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PERSONAL BIBLE STUDY 1.0 Introduction: The Bible has been written and given to us so that through diligent study, we can know God personally and learn to live in a way that pleases Him. God wants to bring us into intimate fellowship with Him. The relationship is like that a father and son. All relationships develop into maturity by being together and interacting together continuously. Bible is the basis for our interaction with God. Through Bible, God reveals His personality to us. He gives insight, power, and guidance for meaningful living as children of God here on earth. He also gives the assurance for future. It is wonderful relationship. Through daily obedience we inherit the invaluable blessings from God. So we need to meditate Bible portions daily and systematically study Bible books. There are many ways to study the Bible. Among them two are very important. One is devotional bible study another is detailed Bible study. Both have to go together in our life. 1.1 Devotional Bible Study: This is a daily discipline of having communion with God Study portion / Meditation / Worship / Prayer / Renewal. This is also called as Quite Time. There are some useful Guides for our devotions; like “Search the Scriptures”, “This morning With God”. They can immensely benefit us. 1.2 Detailed Bible Study: This is for Christian Growth and Maturity in addition to our daily devotions. There are many methods for detailed systematic study of the Bible. Among them Inductive bible study is the very important method for studying a Book, chapter, Topic, Character, Word, Verse etc... 2.0 Inductive Bible Study: Purpose and the essential qualifications: IBS is mainly related to Book & Chapter Study but not restricted to them.
In this camp the inductive study method is introduced which is helpful to:
The Essential Qualification required to have PBS is:
3.0 Inductive Bible Study: Survey and Outline preparation Prayer is often missing element in Bible study. Yet apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, that’s all it will — a method. It is the indwelling Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth, who takes the things of God and reveals them to us Before Inductive study of the Bible we need to do some preparatory work. We should survey the book we intend to study. There are many types of literature in the Bible we should first know what is the type of literature the book we intend to study belong to. Type of Text / Literature.
Although it is not usually factual, a Parable is a story that is true to Life. It is designed to make one Central point, and every detail of the Parable will reinforce that main Point. All books can not be studied in a same pattern. We use different methods to study English, social studies and science in the same way. Similarly books of different types of literature are to be studied in a different way. But there are some common tools we can use they are elaborated here. They are to be properly used to study a book from Bible appropriately. Survey and Outline: Understand and identify the book and chapter themes. Read the book or a logical portion (e.g. Sermon on the Mount) of a book in one sitting. The theme of a chapter will center on the main person, event, teaching, or subject of that section of Scripture. Prepare Outline Divide the passage into small structures based on the passage/chapter theme and the thought / event / place transitions. The small structure supports the theme of the passage/chapter. For examples in Gospels the transition can be one place to another or one event to another. Whereas in the epistles/letters the transition can be one thought to another. In the historical portions the transition can be from one key leader to another. If we could note them
Prepare outline for a Chapter/Book with I - Major Marker A. - Next level 1. Next level a. Next level (1) (a) Once we have surveyed the book we can study a Chapter or portion inductively. After detailed inductive study. We can revise and improve the first out line prepared also. 2.3 Study: Inductive study, a method, involves development of three skills namely observation, interpretation and application with proper attitude searching learning and obeying with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 4.0 Inductive Bible Study Observation, Interpretation and Application. 4.1 OBSERVATION: Discover what it says! ASK The “5W’s & An H” As you study any passage of Scripture, any book of the Bible, train yourself to constantly ask: Who? What? When? Where? Why? & How? - Building blocks for our observation. We must careful not to distort the scriptures to our own destruction (2 Pet.3:16) 1. Who: Who is speaking? Who is this about? Who are the main characters? a) Example: Jude v.1, Roman 1:1, &aI.1:1 James Paul Paul. b) To whom is he speaking Ref. Sanctified Rome Galatians c) Mark the author and recipients. Author - □(Incl. Of pronouns) Recipients - o 2. What:
a. Example: Jude, I Pet.5: 2,
3. When: When is the subject or events occurring? When did or will something happen to a particular person, people or nation? a. Example: Jude v.7, I Pet. 5:4 b. Mark the expression of time 4. Where: Where did or will this happen? Where was it said? a. Example: Eph. 1:1, -Ephesus b. Mark 5. Why: Why is something being said or mentioned? Why would or will this happen? Why at this time? a. Example: I pet. 5:12-They may stand firm, Jude v. 20-23. b. Mark the purpose: 6. How: How wills it happen? How is it to be done? How is it illustrated? a. Example: I Pet. 5:2 - According Gods will Jude v.21 - Mercy of God
LOOK FOR LISTS Making lists of interrelated things in a text can be one of the most enlightening things you do as you study a section of Scripture. Lists reveal truths and highlight important concepts. a. Example: 2 Tim. 1 God: Made Paul an apostle (v.1) Gives grace and mercy (v.2) The Father (v.2) Gives gifts (v.6) Doesn’t give spirit of timidity (v.6) Spirit of power, love, and discipline (v.7) Power for suffering (v.8) Saved us (v.9) Called us (v.9)
CONTRASTS / COMPARISONS
COMPARISON
Identify Figures of speech These are used to add beauty / vividness or emphasis to the language. They help to express the truth of God more effectively. If any such things are there identify them.
TERMS OF CONCLUSION Terms of conclusion usually follow an important sequence of thought and include worse such as therefore, for this reason, and finally. Example: I Pet. 5:6, Therefore. a. Marking the terms of conclusion Therefore For 2. Next level b. Next level (1) (A) A. He would teach the Lord’ s ordinances.
4.2 INTERPRETATION: Discover what it means! While observation leads to an accurate understanding of what the Word of God says, interpretation goes a step further and helps you understand what it means. When you accurately interpret the Word of God, you will able to confidently put its truths into practice in your daily life. As you seek to interpret the Bible accurately the following guidelines will be helpful. GENERAL PRINCIPLES Remember those context rules The word context means “that which goes with the text.” To understand the context you must be familiar with the Word of God. If you lay the solid foundation of observation you will be prepared to consider each verse in the light of.
As you study ask yourself
a. Example: 2 Tim. 2:16 - Avoid worldly and empty chatters. Interpret according to the correct meaning of the word Many words are having the same meaning. The meaning of the word differ according to the context a. Example: Trunk - Box to put a clothes Elephant nose. Main stem of a tree.
Interpret according to the grammar of the sentence or passage. Interpret according the whole purpose of the Bible. Interpret scripture by scripture. By regular and disciplined Bible reading we can get the knowledge of the whole Bible. The OT and NT explain the truth with one another. Bible will never contradict itself. a. Example: Lk. 14:26, Mt. 10:37 - first love Mt. 10:34, Lk.12:51-53, Mk. 13:12 Division We can apply the above principles according to the situations. Sovereignty of God Responsibility of man
Interpret Scripture literally The Bible is not a book of mysticism. God spoke to us that we might know truth. Therefore, take the word of God at face value - in its natural, normal sense. Look for the clear teaching of Scripture, not a hidden meaning. Understand and recognize figures of speech and interpret them accordingly.
Donut base your convictions on an obscure passage of Scripture An obscure passage is one in which the meaning is not easily understood. Because these passages are difficult to understand even when proper principles of interpretation are used, they should not be used as a basis for establishing doctrine. INTERPRETING FIGURES OF SPEECH Use the following principles:
HISTORICAL PRINCIPLES
THEOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES 1. Relationship between the part and the whole. Unity and diversity There is no contradiction - Lk. 14:26; Mt. 10:37 Scripture interprets Scripture Scripture is essentially one revelation - giving one message about God Every part of Scripture has its own contribution to make to the whole. (Eg. Esther) 2. Bible will be seen as practical Not just an academic exercise but has practical value to the day-to-day living. 3. Bible will be seen as unifying: Eph. 4:1-16 4. Role of faith in interpretation: Faith is not a prerequisite but result. 5. Role of the Holy Spirit in interpretation. Men inspired by the Spirit of God wrote the books of the Bible. The Holy Spirit is the primary author. So the same Holy Spirit should help a person to interpret the Scripture. His role is...
SOME MORE PRINCIPLES
APPLICATION: DISCOVER HOW IT WORKS
DISCOVER LESSONS FOR LIFE In the process of observing the text and seeing how God instructed people and Dealt with various individuals, the Holy Spirit will bring to your attention truths that God wants you to be aware of and live by in your own life. a. Example: Jude v.3-contend for the faith b. Mark the expression LFL
APPLICATION Application means “Personally accepting and actively responding to the truth learned. The final end of a true understanding of the Bible is a life live to the glory of God. God may speak in many ways.
Observation, interpretation and application lead to transformation. This is the goal of our study of the Word of God. Through it we are changed from glory to glory into the image of Jesus. |
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