Wednesday Bible Study

Our Goal: Every time we open the Word and each time we meditate on it the aim is always the same – To know Jesus deeply and truly.

Our View towards Scripture:

• Convictions: What am I convicted about the Word of God?
  • The Bible is God breathed-out Word
  • The Holy Spirit speaks with and thru God’s Word
  • There is no other means to know Christ deeper apart from the Word
• Attitude: How do I act regarding Scripture:
  • With an attitude of desperation
    • 1 Peter 2:3-5
    • Psalm 119:129-131
  • With a heart of awe and affection
    • Psalm 119:103-104 & 127
  • With an aim for consistency
    • Mark 1:35
    • Luke 5:16
    • Joshua 1:6-9
  • With an action producing faith
    • Psalm 119:100
• Expectations: What do I expecting when I open my Bible?
  • Possessing grounded expectations
  • Seeking in private
  • Rightfully handling emotions
  • Growing intellectually
  • Receiving conviction
  • Experiencing growth

Our Intake of Scripture:

• Three aspects: Observation — Interpretation — Application
• Observation: Psalm 119:18
  • You See but you do not observe — Sherlock Holmes
  • Be an active and engaged reader
  • Read Freshly: Read as though for the first time, every time
  • Read Personally: God WANTS to communicate to you
  • Read Wholistically
    • Repetition: Read and Re-read through passages
    • From the Beginning: Start at the beginning of a book
    • Audibly: Read out loud and listen to Scripture read aloud
    • Imaginatively: Put yourself into the text
    • Resourcefully: Take advantage of quality resources
  • Read Thoughtfully
    • Ask basic questions: Who, What, Where, When, Why, Wherefore
    • Watch the grammar
    • Look for structure
    • Telescopically – See the parts in light of the whole
    • Pay attention to…
      • Things that are emphasized
      • Things that are repeated
      • Things that are related
      • Things that are alike and unalike
      • Things that are true to lived experience
  • Read Patiently

• • Read Meditatively: Find ways to keep the Word in front of you always
  • Read Prayerfully
• Interpretation: Luke 24:25-27
  • Five keys to healthy interpretation

1. 1. 1. Content — know the text thoroughly through observation
      2. Context — know what is happening in the passage

• • • • Literary context — How does the grammar and language of the text impact the understanding of it?
      • Historical context — How does what is happening historically at the time of the passage impact the understanding of the text?
      • Cultural Context — How does the culture of the time the text is written effect the meaning of words, traditions, actions, etc.?
      • Geographic Context — How does the location impact the understanding of what is taking place in the passage?
      • Theological Context — How does the theological understanding of the author and reader impact the understanding of the text?

1. 1. 3. Comparison — know how the passage compares to other aspects of Scripture.
      4. Culture
      5. Consultation — after thorough study, make use of secondary resources to further shed light on things that are harder to find or not available in the text.

• • • • Concordance
      • Bible Dictionary
      • Atlases
• Application: Matthew 5-7
  • Bible intake without application is a denial of the heart of Scripture.
  • Five substitutes for application

1. 1. 1. Substituting interpretation only for experience/obedience

• • • • Settling for knowledge rather than obedience

1. 1. 2. Substituting superficial obedience for substantive life-change

• • • • Only applying the Word to areas I am “good” in

1. 1. 3. Substituting rationalization for repentance

• • • • Convincing myself that I am not guilty or need to do what Scripture shows

1. 1. 4. Substituting an emotional experience for a volitional decision

• • • • Being satisfied with having my emotions touched but not choosing to be obedient

1. 1. 5. Substituting communication for transformation

• • • • Knowing the Word well enough to talk about it while ignoring obedience to it
  • Four steps to application

1. 1. 1. Know — Know the passage inside and out (observation and interpretation)
      2. Relate — Relate the central truth of the passage to life
      3. Meditate — Continually keep the truth of the passage in your heart and mind
      4. Practice — Commit to obey the truth of the passage

• • Nine helpful questions for application

1. 1. 1. Is there an example for me to follow?
      2. Is there a sin to avoid?
      3. Is there a promise to claim?
      4. Is there a prayer to repeat?
      5. Is there a command to obey?
      6. Is there a condition to meet?
      7. Is there a verse to memorize?
      8. Is there an error to mark?
      9. Is there a challenge to face?