A DEEP METHOD
Welcome to Bible Study Methods! Before we begin, please take some time to look over the following tabs located here...A Deep Method, Hermeneutics, Inspiration / Revelation, Interpretation, Historical-grammatical, Reliability, and Literature. These areas will further assist you in the pursuit of studying Scripture and possibly answer questions you may have. When studying Scripture, you can select a verse or a group of verses, paragraph, or chapter of your choosing. If this is your first time, PLEASE I recommend you start with one verse. And remember, CONTEXT CONTEXT CONTEXT!!! Read 2 verses before and 2 verses after in order to keep the verse(s) in question in its original context (the way the author penned it...not the way you think it should be). Listed below are some pdf's and ppt's that will be of assistance...I also have it laid out if your unable to download. Enjoy!
Finally, find a quiet and somewhat secluded place. Do not put yourself on a time restraint. The only hinderance is yourself!!!
Finally, find a quiet and somewhat secluded place. Do not put yourself on a time restraint. The only hinderance is yourself!!!
The following are worksheets that go with each section of this study.
observation_format.pdf | |
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interpretation_format.pdf | |
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interpretation_format_2.pdf | |
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application_format.pdf | |
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Observation
Observation - What does it say? Take the time to really look at the passage-do not jump the gun and go to interpretation or application too soon, however tempting that may be. The longer the soup cooks, the better it will be. Make as many observations as you can. If you are alone, write them down. This will help sharpen your thoughts and you will remember it longer. Try to stick with the passage instead of dragging in your favorite doctrine, commentator or preacher at this point. Remember, ALWAYS read 2 verses before and 2 verses after in order to keep the verse in question in its CONTEXT. Just look at the passage and ask the Who / What / When / Where?
Who?
Who is this about? And what can we know of them from the text and/or related context?
· Who is speaking to whom?
And/or
· Who is being written of or spoken about?
And/or
· Who is writing to whom?
What?
What is this about?
· What is the passage about? (topic / subject)
· “What is it saying about that?” (theme / complement)
Sometimes listing all the action verbs can be helpful.
When?
When is this happening?
· Do I see anything in the text or related context about timing or sequence or the occasion or situation?
Is time important?
Where?
Where is this happening?
Do I see anything in the text or related context about location, geography, position, or placement?
Use some S.A.L.T.
· Structure
How did the author organize his thoughts?
Diagram short verses for sentence structure
Outline long passages (Summarize the paragraph)
Are there commands stated?
Are there promises?
Are there conditions involved?
Are the promises positive or negative?
· Atmosphere
What is the mood, tone, or ‘feel’ of the passage?
· Literature
What literary form is this passage (narrative, history, biography, a letter, instruction, exhortation, doctrine, poetry, proverb, or dialogue)?
· Terms
What significant words need to be defined using an English Dictionary?
What is the key phrase or verse?
What is to be taken literally?
What is to be taken figuratively?
What figures of speech are used?
Other questions to ask
Who?
Who is this about? And what can we know of them from the text and/or related context?
· Who is speaking to whom?
And/or
· Who is being written of or spoken about?
And/or
· Who is writing to whom?
What?
What is this about?
· What is the passage about? (topic / subject)
· “What is it saying about that?” (theme / complement)
Sometimes listing all the action verbs can be helpful.
When?
When is this happening?
· Do I see anything in the text or related context about timing or sequence or the occasion or situation?
Is time important?
- What events happen in what order?
- How long do they take?
- How far apart are they in time?
- How do they relate to the timing of other events?
Where?
Where is this happening?
Do I see anything in the text or related context about location, geography, position, or placement?
- What places are mentioned?
- How far apart are they?
- How are they related?
- What happens in each place?
- Who is where when why how?
Use some S.A.L.T.
· Structure
How did the author organize his thoughts?
Diagram short verses for sentence structure
Outline long passages (Summarize the paragraph)
Are there commands stated?
Are there promises?
Are there conditions involved?
Are the promises positive or negative?
· Atmosphere
What is the mood, tone, or ‘feel’ of the passage?
· Literature
What literary form is this passage (narrative, history, biography, a letter, instruction, exhortation, doctrine, poetry, proverb, or dialogue)?
· Terms
What significant words need to be defined using an English Dictionary?
What is the key phrase or verse?
What is to be taken literally?
What is to be taken figuratively?
What figures of speech are used?
Other questions to ask
- How does it tie into the previous passage?
- How is it built?
- What is repeated?
- Are there contrasts?
- Are there comparisons?
- Are there causes and effects stated?
- How do things happen?
- What causes what?
- What is not caused?
- What is not affected?
- Is there a pattern of some kind?
Other Areas That Will Assist in The Observation Process
Comparison - James 3:3 - 6..."Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and {yet} it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the {very} world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of {our} life, and is set on fire by hell." (NASB)
Contrast - Matthew 7:24 - 27..."Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and {yet} it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell--and great was its fall." (NASB)
Climax - Ruth 4:13 - 14..."So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he went in to her. And the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed is the LORD who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel." (NASB)
Pivot - 1st Corinthians 7:1..."Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman." (NASB)
Interrogation - Mark 8:27 - 29..."Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, "Who do people say that I am?" They told Him, saying, "John the Baptist; and others {say} Elijah; but others, one of the prophets." And He {continued} by questioning them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter *answered and *said to Him, "You are the Christ." (NASB)
Rhetoric (rhetorical) - Romans 3:1..."Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?" (NASB)
Prepositions point to any number of relationships:
Means: by HIS blood
Accompaniment: with Jesus
Location: in HIM; on the earth; at Ephesus
Benefit: for HIS glory
Motion: to heaven; from the dead
Direction: toward us
Origin: The Word of God
Characteristic: The Father of glory; The Holy Spirit of promise; The Day of redemption
Indentity: pledge of our inheritance
Position: over all; at HIS Right Hand
Permeation: through all
Entrance: unto the lower parts
Opposition: against the devil's schemes
Conformity: according to the flesh
Time: before the foundation of the world
Conjunctions join words, phrases, or clauses:
Contrast - Ephesians 2:4 ,13..."But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us...", "But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." (NASB)
Comparison - Ephesians 4:32, 5:25..."Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.", Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her..." (NASB)
Correlation - Ephesians 5:24..."But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives {ought to be} to their husbands in everything." (NASB)
Reason - Ephesians 2:4, 2:8..."But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us...", "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, {it is} the gift of God..." (NASB)
Result - Ephesians 2:11, 4:14..."Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," {which is} performed in the flesh by human hands...", "As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming..." (NASB)
Purpose - Ephesians 4:28, 1:12 and 17 - 18..."He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have {something} to share with one who has need.", "... to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.", "...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. {I pray that} the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints..." (NASB)
Conclusion - Ephesians 4:1 and 17..."Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called...", "So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind..." (NASB)
Time - Ephesians 4:13, 6:10..."...until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.", "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might." (NASB)
Addition - Ephesians 1:18, 6:16..."{I pray that} the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints...", "...in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil {one.}" (NASB)
Contrast - Matthew 7:24 - 27..."Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and {yet} it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell--and great was its fall." (NASB)
Climax - Ruth 4:13 - 14..."So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he went in to her. And the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed is the LORD who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel." (NASB)
Pivot - 1st Corinthians 7:1..."Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman." (NASB)
Interrogation - Mark 8:27 - 29..."Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, "Who do people say that I am?" They told Him, saying, "John the Baptist; and others {say} Elijah; but others, one of the prophets." And He {continued} by questioning them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter *answered and *said to Him, "You are the Christ." (NASB)
Rhetoric (rhetorical) - Romans 3:1..."Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?" (NASB)
Prepositions point to any number of relationships:
Means: by HIS blood
Accompaniment: with Jesus
Location: in HIM; on the earth; at Ephesus
Benefit: for HIS glory
Motion: to heaven; from the dead
Direction: toward us
Origin: The Word of God
Characteristic: The Father of glory; The Holy Spirit of promise; The Day of redemption
Indentity: pledge of our inheritance
Position: over all; at HIS Right Hand
Permeation: through all
Entrance: unto the lower parts
Opposition: against the devil's schemes
Conformity: according to the flesh
Time: before the foundation of the world
Conjunctions join words, phrases, or clauses:
Contrast - Ephesians 2:4 ,13..."But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us...", "But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." (NASB)
Comparison - Ephesians 4:32, 5:25..."Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.", Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her..." (NASB)
Correlation - Ephesians 5:24..."But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives {ought to be} to their husbands in everything." (NASB)
Reason - Ephesians 2:4, 2:8..."But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us...", "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, {it is} the gift of God..." (NASB)
Result - Ephesians 2:11, 4:14..."Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," {which is} performed in the flesh by human hands...", "As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming..." (NASB)
Purpose - Ephesians 4:28, 1:12 and 17 - 18..."He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have {something} to share with one who has need.", "... to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.", "...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. {I pray that} the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints..." (NASB)
Conclusion - Ephesians 4:1 and 17..."Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called...", "So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind..." (NASB)
Time - Ephesians 4:13, 6:10..."...until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.", "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might." (NASB)
Addition - Ephesians 1:18, 6:16..."{I pray that} the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints...", "...in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil {one.}" (NASB)
observation.pdf | |
File Size: | 81 kb |
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Diagramming Scripture
As always, the first step in understanding any text, at least in the English language (and in every other language), is to identify the verb or verbs. "What is happening?" "What's going on?" "What is the action in this text?" The main verb, along with any auxiliaries (helping verbs) is the simple predicate, and is placed on the right side of a horizontal line.
he second step is to find the subject. Ask yourself "who or what is performing that verb?" The simple subject (without any adjectives or other modifiers) is placed on the left side of that horizontal line. A vertical line crosses the horizontal line and separates the simple subject from the simple predicate. It might be helpful at first to use simple sentences and then locate a simple text in the Bible. Example:
So a simple sentence like "Mary has eaten." would diagram as:
Before moving on to more complicated verses in the Bible, try a more complicated sentence like "The girl in the corner in the blue shirt has eaten fried eggs for breakfast every day of her life." would still start the diagram with the simple subject and predicate:
Another interesting case is the command form in English, where no subject is present. In that case, the subject of the sentence is "the understood you" and is shown as such, in parentheses. So a command like "Listen!" would be diagrammed:
So what? So, you have figured out the core of the sentence/text, the simple subject and simple predicate. Everything else branches off those two basic pieces.
The Components of the Text A Scripture can contain a number of different components, which must work together. Diagramming scriptures or text allows you to separate and identify these different components of the text by arranging them pictorially. Although there are several different methods of diagramming a scripture, each involves separating the subject, the predicate (the verb), and the other components found in the text.
Those components can include:
How to Diagram a Text
Each of the other components of the text modifiers, prepositional phrases, subordinating clauses, interjections, and so on, are placed below the base line of the text, according to specific sentence/text diagramming rules.
Examples The easiest way to understand sentence/scripture diagramming is to study sentences in the text that have been diagrammed and to practice diagramming your own.
As always, the first step in understanding any text, at least in the English language (and in every other language), is to identify the verb or verbs. "What is happening?" "What's going on?" "What is the action in this text?" The main verb, along with any auxiliaries (helping verbs) is the simple predicate, and is placed on the right side of a horizontal line.
he second step is to find the subject. Ask yourself "who or what is performing that verb?" The simple subject (without any adjectives or other modifiers) is placed on the left side of that horizontal line. A vertical line crosses the horizontal line and separates the simple subject from the simple predicate. It might be helpful at first to use simple sentences and then locate a simple text in the Bible. Example:
So a simple sentence like "Mary has eaten." would diagram as:
Before moving on to more complicated verses in the Bible, try a more complicated sentence like "The girl in the corner in the blue shirt has eaten fried eggs for breakfast every day of her life." would still start the diagram with the simple subject and predicate:
Another interesting case is the command form in English, where no subject is present. In that case, the subject of the sentence is "the understood you" and is shown as such, in parentheses. So a command like "Listen!" would be diagrammed:
So what? So, you have figured out the core of the sentence/text, the simple subject and simple predicate. Everything else branches off those two basic pieces.
The Components of the Text A Scripture can contain a number of different components, which must work together. Diagramming scriptures or text allows you to separate and identify these different components of the text by arranging them pictorially. Although there are several different methods of diagramming a scripture, each involves separating the subject, the predicate (the verb), and the other components found in the text.
Those components can include:
- Subject: Who or what the sentence is about. The person doing the action
- Predicate: Verb or action being done
- Direct Object: Something/someone the action is done to
- Indirect Object: The person/thing the action is done to or for
- Prepositions: Relationship words that provide information about how the other parts of the sentence fit together
- Modifiers: Words that provide additional detail about a subject, action or object in the sentence
- Articles: Words that modify nouns
- Dependent/subordinate clauses: Clauses that can't stand alone
How to Diagram a Text
- Create your "Base Line"
- Begin with the verb and the subject. Write them on one line, with a straight line between them
- Write the object on the same line, with a vertical line separating the object from the verb
Each of the other components of the text modifiers, prepositional phrases, subordinating clauses, interjections, and so on, are placed below the base line of the text, according to specific sentence/text diagramming rules.
- Modifiers (Words and phrases that provide additional detail about a subject, verb or object) are placed below the base line on slanted lines extending from the thing that they are modifying
- Prepositional phrases also go below the base line, on slanted lines extending from the subject, object or verb they are modifying. However, the object of the preposition goes on a horizontal line below the preposition.
- Each component of a compound sentences in a Text gets its own separate diagram, with its own separate base lines.
- The two clauses are joined by dotted lines, with the conjunction written on a horizontal line next to the dotted line.
Examples The easiest way to understand sentence/scripture diagramming is to study sentences in the text that have been diagrammed and to practice diagramming your own.
diagramming_scripture.pdf | |
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clauses.ppt | |
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colons.ppt | |
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commas.ppt | |
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paragraph.ppt | |
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run-ons.ppt | |
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semi_colons.ppt | |
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parts_of_speech.pps | |
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Interpretation
Interpretation - What does it mean?
THE PROCESS OF INTERPRETATION
The definition of interpretation is to determine, clarify, and explain the meaning of something. In this case, biblical passages in accordance to the author’s original intention and context of the historical situation. During the process of interpretation we seek to:
· Re-create – what did it mean to the original author and audience?
· Re-live – how would I have experienced this?
· Re-tell – how would this be expressed or told today?
Three Phases of Interpretation
The definition phase – determine the author’s intended meaning of significant or key terms, phrases, or statements.
The rationale phase – determine the reason the author used a certain term, phrase, or statement.
The implication phase – determine what is the author’s intended point? What is the significant point, idea, or truth the author is expressing to his audience?
Reaching an Interpretive Conclusion
Step 1: The Process
· Begin with prayer – ask for and depend upon the guidance and assistance of The Holy Spirit.
· Thoroughly observe the passage – good observation is absolutely essential to guide the interpretation process (take your time...don’t rush!).
· Make a list of interpretive questions – based upon your prior observations, bombard the text with interpretive questions. Types of interpretive questions are definition (what did the author mean by...?), rationale (why did the author use this term...?), and implication (what is the significant point...?)
· Search for the answers – consult reference books like Study Bibles, Bible Dictionaries, Concordances, Bible Software, etc.
· Important interpretive contexts for background studies are grammatical (word studies), historical (Biblical and World), geographical (atlas, maps), and cultural (Jewish, Greek, Roman, etc.)
Step 2: The Research
· Use common sense.
· Always interpret (cross-reference) in the light of the context of the whole Bible.
· Be sure to factor in the type of literature you are dealing with.
· Be sure to factor in the atmosphere of the passage.
· Always consider the author’s point-of-view and purpose.
· Be aware of progressive revelation.
· Remember the unity of Scripture Principle.
“The Bible correctly interpreted does not contradict itself.”
“Interpret the obscure in the light of the obvious and clear.”
· Consider the interpretations of others but do your own work first!
Step 3: The Conclusion
Write an interpretive conclusion in your own words.
Summarize your thoughts and findings in one clear, concise, carefully worded sentence. This should be written in 3rd person, past tense from the perspective of the original author directed solely to his audience. If your not able to do such then the meaning of the passage is not clear and properly interpreted!
THE PROCESS OF INTERPRETATION
The definition of interpretation is to determine, clarify, and explain the meaning of something. In this case, biblical passages in accordance to the author’s original intention and context of the historical situation. During the process of interpretation we seek to:
· Re-create – what did it mean to the original author and audience?
· Re-live – how would I have experienced this?
· Re-tell – how would this be expressed or told today?
Three Phases of Interpretation
The definition phase – determine the author’s intended meaning of significant or key terms, phrases, or statements.
The rationale phase – determine the reason the author used a certain term, phrase, or statement.
The implication phase – determine what is the author’s intended point? What is the significant point, idea, or truth the author is expressing to his audience?
Reaching an Interpretive Conclusion
Step 1: The Process
· Begin with prayer – ask for and depend upon the guidance and assistance of The Holy Spirit.
· Thoroughly observe the passage – good observation is absolutely essential to guide the interpretation process (take your time...don’t rush!).
· Make a list of interpretive questions – based upon your prior observations, bombard the text with interpretive questions. Types of interpretive questions are definition (what did the author mean by...?), rationale (why did the author use this term...?), and implication (what is the significant point...?)
· Search for the answers – consult reference books like Study Bibles, Bible Dictionaries, Concordances, Bible Software, etc.
· Important interpretive contexts for background studies are grammatical (word studies), historical (Biblical and World), geographical (atlas, maps), and cultural (Jewish, Greek, Roman, etc.)
Step 2: The Research
· Use common sense.
· Always interpret (cross-reference) in the light of the context of the whole Bible.
· Be sure to factor in the type of literature you are dealing with.
· Be sure to factor in the atmosphere of the passage.
· Always consider the author’s point-of-view and purpose.
· Be aware of progressive revelation.
· Remember the unity of Scripture Principle.
“The Bible correctly interpreted does not contradict itself.”
“Interpret the obscure in the light of the obvious and clear.”
· Consider the interpretations of others but do your own work first!
- Identify locations on a map if you are unfamiliar with them.
- Look up cultural practices if relevant.
Step 3: The Conclusion
Write an interpretive conclusion in your own words.
Summarize your thoughts and findings in one clear, concise, carefully worded sentence. This should be written in 3rd person, past tense from the perspective of the original author directed solely to his audience. If your not able to do such then the meaning of the passage is not clear and properly interpreted!
Grammatical Steps to Consider for Proper Interpretation
Here are some further steps you can take in order to properly interprete Scripture: examine and discover the usage of key words, discover how synonyms and antonyms are used, analyze the sentence (break it down), how does the sentence influence the thought as a whole, and remember CONTEXT, CONTEXT, CONTEXT.
interpretation.pdf | |
File Size: | 169 kb |
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Remember...What is the single meaning of the passage? It may say several things, but what is the main point? Scripture does not contradict Scripture. Look for passages that speak on the same subject but may seem to contradict it. If two passages seem to contradict each other there is a chance your interpretation is incorrest. Read the current passage with the other passages in mind, and read the other passages with this passage in mind. Only those who have placed their trust in Christ Jesus who is The Son of God can fully understand / interprete Scripture. Those who have must remain in humility and have a prayerful attitude while rightly related to The Holy Spirit with all known sins confessed. Sin can and will hinder any and all studies of Scripture.
Application
Application - What does it require? Everything that has been done up to this point remains useless until it is applied. Now we look for a rule, principle, truth, standard, a guideline of truth that we can live by.
1. Summarize (this is the exegetical idea)...how did it apply? Determine and write one complete sentence in the past tense, third person on how it applied to the original readers.
2. Principlize (this is the theological idea)...how does it apply? Now restate the above-summarized statement in the present tense, second person so that it remains true to everyone anytime any circumstance.
3. Personalize (this is the applicational idea)...how will it apply? Now apply it to yourself today in your present situation.
How will you look at life differently because of this study?
How does this relate to your life? What will you do about it?
How will you live today differently as result of this truth?
Is there a challenge you need to face?
One goal of Bible study is sanctification. Application should be as concrete as possible, as pointed as possible, as clear as possible. If you walk away with one clear and sharp idea of how your life will never be the same because of the study, you feel challenged and more in love with God and empowered by the Holy Spirit, then your study has succeeded. If you have a list of 12 limp and fuzzy things, you are not done with the passage. Biblical application is more like a two-edged sword than a limp rag. Remember to be open and willing, honest, specific, and ready. Change will happen!
1. Summarize (this is the exegetical idea)...how did it apply? Determine and write one complete sentence in the past tense, third person on how it applied to the original readers.
2. Principlize (this is the theological idea)...how does it apply? Now restate the above-summarized statement in the present tense, second person so that it remains true to everyone anytime any circumstance.
3. Personalize (this is the applicational idea)...how will it apply? Now apply it to yourself today in your present situation.
How will you look at life differently because of this study?
How does this relate to your life? What will you do about it?
How will you live today differently as result of this truth?
Is there a challenge you need to face?
One goal of Bible study is sanctification. Application should be as concrete as possible, as pointed as possible, as clear as possible. If you walk away with one clear and sharp idea of how your life will never be the same because of the study, you feel challenged and more in love with God and empowered by the Holy Spirit, then your study has succeeded. If you have a list of 12 limp and fuzzy things, you are not done with the passage. Biblical application is more like a two-edged sword than a limp rag. Remember to be open and willing, honest, specific, and ready. Change will happen!
application.pdf | |
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