIPTURES
1. Will strengthen your personal life (1 John 2:14).
2. Will strengthen your assurance of salvation (1 John 5:13).
3. Will strengthen your confidence in your relationship with God (1 John 5:14).
4. Will undergird the effectiveness of your prayers (John 15:7).
5. Will help you overcome sin (John 15:13).
6. Will give you internal joy (John 15:11).
7. Will give you peace (John 16:33).
8. Will help you make good decisions (Psalm 119:105).
9. Will help you explain your faith to others (1 Peter 3:15).
10. Will lead to success in all aspects of life (Joshua 1:8).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
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